The Remarkable Antioxidant That Can Help Treat 6 Mental Illnesses

When I went to the doctor years ago for help with my concussion symptoms and mental health challenges, he offered me two options – addictive sleeping pills or antidepressants.

That was it.

I was left in the dark.

I had no other options and nowhere to turn, so I had to take the medication.

Years later, I now know there are many other options and solutions.

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a cheap amino acid and antioxidant, is an effective way to deal with the root cause of mental illness and sub-optimal cognition.

What's N-Acetylcysteine? How Can It Help The Brain?

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is a modified form of the amino acid cysteine and helps your body produce glutathione.

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that supports liver detoxification and reduces free radicals in the body. 

Over the past 30 years, high doses of NAC have been used in emergency rooms to combat acetaminophen (Tylenol) toxicity (1, 2). 

But there is also an overwhelming amount of evidence showing that NAC can help treat a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, and it helped me years ago when I was trying to recover from mental illness and post-concussion syndrome. 

A systematic review of all of the evidence suggests that NAC is effective at treating the following conditions (4, 6, 18, 19):

•    Major depressive disorder
•    Bipolar disorder
•    Drug addiction
•    Obsessive-compulsive disorder
•    Autism
•    Schizophrenia
•    Alzheimer's disease
•    Certain forms of epilepsy (progressive myoclonic)

NAC also reduces the severity of mild traumatic brain injury in soldiers, and animal studies show that it can improve cognition after moderate traumatic brain injury (5). 

Disorders such as anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have preliminary evidence but require larger studies (4, 6). 

Overall, it’s clear to me that NAC should be a first-line treatment for mental illness.

My recommendation: I used to take 1200 mg of NAC every day to manage my long-term mental health. It was very helpful at one point in time. I no longer need to take it anymore because I’m completely recovered and well. It’s just not necessary for me anymore because I’m healthy. However, when I was taking it, I eventually started experienced some side effects due to heavy metal redistribution. Studies show that people benefit from taking anywhere between 500 mg to 3000 mg daily or every other day. But I find that many people actually do better when they take a lower dose because high doses of NAC can sometimes redistribute heavy metals into the brain. You’ll obviously want to avoid this. I now recommend people take just 250 mg of NAC, which can be found in the Optimal Antiox supplement. Optimal Antiox also contains a number of other antioxidants and nutrients that can support your brain and mental health. Optimal Antiox also includes leucine, which is an amino acid. Taking leucine with NAC prevents mercury from being reabsorbed into the central nervous system.

How Is It So Effective At Treating All These Mental Health Conditions?

First of all, it's important to note that NAC seems to target biological pathways that are common across all mental disorders.

Here are some possible explanations for its effectiveness:

• NAC has anti-inflammatory properties, and inflammation has been linked to depression and other mental health disorders (12, 13).

• NAC has also been shown to successfully cross the blood-brain-barrier and raise glutathione levels in the brain. Low levels of glutathione in the brain have been linked to a number of psychiatric disorders (8-11, 17-19, 24).

• High levels of oxidative stress have been identified in the brains of patients with a variety of psychiatric illnesses. Increasing brain glutathione by supplementing with NAC can help reduce this oxidative stress and protect neurons from oxidative damage (20-23, 25).

• Lastly, NAC may be having beneficial effects on patients by reducing glutamate, a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain that can lead to overstimulation (14-16, 26).

Therefore, if you take NAC, you're giving your body an efficient way to soak up excess glutamate. You’re also reducing oxidative stress and inflammation by giving it glutathione. As a result, this helps alleviate a number of different mental health problems. 

Below, I’ll lay out some of the research exploring NAC as a possible treatment for six mental health problems. Feel free to skip to your condition to learn about it. 

Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Here is some of the research looking into NAC as a possible treatment for depression and bipolar disorder:

• A randomized controlled trial examined 149 individuals with moderate depression. They received two grams of NAC or placebo. Before treatment, the estimated mean depression score was 19.7. At the end of the 8-week study, the score had decreased to 11.1. Individuals who received NAC witnessed improvements in functioning and quality of life (27).
  

• Another randomized controlled trial looked at 75 patients with bipolar disorder. Two grams of NAC or placebo was given for 6 months. At the end of this period, the group who received NAC saw a reduction in their depression and significant improvements in their global, social and occupational functioning. The improvements were rated as “medium to high” and it was concluded that "NAC is a safe and effective augmentation strategy for depressive symptoms” (28).
  

• Several other studies have examined the effects of NAC on bipolar disorder (including mania) and found that two grams of NAC daily significantly improves and even causes a full remission of both depressive and manic symptoms (29-31).

It’s important to note that some of these studies lasted 6 months, which is a very long time for randomized control trials. And all of the studies had beneficial effects and zero severe side effects. That’s quite impressive.

All of the above research makes sense in light of a meta-analysis that found that patients with bipolar disorder have significantly higher levels of oxidative stress and glutamate in their brain.

A number of mood-stabilizing medications aim to decrease glutamate, yet they come with numerous side effects (14-16, 26, 27, 32, 33).

And as I've discussed before, certain antidepressants can deplete glutathione, which further increases oxidative stress. 

Addiction

Substance abuse and addiction are very costly. Yet there are hardly any efficient treatments that prevent relapse. 

But a lot of research is emerging demonstrating a link between oxidative stress and drug addiction, and how NAC can help manage it (66-68). 

• In a small study, 13 people abstaining from cocaine were given 2,400 mg of NAC or placebo over two days. The participants who received NAC witnessed a significant reduction in their withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cocaine (34). Follow-up studies also showed that NAC reduced desire and interest in cocaine (35, 36).

• Smokers voluntarily reduce their cigarette use by around 25% after two weeks of supplementing with 2,400 mg of NAC (37, 65).

• And it’s not just addiction to drugs. NAC also shows promise for the treatment of gambling addiction. A randomized control trial with 27 pathological gamblers showed that gamblers who supplemented with NAC scored 60% lower on the “Obsessive Compulsive Scale for Pathological Gambling." (38).

Here are 8 other nutrients that can help with addiction.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Not surprisingly, there are brain similarities among people who suffer from addiction and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).

Just like addiction, higher levels of oxidative stress and glutamate are found in people with OCD (39-44). 

The standard treatment for OCD is a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy.

But around 20% of patients don’t get better with this combination, and many suffer from a variety of drug side effects (45). 

Since NAC is inexpensive and widely available, it’s clear that it has significant advantages for patients.

I also encourage you to check out this article for 21 other ways to treat OCD.

Autism

Autism is a touchy subject. So let me start out by saying that NAC will not cure autism. Autism has many different causes and contributing factors.

However, NAC will likely improve some autistic symptoms. 

Multiple studies suggest that NAC is a well-tolerated treatment for autistic individuals and can reduce their irritability (46-48). 

Like the disorders above, research has found that autistic individuals have higher levels of oxidative stress and lower levels of the antioxidant glutathione in their brains, making it likely that NAC will help them (49-55). 

There is also lots of evidence suggesting that too much glutamate in the brain contributes to autistic symptoms. As discussed earlier, glutamate in a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. It is also the precursor to GABA, a calming neurotransmitter that reduces anxiety. 

There is an enzyme that converts glutamate to GABA, and researchers have found that this enzyme is lower in individuals on the autism spectrum. This leads to more glutamate and less GABA, and therefore much more excitation. Not surprisingly then, glutamate antagonists (e.g. NAC) have been shown to reduce symptoms of autism, bringing them more into balance (56-60). 

Since oxidation and glutamate are abnormally elevated in persons with autism, NAC can kill two birds with one stone by providing an antioxidant effect and reducing glutamate levels in the brain of autistic individuals. 

Schizophrenia

The last mental disorder I’m going to explore is schizophrenia. There is a good amount of research suggesting that NAC can help with this condition as well.

• Researchers gave 2 grams of NAC to schizophrenic patients during a six-month randomized control trial. The participants who received NAC experienced improvements in their symptoms, and many of them did not experience improvements from other treatments. They demonstrated improvements in insight, self-care, social interaction, motivation, and stabilization of mood. Follow-up studies found similar results (62, 63, 70).
  

• I found one study that explored NAC’s ability to change schizophrenic patient’s electroencephalogram (EEG) synchronicity – a measure of electrical activity within the brain that I discussed in my post about neurofeedback (69).
  

• I also found a case report of a young woman with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who showed significant improvements in symptoms by taking just 600 mg of NAC every day (64).

This makes sense considering there is an expanding body of evidence suggesting oxidative stress occurs in individuals with schizophrenia. Some research shows that the more oxidative stress a schizophrenic patient experiences, the worse their symptoms get. And several studies indicate that NAC may benefit schizophrenics by increasing glutathione and reducing glutamate (61, 71-74).

Conclusion

Overall, oxidation and glutamate are often abnormally elevated in people with a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders. 

NAC may correct these underlying problems by generating the antioxidant glutathione and reducing the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate.

If you suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, drug addiction or autism, you could start taking it and see if it helps you. If it helps, keep taking. If not, then try something else. 

Many of the studies also suggest that NAC enhances the effectiveness of psychiatric medications. So if you're already on medication, NAC and your medication will likely work better together.

My recommendation: I used to take 1200 mg of NAC every day to manage my long-term mental health. It was very helpful at one point in time. I no longer need to take it anymore because I’m completely recovered and well. It’s just not necessary for me anymore because I’m healthy. However, when I was taking it, I eventually started experienced some side effects due to heavy metal redistribution. Studies show that people benefit from taking anywhere between 500 mg to 3000 mg daily or every other day. But I find that many people actually do better when they take a lower dose because high doses of NAC can sometimes redistribute heavy metals into the brain. You’ll obviously want to avoid this. I now recommend people take just 250 mg of NAC, which can be found in the Optimal Antiox supplement. Optimal Antiox also contains a number of other antioxidants and nutrients that can support your brain and mental health. Optimal Antiox also includes leucine, which is an amino acid. Taking leucine with NAC prevents mercury from being reabsorbed into the central nervous system.

Enjoy This Article? You Might Also Like My FREE Food Guide for Optimal Brain and Mental Health!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE

Live Optimally,

Jordan Fallis

Connect with me

References:

1.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/677146/ 
2.    Atkuri, K.R., et al. “N-Acetylcysteine — a safe antidote for cysteine/glutathione deficiency”. Current Opinion in Pharmacology Vol. 7, No. 4 (2007): 355–359.
3.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16439183
4.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25957927
5.    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3553161/ 
6.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11673605/ 
7.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12512991
8.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2029805/ 
9.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18004285/ 
10.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11691805  
11.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12603840
12.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20021321
13.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19122532
14.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3044191/ 
15.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17401648/ 
16.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12584726/ 
17.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12512991
18.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24752591  
19.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25004186
20.    Andreazza, A.C., et al. “Oxidative stress markers in bipolar disorder: a meta-analysis”. Journal of Affective Disorders Vol. 111, No. 2–3 (2008): 135–144. 
21.    Kim, H.K., et al. “Oxidation and nitration in dopaminergic areas of the prefrontal cortex from patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia”. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience Vol. 39, No. 1 (2014): 130155.
22.    Wang, J.F., et al. “Increased oxidative stress in the anterior cingulate cortex of subjects with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia”. Bipolar Disorders Vol. 11, No. 5 (2009): 523–529.
23.    Gawryluk, J.W., et al. “Decreased levels of glutathione, the major brain antioxidant, in post-mortem prefrontal cortex from patients with psychiatric disorders”. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology Vol. 14, No. 1 (2011): 123–130.
24.    Holmay, M.J., et al. “N-Acetylcysteine boosts brain and blood glutathione in Gaucher and Parkinson diseases”. Clinical Neuropharmacology Vol. 36, No. 4 (2013): 103–106.
25.    Gawryluk, J.W., et al. “Decreased levels of glutathione, the major brain antioxidant, in post-mortem prefrontal cortex from patients with psychiatric disorders”. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology Vol. 14, No. 1 (2011): 123–130
26.    Gigante, A.D., et al. “Brain glutamate levels measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in patients with bipolar disorder: a meta-analysis”. Bipolar Disorders Vol. 14, No. 5 (2012): 478–487.
27.    Berk, M., et al. “The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine as an adjunctive treatment in bipolar depression: an open label trial”. Journal of Affective Disorders Vol. 135, No. 1–3 (2011): 389–394.
28.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18534556
29.    Magalhães, P.V., et al. “N-Acetylcysteine for major depressive episodes in bipolar disorder”. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria Vol. 33, No. 4 (2011): 374–378.
30.    Magalhães P.V., et al. “N-Acetyl cysteine add-on treatment for bipolar II disorder: a subgroup analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders Vol. 129, No. 1–3 (2011): 317–320.
31.    Magalhães, P.V., et al. “A preliminary investigation on the efficacy of N-acetyl cysteine for mania or hypomania”. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 47, No. 6 (2013): 564–568.
32.     http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18539338/ 
33.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19568477/ 
34.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16449100/ 
35.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17606664/ 
36.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17113207/ 
37.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19103434
38.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17445781
39.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12207144
40.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19272303
41.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16682105
42.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18957313
43.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18006203
44.    http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-005-0246-6
45.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19468281/ 
46.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23826003
47.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22342106
48.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23886027
49.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21519954
50.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22225920
51.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22127832
52.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16081262
53.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22528835
54.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21484198
55.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22051046
56.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21967199
57.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22653211
58.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17502791
59.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22342106
60.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22579303
61.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18538422/ 
62.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18436195/ 
63.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20868637/ 
64.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19735056/ 
65.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19103434/ 
66.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18440072
67.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18996163
68.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18225476
69.    Carmeli, C., et al. “Glutathione precursor N-acetyl-cysteine modulates EEG synchronization in schizophrenia patients: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial”. PLoS One Vol. 7, No. 2 (2012): e29341.
70.    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258347895_N-Acetylcysteine_as_an_Adjunct_to_Risperidone_for_Treatment_of_Negative_Symptoms_in_Patients_With_Chronic_Schizophrenia_A_Randomized_Double-Blind_Placebo-Controlled_Study
71.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19689277
72.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19576938
73.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19788631
74.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18205981

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Affiliate Disclosure

Disclaimer

This Mineral Is Probably Making Your Chronic Stress and Anxiety Worse

I suffered from anxiety for years. It runs in my family. Many of my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents suffer from anxiety and depression and have relied on alcohol, nicotine, and anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication to manage it. I didn’t want to go down that path, so I’ve sought out other treatments for years.

Unfortunately, my family is not alone. Anxiety and panic attacks are incredibly common today. While in university, I remember asking a doctor on campus if she had witnessed an increase in the number of college students who had come to see her about their anxiety over the years. And she responded with an overwhelming yes. 

“There are just not enough resources and practitioners to manage them all,” I remember her saying.

I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to get to the bottom of my anxiety. And so I have an urge to share this information with the world. But what has worked for me might not work for everyone.

And I want to make it clear - there is not just one solution. There really is no magic bullet if you want to overcome this. There are a number of things that can contribute to anxiety. And there are a number of things you can do to cumulatively get over it. (If you’re looking for a quick fix, try antidepressants. And they really aren’t a quick easy fix, as they don’t work for a lot of people and come with a lot of side effects). 

But today I want to discuss just one of the things I did to help myself, and hopefully it helps you too. In upcoming posts, I will explore other therapies and technologies that have helped me master my own mind and avoid the unfortunate path of my ancestors.

Nutrient Therapy

If you go to your doctor and suggest that maybe a deficiency or imbalance of nutrients is causing your anxiety, they’ll laugh at you. But nutrients have a powerful impact on your mood and brain function – especially if you take supplements with high-quality, biologically-active nutrients.

Our nervous system requires several dozen minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and amino acids to function properly. Deficiencies of nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, B-complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin E are common, especially if you eat refined foods.

This TED talk by Julia J Rucklidge, Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Canterbury, discusses the power of nutrition and supplements. She explores a range of scientific research showing the significant role that nutrition plays when it comes to mental health or illness:

The Intricate Balance between Zinc and Copper

We all get anxious once in a while, but tend to get over it. But chronic anxiety, or Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), is when a person suffers from worry and tension all of the time. People who suffer from GAD are often clinically depressed as well (1).

Recent research looking into GAD suggests that an imbalance of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), two essential trace minerals within the body, may be contributing and worsening the condition. Researchers of a study titled “Decreased zinc and increased copper in individuals with anxiety” used Inductively Coupled Plasma-mass Spectrometry (ICP) to measure trace minerals in 38 chronically-anxious individuals. They compared the mineral status of these individuals with the mineral status of 16 people in a control group without anxiety symptoms. They found that individuals with chronic anxiety had significantly higher plasma levels of copper and very low levels of zinc, and their anxiety improved significantly with zinc supplementation (2).

In other words, people who suffer from anxiety have way too much copper in their bodies, and not enough zinc. I used to suffer from GAD and depression, and increasing my intake of zinc, and limiting my intake of copper, is one of the most impactful actions I have taken to overcome them, so this makes sense to me personally.

The positive effects of zinc supplementation also makes sense in light of my independent research and understanding of biochemistry. Zinc and copper are antagonists. They compete with one another for absorption and receptor channels. When your body doesn’t absorb enough zinc, copper rises. And because of their essential roles in neurotransmitter synthesis, zinc and copper levels can directly affect thoughts and behaviour.

How Copper Can Accumulate in Your Body and Make You an Anxious Wreck

Functional medicine practitioner Chris Kresser explains that copper and zinc are very important for neurotransmitter health, but zinc needs to dominate. If not, all sorts of neurological and behavioural disorders can emerge, including depression, anxiety and even schizophrenia. (3).

Too much copper can have a powerful effect on the mind and alter mood and behaviour. The accumulation of excess copper in the brain enhances the production of stimulatory neurotransmitters (epinephrine and norepinephrine), which can further promote anxiety. Pfeiffer and Goldstein (1984) monitored the brain waves of individuals who took 5 mg of copper or 5 mg of Dexedrine (a common amphetamine that increases epinephrine and norepinephrine), and they found that copper and the amphetamine exhibited an equivalent stimulation of the central nervous system (40, 41, 43, 44).

On top of this, research has shown that too much copper can inhibit and block the neurotransmission of GABA, one of the main calming neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (5, 6, 42). It’s no wonder that anxious people find such relief from alcohol and anti-anxiety medications, as they both activate GABA receptors in the brain.

Depending on the severity of the copper toxicity and the susceptibility of the person, copper can affect the mind moderately or very severely. The milder effects are initially positive because it is activating and stimulating and can increase creativity and productivity. I’ve witnessed this myself, as I used to feel as if my chronic anxiety motivated me to accomplish a lot of work. It may be why creative people tend be depressed and anxious individuals.

But as the toxicity continues and builds up more and more, it becomes increasingly exhausting on the body and the individual can start to break down mentally, leading to an inability to cope adequately with stress. The anxious person’s fatigued body can’t keep up with their overactive mind, and medication often becomes necessary.

But instead of taking drugs, people need to consider supplementing with zinc.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that activates several hundred enzymatic reactions, including brain and nervous system function and neurotransmission.

Yet it’s estimated that 2 billion people in the world are deficient in the mineral, and six different studies show that subclinical deficiency of zinc impairs brain function in children and adults (45, 46, 47).

Zinc is very calming and sedating, as it enhances GABA activity in the brain.

A number of studies also show that zinc deficiency causes depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors, and supplementation has successfully been used as a treatment (48-53).

Practical Takeaways: What Should You Do To Combat This?

The key takeaway here is that if you suffer from chronic anxiety, you need to work on lowering your copper to zinc ratio, as it is likely very high at this point. Here are some steps you can take:

• Don’t drink tap water: Copper piping for water has become the norm, which contributes to ingesting much more copper than what can be found in your diet. I filter my water with a high-quality water filter.

• Stop taking a multi-vitamin: Many multi-vitamins and multi-mineral supplements contain relatively high doses of copper. However, there are some multi-mineral supplements that purposely don't include copper.

• Eat zinc-rich foods foods such as oysters, grass-fed beef, pumpkin seeds, broccoli and Brazil nuts. These foods are included in my Free Grocery Shopping Guide for Optimal Mental Health. Raising zinc levels is a more straightforward approach than trying to lower copper levels.

• Take a zinc supplement every day: I discovered several years ago that I was very deficient in zinc, and my anxiety improved significantly after supplementing with it. Anxiety itself also lowers zinc levels because the body rapidly uses up zinc in times of stress. I have now created my own zinc supplement, called Optimal Zinc. I created it because I want to give my readers the very best zinc supplement so that they can experience superior results. I have found that many zinc supplements on the market fall short and sometimes cause severe side effects because they start removing copper from the body way too quickly. But Optimal Zinc doesn't do this, and it includes several other nutrients (co-factors) that increase the absorption of zinc and help remove excess copper from the body.

• Supplement with Vitamin B6: It has been shown to improve the absorption and utilization of zinc (37, 38, 39). It is included in the Optimal Zinc supplement.

• Reduce oxidative stress: Glutathione and metallothionein are major antioxidants that protect the brain and can capture and remove excess copper from the body (54, 55, 56). N-Acetyl-Cysteine, Selenium, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C are nutrients that are essential for the production of glutathione and metallothionein and can support the chelation process. All four nutrients are part of the Optimal Antiox supplement.

• Consider taking this anti-anxiety supplement. It includes several natural compounds that have helped me manage my anxiety over the years. It can help reduce stress and anxiety while you work to lower your copper levels.

• Lastly, here are 20 other ways your can lower your body's main stress hormone, cortisol, and here are 28 natural supplements proven to reduce anxiety.

Conclusion

Increasing zinc and reducing copper intake is just one nutritional option for people who suffer from chronic anxiety. It’s one of many things that have helped me. For people with severe anxiety, it will take some time for zinc to build up in your system and copper to be reduced. But you should find relief over time.

Unfortunately, your doctor isn’t aware of this. Modern medicine doesn’t care very much about deficiencies of essential nutrients, and most physicians are mistakenly taught that diet provides sufficient nutrition. 

This is because nutritional deficiencies benefit the pharmaceutical industry. Malnutrition leads to chronic symptoms that can be “managed” by patented drugs. Natural supplements can’t be patented. But drugs can. So as long as underlying nutritional imbalances aren’t corrected, doctors will keep prescribing and the pharmaceutical industry will have life-long customers. 

For now, the “drug model” of disease remains prevalent, and until it becomes a thing of the past, people will just have to acknowledge and accept that they need to take control of their anxiety and overcome it themselves. It is a multi-faceted condition, but nutrients can play a huge role in eliminating it. 

Enjoy This Article? You Might Also Like My FREE Food Guide for Optimal Brain and Mental Health!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE

Live Optimally,

Jordan Fallis

Connect with me

References:

1.      http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml

2.      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3738454/

3.      http://chriskresser.com/rhr-could-copper-zinc-imbalance-be-making-you-sick/

4.      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3630857

5.      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9749714/

6.      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23946400/

7.      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3968590

8.     http://journals.lww.com/jinvestigativemed/Citation/2005/01010/Zinc_Deficiency_Alters_Deoxyribonucleic_Acid.141.aspx

9.      http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ar00034a005

10.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6727650

11.  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938404003105

12.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1963.tb07470.x/abstract

13.  http://www.biobalance.org.au/articles/17

14.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20150596

15.  http://ebm.rsmjournals.com/content/232/2/323.short

16.  http://jn.nutrition.org/content/132/2/270.full

17.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15845090

18.  Jing Qian and Jeffrey L. Noebels, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas “Exocytosis of Vesicular Zinc Reveals Persistent Depression of Neurotransmitter Release during Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Long-Term Depression at the Hippocampal CA3–CA1 Synapse”

19.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.01803.x/full

20.  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0306987791902776

21.  http://jn.nutrition.org/content/133/5/1473S.short

22.  http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=17186550

23.  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197018606002233

24.  http://jn.nutrition.org/content/130/5/1432S.short

25.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9344463

26.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18338309

27.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19685012

28.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3579922

29.  http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02784623?LI=true

30.  ‘Nutrient Power: Heal Your Biochemistry & Heal Your Brain”, William Walsh, PhD

31.  ‘Mental & Elemental Nutrients’, Carl C Pfeiffer, MD, PhD

32.  http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/

33.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12197999

34.  https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/

35.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20617034

36.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20413065

37.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1957821

38.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17171460

39.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22410949

40.  Jones CE, Underwood CK, Coulson EJ, et al: Copper induced oxidation of serotonin: analysis of products and toxicity. J Neurochem, 2007 Aug; 102(4): 1035-1043.

41.  Wenzel KG, Pataracchia RJ: The earth’s gift to Medicine: Minerals in health and Disease. Alton, Ontario. KOS Publishing. 2005.

42.  Pfeiffer CC: Excess copper as a factor in human diseases. J Ortho Med, 1987; 2(3): 171-182.

43.  Pfeiffer CC, Iliev V: Pyrroluria, urinary mauve factor, causes double deficiency of B6 and zinc in schizophrenics. Fed Proc, 1973; 32: 276.

44.  https://riordanclinic.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/The_Schizophrenias_Ours_to_Conquer-Riordan-Clinic-Books.pdf

45.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22664333

46.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21939673

47.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22673824

48.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jnr.10846/abstract

49.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20689416

50.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14730113

51.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3796297/

52.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21798601

53.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24130605

54.  http://www.jbc.org/content/264/10/5598.full.pdf

55.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12184792

56.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7705778

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Affiliate Disclosure

Disclaimer