If you suffer from panic attacks, severe anxiety, depression or moodswings, you should avoid all the following:

Alcohol in any amount: One ounce of alcohol (2 beers) will last 4 to 6 hours in your system. Then it is broken down into acetaldehyde, acetic acid, CO2, H2O, and energy. However the effect of alcohol that circulated in your body will have an effect on brain chemistry that will last 3 months ! Alcohol reshuffle many brain chemicals or neurotransmitters, especially in patients suffering from depression, panic attacks, moodswings, or anxiety. Paradoxically, alcohol will at first help in decreasing anxiety and self-consciousness, but over time it will have the opposite effect. It is estimated that up to 85% of alcoholics did not start out with the intention of becoming alcoholics; they were self-medicating their anxiety, depression, shyness, social phobia with alcohol.

All street drugs such as COCAINE, MARIHUANA, PCP, LSD, AMPHETAMINES AND DERIVATIVES, will have a profound effect on numerous NEUROTRANSMITTERS such as, DOPAMINE, NOREPINEPHRINE, SEROTONIN, ACETYLCHOLINE, BOMBESIN, NEUROTENSIN, SUBSTANCE P, ENDORPHINS, ENKEPHALINS AND MANY OTHERS. A thirty year plus ongoing study in Sweden has shown a five fold increases in the incidence of Schizophrenic breaks or Schizophrenia-like mental breakdown and other forms of psychosis as a result of chronic marihuana abuse ! Not to mention the detrimental effect marihuana has on memory function and motivation. Cocaine will severely de-stabilize the brain's dopamine system resulting in bouts of severe hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, sick sinus syndrome, strokes, bipolar affective disorders, panic attacks, depression and many other health problems.

All medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter, for weight loss will cause significant disruption in the balance of brain chemicals thus worsening panic attacks, anxiety and depression.

Most nasal decongestant sprays will cause increased NOREPINEPHRINE AND ADRENALINE release thus worsening anxiety and depression. The safest nasal spray is just plain physiological saline solution. Besides nasal sprays are addictive. Nasal spray such as Afrin ®, Neosynephrine™, etc., should be avoided.

Most antihistamines like Sudafed®, Actifed®, etc., should also be avoided. Benadryl® also known as Diphenhydramine is OK. Prescribed antihistamines like Claritin® is OK, in most instances. Claritin D® should be avoided.

All prescribed pain killers classified as narcotics such as, Percocet®, Demerol®, Codeine, and even Darvocet N 100 should be avoided since they will deplete the ENDORPHIN SYSTEM, causing rebound pain, depression, anger , irritability, and of course chemical dependency. Depletion of ENDORPHINS will lead to depletion of other ENKEPHALINS and eventually of SEROTONIN.

IBUPROPHEN contained in Motrin®, Advil®, may exacerbate anxiety and depression by causing a disruption in the Prostaglandin system.

Cimetidine (Tagamet®), may also worsen or cause depression. The mechanism may be due to Cimetidine binding to H2 brain receptors.

CAFFEINE, THEINE (in tea, even Decaf tea), THEOBROMINE (in chocolate), THEOPHYLLINE (Asthma medications), Pentoxyphilline (Trental®), all belong to a class of compounds with the fancy name of TRIMETHYLXANTHINE. These Trimethylxanthines inactivate an enzyme called PHOSPHODIESTERASE which is ESSENTIAL in providing and maintaining a steady energy level.

Thus excessive consumption of these substances will deplete the body of energy thus causing tiredness or chronic fatigue. In addition these substance (Caffeine, Theine, etc.,) will cause increased Adrenaline, Norepinephrine and relative depletion of Serotonin and of course Melatonin, thus resulting in more anxiety, more severe panic attacks and depression or moodswings. Furthermore by depleting the enzyme PHOSPHODIESTERASE, these substances will tax the Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate, Adenosise Triphosphate which are the backup and Messenger System) to many Neurotransmitters. When the backup system fails the depression, panic attacks, anxiety, and energy level worsen even more.

ASPARTAME, a man-made biochemical fusion between PHENYLALANINE and ASPARTIC ACID, which is used as a sugar substitute or artificial sweetener, will be metabolized to METHYL ALCOHOL, which as is well known can damage the optic nerves and also brain cells. ASPARTAME ( known as Nutrasweet®, Equal®, Crystal Light®) will make it impossible to recover from panic attacks, anxiety, depression, manic-depressive illness. Aspartame is a potent NEUROTOXIN OR EXCITOTOXINS that should never have been approved by the FDA is probably one of the factors for the epidemic of ADD in children and adults that we see in our country. Because of their growing status children should not be allowed to consume Aspartame. ASPARTAME will irritate the PONS, a part of the Brainstem that contain an "Alarm System" that allows us to respond appropriately in a FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT situation. Aspartame can trigger unexpected PANIC ATTACKS. Aspartame may contribute to "Brittle Diabetes" as well as "Paradoxical" weight gain. Aspartame can cause a "GLUTAMINE CASCADE" in the brain. Glutamine is a Neurotransmitter that if present in excess in the brain, can causeNEURONAL APOPTOSIS, or brain cell death. It is quite possible that Aspartame may contribute to the faster progression of ALS, MS, PARKINSON DISEASE, and other Neurodegenerative Disorders. Aspartame has been reported to cause seizures, blindness, and also there is an association between it and brain tumors.

MSG or MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE also known as Accent, Protein Hydrolysate and "Natural Flavor", is a substance used to enhance the taste of foods. It is addictive. It is also an EXCITOTOXIN that will affect (like Aspartame) cellular calcium channels causing faster APOPTOSIS or brain cell death. It should be avoided as much as possible. MSG will not only cause the "Chinese Restaurant" Syndrome, but Migraine Headaches, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, Short Term Memory and Concentration impairments. Consuming Aspartame and MSG on a daily basis is to be avoided. Preliminary research suggests that Aspartame and MSG contribute to the development of Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons's Disease, movement disorders, tremors, indigestion, cold and hot flashes, dizziness, ringing in the ears, ADD and many other health problems. Fast foods, frozen foods, can foods are loaded with MSG. Read labels. Learn about the 20 or so synonyms that MSG has. See paper on MSG.

Beware of OLESTRA the new "non-fat fat", it can deplete Vitamins A, D, E, and cause diarrhea and malabsorption syndromes.

Not all "Herbal Remedies" are harmless. Stay away from Ma-Huang, Ephedra, both of which contain pseudoephedrine which can raise blood pressure, cause Panic Attacks, Anxiety and Depression. St John's Wort has to be taken with a large glass of water; it can cause kidney pain, hair loss, severe photosensitivity reactions with, in some patients, severe blistering. Get only St John's Wort from a reliable source and it has to be standardized so that it contains no less than 0.3% Hypericin.

Licorice can cause increase in blood pressure, water retention, edema and may contribute to Panic Attacks.

  FDA approved food coloring are to be avoided as much as possible. Practically all food coloring are derived from Coal Tar (Aniline Dyes) and can cause learning difficulties, anxiety, restlessness, and most are potential carcinogens. Children with ADD should not have food or sweets or drinks containing Red, Blues, Green, Yellow dyes.

Consumption of too much red meat of shrimp can raise the purine level which then is transformed into URIC acid thus causing gout, pain, and also mood swings. There is an association between Manic Depressive Illness and Purine Metabolism. Cut back on animal protein.

Most red meat, pork, chicken and turkey are treated with either steroids and or antibiotic. Bovine Growth Hormone is present in red meat. Menadione a synthetic Vitamin K is used to fatten poultry. Eighty (80) different types of antibiotic residues are found in red meat. Try to consume free roaming chicken or turkey. Eat more fish, more vegetables, fruits. and nuts.

Cabbage if eaten on a daily basis can slow down the thyroid.

Cold Medications like Contact, etc., can enlarge the prostate, cause difficulties with voiding the urine, cause hypertension, anxiety and worsen depression.

Soma® (Carisoprodol) is a highly addictive muscular relaxant that is metabolized to Meprobamate (Equaling, Miltown®), and will worsen anxiety, depression and may cause seizures.

On Steroids: Testosterone, Anabolic Steroids (To build muscle mass), Cortisone, Cortisol, Hydrocortisone, Betametasone, Dexametasone, Prednisone and sometimes birth control pills, can cause profound changes in brain chemistry, causing depression, anger, irritability, anxiety. Body builders who use Anabolic Steroids are flirting with danger. They may succeed in building an admirable body while their brains turn to mush !

Melatonin is a Neurotransmitter produced in the Pineal gland from Serotonin. It is a Neurohormone that regulates our biological clock, our circadian and ultradian rhythm. It is not a sleeping pill. It is excellent in treating jet lag and "sun downing" in patients with Alzheimer's Dementia, but one should be very careful when using Melatonin. If used to restore the sleeping cycle, the dose should be 0.5mg to 1 mg at bedtime. Rarely should you use 3mg. It is best taken at 11PM. Although touted as an anti-aging substance and a strong antioxidant, it should be used with extreme caution as it can worsen Lupus, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Polyarteritis Nodosa, Leukemia, Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Collagen Disease. Melatonin can exacerbate these conditions.

Tyramine is a vasoactive and psychoactive amino acid found in fermented foods and beverages such as Camembert cheese, cheddar cheese, wine, beer, liver, pate, pickled herring, yeast, It can elevate blood pressure, cause or worsen panic attacks and depression. Theses should be avoided as much as possible. Over ripe Avocados and over ripe Bananas (when they turn mushy) contain varying amount of Tyramine.

The old antidepressant medication MAO Inhibitor, like Parnate, Nardil, which are still prescribed by some physicians must not be taken with any food containing Tyramine as a life threatening hypertensive crisis and stroke can occur if combined.

Caveat: Consumer beware; educate yourself; read food labels.

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