Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and other anxiety-related
disorders, puts a huge strain on the function of the adrenal system. When this happens, a person will feel
fatigued more often, while the ability to focus, concentrate and learn can be altered.
Let’s look at this scenario where physical and emotional
health can be connected. Folks in the
height of OCD operate in panic mode much of the time. They can’t relax, at
least not easily, because they feel they’re always on the brink of disaster.
Sleep may not be restorative anymore.
Their hyper-vigilant minds continue endlessly even when they are
physically exhausted. Anxiety puts a
heavy burden on the adrenal system. This
is one area where an integrative professional, such as a Nutrition Therapist,
can help.
Nourishment of the adrenal system is often necessary because
it is being overused. Think of it this
way: If a person is sick with a cold,
they are probably using more antioxidants to fight the virus. Likewise, if the
adrenal system is continually experiencing fight or flight mode, it will use up
more of the nutrients necessary to keep that system running. Adaptogenic herbs, adrenal glandular
supplements and B vitamins can help. Examples
of adaptogenic herbs, those that support the body’s ability to adapt to stress
and change, are ashwaganda, rhodiola, licorice root, and ginseng. Unlike stimulants, these herbs are nourishing
the adrenal glands.
Some commonly ingested food and drink activate, or
stimulate, the stress response. These
include caffeine, alcohol, sugar and processed foods. They may give short term relief, but will
degrade adrenal function in the long run and should be reduced or eliminated.
The B vitamins are needed throughout the nervous
system. Starting with a B complex
supplement is useful. There are specific
individual B vitamins that stand out as useful.
Vitamin B12, taken as a lozenge so it is absorbed well, supports the
nervous system and the brain.
Pantothenic Acid, Folate, and vitamin B6 are also important. You can find combination formulas that
contain a blend of some of these nutrients that are mentioned.
Additionally, there are a few things that stand out for support
of focus and concentration. Following
are components of brain cell membranes which facilitate the firing and
interaction of neurotransmitters. Phosphatidylserine
(PS) and choline are phospholipids that surround cell membranes. Interestingly, PS also helps balance the
adrenal feedback loop to the brain. DHA,
a component of fish oil, is also needed in brain cell membranes.
Taking omega-3 fish oil supplements is very helpful for most
people. Fish oil contains DHA, for focus
and concentration, and EPA which supports many functional needs of the body and
brain. The brain is 50-60% fat, so we
must feed it healthy fats. Another brain-friendly
fat is coconut oil, which is great fuel for the body also.
Eating a whole food diet of protein, healthy fats, and
vegetables will provide many more nutrients than those available from processed
foods in bags and boxes. For those who
need more energy, make sure to include starchy vegetables such as sweet potato
and squashes.
Healthy fats include olive oil, butter or ghee, coconut oil
and seed/nut oils such as avocado and walnut oils. Hydrogenated oils, or trans-fats, are very
damaging to the cell membranes.
Neurotransmitters are built from amino acids which we get
from eating protein in the diet. Animal
proteins are generally absorbed better than vegetarian proteins from grains and
legumes. It is possible to supplement
amino acids also. Acetyl-L Carnitine is
an amino acid that crosses the blood-brain barrier. It helps burn fats and carbohydrates for
energy.
Balancing meals with a whole foods diet is also
important. Try to eat protein, healthy
fat, and carbohydrate together at every meal and snack. (Note that vegetables are carbohydrates!) Balancing these macro-nutrients helps to minimize
blood-sugar fluctuations. When blood
sugar is too high or too low, it interferes with brain function. This can feel like mood imbalances, inability
to concentrate and having food cravings.
This is another reason why those packaged foods are so damaging, so
avoid crackers, cookies, cereals, etc. Nuts
and seeds are usually good snacks.
Another area to consider is whether the gastrointestinal
(GI) tract is healthy. If it is not,
then this must be explored and corrected.
Poor GI health inhibits the absorption of nutrients. Poor GI health has the ability, over time, to
degrade other systems in the body.
