Biochemical Treatment Mental Illness

[Guest guest]

Biochemical Treatment

 

The brain is a chemical factory that constantly produces

neurotransmitters throughout our lives. The raw materials are amino

acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. The step-by-step

processes by which the body produces the major neurotransmitters have

been known for years.

 

Sufficient nutrients to produce neurotransmitters can usually be

obtained from a well-balanced diet involving the major food groups.

However, many persons have absorption or metabolic disorders which

result in severe nutrient imbalances that adversely affect brain

functioning. For example, animal studies (Dakshinamurti, et.al.) have

shown that a diet low in vitamin B-6 can result in reduced serotonin

levels in the brain. This is not surprising since B-6 is a vital

cofactor required for natural synthesis of serotonin.

 

It would be a simple matter if all nutrient imbalances were

deficiencies, since a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement would then

have efficacy. Unfortunately, most imbalances involve overloads of

certain nutrients, and multiple vitamin/mineral supplements can make

these persons worse. For example, elevated copper has been associated

with paranoia (Pfeiffer and Iliev), and high folate levels have been

observed in obsessive-compulsive schizophrenics (Pfeiffer, et.al.).

 

Biochemical treatment is a modality in which nutrient levels in

blood, urine, and tissues are balanced to improve physical and mental

functioning. The procedure involves extensive chemical analysis of

blood, urine, and tissues to define the patient's biochemistry.

Treatment requires supplements of specific amino acids, vitamins, and

minerals which need to be supplied with rifle-shot precision.

Biochemical treatment can be effective only for persons with

significant biochemical imbalances. This new therapy has been applied

primarily to victims of schizophrenia, depression, and behavior

disorders.

 

 

Biochemical Treatment of Schizophrenia

 

In the 1950's, Abram Hoffer discovered that many persons with severe

mental illness improved greatly after treatment with vitamins B-3, B-

12, and folic acid. Subsequently, Carl Pfeiffer, M.D., Ph.D. of

Princeton, New Jersey, developed a classification system which

divided schizophrenia into three major biochemical groupings which he

termed histadelia, histapenia, and pyroluria. Pfeiffer studied more

than 20,000 patients with schizophrenia and reported 90% of them fell

into one of these three categories. He developed individualized

nutrient treatments for each of these conditions and reported good

treatment effectiveness across each group. Pfeiffer (now deceased)

reported striking improvements in thousands of case histories, but

unfortunately did not carry out double-blind, controlled studies of

treatment efficacy. In the absence of double-blind studies, this

promising treatment system has been regarded as unproved.

 

The Pfeiffer Treatment Center (Naperville, IL) has treated more than

1,000 persons with a diagnosis of schizophrenia using this system. An

outcome study involving 150 patients indicated that best results are

achieved for patients under the age of 40. Referring psychiatrists

report that most patients improve significantly after biochemical

treatment, enabling lower medication dosages and reduced side

effects. Biochemical treatment for schizophrenia is most effective

when administered along with medication, counseling and other

conventional treatment. At the present state of development,

biochemical treatment usually does not result in complete freedom

from medication for persons with severe mental illness.

 

 

Biochemical Treatment of Depression

 

The Pfeiffer Treatment Center has observed that most victims of

depression fall into one of five biochemical classes: (1) high

histamine, (2) low histamine, (3) pyroluric, (4) high copper, and (5)

toxic overload. The treatment for these biochemical disorders is

highly individualized, with most patients reporting good treatment

effectiveness.

 

High-histamine depressives overproduce and retain excessive levels of

histamine, an important neurotransmitter which affects human

behavior. They are under-methylated resulting in generalized low

levels of important neurotransmitters such as serotonin. This

syndrome often involves seasonal variations in depression, obsessive-

compulsive behavior, inhalant allergies, and frequent headaches.

Biochemical treatment revolves around antifolates, especially calcium

and methionine. Three to six month of nutrient therapy are usually

needed to correct this chemical imbalance. As in most biochemical

therapies, the symptoms usually return if treatment is stopped.

 

Low-histamine depressives are usually nervous, anxious individuals

who are prone to paranoia and despair. They are over-methylated which

results in elevated dopamine and norepinephrine levels. Although free

of seasonal allergies, they often report a multitude of food and

chemical sensitivities. Many have a history of hyperactivity,

learning disabilities, and underachievement. Treatment focuses on use

of folic acid together with niacinamide and vitamin B-12, with about

2-4 months required for correction of the imbalance.

 

Pyroluria is a stress disorder characterized by pronounced mood

swings, temper outbursts, and anxious depression. Many pyrolurics

report an inability to eat breakfast, absence of dream recall, and

frequent infections. Treatment centers on correcting a double

deficiency of B-6 and zinc, which is believed to result from abnormal

hemoglobin synthesis that depletes the body of these nutrients. A

positive response often occurs within the first 7 days of treatment,

with 1-2 months usually required for correction of the imbalance.

 

High-copper depressives usually have a history of hyperactivity,

tinnitus, and skin sensitivity to metals. Females with this condition

usually have significant PMS and are prone to heightened depression

during hormonal events such as childbirth and menopause. They often

report a worsening of depression after estrogen or multiple vitamins.

Treatment focuses on release of excess copper from tissues, promotion

of copper excretion, and stimulation of metallothionein (a metal-

binding protein). Caution must be exercised due to the tendency of

blood copper levels to rise during the first 10 days of treatment.

Many patients report a mild worsening over the first 3 weeks,

followed by steady improvement. A total of 60 to 90 days is usually

required to correct this imbalance.

 

Toxic substances which are capable of producing depression include

lead, cadmium, mercury, and a wide variety of organic and inorganic

chemicals. This syndrome often involves a sudden, prolonged bout of

depression without apparent reason and without a prior history of

depression. Treatment varies with the type of toxic material

involved, and care must be exercised to avoid flooding the kidneys

with toxins during the early stages of treatment. Heavy-metal

overloads can be corrected quickly by in-hospital chelation, or more

slowly using biochemical treatment. Organic chemical overloads

require liberal use of antioxidants along with avoidance of the

offending substances.

 

In an outcome study of 200 depressive patients treated at the

Pfeiffer Treatment Center, approximately two-thirds reported their

anti-depressant medications were no longer necessary after

biochemical treatment. However a double-blind, controlled study is

needed to better define treatment efficacy.

 

 

Biochemical Treatment of Behavior Disorders

 

In the late 1970's, Dr. Walsh and co-workers developed a biochemical

classification system for behavior disorders based on trace-metal

concentrations. Based on chemical analysis data from hundreds of

violent criminals and behavior-disordered children, behavior

disorders were divided into four distinct types.

 

Type A individuals are characterized by an elevated copper/zinc

ratio, along with elevated lead and cadmium and low sodium and

potassium levels. They exhibit episodic rages which may be quite

violent, and usually exhibit remorse after they have calmed down.

Patrick Sherrill who killed 17 co-workers in an Oklahoma post office

was found to have a severe Type A imbalance. Many school children who

are Type A individuals may have mild, moderate, or severe versions of

this chemical imbalance.

 

Type B individuals are characterized by low copper/zinc ratios, along

with elevated sodium, potassium, lead and cadmium. Most exhibit

behavior disorders by age 2, and are often described as oppositional,

defiant, pathological liars, remorseless, and cruel. The incidence of

the Type B imbalance appears to be less than 0.5% in the general

population, but between 20-75% in maximum-security prisons in

Illinois, California, and Ohio. In studies of ex-convicts and violent

children, Dr. Pfeiffer found these individuals to exhibit elevated

blood histamine, low blood spermine, elevated kryptopyrroles in

urine, and zinc deficiency. Notable examples of persons with a severe

Type B imbalance include James Huberty (McDonalds massacre), serial

killer Henry Lee Lucas, and Charles Manson.

 

Type C individuals are low in most nutrients and Dr. Pfeiffer

identified their primary imbalance to be malabsorption. The majority

are slender, non-violent, impulsive persons who underachieve in

school and in the workplace.

 

Type D persons were found by Dr. Pfeiffer to exhibit glucose-control

problems. These individuals are often non-violent underachievers who

complain of irritability, fatigue, and sugar cravings.

 

The Health Research Institute (parent organization of the Pfeiffer

Treatment Center) has accumulated a data base of chemistry levels for

more than 6,500 behavior-disordered children, 800 violent criminals,

and 26 serial killers and mass murderers. We have found that about

90% of these persons fit into one of the A/B/C/D categories.

 

In the early 1980's, Dr. Pfeiffer developed individualized

biochemical treatments for each of these behavior syndromes. Under

this system, patients are screened and treated for trace-metal

imbalances, histamine disorders, pyroluria, malabsorption, glucose

disorders, and other biochemical imbalances. Nearly 7,000 behavior-

disordered persons have been treated at the Pfeiffer Treatment Center

using this system. In four separate outcome studies involving a total

of 1,400 patients, a majority of the families reported major

improvements in behavior control after biochemical treatment. These

studies indicated good treatment effectiveness for most patients

below the age of 14.

 

In a blinded, controlled study in 1992, 24 patients of the Pfeiffer

Treatment Center were tested before and after 4 months of

individualized biochemical treatment by an independent testing

expert. The test group showed clear improvements in behavior control

after treatment, whereas controls did not.

 

Our nation's problems of crime and violence will not be solved by

getting tough with criminals, building more prisons, or wider

application of the death penalty. The only hope is early

identification of behavior-disordered children and effective

treatment. Biochemical therapy represents a promising approach to

this societal problem.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Biochemical treatment, originally developed for schizophrenia, has

also shown promise in the treatment of depression and behavior

disorders. Although still in a process of evolution, the testing

methods and treatment modalities have matured to the point that a

high percentage of patients report treatment effectiveness. However,

double-blind, placebo-controlled studies must be successfully carried

out before this promising therapy can become part of mainstream

medicine.

[Guest guest]

, " califpacific "

<califpacific> wrote:

>

>

> Biochemical Treatment

>

> The brain is a chemical factory that constantly produces

> neurotransmitters throughout our lives. The raw materials are amino

> acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. The step-by-step

> processes by which the body produces the major neurotransmitters

have

> been known for years.

>

> Sufficient nutrients to produce neurotransmitters can usually be

> obtained from a well-balanced diet involving the major food groups.

> However, many persons have absorption or metabolic disorders which

> result in severe nutrient imbalances that adversely affect brain

> functioning. For example, animal studies (Dakshinamurti, et.al.) have

> shown that a diet low in vitamin B-6 can result in reduced serotonin

> levels in the brain. This is not surprising since B-6 is a vital

> cofactor required for natural synthesis of serotonin.

>

> It would be a simple matter if all nutrient imbalances were

> deficiencies, since a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement would then

> have efficacy. Unfortunately, most imbalances involve overloads of

> certain nutrients, and multiple vitamin/mineral supplements can make

> these persons worse. For example, elevated copper has been

associated

> with paranoia (Pfeiffer and Iliev), and high folate levels have been

> observed in obsessive-compulsive schizophrenics (Pfeiffer, et.al.).

>

> Biochemical treatment is a modality in which nutrient levels in

> blood, urine, and tissues are balanced to improve physical and mental

> functioning. The procedure involves extensive chemical analysis of

> blood, urine, and tissues to define the patient's biochemistry.

> Treatment requires supplements of specific amino acids, vitamins, and

> minerals which need to be supplied with rifle-shot precision.

> Biochemical treatment can be effective only for persons with

> significant biochemical imbalances. This new therapy has been applied

> primarily to victims of schizophrenia, depression, and behavior

> disorders.

>

>

> Biochemical Treatment of Schizophrenia

>

> In the 1950's, Abram Hoffer discovered that many persons with severe

> mental illness improved greatly after treatment with vitamins B-3, B-

> 12, and folic acid. Subsequently, Carl Pfeiffer, M.D., Ph.D. of

> Princeton, New Jersey, developed a classification system which

> divided schizophrenia into three major biochemical groupings which he

> termed histadelia, histapenia, and pyroluria. Pfeiffer studied more

> than 20,000 patients with schizophrenia and reported 90% of them fell

> into one of these three categories. He developed individualized

> nutrient treatments for each of these conditions and reported good

> treatment effectiveness across each group. Pfeiffer (now deceased)

> reported striking improvements in thousands of case histories, but

> unfortunately did not carry out double-blind, controlled studies of

> treatment efficacy. In the absence of double-blind studies, this

> promising treatment system has been regarded as unproved.

>

> The Pfeiffer Treatment Center (Naperville, IL) has treated more than

> 1,000 persons with a diagnosis of schizophrenia using this system. An

> outcome study involving 150 patients indicated that best results are

> achieved for patients under the age of 40. Referring psychiatrists

> report that most patients improve significantly after biochemical

> treatment, enabling lower medication dosages and reduced side

> effects. Biochemical treatment for schizophrenia is most effective

> when administered along with medication, counseling and other

> conventional treatment. At the present state of development,

> biochemical treatment usually does not result in complete freedom

> from medication for persons with severe mental illness.

>

>

(snip)

>

> Biochemical treatment, originally developed for schizophrenia, has

> also shown promise in the treatment of depression and behavior

> disorders. Although still in a process of evolution, the testing

> methods and treatment modalities have matured to the point that a

> high percentage of patients report treatment effectiveness. However,

> double-blind, placebo-controlled studies must be successfully carried

> out before this promising therapy can become part of mainstream

> medicine.

 

 

 

Hello,

 

By all means I refuse anything to become part of mainstreammedicine.

It should be recognized and independant.

 

Randolf