Functional Medicine for Anxiety

Hormonal imbalance can also be a root cause of anxiety. For example, progesterone is a reproductive hormone produced by a woman’s body after ovulation. In a healthy menstrual cycle, progesterone should rise rapidly after ovulation and remain high until 1 to 2 days before your period. If you have low progesterone levels, you may feel more anxious in the week or days leading up to your period. Low progesterone levels are common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and perimenopause. Additionally, imbalances in your thyroid hormones can also alter your mood. In a functional medicine plan for anxiety, we evaluate these hormone levels and form an appropriate treatment plan. Read more about anxiety and hormone imbalances.

There is a well-researched connection between your gut and your brain. In fact, the gut produces approximately 95 percent of all serotonin, your body’s natural “feel good” chemical (2). Serotonin works in your brain to regulate your mood (among other things). When serotonin levels are normal, you feel happier and calm. When your gut health is disrupted by low-grade inflammation, dysbiosis, and/or a leaky gut, serotonin production is negatively affected.

Small changes make a difference in your gut health, and you can modify the composition of your gut bacteria in as little as three days! To test your unique microbiome as well as other important gut health biomarkers, join our access membership to order the GI MAP test with Root doctor insights on your results.

We may also recommend supplements from our Gut Health Bundle to optimize digestion, soothe the intestinal lining, and repopulate the gut with beneficial bacteria.

Many nutrients play an integral role in your nervous system and brain function. For example, vitamin B6, which is commonly found in chickpeas, salmon, and bananas, is required to make serotonin and a calming brain chemical called GABA. Supplementing with vitamin B6 may reduce self-reported anxiety (3). 

Omega-3, an anti-inflammatory fat found in fish, also offers a protective role for mood disorders. In fact, one large review study concluded that test subjects who took omega-3 supplements reported less anxiety than the placebo group (4).

Other supplements in a functional medicine plan for anxiety may include magnesium for stress relief and sleep.

To evaluate your nutrient levels associated with anxiety, order the Root mental health panel via an Access Membership.

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by your adrenal glands. Its primary function is to prepare the body for a “fight-or-flight” response in times of stress or danger. Cortisol levels should vary throughout the day and are normally highest in the morning and lowest right before bedtime.  However, in times of chronic stress, cortisol levels are often higher than normal. High cortisol levels can make you feel “tired but wired”, anxious, jittery, and irritable. 

Mind-body practices, like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga, are the most effective way to lower cortisol levels. Fortunately, these same techniques also reduce reported anxiety (5). Therapy is another crucial solution for learning how to cope with past trauma and manage the stressors of everyday life that often lead to high cortisol levels. Lastly, we may also recommend adaptogenic herbs, like ashwagandha, which can reduce cortisol and reported anxiety in some individuals (6, 7).

A functional medicine approach for anxiety can be an effective standalone or concurrent treatment for this common, yet often debilitating, mental health condition. Some possible root causes for anxiety include blood sugar imbalances, low progesterone, poor gut health, high cortisol, and nutrient deficiencies.