From the Guidelines
Dietary changes, specifically a gentle FODMAP diet approach, can be beneficial for individuals with severe anxiety disorder, particularly those with co-occurring irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), by reducing symptoms of anxiety and improving overall quality of life. When considering dietary interventions for severe anxiety, it is essential to prioritize approaches that minimize unnecessary dietary restrictions and focus on promoting overall dietary diversity 1. A low FODMAP diet has shown promise in reducing abdominal pain severity and bloating in patients with IBS 1, and some evidence suggests it may also have a positive effect on anxiety and depression symptoms in these patients. However, due to the complexity of the diet and limited evidence for its efficacy on psychological symptoms, a gentle FODMAP diet approach, also known as the 'bottom-up' low FODMAP diet, may be more appropriate 1. This approach involves restricting selected FODMAPs, such as fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides, which are most abundant in many people's diets 1. It is crucial to work with a dietitian to set realistic expectations, educate patients about worst-case scenarios if a 'forbidden' food is eaten, and improve overall dietary diversity 1. Ultimately, while dietary changes can be a valuable adjunct to other treatments, they should be combined with professional treatment, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, and, if prescribed, medications, to provide the most comprehensive approach to managing severe anxiety disorder 1.
From the Research
Dietary Changes for Severe Anxiety Disorder
Dietary changes can play a crucial role in managing severe anxiety disorder. The following dietary changes have been suggested by various studies:
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce anxiety symptoms 2, 3, 4. A dose-response meta-analysis found that each 1 gram per day supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids resulted in a moderate decrease in anxiety symptoms, with the greatest improvement at 2 g/d 4.
- Plant-based diet: A study found that a plant-based diet, combined with daily exercise and mindfulness techniques, can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety 5.
- Avoidance of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine: A review of complementary medicines and therapies found that avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine can help alleviate anxiety symptoms 6.
- Dietary improvement: A review of lifestyle modifications found that dietary improvement can provide encouraging preliminary data for the treatment of anxiety disorders 6.
Key Findings
The key findings from the studies suggest that:
- Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce anxiety symptoms, with the greatest improvement at 2 g/d 4.
- A plant-based diet, combined with daily exercise and mindfulness techniques, can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety 5.
- Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine can help alleviate anxiety symptoms 6.
- Dietary improvement can provide encouraging preliminary data for the treatment of anxiety disorders 6.