Peanut Butter–Anxiety Connection (and What to Eat Instead) Pt. 2

Cellular Level: What Happens Inside the Cells

Healthy brain and gut cells need stable mitochondrial energy (ATP).

Peanut butters made with industrial oils (like hydrogenated soybean or cottonseed oil) are high in omega-6 linoleic acid (LA), which -

Disrupts mitochondrial membranes and electron flow.
Increases oxidative stress (more free radicals, less energy).
Impairs fatty acid oxidation, lowering the cell’s energy output.
This mean your cells literally have less energy. Almost all diseases can be directly connected to poor mitochondrial function, including cancers.

For someone with anxiety or depression, this means-

Less ATP leading to slower brain metabolism
More oxidative stress leading to cellular inflammation
Reduced neurotransmitter balance leading to higher risk of anxiety, irritability, and mood dips

Inflammation & Neurotransmitter Imbalance

Chronic gut and cell inflammation increase the enzyme IDO (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase), which diverts tryptophan away from serotonin production and toward kynurenine, a neurotoxic compound.

That Simply means-