John Glanvill • Anxiety Specialist & Researcher • Anxiety • OCD • Bipolar • ADHD • Energy • Online Treatment Course • Sensible Spirituality

Food & Diet

Food And Diet

I’m not a nutritionist, so I won’t lecture you. However, many people find that avoiding carbohydrates (sugars), processed foods, and seed oils significantly improves their energy levels and mood.

I follow a carnivore/ketogenic diet about eighty percent of the time and eat what I enjoy for the remaining twenty percent. This approach seems to work well for my body type, but it’s important to remember that everyone is different.

Sugar and anxiety…

Both hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can contribute to anxiety, but the severity and nature of the effects depend on the individual and the specific context. Here’s how they compare:

Hypoglycemia and Anxiety

  • Direct Impact: Hypoglycemia has an immediate and acute effect on the brain and nervous system. When blood sugar drops too low, the brain is deprived of its primary energy source, which can trigger symptoms like shakiness, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, confusion, and a sense of impending doom—all of which mimic or exacerbate anxiety.
  • Stress Response: Low blood sugar causes the release of adrenaline (a stress hormone) to increase glucose availability. This adrenaline surge can create feelings of panic and anxiety, even in individuals without preexisting anxiety disorders.
  • Frequency: Anxiety due to hypoglycaemia is often transient and resolves once blood sugar is stabilised.

Hyperglycemia and Anxiety

  • Subtle and Chronic Effects: Hyperglycemia tends to have a more chronic impact on anxiety rather than immediate, acute symptoms. Prolonged high blood sugar can contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalances that exacerbate mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
  • Physical Symptoms: Symptoms of hyperglycemia (e.g., fatigue, excessive thirst, blurred vision) can cause discomfort and stress, indirectly contributing to anxiety. Additionally, the physiological effects of hyperglycemia, such as autonomic dysfunction, can increase restlessness or nervousness.
  • Cognitive Factors: For individuals with diabetes, hyperglycemia may trigger anxiety about long-term health complications or poorly controlled blood sugar levels.

Which is Worse for Anxiety?

  • Hypoglycemia is often worse for acute anxiety because of its immediate and intense effects on the brain and body, mimicking panic attacks or extreme distress. The sudden drop in energy available to the brain can make it a direct trigger for anxiety episodes.
  • Hyperglycemia may have a greater long-term impact on anxiety by contributing to systemic inflammation, chronic stress, and emotional burden, particularly in those with conditions like diabetes.

Managing Both:

  • Balanced Diet: Avoid extremes in blood sugar by eating regularly and focusing on low-glycemic foods.
  • Monitor Levels: For people with diabetes or blood sugar sensitivity, frequent monitoring can help prevent both hypo- and hyperglycemic episodes.
  • Address Anxiety: Techniques like mindfulness, therapy, and physical activity can help manage anxiety regardless of the cause.

 

This is not medical advice – just things to be aware of – as I believe we should try everything to recover from anxiety and depression.

Here is a link to a blog from my course where I decided to experiment with the carnivore diet for 42 days.

Turned out I stayed with it for two years!