Red meat has the iodine, potassium, omega 3's, B12, etc. necessary for proper development. Not only that, it has criticial nutrients to alleviate anxiety, and how can (((you))) control people who aren't on SSRIs? Dr. Jacka, PhD is the Director of the Food and Mood Center and President of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research. Her life’s work has been to study the connection between diet and mental illness. One of her most notable studies took place in 2009 where they studied thousands of people in Scandinavia, in which an undeniable pattern emerged: There was a very clear link between diet and anxiety. Specifically, those who ate a more Western diet (processed foods, sugars, etc) experienced a nearly 30% increased risk for anxiety disorders. Another study pinpointed the anxiety-diet connection even further to a specific food - red meat. Out of all the food groups she looked at in her studies, including fruits, vegetables, beans, salads, etc, red meat was most strongly associated with mental health. In her Red Meat Consumption and Mood and Anxiety Disorders study, she looked at over 1,000 women ages 20 to 93. She found that those who ate less than the recommended amount of beef each week were TWICE as likely to have an anxiety disorder! Did you catch that?! Consuming less than 3 to 4 palm-sized servings of beef a week puts you at a 50% greater risk of developing anxiety. Interestingly enough, NO such connection was seen with other forms of protein like chicken, fish or even plant-based protein. Dr. Jacka readily admits that grass fed beef is the most anxiety-protective food she has ever studied. Research is still ongoing as to exactly why this is the case, but she provides a few ideas:  It could be the B12.  B vitamins have more anxiolytic (aka anti-anxiety) effects than any other vitamin, and vitamin B12 tops that list. Its benefits are widespread, but it is its unique relationship with nerve cells and its role in how our brain and body communicate that is most promising when it comes to anxiety. Vitamin B12 is known to: Improve intercellular communication Assist nerve growth and development Boost concentration Provide mental and emotional energy Stabilize adrenal function Balance moods All of which play a role in relieving and even preventing anxiety. 1. It could be the choline. Dr. Jacka’s studies saw a specific correlation between anxiety and choline. Similar to the B vitamin folate, choline is involved in the methylation cycle. Study participants who consumed the least amounts of choline were 33% more likely to have anxiety. Interestingly, one of the richest sources of choline happens to be grass fed red meat.  It could be the quality protein.  Protein has a stabilizing effect on blood sugar, helping to protect against drops and spikes. That’s important because when blood sugar plummets, it produces a stress response in our brains, which can then trigger an anxiety attack. One 2016 Case Report followed a young female who suffered with both anxiety and hypoglycemia. Upon adding protein and fat to her diet, she experienced a substantial decrease in symptoms of both. To further test the dietary link, she stopped protein and fat consumption and experienced a dramatic return of anxiety.  Maybe it’s the omega 3s.  When it comes to anxiety, the importance of omega 3s has to do with its effect on inflammation. Brain inflammation, though you can’t feel it, is incredibly disruptive as it interferes with our cells’ ability to communicate. Omega-3 fatty acids help balance the important omega 6 to omega 3 ratio. Our ancestors had a ratio of about 1:1, which is considered ideal. Compare that to the typical American’s ratio of 20:1, and it’s easy to see why we need extra help in the inflammation department. Fortunately, grass fed beef provides a nearly perfect ratio of 1.5:1. To illustrate the link between inflammation and anxiety, one study published in the Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry journal followed a group of patients who supplemented with at least 2 grams of fatty acids per day. Those who did saw a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms than those who did not.  It could be all the amino acids.  Amino acids are the building blocks of neurotransmitters, which directly impact our mood. Having sufficient amounts of the right neurotransmitters can keep us feeling happy and calm. The animal protein found in grass fed beef provides all of the essential amino acids we need in their bioavailable, easy to absorb form.