Supplements for Anxiety

Adult rates of depression and anxiety have tripled since 1990.
Approximately 80% of those who consult a doctor complain
of excessive stress.

Is it our lifestyle? Yes…high stress jobs, on-the-go lifestyles, multitasking, and lack of sleep. Increasing emotional stress can cause malfunctions in our brain & body chemistry. These malfunctions are a result of unmet nutritional needs that can be corrected. Today, more people are looking to natural supplements for anxiety because they do not want to take mind-numbing prescription drugs that often affect their performance at work. Natural supplements for anxiety, such as vitamins, herbs, and amino acids are familiar to the body; you do not have the harsh side effects.

Amino Acids Can Correct the Underlying Causes of Anxiety
5-HTP is what the body converts tryptophan (amino acid) into. It is this 5-HTP which then converts directly into serotonin. If there isn’t enough tryptophan in your diet (a problem for many of us), your body can’t produce enough 5-HTP or serotonin to keep the brain happy. 5-HTP is known to calm anxiety and relive insomnia.

L-Tyrosine is an essential amino acid that once in the brain, is a precursor of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. This amino acid is found naturally in the body, and has been found to optimize thyroid hormone levels, increase mood, concentration, and productivity. It has been used to treat conditions including depression or mood disorder, poor coping ability, fatigue, low sex drive, low metabolism, and can improve endurance under stress.

SAM-e is a compound that is produced naturally in the body from the essential amino acid methionine. SAM-e plays a role in various biochemical reactions, including the formation of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Although SAM-e has only been on the market in the US since 1999, it has been studied for decades internationally and is approved as a prescription drug in Spain, Italy, Russia and Germany.

Herbal Relaxants

Herb-of-Grace (Bacopa Monnieri) is considered a rejuvenating herb for nerve and brain cells. It is used in the treatment of cognitive disorders associated with aging. Studies have shown that this herb increases protein synthesis in the brain, increasing intelligence, longevity, and short-term memory. It also has calming effects.

Passion Flower (Passiflorra incarnata) is an herb that can ease your anxiety without severe side effects. It has been used by the native people of North, Central, and South America for centuries, and is still prescribed by physicians in Europe as an anxiety-easer and sedative.

Gastrodia (Gastrodia elata) is an expensive herbal remedy that is a native of the far east. Gastrodia is first mention in the Shennong Bencao Jing, which was compiled around A.D. 100. It is said to have sedative and analgesic properties.

Vinpocetine is an alkaloid derived from a plant source. It can help to support brain metabolism by increasing cerebral synthesis of ATP and utilization of oxygen. This is one of the ingredients that enables the proper synthesis of the neurotransmitters that control memory, recall, focus, and mood. It is used as a pharmaceutical agent in Europe, Japan, and Mexico, but is available in the USA as a dietary supplement.

Lemon Balm Leaf Powder relaxes the nervous system inducing normal sleep.

Valerian Root – used since ancient times as a sedative.

Hops – best known for flavoring in beer, they have been used by such people as King Henry VIII for their calming effect.

Chamomile – commonly used in teas, chamomile acts as a smooth muscle relaxant.

Skullcap – entered into the U.S. Pharmacopoeia in 1863, skullcap has been used for its soothing effect.

Vitamins for Anxiety

Calcium – needed for normal nerve transmission.

Magnesium – a smooth muscle and skeletal muscle relaxant. It is important for normal nerve transmission.

B6 – critical in the bioavailability of serotonin which is a precursor to melatonin (a hormone produced by the pineal gland and associated with sleep).
Vitamin B-1 plays an important role in the body’s metabolic cycle for generating energy. Deficiency of B-1 leads to loss of appetite, weakness, nervous irritability, insomnia, aches & pains, and mental depression.

Supporting Research and Studies
“L-Tyrosine”

1: Neri D, Weigmann D, and Stanny R. “The effects of tyrosine
on cognitive performance during extended wakefulness.” Avit Space
Environ Med. 1995; 66:313-319

2: Owasoyo JO, Neri DR, and Lamberth JH. “Tyrosine and its
potential use as a countermeasure to performance detriment in
military sustained operations.” Aviat Space Environ Med 1992; 63:364-
469

3: Wojicik JD, Gibson CJ, and Wurtman RJ. “Tyrosine for
depression.” Psychiat. Res. 1982-83; 17(2):175-180

4: Deijen JB, Wientjes CJ, Vullinghs HF, et al. “Tyrosine improves
cognitive performance and reduces blood pressure in cadets after one
week of a combat training course.” Brain Res Bull. 1999; 48:203-209.

5: Mahoney CR, Castellani J, Kramer FM, et al. “Tyrosine
supplementation mitigates working memory decrements during cold
exposure.” Physiol Behav. 2007 May 22.

6: Lehnert H, Reinstein DK, Stowbridge BW, and Wurtman RJ.
“Neurochemical and behavioral consequences of acute, uncontrollable
stress: Effects of dietary tyrosine.” Brain Res 1984; 303:215-223

7: Mass PG, “Testing the tyrosine/catecholamine hypothesis of
oral contraceptive-induced psychological side-effect.” Ann Nutritional
Metabolism 2001; 45(3):102-109

8: Gelenberg AJ, and Wurtman RJ. “L-tyrosine in depression.”
Lancet, October, 1980

9: Goldberg, IK, “L-tyrosine in depression.” Lancet, August, 1980

Supporting Research and Studies

“Herb-of-Grace (Bacopa Monnieri)”

1. Roodenrys S, Booth D, Bulzomi S, Micallef C, Phipps A, ,
and Smoker J, “Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa minnieri)
on human memory.” Neuropsychopharmacology 2002; 27:
279-281
2. Singh HK, Dhawan BN, “Neuropsychopharmacological
effects of the Ayurvedic nootropic Bacopa Minniera Linn.
(Brahmi)” Indian J Pharmacol 1997; 29:359-365
3. Raghav S, Singh H, Dalal PK, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP.
“Randomized controlled trial of standardized Bacopa
monniera extract in age-associated memory impairment.”
Indian J Psychiatry 2006; 48:238-42

Supporting Research and Studies

“Passion Flower (Passiflorra Incarnata)”

1. Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Vazirian M, Shayeganpour A,
Rashidi H, Khani M. Passionflower in the treatment of
generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized
controlled trial with oxazepam. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2001 Oct;
26(5):363-7.
2. Cauffield JS, Forbes HJ. Dietary supplements used in the
treatment of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
Lippincotts Prim Care Pract. 1999 May-Jun; 3(3):290-304.
3. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A. The Complete
German Commission E Monographs. Boston, MA:
Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:293-296.

“Vinpocetine”
Supporting Research and Studies

1. Kiss B, Karpati E. “Mechanism of action of vinpocetine” Acta
Pharm Hung 1996, Sep; 66(5): 213-214
2. McDaniel MA, Maier SF, Einstein GO. “Brain-specific
nutrients: a memory cure?” Nutrition 2003, Nov-Dec; 19(11-
12): 957-975

Supporting Research and Studies

“SAM-e”

1. Braverman E, “The healing nutrients within/Eric R.
Braverman.” 3rd ed. Print
2. Andreoli VM, Maffei F, Tonon GC. “S-adenosyl-L-methionine
(SAMe) blood levels in schizophrenia and depression.”
Monogr Gesamtgeb Psychiatr Psychiatry Ser. 1978; 18: 147-
50.
3. Curcio M, Catto E, Stramentinoli G, Slgeri S. “Effects of S-
adenosyl-L-methionine on serotonon metabolism in rat
brain.” Prog Neuropsychopharmacol. 1978; 2(1): 65-71.
4. Czyrak A, Rogoz Z, Skuza G. “ Antidepressnat activity of S-
adenosyl-L-methionine in mice and rats.” J Basic Clin
Physiol Pharmacol. 1992; 3(1): 1-17.
5. Fava M, Rosenbaum JF, MacLaughlin R. “Neuroendocrine
effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine, a novel putative
antidepressant.” J Psychiatr Res. 1990; 24(2): 177-184.
6. Losada ME, Rubio MC. “Acute effects of S-adenosyl-L-
methionine in catecholaminergic central function. Eur J
Pharmacol. 1989; 163(2-3): 353-356.
7. Otero-Losada ME, Rubio MC. “Acute changes in 5-ht
metabolism after S-adenosyl-L-methionine” Gen Pharmacol.
1989; 20(4): 403-406.
8. Crellin R, Bottiglieri T, Reynolds EH. “Folates and
psychiatric disorders. Clinical potential.” Drugs 1993; 45(5):
623-636.
9. Janicak PG, Lipinski J, Davis JM. “S-adenosylmethionine in
depression. A literature review and preliminary report.” Ala J
Med Sci. 1988; 25(3); 306-313.
10. Bell KM, Plon L, Bunney WE, Potkin SG. “S-
adenosylmethionine treatment of depression: a controlled
clinical trail.” Am J Psychiatry. 1998; 145(9); 1110-1114.
11. Bell KM, Potkin SG, Carreon D, Plon L. “S-
adenosylmethionine blood levels in major depression:
changes with drug treatment.” Acta Neurol Scand Suppl.
1994; 154: 15-18.
12. De Vanna M, Rigamonti R. “Oral S-adenosyl-L-methionine in
depression.” Current Therapeutic Research 1992; 52(3):
478-485.
13. Oral S-adenosyl-L-methionine for Treatment of Depression,
Osteoarthritis, and Liver Disease. www.ahrq.gov