A panic attack is normally thought of as an out-of-control or extreme bout of anxiety. Anxiety and panic are emotions with corresponding bio-chemical reactions in the brain. Nutritional deficiencies or imbalances in the brain can contribute to susceptibility to and severity of panic attacks. While not necessarily a cure-all, vitamins and nutritional supplements can thus play a positive, even critical role in improving the brain’s ability to function properly in regards to anxiety and panic.
Note also that stress tends to deplete the body of nutrients, or the diet may be nutritionally imbalanced or fail to deliver adequate amounts of a particular nutrient needed to maintain brain function in handling anxiety.
Vitamins and supplements helpful for panic attack follow, not necessarily in the order of importance. As always, if you are taking pharmaceutical drugs to control panic and anxiety or depression, consult your doctor in regards to possible negative effects of combining the drugs with specific nutrition.
1) B-vitamins function best when there are enough of each kind present, hence the prevalence of multi-B supplement products. B vitamins are essential in many metabolic reactions in the body, some notably in nerve cell functioning. Vitamin B-6 or pyridoxine is known to have a calming effect on mood. Inositol (B 8 ) and niacinamide — the latter being an amide of niacin (B 3) and not to be confused with it — are useful for enhancing GABA functions in the brain.
2) GABA or Gamma-aminobutyric acid is an amino acid which inhibits or decelerates nerve firings from the limbic to the cortex portions of the brain. During panic attacks, the limbic system, and amygdala in particular, signal the cortex rapidly and relentlessly. GABA supplementation, especially with inositol and niacinamide, help slow down the reaction. GABA is found throughout the central nervous system.
3) Vitamin C is found in high concentrations in the adrenal glands (on top of the kidneys). The body’s need for Vitamin C increases under stress. Known for having a tranquilizing effect in higher doses, perhaps because it (with glutamine) helps reduce the production of cortisol, one of the hormone the body produces in reaction to stress.
4) Magnesium supplements, taken in balance with calcium, helps reduce muscle tension and spasm. Magnesium can lower blood pressure and is useful in proper nerve function and the body’s use of B vitamins and vitamin C.
5) Taurine is an amino acid with a similar effect to GABA. Useful for epileptic and spastic conditions.
6) Tryptophan is the amino acid found in Turkey meat which helps you feel drowsy. Niacinamide helps with the production of tryptophan, which is known to help with insomnia if one’s anxiety disorder is accompanied by sleep problems. Tryptophan is used in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter used in regulating mood. Some persons exhibiting obsessive-compulsive behaviors showed improvement after supplementing with tryptophan. 5-HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan is an intermediate step in producing serotonin from tryptophan. It is also available in supplement form and has been known to reduce symptoms of anxiety.
7) Tyrosine or L-tyrosine is an amino acid used in the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and epinephrine useful in controlling anxiety and depression. Dopamine has a tranquilizing effect. Tyrosine should not be take when patients are on MAO inhibitor drugs.
If a natural anxiety treatment such as the above can be found to remedy anxiety and panic attack disorders, they may be preferred to the negative side effects common among drugs.