Nutrients Alleviate Mental Symptoms

[Guest guest]

Nutrients Alleviate Mental Symptoms

JoAnn Guest

Sep 24, 2004 18:58 PDT

 

Nutrients Help Alleviate Mental Symptoms

From Well Being Journal Vol. 11, No. 4 ~ July/August 2000

By William Walsh, Ph.D.

---

Each of us has innate biochemical factors that influence mental

health, immune function, allergic tendencies and more.

 

Scientists tell us that the number of different genetic combinations

possible in a child from the same two parents exceeds forty-two

million.

 

 

It's interesting to note that we do not possess a combination of

characteristics from our parents, but instead have a diverse

collection of characteristics from many ancestors on both sides of

the family.

 

Except for identical twins, each human being has unique biochemistry

resulting in quite diverse nutritional needs.

 

Shakespeare was correct when he wrote, " One man's meat is another

man's

poison. "

 

For example, some of us are genetically suited for a vegetable-based

diet and others are not. Some people can satisfy their nutritional

needs by diet alone and others must have nutritional supplements to

overcome genetic aberrations.

 

Because of genetic differences in the way our bodies process foods,

most of us are quite deficient in certain nutrients and overloaded

in others.

 

Even with an ideal diet, most of us have certain nutrients that are

at

very low levels causing us to require many

times the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) to achieve a healthy

balance.

 

The nutrients in overload must be carefully avoided in vitamin

supplements or serious health problems can develop.

 

After studying the biochemistry of 10,000 persons, I've learned that

the

greatest mischief is usually caused by nutrients that are stored in

excessive amounts, rather than those at depleted levels.

 

The most common nutrients that are stored in overload include

copper,

iron, folic acid, calcium, methionine1, manganese, choline2 and

omega-6

fatty acids. Of course, these same nutrients may be in deficiency in

other persons. [Note: Some technical terms are explained at the end

of this article.]

 

I am amused by supplement manufacturers who attempt to develop the

ideal combination of vitamins, minerals and amino acids for the

general population.

 

This is a bit like trying to determine the ideal shoe size for the

population. The truth is that multiple vitamins

and minerals are too indiscriminate and may do as much harm as good.

 

Each of us should ask the question, " Who am I nutritionally? " The

answer to this question is important for all, but may be especially

critical for persons with mental health problems.

 

NUTRIENTS AND MENTAL HEALTH

 

As we enter the new millennium, the medical and scientific

communities agree on the tremendous influence of neurotransmitters4

on behavior disorders, " ADHD " (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

Disorder), depression and " schizophrenia. "

People can have a

predisposition for these problems due to genetically aberrant levels

of specific neurotransmitters. Our mental health is dependent upon

having the proper amount of these critical brain chemicals.

 

Some psychiatrists express their scorn for nutrient therapies,

claiming that they are too puny to have any real clinical potency.

They often say, " You really need a drug to get the job done for a

serious condition like depression. "

 

My favorite response begins by asking the question, " Where do our

neurotransmitters come from? "

 

The brain is a chemical factory that produces serotonin, dopamine,

norepinephrine5 and other brain chemicals 24 hours a day.

 

The only raw materials for their syntheses are nutrients, namely,

amino

acids, vitamins, minerals, etc.

 

If the brain receives improper amounts of these nutrient building

blocks, we can expect serious problems with our neurotransmitters.

 

For example, some depression patients have a genetic " pyrrole "

disorder that renders them grossly depleted in vitamin B-6.

 

A " pyrrole " is a basic chemical structure that is used in the

formation

of heme, which makes blood red.

 

" Pyrroles " bind with B-6 and then with zinc, thus depleting these

nutrients.

 

These individuals cannot efficiently create serotonin (a

neurotransmitter) since B-6 is an important factor in the last step

of

its synthesis.

 

Many of these persons appear to benefit from Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft

or other serotonin-enhancing medications.

However, as with all mind- altering drugs, side effects occur and

the

true cause of the mental

difficulties remains uncorrected.

 

Similar—and more healthful—benefits can be achieved by simply giving

these patients sufficient

amounts of B-6 along with supporting nutrients.

 

Most neurotransmitter problems appear to be genetic in nature and

involve abnormal absorption, metabolism or storage of key nutrients.

 

As neuroscience advances, biochemical treatments to correct brain

chemistry become better defined. Nutrient therapy can be very potent

and does not involve side effects, since no molecules foreign to the

body are needed. This therapeutic approach may eventually eliminate

the need for most psychiatric medications.

 

BIOCHEMICAL FACTORS IN BEHAVIOR DISORDERS,

" ADHD " AND " MENTAL ILLNESS "

 

The Pfeiffer Treatment Center has amassed a large database of

biochemical information from more than 10,000 patients with mental

health problems.

 

Examination of this data shows that most of these persons have

striking

abnormalities in specific nutrients required

for neurotransmitter production. The most common chemical imbalances

we encounter include the following:

 

Over-methylation

 

Many persons who suffer from anxiety along with depression are over-

methylated. Methyl is an important chemical group consisting of one

carbon and three hydrogen atoms (CH3).

 

Over-methylation (too many added methyl groups) results in excessive

levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and

serotonin.

 

Typical symptoms include chemical and food sensitivities,

underachievement,

upper body pain and an adverse reaction to serotonin-enhancing

substances such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, St. John's Wort and SAMe6.

 

Over-methylated persons have a physical tendency to be very

depressed in folates (a form of folic acid), niacin and vitamin B-

12, and biochemical treatment focuses on supplementation of these

nutrients.

 

These persons are also overloaded in copper and methionine (a

sulfur-containing amino acid) and supplements of these nutrients

must be

strictly avoided.

 

Under-methylation

 

Many patients with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, " oppositional-

defiant disorder7, " or seasonal depression are under-methylated,

which is associated with slow serotonin levels.

 

They generally exhibit seasonal allergies and other distinctive

symptoms

and traits.

 

They have a tendency to be very depressed in calcium, magnesium,

methionine and vitamin B-6 with excessive levels of folic

acid. These under-methylated persons can have a positive effect from

Paxil, Zoloft and other serotonin-enhancing medications, although

nasty side effects are common.

 

A more natural approach is to directly correct the underlying

problem

using methionine, calcium, magnesium and B-6.

 

SAMe, St. John's Wort, Kava Kava and inositol (a natural sugar

alcohol)

are also very useful in treating these individuals.

 

Metal-metabolism

 

A common problem in " ADHD, " behavior disorders and hormonal

depression is a physical inability to control copper, zinc,

manganese and other trace metals in the body due to improper

functioning of metallothionein—

 

a small protein synthesized in the liver and kidney in response to

the

presence of some metal ions8,

including zinc, mercury, cadmium and copper. It binds the metal ions

tightly and is important both in ion transport and in

detoxification.

 

These patients are often deficient in zinc and manganese, the amino

acids cysteine and serine, and vitamin B-6. They are commonly

overloaded in copper, lead and cadmium.

 

They must avoid supplements and " enriched foods " containing copper.

 

In addition we recommend they drink bottled water and limit use of

swimming pools and jacuzzis treated with copper sulfate anti-algae

agents.

 

Foods to be limited due to high copper content include shellfish,

chocolate and carob.

 

Elevated copper levels are associated with hormonal imbalances and a

classic symptom is intolerance to estrogen.

 

Biochemical treatment focuses on stimulation of metallothionein

using

zinc, manganese, cysteine, serine and vitamin B-6.

 

Pyrrole Disorder

 

A common feature of many behavioral and emotional disorders is

'pyroluria', detectable as a purple (on testing paper) metabolite in

urine called " the mauve factor. "

 

Pyroluria is an inborn error of pyrrole chemistry, which results in

a

dramatic deficiency of zinc,

vitamin B-6 and arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid).

 

Certain pyrroles called kryptopyrroles (literally, " hidden

pyrroles " )

bind with B-6, then zinc to deplete the body's supply.

 

Common symptoms nclude explosive temper, mood swings, poor short-

term

memory and frequent infections. These patients are easily identified

by

their inability to tan, poor dream recall, abnormal fat distribution

and

sensitivity to light and sound.

 

The decisive laboratory test is analysis for kryptopyrroles

(the " mauve

factor " ) in urine.

Treatment centers on zinc and B-6 supplements together with omega-6

essential fatty acids.

 

Glucose Dyscontrol

 

Our database indicates a significant number of our patients have

chronic low blood glucose levels. This problem doesn't appear to be

the cause of behavior disorders, depression, etc., but instead is an

aggravating factor that can trigger striking symptoms.

 

Typical symptoms include drowsiness after meals, irritability,

craving

for

sweets, trembling, anxiety and intermittent poor concentration and

focus.

 

Treatment includes chromium, manganese and other glucose-

stabilizing nutrients, but the primary focus of treatment is on

diet. These patients benefit from six or more small meals daily with

emphasis on complex carbohydrates and protein.

 

In essence, they cannot tolerate large meals or quick sugars.

Complex

carbohydrates

provide the necessary glucose in a slow, gradual manner and may be

thought of as " time-released " sugar.

 

Toxic Substances

 

Occasionally we encounter a patient whose condition has resulted

from a heavy-metal overload (lead, cadmium, mercury, etc.) or toxic

levels of pesticides or other organic chemicals.

 

Our database indicates that persons with a metallothionein disorder

are

especially sensitive to toxic metals and that over-methylation is

associated with severe chemical sensitivities.

 

Effective treatment requires a three-part approach: (1) avoidance of

additional exposures; (2) biochemical treatment to hasten the exit

of

the toxic substance from the body; and (3) correction of underlying

chemical

imbalances to minimize future vulnerability to the toxic material.

 

Malabsorption

 

Although only 10% of our database case histories involve serious

malabsorption, more than 90% of autistics exhibit this problem.

 

There are three primary classes of absorption problems: (1) stomach

problems, including excessive or insufficient HCl (hydrochloric

acid) levels; (2) incomplete digestion in the small intestine; and

(3) problems at the brush-border, the tiny villi9 that tremendously

increase the surface area of the intestine, where most nutrients are

absorbed into the blood stream.

 

The consequences can include nutrient deficiencies, irritation of

the

intestinal tract, candida and mental health problems.

 

Incomplete breakdown of protein and fats can adversely affect brain

neurotransmission, and is associated with impulsivity and academic

underachievement. Treatment depends on the

type of malabsorption present and may involve adjustment of stomach

HCl levels, digestive enzymes that survive stomach acid, nutrients

to enhance digestion, and special diets.

 

Essential Fatty Acids

 

The brain is 20% fat (by dry weight) and these fatty substances

fulfill very important functions. The myelin sheaths that surround

our brain cells contain essential fatty acids that are directly

involved in nerve receptor formation and nerve transmission.

 

A 1998 Symposium at the National Institute of Mental Health

presented

*strong evidence* of the important roles for omega-3 oils

(especially

EPA and DHA10) and omega-6 oils (especially AA and DGLA11)

in " ADHD, " depression and " schizophrenia. "

 

A recent Harvard study showed EPA and DHA supplements to be more

effective than psychiatric medications in combating " bipolar

depression. "

 

Typical American diets usually result in insufficient omega-3 and

excessive omega-6 and nutritionists routinely recommend

supplements of omega-3 oils.

 

However, biochemical individuality also exists with oils and certain

persons are innately low in omega-6 oils. A review of symptoms and

specialized plasma and red-cell-membrane lab tests can identify

individual needs.

 

SUMMARY

 

Nutrients play a critical role in mental health. They are the

building blocks of the nervous system. Correct testing and

understanding of deficiencies and overloads can pinpoint the causes

of many severe mental symptoms, thus opening the door to hope and

recovery.

---

 

 

Reprinted by permission from HRI-Pfeiffer Treatment Center,

Naperville, Illinois; 630-505-0300; in-; www.hriptc.org.

 

William J. Walsh, Ph.D., is a scientist with more than 30 years of

research experience. He founded the Health Research Institute in

1982, and the Pfeiffer Treatment Center, which has provided

individualized nutrient therapy to more than 14,000 patients, in

1989. Dr. Walsh has authored more than 200 scientific articles and

reports, and he presently serves as chief scientist of the Pfeiffer

Treatment Center.

 

Footnotes

 

1. Methionine is an amino acid you need that you can only get from

food or supplements.

 

2. Choline is part of the vitamin B complex family.

 

3. Fatty acids are the building blocks of fats. The tail end of the

fatty acid molecule is called the " omega. " Some fatty acids have

two carbon atoms together located 6 atoms from the end. These are

called omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have a double carbon

atom at 3 from the end.

 

4. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transfer messages from one

nerve cells to the other.

 

5. Serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine are all neurotransmitters.

 

6. SAMe stands for S-Adenosyl Methionine. It is a supplement and a

chemical produced in the brain from the amino acid methionine. In

one chemical process, SAMe adds methyl groups, thus would be harmful

to people already over-methylated.

 

7. This is a psychiatric diagnosis for a pattern of negativistic,

hostile and defiant behavior lasting at least 6 months.

 

8. An ion is a negatively charged atom or group of atoms. They tend

to want to combine with other atoms or groups of atoms.

 

9. Villi are minute, finger-like projections that give the small

intestine lining a velvet-like appearance. They absorb nutrients.

 

10. There are 3 kinds of omega-3 fatty acids. Two of them are EPA

and DHA, which are found in fish oil.

 

11. There are 3 kinds of omega-6 fatty acids. Two of them are AA

(arachidonic acid, mentioned earlier in this article) and DGLA.

 

http://www.wellbeingjournal.com/nutrients.htm

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes