Anxiety is more than just occasional worry; it can become a constant, overwhelming presence that disrupts sleep, relationships, and daily life. At 417 Integrative Medicine, we take a root-cause approach to anxiety, grounded in functional medicine. Instead of simply masking symptoms with medications, we dive into the underlying imbalances in your body that could be triggering those feelings of unease. Whether it’s a hormone imbalance, gut dysfunction, or nutrient deficiency, understanding what’s happening beneath the surface allows us to create a personalized, lasting solution.

Looking at Anxiety Differently

Anxiety isn’t always just in your head. From a functional medicine perspective, it’s often a whole-body issue. That means the brain is part of a larger system, and when that system is out of balance, your emotional state can suffer.

We Often See Contributing Factors Like:

• Hormonal fluctuations
  
  
• Poor gut health and inflammation
  
  
• Nutritional deficiencies
  
  
• Blood sugar imbalances
  
  
• Chronic stress and poor sleep
  
  

Let’s break these down and explore how we address them.

Hormonal Imbalances: A Common Trigger

Hormones like cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones play a big role in how we handle stress and process emotions. If any of these are out of balance, it can show up as heightened anxiety or emotional reactivity.

How We Support Hormonal Balance:

• Using salivary hormone testing or a DUTCH panel to assess levels
  
  
• Supporting adrenal health with adaptogens like ashwagandha and rhodiola
  
  
• Rebalancing thyroid with nutrient support (iodine, selenium)
  
  
• Adjusting diet and supplements to support estrogen/progesterone levels
  
  

The Gut-Brain Connection

Did you know that your gut makes about 90% of your serotonin? When your microbiome is off, or your gut is inflamed, it can impact your mood more than you’d expect.

Gut-Based Anxiety Support Includes:

• Stool testing to identify infections or dysbiosis
  
  
• Reintroducing healthy bacteria with probiotics and fermented foods
  
  
• Trying an elimination diet to remove inflammatory triggers like gluten or dairy
  
  

Nutrient Deficiencies That Fuel Anxiety

We often find that anxiety-prone patients are low in key nutrients that affect brain chemistry and nerve function.

Some Go-To Nutrients We Focus On:

• Magnesium glycinate – for calming the nervous system
  
  
• B-complex vitamins – for neurotransmitter production and energy
  
  
• Omega-3s (EPA/DHA) – for reducing inflammation and stabilizing mood
  
  

Personalized Nutrition: Calming From the Inside Out

Your diet directly influences your mood. We help you build an anti-inflammatory, blood sugar-stabilizing meal plan that nourishes your brain and calms your system.

Some Core Recommendations:

• Plenty https://www.417integrativemedicine.com/services/adult-functional-medicine
• Reducing sugar, processed carbs, and stimulants like caffeine
  
  
• Incorporating chamomile, passionflower, and calming herbal teas

Lifestyle Tweaks That Make a Big Impact

Healing anxiety naturally involves more than nutrition and supplements. Your daily habits matter.

Stress-Relief Tools We Often Recommend:

• Breathwork, meditation, and journaling
  
  
• Gentle movement like yoga or tai chi
  
  
• Spending time outdoors to help lower cortisol
  
  

Sleep Hygiene Is Crucial Too:

• Set a consistent sleep schedule
  
  
• Limit screen time before bed
  
  
• Try L-theanine or melatonin if you need help winding down
  
  

Functional Testing for Deeper Insight

We don’t guess we test. That’s how we uncover the hidden imbalances behind your symptoms.

Common Labs We Use:

• DUTCH test for hormones and adrenal health
  
  
• Stool analysis for gut health and inflammation
  
  
• Micronutrient testing to identify what your brain might be missing
  
  

Customized Supplement Plans

Everyone’s anxiety blueprint is different. Some need serotonin support, others need GABA balance or detoxification. We tailor supplements to your body, not the symptom alone.

Targeted Detox for Brain Health

Toxic buildup from food, environment, or stress can muddy the waters of your nervous system. Supporting the liver and lymphatic system often helps.

What That Might Look Like:

• Milk thistle and NAC for gentle liver support
  
  
• Infrared sauna or dry brushing for lymphatic drainage
  
  

Resilience Is the Goal

Ultimately, our goal at 417 Integrative Medicine is to help you build resilience, not just reduce symptoms. Through nutrition, stress reduction, and personalized care, we empower your nervous system to bounce back more effectively in the face of everyday life.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Working with a functional medicine practitioner means you’re not alone in figuring this out. We walk with you, designing a care plan that reflects your body, your history, and your goals.

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