Change Your Diet . . . Change Your Mood

Five Top
Anxiety-relieving
Foods

Last month I went through a period of feeling blue and anxious. Desperate for some relief, I once again turned to food for medicine. I have been studying food as medicine for around ten years now. I have also earned a certificate in Plant Medicine from Cornell University. Wanting to take the edge off my blue mood, I went to these five foods. Before sharing with you, I wanted to test them myself. For several weeks, I consumed three or more of these foods at least once a day. There was a noticeable improvement. (Let me stop here and say that food is not always what one needs for chronic depression and anxiety. There is a place for medications and counseling as well. Please seek medical advice from a doctor before changing or stopping medication. I am not a doctor or in a medical profession. I am only sharing with you information based on my study of plant nutrition and medicine for information purposes only.) Being pleased with the changes I saw; I would like to share some information on 5 anxiety-relieving foods with you.

1. Fish – Cold water fish like salmon, trout, cod, mackerel, and sardines are rich in L-lysine, L-arginine, and healthy omega-3 Fatty acids. People with low L-lysine levels tend to have high levels of stress and anxiety. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to improve mood and reduce anxiety. Consuming just a few servings of healthy fish a week can improve one’s mood and reduce anxiety.
2. Nuts – Brazil nuts, almonds, and walnuts provide vitamin E and selenium, both of which have been proven to reduce feelings of anxiety. Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium. The lower the selenium in one’s diet, the higher their level of anxiety. Adults over 14 years old are recommended to take 55 mcg of selenium a day. Six to eight Brazil nuts contain a whopping 544 mcg of selenium. More than enough to take the edge off your mood. Consuming one or two daily is all that’s needed on a long-term basis.
3. Yogurt – Probiotic-rich fermented milk. There are other fermented non-dairy milk products as well, like coconut, almond, and goat’s milk. Consuming these probiotic-rich fermented foods daily have been shown to affect regions of the brain that process emotions and sensations in ways that prevent feelings of anxiety from developing.
4. Green Tea – Brain scans have shown that drinking green tea regularly improves the interregional connections in the brain. Healthier interconnections improve organization in the brain. Great news for seniors! Any reduction in the number of forgetful moments is appreciated. The polyphenol L-theanine is suspected to have the ability to calm nerves. The amino acid theanine stimulates the production of GABA and dopamine, neurotransmitters that enhance pleasurable sensations. Studies have shown that those in Japan who drink five cups, as compared to one cup, of green tea a day have considerably less stress in their lives.
5. Dark Chocolate – I’m talking 70% to 85% cacao. Just one large square will do it. That’s good news for those who aren’t a fan of dark chocolate. You don’t have to eat the entire bar. Studies of those who have eaten 40 grams a day for two weeks show stress levels to be greatly reduced. In addition to soothing the effects of mood disorders, the phenolic antioxidants in cocoa benefits brain function. Something we could all use.