Introduction
Anxiety is characterised by a number of stress related symptoms including perspiration without effort, palpitations (rapid heart beat), headache, nausea, irritability, overwhelming or irrational fears (panic attacks or phobias) and tearfulness. If these symptoms persist for a long time they can develop to depression. Modern living with its fast pace, time pressures, long working hours, insufficient physical activity and sleep, are common factors often used to explain the clinical conditions of anxiety or depression. There is no doubt that individual circumstances play an important role on how we feel following the death of a loved one, a separation or ongoing financial concerns. Scientists have documented changes in one’s hormone levels affecting adrenaline, serotonine, neurotransmitters and some immune markers affecting important enzymes of the muscle and nerve cells. It is not surprising that a history of a prolonged depression has been linked with an increased risk of cancer.

On the other hand the fact that some people experience mood changes depending on what they have eaten, raises the question whether there are other factors in our lifestyle, which might predispose or cause anxiety or depression.

The effects of artificial additives, high energy foods, especially carbohydrates, foods acting as stimulants and food intolerance are best demonstrated in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): within minutes of eating a food, which causes them problems, their mood changes from being calm, amenable and pleasant to being excitable, restless, irritable and tearful. Adults generally have a better capacity to deal with these dietary agents and only become aware of the mood changes occasionally, when the effects are immediate or marked.

Possible causes

• Problems with simple re-activities to some common foods; these require expert help to identify these items and control anxiety. Food intolerance has been associated with mood changes in several clinical studies. In most instances it is a reversible phenomenon.
• The depletion of some essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals is another common factor, which exacerbates the problem. The modern food production involves the regular use of organophosphates, chemicals used as fertilisers or pesticides, which results in lowering the levels of important nutrients the body requires (and is often reflected in the tastelessness of fresh food).
• Mood changes can also occur as a result of frequently coming in contact with common environmental chemicals also known as “volatile organic compounds” such as air-fresheners, hair sprays, deodorants, perfumes and many others, which have this effect on susceptible individuals.
• Depletion of hormones and substances used in the nervous system as important neuro-transmitters has been associated with mood changes. Over- or under-active thyroid, dopamine and serotonin (5 hydroxy-tryptamine, 5-HTP) are common factors, critical in one’s psychological wellness. Serotonin is the substance targeted by many modern anti-depressants, which aim to alter its availability in the brain cells thereby improving mood.
• The absence of an abundance of natural (sun) light is associated with the “seasonal affective disorder” (SAD)
• Decreased regular physical activity may also be a contributing factor in anxiety and mood changes.

Our Management
In our clinics we aim to identify causative factors such as food and chemical re-activities and deficiencies of important nutrients. The correction of such factors is critical in helping a person enjoy again mental wellness (See section on food intolerance and Nutritional therapy).

Case study 1
A 43 civil servant from Northamptonshire noticed that he would get acute anxiety, rapid heartbeat along with indigestion and bloating during certain meals. He was asked to modify his diet for 2 weeks by which time most of his symptoms cleared; during a brief reintroduction phase he was able to identify coffee, cane sugar, cheese, corn, soy and yeast as the main “culprits”. He was advised to avoid them for 2 months and was then able to start using them sporadically without the recurrence of any symptoms; he was able to tolerate occasional decaffeinated drinks.

Case study 2
A 51 year old woman with a long history of irritable bowel and weight problems started being aware of acute anxiety, which coincided with some menopausal symptoms. A “low risk foods” diet failed to show any significant changes but intra-cutaneous tests confirmed a number of reactive items. Her anxiety and menopausal symptoms subsided 2 weeks after she eliminated reactive foods as did her digestive problems. In the process, she lost 9 lbs of weight and continued losing more weight during the following 3 months.

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