Must read: The Male Depression and Suicide Epidemic: Is Soy Lowering Testosterone? by Nicola Molloy 1/2

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Please send far and wide and then ideally not buy food which contains either soy flour or oil. Permission given to reproduce as necessary. Nicki Molloy

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The Male Depression and Suicide Epidemic: Is Soy Lowering Testosterone?

By Nicola MolloyWhy don’t people know about the epidemic of male suicides?

The high suicide rate in New Zealand, especially the predominance of Maori suicide is one of the most tragic problems the country has. Estimates in 2002 suggested Maori male and female youth suicide were approximately twice those of non-Maori (MOH, 2005). The frequency of suicides is not portrayed in the media, because scientific research has shown this may increase further suicides for a time after the report. According to the Ministry of Health, the weight of evidence suggests the correlation is significant. Copycat suicides are usually due to the power of suggestion on vulnerable young people with insurmountable personal crises, as an option (MOH, 1999). In Auckland there is approximately one suicide every three days. Three-quarters of all suicide deaths in New Zealand are male. According to the WHO there are nearly one million suicides worldwide annually. Mostly of men (Wikipedia, 2006). Depression has been estimated by experts as a cause of 90% of international suicidal promptings (Condon, 2004). Many studies have been done in New Zealand about the causes of suicide, and these include: poverty, unemployment, depression (and other mood disorders), substance abuse, loss of identity through tribal disconnection, dysfunctional childhood environments, cultural inequality, lack of social support and isolation, sexual orientation, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, recent loss or rejection, debilitating illness and childhood sexual abuse (MOH, 2005) The rationale for this research proposal is to investigate new suicide prevention strategies for Maori men, which could further eliminate causes not covered in Ministry of Health and New Zealand academic research and prevention publications. These include:· Finding out how soy in the diet, along with alcohol and cannabis intake, lower testosterone in men, which is one cause of depression. · Why abdominal fat can also lower testosterone. · How soy and wheat have the capacity to depress the thyroid, in turn leading to depression. · How milk and wheat can cause glue ear, leading to deafness and learning disability, which in turn could cause social inability, a tendency towards crime, (due to unemployment), and possible suicidal tendencies once incarcerated. Deep depression has been shown to be the single biggest cause of male suicides world-wide. Possible causes for depression may be helpful in this regard, to help stem suicidal tendencies. Each year New Zealand has over five hundred suicides approximately. Three-quarters are men and Maori men commit suicide twice as often as non-Maori men (MOH, 2005). Whilst economic restructuring and resultant unemployment and poverty occurred concurrently with an increase of young male suicide from the mid-1980s onwards, a number of other biological factors could also be considered (MOH, 2005). 65% of Maori suicides are by hanging or suffocation. Between 1996 and 1997, 196 Maori took their own lives with nearly 2/3 by hanging or suffocation. Males accounted for nearly 74% of the suicide deaths (IPRC, 2001).

How alcohol causes depression.

According to Michel Tousignant, between 30-50% of suicides have a dependence on alcohol or drugs shown by four large studies in four countries. Even in South India, where alcohol is difficult to find, within the city of Chennai (formerly Madras) 35% of suicides showed alcoholism. In a New Zealand study, it was found that one out of six serious suicide attempters were seriously dependent on marijuana (Tousignant, 2006). Ronald Kessler writes of alcohol having a dis-inhibiting effect on people who have already been thinking about suicide, and can make them act impulsively had they not been drinking (health24.com, 2006). Many studies have been done on how alcohol affects the brain:“As alcohol is a depressant, it promotes depressive thoughts and feelings of hopelessness in some individuals. It also removes any inhibitions a person may have to harm themselves.” (Condon, 2004).According to a report on Radio Rhema on 12 July, 2006 60% of American youth have contemplated suicide, with hopelessness the main reason. Depression and hopelessness go hand-in-hand. Numerous medical web pages online have data which correlate alcohol with a tendency to cause depressive illness, leading to suicide. Yet anti-depressants were prescribed to 90% of people seeking treatment for depression in a recent study in USA (Russell, 2006). Other studies have shown removal of alcohol, marijuana, sugar and soy in the diet can lift depression. One study of people who consumed one drink a day and suffering from depression, found relief from it when abstinent for three months (Russell, 2006). Alcohol not only covers up depression, but also makes it harder to recover from because it is also a cause, inducing impaired thinking and memory problems and these problems in turn may make one want to live less. Even when becoming teetotal, driving urges to drink can still persist. The process of withdrawal can also be very painful. Heavy drinkers have a five to ten-fold higher risk of suicide than the general population” (Condon, 2004).The latest research in Scientific American Mind shows that even if a former alcoholic remains sober, a setback can bring on “conditioned withdrawal” symptoms. The brain is shaped by experience and dendrite formations remember a drink brought calm before. The article says that simple will power may not be enough to break that grip, and drugs that reverse the alcohol altered damaged brain chemistry may be necessary (Heinz, 2006). “The disinhibiting and facilitating effects of acute alcohol intoxification increase the likelihood of impulsive and aggressive suicide attempts”(MOH, 2005a. p22). Depression and alcohol are a bad combination and evidence suggests that for men drinking alcohol precedes depression and for women, depression precedes alcohol use (Russell, 2006).

Glue ear and jail suicides.

There are many suicides in jail of Maori males. According to Colin Tatz, there is an important correlation between illiteracy and deafness, and between both and suicide. He writes that at least 20% of Maori prison inmates, considered at risk for suicide are seriously deaf. Australian Aboriginal youth also have a correlation between ‘glue ear’, illiteracy and suicidal behavior (Tatz, 2001). This may be because of a milk allergy, causing glue ear. Before European colonization Maori and Aboriginals didn’t drink milk from animals. Enzymes have not been created over thousands of years of evolution to digest lactose in cow’s milk. According to CEPNZ, one survey of 200 inmates in Auckland’s Mt. Eden Prison, all 100 Maori (Polynesian) prisoners and 82 non-Maori checked had hearing loss ten times worse than the national average (CEPNZ, 2006). It claimed that most stemmed from lack of hearing checks in early childhood by neglectful mothers. But knowledge about milk allergy in indigenous people, and those from traditional non-cattle rearing countries is freely available. If illiteracy is a result of deafness, have prisoners been unable to read about techniques to improve their lives? Another source of deafness, according to the NZ Herald is digital music players. Audiologists speak of a future epidemic of deafness. Hearing is threatened by noise above 80 decibels, but personal music players are able to exceed 100 decibels (NZPA, 2006). 30-50 million Americans are lactose intolerant, including 75% African Americans, American Indians and 90% of American Asians. (Science In Africa, 2005). According to the National Foundation for the Deaf, middle ear infections, such as glue ear are more common in Maori and Pacific Island children, affecting up to 80% of their early school years. (NFD, 2004). The most common symptom of milk allergy is glue ear. Another cause of glue ear is sensitivity to gluten in wheat. This is called celiac disease. Wheat can also bring on mental problems, depression, behavioural difficulties and ADD (Guardian Unlimited Special Report, 2002). Tatz claims that Maoris and Aborigines commit suicide in jail, (other than because of deafness) both for different reasons. For Maori males, according to Tatz, one reason is they could have previously have gotten ‘high’ e.g. from being caught, more ‘highs’ from facing arrest, remand, in court and in custody. Then rationality sets in. He then sees an answer to the brick wall he has run into and this is suicide (Tatz, 2001). In contrast, Tatz claims that Aborigines rarely experience autonomy, self-fulfillment or personal sovereignty over their physical material or internal lives and when placed in jail, they will tend to commit suicide within 24 hours of incarceration from anger, not from remorse. (Tatz, 2001. However, other reasons would also exist. Tatz writes that Aboriginal youth showing suicidal behavior cannot read or write, except picture magazines and that illiteracy from not hearing at school, causes incomprehension and inarticulateness, which in turn creates frustration and anger. This leads to violence as a vent to release feelings (Tatz, 2001). Many young people in New Zealand fail the school system and it has been said on Campbell Live (approximately in May 2006) that now about 20% of NZ children leave school without the basics of literacy. Who can learn how to help themselves when they can’t read and write? Excessive manganese (found largely in tea) also causes serotonin depletion and corresponding depression. According to Regush, in 1984 a study of hair analysis was done on ninety-nine varied race men who had committed rape, battery and murder in California. Only manganese was elevated in all of them. Normally the body regulates manganese very efficiently. Two felony free control groups of locals and guards didn’t have elevated manganese. Another two studies were done on this to eliminate possible factors due to prison cooking utensils etc. Eighty-nine violent male prisoners awaiting trial, with better controls and further precautions to ensure hair wasn’t contaminated. All had the same high manganese. Research animals have shown that manganese can block an enzyme, which produces serotonin (Regush, 1997).

You are what you eat.

Keri Lawson-Te Aho writes of cultural factors, social dislocation, loss of cultural knowledge and inability to fit into either Maori or mainstream culture as a suicide risk factor (Lawson-Te Aho, 1998). Character and coping traits can be inherited, developed from experience in life or it seems even manufactured temporarily after eating certain foods. Nicholas Regush writes that serotonin is not produced in the body, and is created from the amino acid L-tryptophan. This comes from foods such as whole grains, potatoes, bananas, nuts, beans, peas, seeds or wheat germ. Serotonin has been the most studied by violence researchers. It has an association with courage, self-worth, some mental illnesses and violence. Monkey studies have shown that low serotonin can be a factor in inability to form close relationships. Numerous human studies have shown low serotonin correlations with aggressive, impulsive behavior including murder, attempted murder and suicide (Regush, 1997). In problem children, it was the best predictor of who would commit violent crimes.(Regush, 1997) When tryptophan was administered to patients incarcerated in a mental hospital for murder and violence, and not responding to psychiatric medication, the impulsive individuals showed positive results, however not everyone responded. Another study of ten healthy men given a low-tryptophan diet increased aggressiveness when playing a game involving money. Another seventeen autistics given a low tryptophan diet increased aggression, pacing, whirling and hitting oneself (Regush, 1997). Prozac, which prevents serotonin from being reabsorbed after use, and so keeps it in the bloodstream has been associated with feelings of enhanced security, courage, self-worth, serenity and resilience according to Regush. He says that unfortunately for some after starting Prozac, suicidal thoughts can manifest. However this may be because the body no longer needs to create its own serotonin and so stops and lessens the receptors to compensate. This will prevent more to be utilized in future so the supply remains low.

Low serotonin and depression.

Depression has many causes but low serotonin is especially significant for males because this can reduce testosterone production. Physical activity promotes the release of serotonin. Light, as it hits the retina affects melatonin, which in turn affects serotonin, and correspondingly testosterone. The less sunlight, the more melatonin that depletes serotonin (Francis-Cheung & Grey, 2002). Many biochemical causes are due to male depression and some researchers believe that a disruption of the internal hormonal rhythms connected with light and dark, reduced thyroid, adrenal, parathyroid functions, testosterone fluctuations and too much of the stress hormone cortisol have been targeted. Theresa Francis-Cheung and Robin Grey also write about improper brain neurotransmitter functions resulting from birth problems, heredity and disease--causing depression. Along with low serotonin, other neurotransmitters norepinephrine (noradrenalin) and dopamine are also being studied for their influence on depression. Depression, due to the faulty gene which makes low serotonin levels, has been found in twice the number of those who attempt suicide than in the rest of the population. (Francis-Cheung & Grey, 2002). According to a BBC article, there is also a “mood enzyme” called Protein Kinase C and studies have found it reduced in teens that have committed suicide according to US researchers (Youth Suicide Report, 2006). The way depression is transmitted in families is like unresolved suffering like an emotional debt, from previous generations (Francis-Cheung & Grey, 2002). “Stress, or drugs such as alcohol or cocaine, can activate a gene linked to depression and other mental problems” (Russell, 2006), according to psychiatrist Robert Post. He says that these can also induce seizures and manic-depressive episodes. (Russell, 2006).

What is upsetting men?

The cause of what upsets males can vary considerably according to race or country of residence. Much research has been done on why indigenous males commit suicide, but in 468 suicides committed in Indianapolis from 1998 to 2001, 83% were male and 84% white. Relationship problems, such as divorce or breakup or legal problems were the most common reasons for these males under 65 and illness for those over 65. But male depression is said by experts to be the overriding factor in male suicide worldwide. An average two people a day have been committing suicide in Indiana state (The Indianopolis Star, 2002). According to Sharon Kirkey, depression is so pervasive that doctors are now seeing depressed children as young as three. Little children will report suicidal ideas, if you ask them and younger and younger children are becoming suicidal (Kirkey, 2000). We cannot blame cultural alienation, unemployment, jail, drugs or alcohol on children’s low moods for this.

Soy and suicide.

What is a common factor, apart from depression, which may be one reason? According to numerous health reports, there is evidence that isoflavones in soy (added to baked foods) demonstrate toxicity in estrogen sensitive tissues and inhibit thyroid peroxidase which generates thyroid anomalies. (Shomon, 2006b). David Zava writes that a chemical in soybean called giotrogen latches onto iodine preventing it from being absorbed by the intestinal tract. This leads to the thyroid functioning low, due to not absorbing its nutrient iodine. A symptom of underfunctioning thyroid is fuzzy thinking (Shomon, M, 2006c) and depression. Mary Shomon writes that celiac disease, (which causes the intestines to react abnormally to gluten, in wheat and other grains, triggering autoimmune hypothyroidism) causing antibodies to attack thyroid tissue, making a shortage of thyroid hormone. She says three to six months of a gluten free diet will cause thyroid antibodies to disappear (Shomon, 2006a). Depression, according to Professor Leon Rottmann, may be the first sign of an underactive thyroid, after following fatigue, mental dullness and lethargy. Sometimes physicians mistakenly treat the patient with these symptoms only for depression, without testing for hypothyroidism (Rottmann, 2006). He also says that in those with rapid cycling bipolar disease 25-50% have evidence of thyroid deficiency, though they may feel well. Another cause of an under active thyroid, triggering depression is intake of soy, particularly for men as it can lead to diminished testosterone, which too can cause depression. Not only has soy up to ten times as much estrogen as other foods, but it can also lead to obesity because of its “fattening” ability. Lucerne, full of estrogen, is given to cattle to fatten them up. Also synthetic estrogen is given to fatten chickens and cattle (Stepanowicz, 2006). Possibly leading to the man breast syndrome, as it further overloads men with estrogen. The CARDIA Male Hormone Study (Gapstur, 2002) found that black men compared to white men, after adjustment for age, had 3% more total testosterone. But this was found only because of the circumference of their waists. In another article by Ivan Nikolov, it said that obesity converts testosterone to estrogen leading to excess estrogen levels in the body. After triggering other processes this estrogen binds to the androgen receptors leaving less opportunity for the free testosterone to do so. Estrogen actually signals the brain to decrease testosterone, because it is the messenger molecule. The more fat cells the more estrogen and less testosterone, leading to possible depression (Nikolov, 2006). Gut obesity lowers testosterone and in turn affects the ability of the brain to make serotonin. Low serotonin tells the brain to signal the thyroid to slow the metabolism; this can cause tiredness, weight gain and again depression (Healingdeva.com, 2006). Mortality rate for new-born rats was six times higher when mother was fed on a diet of GE soya, widely consumed in the USA (The Independent, 2006). Having looked at what happens when the thyroid is suppressed, let’s see why soy causes it to malfunction and bring depression, possibly leading to suicide, especially in males. In an article written by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig, PhD., an American woman was described as suffering from cognitive problems, jumbled world, spelling forgetfulness and being disoriented. Her problems cleared when she stopped eating supermarket bread, whilst on a diet. When she resumed the bread her symptoms returned. Another woman in the article tried to avoid soy as she’d read about its depressing effect on the thyroid and she found every loaf of bread in the American supermarket contained soy flour (Fallon & Enig, 2006).