A Root Cause Quick Guide for Anxiety
In this article series we have explored how anxiety often stems from blood sugar imbalances, poor gut health, and thyroid dysfunction—physical root causes that are frequently overlooked. But the story doesn’t stop there. There are four more key contributors to anxiety that can silently undermine your mental peace.
Let’s look at root causes #4 – #7 and how you can begin to support your body from the inside out.
#4: Nutrient Deficiencies
#5: Chronic Systemic Infections
#6: Hormone Imbalances
#7: Neurotransmitter Imbalances: Low Serotonin / Low GABA
#4 – Nutrient Deficiencies
Vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids are the foundation of emotional resilience. They help your brain produce neurotransmitters, support your stress response, and regulate inflammation—yet our modern diets are often depleted of these essential nutrients.
Key nutrients for anxiety support include:
- B vitamins (B1, B3, B6, B9, B12) – crucial for mood, energy, and nervous system balance
- Vitamin D – regulates serotonin and immune function
- Vitamin C and A – support adrenal and immune health
- Omega-3 fatty acids – reduce neuroinflammation and stabilize mood
- Cholesterol – essential for hormone and neurotransmitter production
- Amino Acids – tryptophan, tyrosine, glycine, taurine and others build neurotransmitters
Processed foods, artificial additives, and poor soil quality contribute to widespread deficiencies. To make things worse, many prescription medications (like antacids, birth control, and SSRIs) deplete key nutrients, further exacerbating mood issues.
Fortified (adding a nutrient into a food that isn’t naturally there) and enriched (adding nutrients back in that were removed in processing) foods may contain the nutrients on the label, but the body doesn’t process them the same, nor do they have the optimal function.
TIPS:
- Eat a whole-foods diet rich in colorful vegetables, healthy fats, clean proteins, and organ meats
- Avoid ultra-processed foods and inflammatory oils in clear containers
- Consider targeted supplementation based on testing and symptoms
- Include high-quality omega-3s from wild-caught fish or algae oil
**Get tested! Our Metabolomix nutritional testing will tell you exactly what nutrients you are deficient in, and we can compound a personalized supplement with just the right combination of nutrients for you!!
#5 – Chronic Systemic Infections
Sometimes anxiety appears out of nowhere and doesn’t respond to typical treatments. In these cases, chronic infections may be to blame.
Infections like:
- Lyme disease (and its co-infections like Bartonella or Babesia)
- Mold toxicity
- Parasitic infections
can all disrupt the nervous system and trigger inflammation in the brain. These infections can impair neurotransmitter signaling, alter brain chemistry, and overwhelm the immune system—leading to symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and panic.
TIPS:
- Work with a functional or integrative provider to test for hidden infections and
- Support detoxification pathways (liver, lymph, colon)
- Test your most used (home and/or work) for mold and reduce mold exposure
- Use targeted antimicrobials and homeopathic drops (under professional guidance)
When these infections are addressed, many people see their anxiety resolve completely.
#6 – Hormone Imbalances: The Progesterone-GABA Connection
For many women, anxiety becomes noticeable in their late 40s, often due to declining progesterone levels. Progesterone is more than a reproductive hormone—it has a calming, stabilizing effect on the brain. It activates GABA, the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, which reduces anxiety and promotes sleep.
One specific metabolic pathway, the 5β-reductase pathway, favors a calm, anti-anxiety state when functioning well. But when progesterone is low or poorly metabolized, women often report:
- Racing thoughts
- Restlessness
- Sleep issues
- Hormonal mood swings
TIPS:
- Test hormone levels (the DUTCH hormone test can offer a comprehensive look at hormone levels and function)
- Support natural progesterone with nutrients like vitamin B6, magnesium, chasteberry, Evening Primrose Oil
- Minimize endocrine disruptors (plastics, synthetic fragrances, pesticides)
- Support Adrenal Glands and precursors DHEA to produce progesterone
- In some cases, bioidentical progesterone therapy may be recommended
#7 – Neurotransmitter Imbalances: Low Serotonin & GABA
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that directly affect your thoughts and feelings. While they’re often linked to brain health, they actually originate in the gut and protein metabolism. SSRI and MAO medications help to keep serotonin levels circulating, but don’t address the why these neurotransmitters are low to begin with.
Low levels of:
- Serotonin – associated with sadness, worry, and obsessive thoughts, sugar cravings
- GABA – linked to panic, insomnia, and tension
…can result from poor digestion, nutrient deficiencies (especially amino acids), or chronic stress. Fortunately, these imbalances can often be corrected without medication by using amino acids (like tryptophan, 5-HTP, or GABA precursors) and micronutrients that fuel their production.
TIPS:
- Ensure you’re eating enough quality protein (to provide amino acids)
- Support digestion to break down protein properly with enzymes, Betaine HCL and liver nutrients
- Consider supplementing with targeted amino acids under guidance
- Heal the gut to restore the microbial balance that helps make these neurotransmitters
Anxiety is not just a mental health issue—it’s a whole-body issue. And the good news? That means there are many paths to healing beyond symptom management.
Whether it’s nutrient deficiencies, chronic infections, hormone imbalances, or neurotransmitter disruptions, your body is always sending you signals. By identifying and addressing the true root causes, you can move from a place of fear and frustration to one of calm, clarity, and confidence.
**Get started today with our Nutritional Analysis!!