Anxiety

Everybody suffers with anxiety sometimes, but for many it can be a constant feeling. Anxiety can be defined as ‘‘an unpleasant emotional state ranging from mild unease to intense fear.’’ Anxiety differs from fear in that, while fear is a rational response to a real danger, anxiety usually lacks a clear or realistic cause. Though some anxiety is normal and even healthy, higher levels of anxiety are not only uncomfortable but can lead to significant problems.
Anxiety is often accompanied by a variety of symptoms. The most common symptoms relate to the chest, such as heart palpitations (awareness of a more forceful or faster heart beat), throbbing or stabbing pains, a feeling of tightness and inability to take in enough air and a tendency to sigh or hyperventilate. Tension in the muscles of the back and neck often leads to headaches, back pains and muscle spasms. Other symptoms can include excessive sweating, dryness of the mouth, dizziness, digestive disturbances and the constant need to urinate or defecate.
Psychiatrists divide anxiety into three main types: general anxiety, phobias and panic attacks. Unlike phobias and panic attacks, with general anxiety it is not always clear to the anxious persons exactly what it is they feel so anxious about. They often have a constant feeling that something bad is going to happen. They may fear that they have a chronic or dangerous illness- a belief that is reinforced by the symptoms of anxiety, like chest pains. Inability to relax may lead to difficulty in getting to sleep and constant waking through the night.
In trying to overcome anxiety it is necessary to understand what is happening biochemically to the person.
It has been found that people with constant anxiety and panic attacks have higher than normal blood levels of lactic acid in their blood. Lactic acid is produced when muscles work too fast for the body to convert glucose into carbon dioxide and water. Instead the muscles produce lactic acid.
If lactic acid is injected into people with anxiety they will get severe panic attacks. In normal people nothing happens. So it appears that individuals with anxiety may be sensitive to lactic acid. Reducing the levels of lactic acid is critical in the treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. There are at least six nutritional factors that may be responsible for elevated levels of lactic acid: Alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and deficiency of the B-vitamins, deficiency of calcium or magnesium and finally food allergies.
By avoiding alcohol, caffeine, sugar and food allergens, people with anxiety can go a long way towards relieving their symptoms. Simply eliminating coffee can result in a complete relief from symptoms. Taking a good B-complexhttp://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/38829/Lifeplan-Vitamin-B-Complex-500mg-Mega-Potency-30-Tablets/ nutritional supplement along with calcium magnesium citrate http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11377/Solgar-Calcium-Magnesium-Citrate-50-Tablets/ will often give excellent results in relieving anxiety levels.
It has been found that taking Flaxseed oil ,http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/45011/Emile-Noel-Flax-Seed-Oil-250ml/ 2 – 6 tablespoons a day, will aid people who suffer from panic attacks and agoraphobia- especially if they suffer from dry skin, dandruff, brittle fingernails that grow slowly or nerve disorders all signs of omega 3 essential oil deficiencies.
There are many wonderful herbs for treating anxiety, like Valerian, passionflower and lemon balm. Valerian http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44478/Valerian-Tincture-215ml/ is especially useful for Insomnia.

Anaemia

Anaemia refers to a condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells or the haemoglobin (Iron containing) portion of red blood cells.
The bodies’ red blood cells, with the help of haemoglobin, perform the critical role of transporting oxygen, which provides energy to every cell in the body. If they are too few red blood cells or haemoglobin is deficient, not enough oxygen reaches the cells, causing fatigue. Although there are many causes of fatigue, Anaemia might be considered if the tiredness is constant and physical activity is exhausting. Heart palpitations and breathlessness are experienced after even a little exercise. Since the brain is particularly sensitive to oxygen deprivation, Anaemia is often the cause of a difficulty in concentrating, irritability, headaches, dizziness and fainting spells.
Outward signs of Anaemia are pale skin and pale mucous membranes. After some time the skin become dry and the nails brittle. A sore tongue is another sign. Anaemia leaves the body more susceptible to colds and other infections.
There are a number of different types of Anaemia. One type is related to Vitamin B12 absorption and intake. Vitamin B12 http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/45845/Solgar-Methylcobalamin-%28Vitamin-B12%29-1000ug---30-Nuggets/ is crucial not only for building and development of red blood cells, but also nerve sheaths in the body. If symptoms of Anaemia are combined with additional symptoms of restlessness and tingling or numbness in the legs, then B12 Anaemia maybe the cause.
Since iron http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/40328/Floradix-Liquid-Iron-Formula-500ml/is the most essential nutrient for blood building and oxygen transport, it is quickly deflected through blood loss. Any form of blood loss, as a result of an accident, operation or excessive menstrual bleeding produces an anaemic state. Anaemia is not always sudden, and can develop slowly over time, especially if bleeding is recurrent. It can be a sign of an underlying illness that causes slow internal bleeding, such as a peptic ulcer or cancer.
Although iron-deficient Anaemia is a common condition among women and the elderly, a blood test is needed, in order, for treatment to be optimum. Anaemia is typical among pregnant women, but if it is not severe, it may be considered a normal condition that need not be treated with supplements. A good diet will supply the necessary iron.
Fresh, raw leeks are an excellent food for combating iron-deficiency Anaemia. One leek contains over twice the amount of iron contained in a cup of most other green vegetables. In addition, leeks are a good source of Vitamin C http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/33854/Quest-Vitamin-C-1000mg-Timed-Release-120-Tablets/, which aids in the uptake and retention of iron in the blood. Parsley is another outstanding source of iron, as are nettles. Spinach contains a moderate amount of iron, but it remains a useful healing food for Anaemia because it contains an ideal combination of nutrients important for blood building, including iron, Vitamin C, copper, iodine and chlorophyll. All leafy green vegetables provide iron. It is best to eat them raw, as cooking, binds the iron. Other foods which contain iron are dried apricots, prunes, raisins, oats, corn, rye, apples, bananas, strawberries and grapes.
If Anaemia is due to excessive blood loss then more than iron is needed to rebuild the blood. Vitamin B12, folic acid and B6 are the most crucial B Vitamins. As supplements, they should be taken with other B Vitamins, in a B complex http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/38829/Lifeplan-Vitamin-B-Complex-500mg-Mega-Potency-30-Tablets/ , with additional Vitamin C http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/33854/Quest-Vitamin-C-1000mg-Timed-Release-120-Tablets/.The Chlorophyll in green food also helps build the blood and provide it with essential nutrients. Spirulina http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44340/Synegy-Organic-Spirulina-100g-Powder/ is an excellent source of Chlorophyll as are nettles or parsley.