BACKGROUND 

Anxiety is a physiological state characterized by cognitive, somatic (bodily), emotional, and behavioral components. These components combine to create the feelings that we typically recognize as fear, apprehension or worry. Anxiety is often accompanied by physical sensations such as heart palpitations, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, stomach aches, or headache. The cognitive response is often the expectation of danger causing the body to react, often with increased blood pressure, heart rate and blood flow to the major muscle groups. Externally, somatic signs of anxiety may include pale skin, sweating and trembling. Emotionally, anxiety causes a sense of dread or panic and physically causes nausea, and chills.

According to Jonathan Prousky's work published in the book, Anxiety: Orthomolecular Diagnosis and Treatment, anxiety disorders are a result of insufficient nutrients in the brain. Food allergies may also play a role.

ORTHOMOLECULAR APPROACH

The orthomolecular approach to anxiety understands that how a person feels is largely controlled by the foods consumed and how well these building blocks are converted into brain transmitting chemicals called neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that control moods.  Chains of amino acids make up proteins and many of these amino acids are converted into neurotransmitters. The brain needs adequate amounts of protein and their amino acids for the production of neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters include serotonin, dopamine, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), and norepinepherine.

Orthomolecular treatment of anxiety examines the important role nutrients, including amino acids, play in creating and regulating neurotransmitters. The approach seeks to uncover any other nutritional deficiencies in a patient and once identified, those nutrients are replaced to provide optimal levels needed to correct the neurotransmitter dysfunctions.

Orthomolecular treatment of anxiety could include the use of the following supplements:

A multi-vitamin tablet not containing copper 

Vitamin B3 

Vitamin B Complex 

Vitamin B6 

Vitamin B9 

Vitamin D 

Vitamin C 

Zinc 

Selenium  

Calcium/Magnesium 

Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids 

* A customized program must be developed by an orthomolecular practitioner

REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Articles and Resources

Replogle, William and Eicke, F.J. "Megavitamin Therapy in the Reduction of Anxiety and Depression Among Alcoholics". Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine.  2.3 (1987)

Hoffer, Dr. Abram. "The Megavitamin Revolution". Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine.  7.1 (1995)

Hoffer A and Saul AW. Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Pub, 2008.

Kunin, Richard. "Principles That Identify Orthomolecular Medicine: A Unique Medical Specialty". Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. 4 (1987)

Prousky, Jonathan. Anxiety: Orthomolecular Diagnosis and Treatment. Toronto, ON: CCNM Press, October, 2007. 

Hoffer, Dr. Abram and Foster, Harold. Feel Better, Live Longer with Vitamin B-3: Nutrient Deficiency and Dependency. Toronto, ON: CCNM Press, September, 2007.

Murray, Michael T. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements: The Essential Guide for Improving Your Health Naturally. Roseville, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996.

Pauling, Linus. How to Live Longer and Feel Better. Corvallis: First Oregon State University Press, 2006.

Hoffer, Dr. Abram. Healing Children's Attention and Behavior Disorders: Toronto: CCNM Press Inc, 2005.