Do you ever feel like you're drowning in worry or can’t seem to shake off that low mood? You’re not alone. We often think of anxiety and feeling down as just mental struggles, something we can fix with a positive mindset. 

But what if there’s more going on beneath the surface? Maybe our bodies are trying to tell us something important!

What is Anxiety, Anyway?

Anxiety is more than just feeling worried. It's defined as the feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness that doesn’t seem to go away. You might feel this when facing work challenges or taking an important test at school. While stress is a normal part of life, anxiety strikes and can be overwhelming. 

There are different types of anxiety disorders, like panic disorder, phobias, and PTSD, and they affect around 40 million adults in the U.S. each year. 

Common causes of anxiety could be a mix of stress, genetics, and other environmental factors. Anxiety symptoms include constant worry, restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and even sleep issues. Plus, anxiety often goes hand in hand with depression, chronic pain, and digestive issues.

How to Know If You Have Anxiety?

To figure out if you have anxiety, it’s important to have a good chat with a healthcare professional, like a doctor or a therapist. They’ll ask you about your symptoms, your medical history, and how anxiety is affecting your everyday life. Sometimes, they might use anxiety test questionnaires to get a better idea of what you're facing.

In 2023, researchers at Indiana University developed a new blood test that measures anxiety levels and assesses risk. They’re focusing on certain markers in your blood, like GAD1, NTRK3, and a few others. If proven effective, this test could give you a clearer picture of your anxiety, how severe it is, and what treatments might work best for you.

Anxiety and Other Health Conditions

Sometimes, there are health issues or imbalances that contributeto those anxious feelings or a low mood. There are actually specific markers in our bodies that are related to anxiety and feeling down.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a wide range of roles in our bodies, including brain function. Some studies suggest that if your vitamin D levels are low, you’re more likely to feel anxious or depressed.

Magnesium

Magnesium is like the unsung hero of relaxation. It’s an important mineral in how your nerves and muscles work. When you're low on magnesium, you might feel more anxious or restless, and it could even mess with your sleep.

Omega-3

You've probably heard about Omega-3 fatty acids for heart health, but they're also for your brain. These healthy fats play a role in reducing inflammation and supporting brain cell function. Research suggests that lower levels of Omega-3s might be linked to a higher risk of mood disorders.

Testosterone

While often associated with physical attributes, testosterone plays a role in energy levels, motivation, and even mood in both men and women. Low levels sometimes lead to fatigue, low mood, and increased anxiety. Interestingly, women are twice as likely to experience general anxiety as men.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 keeps your nerves healthy. It’s also important for making neurotransmitters, which are the brain’s way of sending messages. If you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, you might start feeling tired, down, or anxious.

Iron

Iron is needed to carry oxygen in your blood. If you're low on iron or are anemic, your brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, which makes you feel tired, irritable, and gives you trouble focusing. It also leads to feelings of anxiety or depression.

Thyroid Hormones

Thyroid hormones control our metabolism, but they also impact our mood. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression.

Beyond Just Biomarkers

When it comes to our mood, there's a lot more at play than just simple markers. Let’s break it down:

• Food Matters: A poor diet that skips out on fruits, veggies, and whole foods leads to nutrient deficiencies. It also drags your mood down. Think about this: processed foods might fill you up, but they don’t provide the good stuff your brain needs to feel its best.

• Sleep Is Key: We all know how cranky we get after a bad night's sleep. But did you know that sleep problems throw off your hormones and neurotransmitters, making you more likely to feel anxious or down? When you're in a bad mood, it messes with your sleep, and when you don’t sleep well, your mood suffers even more.

• Stay Connected: Believe it or not, feeling lonely affects your body. Long-term loneliness triggers stress in your system, which might mess with your hormones and overall wellness. Humans are social creatures—we need connection, and when we lack it, our mental and physical health takes a hit.

So, What Does All This Mean For You? 

If you're feeling anxious or down a lot, it might be your body's way of telling you something's off balance. Extreme anxiety is a sign that you should definitely pay attention to. Understanding the biological side of things is helpful, but taking action is key.

• How do we treat anxiety? 

Start by eating a balanced diet full of whole foods, getting good sleep, and connecting with friends and family. These steps are really important for both your physical and mental health.

• How to cure anxiety? 

While there’s no one-size-fits-all cure, changing your lifestyle, paired with professional help, makes a big difference in your life.

• How to help someone with anxiety? 

Encourage them to talk to a professional and be there for them.

Also, emerging research on blood tests for anxiety will help figure out your anxiety levels and assess risk. It’s always a good idea to team up with your doctor and get some tests done to see if there’s an underlying cause for feeling anxious or low. You could start with a blood panel from Mito Health, which checks over 100 biomarkers to give you a clearer picture of what’s happening in your body.

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References:

1. https://medlineplus.gov/anxiety.html

2. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder

3. https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics

4. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-023-01998-0

5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026156142500010X

6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S241464472030004X

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