I've been seeing changes with people that juice or eat health and those just starting.
HOW NUTRITION AFFects
EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIOR
By
Lawrence Wilson, MD
©
December 2009, The Center For Development
An intimate relationship
exists between nutritional imbalances and psychological or behavioral symptoms
and conditions. This is sometimes called
the body-mind connection. Hair tissue
mineral analysis, when performed and interpreted correctly, illustrates this
close connection. It can also indicate
causes and corrective action needed in most cases of mental and emotional
illness.
Since this is large claim, I will illustrate with a few short cases. Much more on this subject is available in the book I wrote, Nutritional Balancing And Hair Mineral Analysis and in various other articles on this site.
Since this is large claim, I will illustrate with a few short cases. Much more on this subject is available in the book I wrote, Nutritional Balancing And Hair Mineral Analysis and in various other articles on this site.
AUTISM
More and more research
indicates that autism is a biochemical disorder of the brain. This is our experience as well. The role of mercury, other vaccine-related
toxins, toxic metals, toxic chemicals found in mother’s milk, pharmaceutical
drugs, vaccines and other sources, can all contribute.
Intestinal dysbiosis and food
allergies also play a significant role in many cases. These children can do extremely well on a
nutritional balancing program. See the
articles on autism on this site for a case history and
much more information.
CALCIUM,
MAGNESIUM, AND ZINC -
THE BIOCHEMICAL SEDATIVES FOR HYPERKINESIS AND MANY LEARNING DISABILITIES
THE BIOCHEMICAL SEDATIVES FOR HYPERKINESIS AND MANY LEARNING DISABILITIES
Joey, age three, was diagnosed
as learning disabled and hyperkinetic.
It was difficult for him to sit still for more than a few minutes. Based on his hair tissue mineral analysis, he
began taking a food supplement containing calcium, magnesium, and zinc - three
elements that help calm the nervous system.
Within two days his mother reported he was more relaxed and easier to
manage. He began to sleep better, and
was able to sit still and play like a normal child.
Calcium raises the threshold
at which nerves cells fire, thus reducing the irritability or sensitivity of the
nervous system. A person whose tissue
calcium level is low is prone to nervous irritability. Zinc is another anti-stress nutrient. Zinc deficiency is associated with emotional
instability. Magnesium is another
powerful sedative. Magnesium sulfate is
routinely given to patients during heart attacks as a sedative medication. For more information, read Attention Deficit.
BIOCHEMICAL DEPRESSION - THREE TYPES, AT LEAST
Case history. Norma complained of
fatigue and depression. A tissue mineral
test revealed very elevated calcium and
magnesium levels, and low levels of sodium and potassium.
This pattern is associated with great fatigue and a very sluggish thyroid and adrenal glandular activity. We call this tendency an exhaustion stage of stress or a slow metabolic or oxidation rate. It is the most common pattern associated with feelings of depression.
With corrective diet and the several nutritional supplements, Norma's moods became more even within three months. She has since remained well for over 10 years.
This pattern is associated with great fatigue and a very sluggish thyroid and adrenal glandular activity. We call this tendency an exhaustion stage of stress or a slow metabolic or oxidation rate. It is the most common pattern associated with feelings of depression.
With corrective diet and the several nutritional supplements, Norma's moods became more even within three months. She has since remained well for over 10 years.
Norma
also had a second indicator for depression.
Her hair tissue calcium level was above about 175-200 mg%. This is called a calcium shell pattern.
This pattern is associated with psychological withdrawal. Often it occurs in persons who are very emotionally sensitive who are under a lot of stress, or who do not handle stress that well. They withdraw and depression is one of their common symptoms.
Correction is similar to the first situation, namely to support and enhance the activity of the adrenal glands and the thyroid gland to allow the person to make more energy within the body cells.
This approach, using only a natural diet high enough in protein and vegetables, low in sugars and fats, plus a few nutritional supplements of thyroid, adrenal, B-complex vitamins, a digestive aid and some calcium and magnesium to allay anxiety and help the person relax, usually resolves this type of depression as well. It might take a little longer than the first situation above, but not necessarily.
This pattern is associated with psychological withdrawal. Often it occurs in persons who are very emotionally sensitive who are under a lot of stress, or who do not handle stress that well. They withdraw and depression is one of their common symptoms.
Correction is similar to the first situation, namely to support and enhance the activity of the adrenal glands and the thyroid gland to allow the person to make more energy within the body cells.
This approach, using only a natural diet high enough in protein and vegetables, low in sugars and fats, plus a few nutritional supplements of thyroid, adrenal, B-complex vitamins, a digestive aid and some calcium and magnesium to allay anxiety and help the person relax, usually resolves this type of depression as well. It might take a little longer than the first situation above, but not necessarily.
Norma
does not have this situation, which is more serious than the other two. It is a ratio of sodium to potassium in the
hair tissue that is less than about 2.5:1.
This is called an inversion of the
Na/K ratio.
A low Na/K ratio of this type is a further indicator of fatigue, blood sugar imbalance, resentment, frustration, hostility and other metabolic problems as well.
In these instances, the supplement program must include a little copper (up to 3 mg/day), some extra manganese (up to 15 mg/day) and some zinc as well. We use a product called Limcomin by Endomet Labs to supply all these and more in one tablet.
A low Na/K ratio of this type is a further indicator of fatigue, blood sugar imbalance, resentment, frustration, hostility and other metabolic problems as well.
In these instances, the supplement program must include a little copper (up to 3 mg/day), some extra manganese (up to 15 mg/day) and some zinc as well. We use a product called Limcomin by Endomet Labs to supply all these and more in one tablet.
When done properly, all three
types of depression can be resolved, often in a matter of months or less,
without the need for drugs. Of course,
if there is a lifestyle or emotional issue that must be addressed, this should
be done as well or one is simply treating a symptom, nothing more. This will not be as effective as a complete
improvement in the lifestyle of the person.
However, the nutrition programs we offer will assist with psychological
treatments of all kinds by strengthening the body and assisting the brain to
function more clearly.
Copper imbalance. This is another common cause of
depression. Still others involve other toxic metals and other tissue
mineral imbalances such as a fast
oxidation rate with a low sodium/potassium ratio. This is more common in men, while the copper
imbalance is more common in women. For
more information, read Depression And How To Correct
It.
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE
DISORDER OR OCD
This
is commonly associated with copper imbalance, manganese toxicity and perhaps
other biochemical imbalances. As these
improve, often the symptoms of OCD also improve a lot.
BIPOLAR
DISORDER
Individuals with bipolar or
manic-depressive disorder often have an underlying imbalance of slow oxidation
and often copper imbalance. In addition,
they often have a four highs pattern on a hair test or others indicating extreme
stress. The combination of these two
traits leads to the common pattern of days of high energy followed by a period
of very low energy and depression. This
can be corrected in most cases with nutritional balancing science in a
relatively short time of months, usually, and with relatively little difficulty
if one is willing to follow the program carefully.
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Copper imbalance, mercury
toxicity, manganese toxicity, cadmium toxicity and other imbalances are
associated with schizophrenias. Most
respond beautifully to balancing the body chemistry. Results can be fast, but may take longer if a
person is far out of balance.
Copper and
Schizophrenia. Joan, age 18, was a patient in Scottsdale
Camelback Hospital with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. She responded poorly to medication and
psychotherapy. Tissue mineral testing
revealed a copper level of 40 mg%, about 15 times normal. Joan was placed on a diet and nutritional
supplements to reduce tissue copper.
Her condition improved so
radically she was released from all psychiatric care within six months, and
returned to high school the following September. Excess tissue copper stimulates the biogenic
amines, neurotransmitters associated with depression, anxiety, mood swings and
schizophrenia. Copper imbalance is quite
common but goes undiagnosed because the tissue mineral test is not often done.
SEIZURES
OR EPILEPSY
Nutritional balancing programs
have helped many people with epilepsy and seizures even when medical tests have
failed to detect an obvious cause for the seizures, and even when drug therapy
has not worked at all. See the article
on this website regarding more details about handling many cases of Epilepsy.
OTHER TOXIC METALS AND MENTAL HEALTH
More on Copper. anyone
interested in the emotions and their relationship to body chemistry needs to
read the two articles on this site, Copper Toxicity Syndrome and Copper Elimination Symptoms. Copper is involved in numerous emotional and
psychological disorders and random symptoms such as anxiety, mind racing, mood
swings, irritability and others. This is
because copper is a very bioactive mineral, especially in relation to the
nervous system. It is associated with
stimulation of the biogenic amines, epinephrine, norepinephrine and
dopamine. It is also involved in
serotonin, monoamine oxidase (MAO) and other extremely powerful neurotransmitter
substances and chemicals
that influence nervous activity.
Lead.
Thousands of children in the United States are affected by lead
poisoning. Lead can cause mental
retardation and hyperactivity in children, and violent behavior in adults.
Mercury. The mad hatters in Alice in Wonderland were
mercury-toxic. They rubbed mercury on
felt to make hats. Mercury accumulates
in the brain, where it can cause severe behavior changes. Silver amalgam fillings, fungicides and
paints are sources of mercury.
Aluminum.
Hair levels of aluminum are increasing rapidly in the American
population. Research links excess
aluminum with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Aluminum is acquired by drinking soda and
beer from aluminum cans, and from anti-perspirants, anti-acids, table salt,
cosmetics, salted foods, tap water, aluminum cookware and perhaps occupational
exposure. It can be removed from the
body if detected early enough.
Cadmium. The
Journal of Learning Disabilities, Vol. 18, #10, 1985, pp. 609-612 reported that
among 980 male U.S. Navy recruits entering basic training, a significant
correlation was found between hair cadmium levels and behavior problems. "The three subjects with the highest cadmium
level all displayed serious behavior difficulties in recruit training". For more information, read Cadmium.
OTHER NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES AND BEHAVIOR
B-complex vitamins are
essential for proper nervous system functioning. Many people report more energy and less
depression when they take thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and
pyridoxine (B6). Pantothenic acid (B5)
also helps energy production. Two other
members of the B-complex family, choline and inositol, act as natural
tranquilizers.
Many other nutrients can
affect behavior. L-Taurine and l-tryptophan have a calming effect. L-phenylalanine and l-tyrosine can enhance
thyroid activity and improve energy and mood.
There are others as well.
HYPOGLYCEMIA AND BEHAVIOR DISORDERS
Carbohydrate intolerance is a
common nutritional disorder that produces severe behavior changes. Diets high in carbohydrates, and deficiencies
of manganese, chromium and other minerals are often involved. Among the most common symptoms of
hypoglycemia are confusion, irritability, anxiety and at times violence. It is quite simple to identify carbohydrate
intolerance and correct it with diet and food supplements, yet this common
malady is often overlooked. For more
information, read Hypoglycemia.
FOOD INTOLERANCE AND BEHAVIOR
Any food can cause reactions
that affect the nervous system. One
possible reason for these reactions is that histamine, the chemical that is
released in allergic phenomena, can be released in the brain causing alterations
in brain chemistry.
Brain allergies are often
overlooked in the search for reasons for anti-social behavior. One cause of ADHD is a reaction to allergic
foods or chemical additives found in children’s foods. Dr. Benjamin Feingold, MD pioneered the study
of food allergies on children’s behavior.
Depression can also be the result of food allergies, or allergies to
chemicals in food or drinking water. For
more information, read Food
Intolerance.
ANXIETY AND PANIC ATTACKS
This
is one of the easiest conditions to correct using nutritional balancing
science. Common imbalances include low
or high and biounavailable calcium and magnesium in the body, low zinc, high
copper, high levels of toxic metals, and rarely other imbalances. Read Anxiety on
this website for more information.
ALCOHOLISM
AND DRUG ABUSE
Nutritional imbalances play a
role to some degree with these conditions.
Balancing body chemistry can particularly help some people to avoid a
relapse by reducing cravings for alcohol, sweets and drugs. For more information read Alcoholism and Drug
Abuse.
WHY
ISN'T NUTRITION INCORPORATED MORE INTO MENTAL HEALTH CARE?
Most likely a combination of
several factors. There is reticence on
the part of medical professionals to change their mode of practice. Nutrition is not among the disciplines
stressed in medical school. Also, there
is much less money in nutritional supplements, and virtually none for dietary
research. Hence, there is less impetus
for large-scale studies and widespread publicity for the ideas discussed
here.
However, there is plenty of
scientific evidence to support everything discussed above. Several excellent references are listed at
the end of this article. Many contain
numerous medical references on the subject of diet, nutrition and behavior.
References
1.
Abramson, E.M. and Pezet, A.W., Body, Mind and Sugar, Holt, Reinhart and
Winston, New York, 1951.
2.
Chatsworth, L., and Chatsworth, C., Energy, Healthview Publishing,
Charlottsville, Virginia, 1985.
3.
Dufty, W., Sugar Blues, Warner Books, New York, 1975.
4.
Feingold, B., Is Your Child
Hyperactive, Random House, New York, 1975.
5.
Larson, J.M., Seven Weeks to Sobriety -
The Proven Program To Fight Alcoholism Through Nutrition,
Ballantine/Wellspring, New York, 1997.
6.
Pfeiffer, C., Mental and Elemental
Nutrients, Keats Publishing, New Canaan, Connecticut, 1975.
7.
Phelps, J. K., and Nourse, A., The Hidden
Addiction, Little Brown & Company, Boston & Toronto, 1986.
8.
Schauss, A., Diet, Crime and Delinquency,
Parker House, Berkeley, California, 1981.
9.
Williams, R., Nutrition Against
Disease, Pitman Publishing, New York, 1971.
10.
Wilson, L., Nutritional Balancing and
Hair Mineral Analysis, L.D. Wilson Consultants, Inc., Prescott, AZ, 1998.
11.
Yudkin, J., Sweet and Dangerous,
Peter H. Wyden, New York, 1972.
