Cover

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HerbsandNutrientsfortheMind
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Thispageintentionallyleftblank.
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HerbsandNutrientsfortheMind
AGuidetoNaturalBrainEnhancers
ChrisD.Meletis,N.D.andJasonE.Barker,N.D.
ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine
ChrisD.MeletisandMargotLongenecker,SeriesEditors

Pageiv
LibraryofCongressCataloginginPublicationData
Meletis,ChrisD.
Herbsandnutrientsforthemind:aguidetonaturalbrainenhancers/ChrisD.
MeletisandJasonE.Barker.
p.cm.(Complementaryandalternativemedicine,ISSN1549084X)
ISBN0275983943(alk.paper)
1.HerbsTherapeuticuse.2.Dietarysupplements.3.Neurobehavioral
disordersAlternativetreatment.I.Barker,JasonE.II.Title.III.Series.
RC350.H47M442004
616.804654dc222004048057
BritishLibraryCataloguinginPublicationDataisavailable.
Copyright2004byChrisD.MeletisandJasonE.Barker
Allrightsreserved.Noportionofthisbookmaybe
reproduced,byanyprocessortechnique,without
theexpresswrittenconsentofthepublisher.
LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber:2004048057
ISBN:0275983943
ISSN:1549084X
Firstpublishedin2004
PraegerPublishers,88PostRoadWest,Westport,CT06881
AnimprintofGreenwoodPublishingGroup,Inc.
www.praeger.com
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica

Thepaperusedinthisbookcomplieswiththe
PermanentPaperStandardissuedbytheNational
InformationStandardsOrganization(Z39.481984).
10987654321
Pagev
Contents

SeriesForeword

vii

Introduction

ix

PartI
:BrainAilmentsandNutraBotanicalInterventions
1

ADD/ADHD

Alcoholism(AlcoholAbuse/Dependence)

11

AlzheimersDisease

19

Anorexia

29

Anxiety

35

Autism

43

BipolarDisorder

51

BulimiaNervosa

61

Dementia

67

Depression

77

HormonalMentalHealth

85

Insomnia

97

LearningDisability

107

MentalFatigue

117

MultipleSclerosis

125

OppositionalDefiantDisorder

135

ParkinsonsDisease

141

Schizophrenia

149
Pagevi

PartII
:MostCommonBrainTargetedNutraBotanicals
157

B1

159

B2

163

B3

165

B5

169

B6

171

B12

173

Dimethylglycine(DMG)

175

DocosahexaenoicAcid(DHA)

177

EicosapentaenoicAcid(EPA)

179

5Hydroxytryptophan(5HTP)

181

Folate

183

Ginkgobiloba

185

Ginseng

187

HuperzineA

191

Magnesium

193

NAcetylCarnitine

197

Phosphatidylserine

199

VitaminC

201

VitaminE

203

Zinc

205

AppendixA
:
NutrientDeficiencySignsandSymptoms

207
AppendixB
:
ToxicSubstancesandRelatedBrainandBodyHealthChanges

221
AppendixC
:
SelectingtheRightFoodforYouAvoidingFoodAllergies

225

Notes

235

Index

277
Pagevii
SeriesForeword
Theworldofmedicinehasevolvedwiththechangingneedsanddemandsofthepatient,thethirdpartypayer,andagrowingappreciationoftheintimaterelationship
sharedbetweenthehealthcareproviderandpatient.Theevolutionofmedicineisnotlimitedtothesefacetsalone.Anactivereflectionoftheoriginsandheritageof
medicineleadstoaredefinitionofmedicalcare.WhetherallformsofmedicinemustbecomparedtoWesternallopathicmedicineisnowbeingovertlychallengedby
manypatientsandsomeconventionalhealthcareproviders.
ManyformsofmedicineclaimtheHippocraticmodelastheirfoundingparadigm.However,thequestioncouldberaisedastowhetherHippocrateswouldbe
acceptedinthesecondmillenniumA.D.byhismodernpeers.Indeed,wouldhisempiricalapproachtomedicinestandupfullytothecurrentmedicalmodelofscientific
burdenofproof?
Statisticsshowusthatover70percentoftheworldspopulationusessomethingotherthantheWesternallopathicformofmedicineasaprimarysourceofmedical
care.Thisisnottodismisstheneedformodernmedicine,butrathertoserveasapivotforreflectionofotherformsofmedicinethathavesustainedgenerationspriorto
ourcurrentera.Infact,some2533percentoffrequentlyusedconventionalprescriptionmedicinesoriginatefromnaturalsubstances.
ItisthisnewappreciationandobjectiveperspectivethathasfosteredthepopularityofwhatiscommonlycalledComplementaryandAlternativeMedicineorCAM.
Itisworthwhiletonotethatinordertohaveacomplementaryandalternativeformofcare,asinglemodelmustproclaimitselftheprimaryformofcare.
ThegoalofthisseriesistooffervaluableinsightsintomedicaltherapiescurrentlycategorizedintherealmofCAMbyWesternallopathicmedicine.As
Pageviii
moreandmoreclinicaltrialsareperformedleadingtoscientificvalidation,currentCAMtherapiesbecomeembracedasmainstreamtreatmentoptions.Theintentofthis
seriesistoreviewhealthcaretherapies.Thecriteriaforreviewarethattheparticulartherapyhasafoundationofclinicalsuccess,partialorfullresearchvalidation,
and/orrichhistoricaluse.Thereviewsofdifferenttherapieswillprovidecriticalinsightintoadditionaladjunctivetherapiesthatmightbeincorporatedinpatientcare.
TheywillalsoprovideaheightenappreciationofCAMaswellasenhancetheabilitytoconverseaboutCAMtherapiesinaneverevolvingmedicalmodel.
Reflectiononthepresenthumblesalldisciplinesforaswejudgeourpredecessors,soshallwebejudgedbyfuturegenerationsforbothcurrentbrillianceand
shortcomings.Medicineisapartofanevolvingreality.Itisuptoeachprovidertoenrichhistoryinthemaking.
ChrisD.Meletis
MargotLongenecker
Pageix
Introduction
TheadageThemindisaterriblethingtowastetrulylacksadepthofunderstandingandcriticalperspectiveessentialtosupportfoundationalhealing.When
addressingbraincenteredhealthpromotion,patientandclinicianalikemustastutelyappreciatethatthemindisinseparablefromthebodythebrain,without
question,isaphysicalstructurethatinitsabsencewouldeliminateanydiscussionoftheconceptofmind,psyche,ormentalfunction.Asanorganthatinfluencesthe
functionoftheentirebeing,thebrainiscentraltobothmentalandphysicalhealth.
Asimplisticillustrationthatcomparestheheartsfunctiontothatofthebraincanbemadetoexemplifyanappreciationofthebrainanditsfunctionrelativetomental
andphysicalwellbeing.Theheartbeatsover100,000timesadayitdoessopriortoourbirthtothemomentwediewithoutexception,sowehope.Thisconstant
andreliableperformance,givingbloodthroughoutthebody,servesasthecornerstoneofthecirculatorysystemandtheflowoflife.Iftheheart,whichrequiresa
constantsourceofenergy,weretobecomeinadequatelyfueledwithoutthepropernourishment,itwouldbegintofailtomaintaintheverycirculatorysystemthat
sustainsourexistence.ClassicallydescribedconditionssuchasvitaminB1deficiency(knownaswetberiberi)aswellasrecentlydiscoverednutrient(CoenzymeQ10
andcarnitine)deficienciesallcontributetothehealthofthecardiovascularsystem.
Suchisthedilemmafacedbythebrain.Regardlessofthebrainsresilience,thereisatimeandaplaceinwhichinadequateintakecanbegintoyieldthesignsand
symptomsofpsychologicalororganicbrainalteredfunction.Notableisthatproperbrainfunctioningislargelyindividualandcanbeaffectedbyinternalandexternal
variablesthatmayaltertheneedsofagivenpersonsbraintofunctionwithinnormalexpectations.Numerousnutrientsmustbepresentin
Pagex
sufficientlevels,includingB1aswiththeheart,tomaintainbrainfunction,yetvariablesandindividualgeneticsignaturescanchangetherequiredneeds.
Whetheritisheartorbrainfunctionasthecenterofdiscussion,bothfunctionasaresultofacomplexseriesofbiochemicalreactions,yieldingnerveimpulsesand
chemicalreactionsthatmaintainfunction.Notableinbothcircumstancesisthatthedifferencebetweentheadequateandoptimalfunctionsofeachcanmakethe
differencebetweensurvivingandthriving.Thepresentationoftheclinicalandgermanemedicalresearchrelativetosupportingbrainfunctiontargetstheaugmentationof
function,withthegoalofshiftingawayfromsurvivingandbecomingclosertothrivingwithintheconfinesofhumanunderstandingofthemiraculouscreationofthe
centralprocessor,thebrain,whichgovernsthehumanbodysentireoperatingsystem.
Indeedtheconceptsofmind,mentalandpsychologicalattributesarealldependentuponaveryrealandphysicalcomponentofthebody,thatbeingthehumanbrain.
Often,thetermsmentalorpsychologicalareattributedtothemindportionofthemindbodyconnection.
Throughoutthiswork,itisourhopethatthereaderdoesnotlookatthemindasseparatefromthebody.Realizethatthephysicalpresenceofaproperlyfunctioning
brainistherequisiteformentalhealth,acceptedpsychologicalpresentation,andhealthyfunctioningofthecentralnervoussystem.Wehavethusintentionallyincluded
suchconditionsasParkinsonsandmultiplesclerosisinthelistofhealthconditionsaddressed.ThoughParkinsonsandmultiplesclerosisreflectawelldelineated
spectrumoforganicbrainalteredfunction,theyareinmanywaysnomoreorganicthanthepatientwithdepression.
Thisbookoffersaselectviewofnaturalmedicineinterventions,focusingonnutritionalandbotanicaltreatments,referredtowithintheconfinesofthesecoversas
Nutrabotanicaltherapies,evidencedbyclinicalpracticeandresearchfindings.Theindividualsectionsofthisworkareintendedasspringboardsforfurther
investigationbythereader.Often,thehumandilemmaarisesfromacceptinglimitswhenperceptionsofconfiningfactorsseemtohavebeenreachedeventhoughanew
perspectivemaybejustaglimpseawayoverthewallsofourpersonalrealitysboundaries.
Itisnottheintentofthisbooktoadvocateforthereplacementofstandarddrugtherapy.
However,individualssufferingfromahealthconditionaffectingbrainperformanceshouldnotlimittheiroptionstodrugtherapywhenotherbiochemicalinterventions
couldperpetuateheightenedfunctionandtheeverimportantqualityoflifeissue.Aconcertedeffortfortheintegrationofnaturalmedicineapproachesalongside
standarddrugtherapyshouldbepursuedineverypatientdoctorrelationship.Thesharingofalltherapeuticinterventionsbeingpursuedwithallclinicalprovidersisof
paramountimportanceinordertoavoidunnecessarypotentialdrugnaturalmedicineinteractions.Tellyourmedicaldoctorifyouareonanymedicationanduseor
plantousenaturaltreatments.
Bysupportinghealththroughtheuseofoptimalnutrition,peopleareplacedinadecisionmakingroleregardingtheirhealth.Previously,healthwasattrib
Pagexi
utedtonothingmorethanluckandtheuseofmedicinesdesignedtotreatthesymptomsofthediseaseitself.Withtodaysnewfocusonpreventionofdiseasebyfueling
thebodyanditssystemscorrectly,peoplecannowmakeadecisiontopursuehealthratherthansimplyreactonceadiseasemanifests.
Mayallthatreadthefollowingpagesdosowithanopenmindandequallyimportantahealthybrain.
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Page1
PARTI
BrainAilmentsandNutraBotanicalInterventions
Page2
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Page3
ADD/ADHD
Attentiondeficitdisorder(ADD),formerlyknownasattentiondeficit/hyperactivitydisorder(ADHD),isoneofthemostcommonmentaldisordersamongchildren
today.Itisestimatedthatapproximately3percentto5percentofallchildren(twotothreetimesasmanyboysareaffectedthangirls)ornearly2millionAmerican
children(whichcorrelatestoonechildineachclassroomintheUnitedStates)haveADHDaccordingtotheNationalInstituteofMentalHealth.
1
ADHDdoesnotonly
affectchildren,assymptomscanprogressintoadulthoodaswell.
ThespecificcausesofADHDarecurrentlyunknown,withseveralfactorsbeingresponsibleindifferentpeople.Nosolitarycausativefactorhasbeenidentifiedas
beingresponsibleforthedifferentbehaviorpatternsobservedinADHD.ADHDisonlydiagnosedbycertaincharacteristicbehaviorpatternsthatareobservedover
timenootherclearphysicalsignscanbeseen.CommonbehavioralpatterncategoriesinADHDincludeinattention,impulsivity,andhyperactivity.
Inattention:Thisismarkedbydifficultyinkeepingthemindfocusedonanyonesubjectandashortattentionspan.PeoplewithADHDoftenbecomeboredafteronly
afewminutesatworkonasubject,andplacingfocusedattentiononneworunfamiliartopicscanbechallenging.
Impulsivity:Thisismarkedbyaninabilitytorefrainfromimmediatereactions,makingitdifficulttowaitandfirstthinkbeforespeakingoracting.
Hyperactivity:Thisismarkedbyconstantperpetualmotionstayinginoneplaceandsittingstillcanbedifficult.Adultsmayfeelquiterestlessandmaystartseveral
projectsandhaveadifficulttimefinishingthem.
Page4
DiagnosisofADHDisbaseduponananalysisofthepersonsbehavioralpatterns,whicharecomparedtoestablishedcriteria.Thesecriteriaaredefinedinthe
DiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisorders(DSMIV).Themanualoutlinesthethreepreviouslymentionedbehaviorpatterns,andpeoplemaydisplay
varyingamountsofeachpatternoronlyone.Becausenearlyeveryonedisplayssomeofthesesymptomsatsometimeintheirlife,certaincriteria,includingageofonset
(earlyinlife,beforeageseven),durationofsymptoms(continuousforatleastsixmonths),frequency(occurringmoreofteninthemselvesthanothersofsimilarage),
andmostimportantly,behavior(s),mustoccurinatleasttwodifferentareasofthepersonslife,namely,school,home,work,orsocialsettings.
ArecentreportissuedbytheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionclaimedthatnearly1.6millionelementaryschoolagedchildrenhaveadiagnosisof
ADHD,andanationalsurveyrevealedthattheparentsof7percentofchildrenages611yearsoldweretoldbyahealthcareprofessionalthattheirchildhadADHD.
2

Thereportalsoincludedthefollowingdemographicinformation:boysarenearlythreetimesaslikelytohaveADHDthangirlswhitechildrenaretwiceaslikelythan
HispanicandblackchildrentohaveadiagnosisofADHDchildrenwithhealthinsurancearediagnosedwithADHDmoreoftenthanchildrenwithouthealthinsurance
andchildrenwithADHDusemorehealthcareservices,includingmentalhealthservices,thanthosewithoutADHD.ThisreportwentontoproposethatADHDis
probablyoverdiagnosedinthosewithregularaccessandmaybeunderdiagnosedinthosewithlimitedhealthcareaccess.
Acommonneurodevelopmentaldisorder,ADHDresultsinimpairededucationalprocesses,socialgrowth,andadaptationthatleadtoincreasingratesofbehavioral
difficulty,depression,schooldropouts,andsubstanceabuse,
3
whichhaveleadtothemassprescriptionofstimulantpsychotropicmedicationsinchildrenaffectedwith
thisdisorder.Withnofullyestablishedbiologicalcausesrecognized,ADHDdoesdisplayprominentheritability.Mainstreamtreatmentfocusesontheuseofmainly
stimulantdrugs,andbecauseoftheperceivedrelativesuccessofthesedrugsinalleviatingADHDsymptoms,manystudieshavefocusedmainlyongenesthatare
responsibleforthedevelopmentandregulationofbrainneurotransmittersystems,specificallythatofdopamine,whereinthephysiologicbasisfortheactionofthese
drugsexists.
GeneticfactorsdoplayaroleinthegenesisofADHDestimatesofheritabilityaregreaterthanthoseofnearlyeveryotherchildandadolescentpsychiatricdisorder
andfirstdegreerelativeshaveincreasedratesofADHD,includingconductandaffectivedisordersaswellassubstanceabuseanddependency.Additionally,the
subtypesofADHD(impulsivity,hyperactivity,inattention)donotcorrelatewiththatofadditionalfamilymembers,leadingresearcherstoconcludethatnongenetic
factorsareresponsibleforintrafamialialvariability.
4
FactorsotherthangeneticshavebeenimplicatedinthedevelopmentofADHDpriortobirth.Prenatalexposureto
nicotineandpsychosocialadversityhavebeen
Page5
identifiedasriskfactorsforADHDareviewofthestudiesinADHDliteratureexploringtherelationshipbetweenprenatalexposuretothesefactorsandtheriskof
developingADHDrevealedthatsmoking(specificallynicotineexposure)andexposuretopsychosocialstressduringpregnancyindicatedgreaterandmodestrisk,
respectively,incontributingtothedevelopmentofADHD.
5
Othercauses/contributorsofADHDthathavebeenimplicatedintheliteratureincludefoodsensitivitiesand
allergies,foodadditiveintolerance,imbalanceanddeficiencyofnutrients,environmentaltoxicity(includingheavymetalpoisoning,thyroidirregularities,andothertoxic
pollutants).
6

NUTRITIONALFACTORS
Theroleofvitaminsandmineralsinbrainfunctionisequallyimportanttotheircontributiontootherorgansystems.Justasorgansandtissuesystemsmaybe
compromisedbyinadequateorimbalancednutrients,thefunctioningofthebrainiseasilyaffectedbytheseimbalancesorlackthereofresearchpointstothebenefitsof
supplementationfornutrientdeficienciesthatresultedinimprovedacademicandbehavioralperformanceinADHDchildren.
7
Onehallmarkstudyfollowedtheeffects
ofvitaminandmineralsupplementationinhealthyschoolchildrenover18yearsold.Researchersfoundthatsupplementationwithvitaminsandmineralsresultedin
significantlylessantisocialbehaviorandimprovedcognitiveperformanceinchildrentakingthesupplementswhencomparedtothosetakingaplacebo.
8
However,
improvementwasnotnotedunlessafranknutrientdeficiencyofatleastonenutrient(mostoftenfolicacid,thiamine,pyridoxine,vitaminC,orniacin)wasfoundin
bloodtesting.Becauseoffindingssuchasthese,theimportanceofmultivitaminandmineralsupplementationcomesintoplay.Itisinterestingtonotethatthesechildren
hadactualbloodleveldeficienciesthiscomesatquiteanutritionalcostwiththewidefoodavailabilityseeninmoderntimesintheUnitedStates.Multinutrientdosing
providesabackupstrategyintheeventofinadequateintake,ormorecommonly,inefficientabsorptionandutilizationofthesenutrients.Abodythatdoesnotreceiveor
isunabletofullyutilizethenutrientsnecessaryforoptimalfunctioningwillexhibitsymptomsofdysfunctionatitsweakestareas.StudiesinvestigatingtheuseofB
vitaminshaveyieldedinterestingresultsaswell.OneinvestigatoremployedvaryingcombinationsofBvitaminstosuccessfullytreathyperactivechildren(moreproperly
knownashyperkinesis)whodidnotrespondtotreatmentwithFeingoldsdiet(adietespousingtheremovaloffoodadditivesandsalicylatecontainingfoods).
9

OneBvitamininparticular,vitaminB6(pyridoxine)hasbeenshowntobeaneffectivetreatmentforhyperactivechildrenadoubleblindstudycomparingtheuseof
vitaminB6tomethylphenidate(alsoknownasRitalinthemostcommonlyprescribeddrugforADHD)revealedaslightlygreatereffectivenessofB6.
10
Whatis
evenmoreinterestinginthisstudyisthattheresearchersbasedtheirideaforthestudyontheobservationnotedbyotherdoctorsthathyperactive
Page6
childrentendedtohavelowerbloodlevelsofaspecificneurotransmitter(serotonin)andthatsupplementingwithlargeamountsofB6normalizedthelevelsofserotonin
andsubsequentlyimprovedthechildrensbehavior.B6servesasanenzymaticcofactorinthemetabolismofseveralneurotransmitters,includingserotonin,dopamine,
andhistidine.
11
TheuseofB6amongphysiciansforthetreatmentofADHDsymptomsiswidespreaditenjoysapositivereputationamongclinicianstreatingthese
patients.
Phosphatidylserineisabiologicalmoleculeknownasaphospholipid.Phospholipidsareoneofthemaincomponentsofcellularmembranesinthehumanbodyand
servetostabilizetheotherconstituentsofwhichthecellularmembranesarecomposed.Phosphatidylserineisthemainphospholipidofhumanbraincells,anditserves
toregulatecellularfunctionssuchascontrollingtheinternalenvironmentofthecell,communicationbetweencells,signaltransduction(communicationfromoutsidethe
celltowithin),releaseofsecretoryvesicles(anothermodeofcellularcommunication),andregulationofcellgrowthanddivision.
12
Phosphatidylserineisbeneficialto
severaldifferentbrainfunctionsandalsocontributestonervecellsynapticmembranes,akeyanatomicalaspectofnervesignalproductionandtransmission.Asa
supplement,itsbenefitsincludeincreasedneurologicenergyviafacilitatedsynapticcommunicationandincreasedproduction,release,andeffectivenessofthe
neurotransmitterdopamine.
13
OnestudyinvestigatingtheuseofphosphatidylserinesupplementationinADHDpatientsresultedinaslightlygreaterthan90percent
improvementinthesecases,withdosesof200to300milligramsperdayforuptofourmonthsprovidingthegreatestabsolutionofsymptoms.
14
Supplemental
administrationofphosphatidylserineisthoughttonormalizebrainlipidcontent,therebyassistingthereturnofnormalizedfunctionofneuronalcells.
15

OTHERNUTRIENTS
Iron:InsufficientironisoneofthemostcommonnutrientdeficienciesamongchildrenintheUnitedStates,
16
anditisknowntocontributetodecreased
attentionspan,activity,andpersistence.SupplementationofnonanemicchildrenwithADHDresultedinfewersymptomsofADHD(markedbya30
percentimprovement).
17
Interestingly,ironservesasanessentialcofactorinthesynthesisofthebrainneurotransmittersdopamine,norepinephrine,and
serotonin,anddeficiencyintheearlyyearsoflifecannegativelyaffectneuralandbehavioraldevelopment.
18
Itisessentialtonotethatironpoisoningis
theleadingcauseofaccidentalpoisoning,thusguidancebyaskilledhealthcareproviderisessentialandclosemonitoringisamust.
Magnesium:Magnesiumisanothercommonlydeficientnutritionalmineral.Magnesiumsupplementationcanbehelpfulinalleviatingsomesymptoms
ofADHD.Inonestudy,onegroupofchildrenwithADHDwastreatedforsixmonthswithsupplementalmagnesiumandchanges
Page7
inADHDsymptomswerecomparedtoanothergroupofADHDchildrenwhodidnottakethesupplement.Investigatorsnotedasignificant
decreaseinhyperactivitysymptomsinthetreatmentgroup.
19
Anotherstudydemonstratedactualdeficienciesofmagnesiumin95percentofADHD
childrenstudied,leadingtheresearcherstoconcludethatmagnesiumdeficiencyinchildrenwithADHDoccursmoreoftenthaninhealthychildren
withoutADHD.
20

Zinc:AcollectionofstudiesrevealthatthelevelofthismineralislowinpeoplewithADHD,
21
andlowerserumzinclevelsarefoundinchildrenwith
ADHDincomparisontochildrenwithout.
22
ArelationshipexistsbetweenlevelsoffreefattyacidsinthebloodandzincinchildrenwithADHDthese
children,whencomparedtocontrolswithoutADHD,werefoundtohavelowbloodlevelsofzincandfreefattyacids.
23
Thisindicatesthata
deficiencyofzincmaycontributetothedevelopmentofADHDthestudyhypothesizedthatthelowlevelsoffreefattyacidsmaybearesultofthe
decreasedzinclevels.Anotherinterestingstudyrevealedarelationshipbetweentheresponsivenesstostandardstimulantpharmacotherapyandzinc
levelsinthebody:lowzinclevelsequatedtopoortreatmentresponsefromthemedication.
24
Zincservesasacofactorinthesynthesisof
neurotransmittersandindirectlyaffectsdopaminemetabolism,aneurotransmitterthatisbelievedtobeinvolvedinADHD(lowlevelsofdopamineare
associatedwithADHD,andsupplementationofdopaminehasalleviatedsomeADHDsymptoms).
25
AstheprincipalinvestigatoroftheZAD(zinc
attentiondeficit)study,oneoftheauthorsofthisbook,ChrisD.Meletis,hasnoted,throughthecourseofreviewingthescientificliteratureandclinical
findingsoverthelastdecade,aclearrelationshipbetweenlowlevelsofzincinrelationtocopperstoresandnotablesignsandsymptomsofattention
dysfunctionsandcognitivedeficits.
BecausesolitarynutrientdeficiencieshavebeenimplicatedinADHD,itstandstoreasonthatinadequatedosesoftheearliermentionednutrientsincombinationmayact
synergisticallytocauseADHD.AgroupofresearchersdeterminedthatthemostcommonnutrientdeficienciesamongchildrenwithADHDweremagnesium,copper,
zinc,calcium,andiron,andthesedeficienciesoccurmoreoftenamonghyperactivechildrenthanhealthychildrenthesedeficienciesweredeterminedbymeasuringtheir
levelsinbloodserum,redbloodcells,andinthehair.
26
Oftheimplicatednutrients,magnesiumwasthemostfrequentlydeficient.Additionally,whentheresearchers
supplementedtheADHDchildrenwithmagnesium,zinc,andcalcium,hyperactivitywasdecreasedandwhenagroupofthesechildrenwastreatedwithstandard
therapyminusmagnesium,symptomsofhyperactivityactuallyincreased.
ThesestudiesunderscoreanimportantrevelationinADHDinthatthecauseofthesesymptomsseemstoberelatedtooneormoretypesofsuboptimalnutrient
Page8
levels.Acommonthemecarriedthroughoutthisbookandnotedinmedicinalliteratureisthateachindividualhasauniqueweaknessthatbecomesmoremanifestwhen
certainenvironmentalinfluencesareexerted(inthiscaseinadequatelevelsofmicronutrients).Whenadequatelysuppliedwithcorrectnutrition,symptomsareoften
diminishedandcanbeattenuatedwithtime.InthetreatmentofthepersonwithADHD,itmaynotbeasimportanttodiscovertheexactnutrientornutrientsthatare
lackinginordertoalleviatesymptoms.Byprescribingafullspectrumnutritionalplan(thatmayormaynotincludedietaryalterationsandsupplements),peoplewith
ADHDreceivethenutritionalfactorsthatareneededtoavertthemanifestationoftheirsymptoms.Patientsindividualnutritionalneedsshouldbetakenintoaccount
priortoprescribinganutritionaltreatmentplan.AnindividualizedapproachisimportanteachpersonwithADHDmayreactdifferentlytovariousnutritionalfactors.
Bothcurrentandpastdietarypracticesandhabitsareimportanttoconsiderthedevelopmentofphysiologicsystemsdependonvaryinglevelsandtypesofnutrientsat
differentperiodsduringthecourseofdevelopment.
NutritionalfactorsotherthandeficiencyplayalargeroleinthesymptomologyofADHD.Foodadditives,refinedsugars,foodsensitivities,andfoodallergieshave
beenlinkedtoADHDmountingevidencehasshownthatchildrenwithADHDwillreacttomorethanonefoodandoritscomponents,leadingtonegativebehaviors.
27

DietarymodificationplaysanequallyimportantroletoensuringadequatenutritionalsupplementationbothtreatmentsshouldbepartoftheADHDtreatmentregimen.
OneofthemostinfluentialdietaryapproachesinthetreatmentofADHDistheFeingolddiet.Startinginthe1970s,Feingoldclaimedthatthecauseofupto50percent
ofhyperactivityinchildrenwasattributabletofoodadditives,includingartificialcolorings,flavors,andpreservativesaswellasnaturallyoccurringsalicylates.
28
Feingold
arrivedatthisconclusionbyinvestigating1,200casesoffoodadditivelinkedbehavioralandlearningdisordersinpatientsheimplicatedmorethan3,000different
foodadditivesinthesecases.Alargebodyofresearchisdedicatedtonegatingthisrelationship,howeverMurrayandPizzorno,inreviewingtheoutcomedatafrom
thesesstudies,reportthat50percentofthechildreninthesestudiesactuallyimproved(experiencedlesshyperactivity)whenontheFeingolddiet.
17

Thereareapproximately5,000foodadditivesinusetoday,mostofwhichareusedtopreserveandenhancetheappearanceoffoodAmericansconsumenearly15
gramsperdayonapercapitabasis(nearly100millionpoundsoffoodcoloringaloneisingestedonayearlybasisintheUnitedStates).
14
Astudyof78childrenwith
hyperactivitywereplacedonaneliminationdietdesignedtoremoveoffendingfoodsthatmaycausehyperactivesymptomsand59ofthesechildrenexperiencedless
hyperactivitywhileonthediet.
29
Inacrossoverportionofthestudy,theresearcherswereabletodisguisepreviouslyestablishedoffendingfoodsbymixingthemin
foodsthatweretolerated.Thisresultedinworsenedbehaviorandimpairedpsychologicaltestperformance,demonstratingthatobservablechangesinbehavior
associatedwithdietarereproducibleusing
Page9
doubleblindmethods.Theinvestigatorsusedthispointtoemphasizetheabilityoftheparent/teacher/caretakersabilitytonotetherelationshipbetweenfoodingestion
andbehavioroutcomesandtoconsidertheseobservationsasvalidwhentheypresentthisassociationtothefamilyphysician.
Areviewof23doubleblindstudiesinvestigatingtherolesoffooddyesversusordinaryfoodsasthecauseofworsenedADHDbehaviorrevealedaworseningof
symptomsfollowingdyeconsumptionineightofninestudiesusingADHDchildren.Therewasimprovementwhenafoodadditivefreedietwasconsumed.In10ofthe
other14studies,childrenwithADHDandasthma,foodallergies,and/oreczemasawtheirsymptomsimprovewhenadditivefreefoodswereconsumed.
30
Other
subjectsinthesestudiesexperiencedaworseningofsymptomswhentheyconsumedfooddyes,corn,wheat,dairyproducts,soy,oranges,andchocolate.Another
studydemonstratedthat73percentofADHDchildrenrespondedfavorablytoafoodadditiveeliminationdietandalsoworsenedwhencertainfoods,dyes,and
additiveswerereintroducedintotheirdiet.
31
Anotherstudyemployedtheuseofadietconsistingofrice,turkey,pear,andlettuceinthetreatmentofADHDsymptoms.
Ofthechildrenstudied,62percentdemonstratedanimprovementofsymptomsof50percentorgreaterontheConnorslistandtheADHDRatingScaleattheendof
thestudyperiod,leadingtheresearcherstoconcludethatADHDchildrencanexperiencestatisticallysignificantsymptomimprovementwhenplacedonanelimination
diet.
32
ThesestudiesdemonstratethebenefitsofremovingcertainfoodsthatmaybesuspectincausingADHDsymptomsfoodscontainingadditivesandthosethat
maybeallergenicshouldbeamongthefirsttoeliminatefromthedietsofpatientswithADHDtheymorethanlikelyplayasignificantroleintheetiologyofADHD.
Dietarymodificationshouldbeattemptedpriortotreatingsymptomswithpharmaceuticals.
CONCLUSION
Withnospecificetiology,ADHDisaperplexingconditionthatcontinuestoincreaseinincidence.Thischapterincludesonlyasamplingofthestudiesdemonstrating
variouslinksbetweenADHDandnutritionalfactors.Inadditiontomicronutrientdeficiencies,foodadditivesandallergenicfoodsplayalargeroleinthetreatmentof
ADHD.AlthoughitisdifficulttoimplythatthesearethecausesofADHD,researchdoesshowacausalrelationship:whensuchfoodsareremoved,patientshave
fewersymptoms,andwhenpatientsaresupplementedwiththecorrectamountofnutrients,negativesymptomsdecrease.Readersofthischapterarestrongly
encouragedtoinvestigatethepharmaceuticalsthatareprescribedforADHDalargeamountofdataregardingtheirtoxicityandeffectsonthedevelopingnervous
systemareamustknow.
ThequestionthatmustbeposediswhetherallthemillionsofchildrendiagnosedwithADD/ADHDwereborndrugdeficientorwhetheradeeperfundamentalcause
needstobeaddressed.Ananalogymaybedrawnbetweenthe
Page10
performanceandpotentialofalargeeightcylinderCorvettesportscarandthehealthofanewborn:regardlessoftheinherentpotentialofsuchahighperformance
vehicle,ifitisoperatedwithsuboptimalfuel,thenthefullhorsepoweranddrivabilityofsuchanamazingcreationwillnotberealized,justasthehumanbodyscomplex
fuelneedsareessentialforpeakperformance.
NUTRIENTS
Diet
Adietthatincludescarbohydrates,proteins,andfatsinaratioof40:30:30percentthreetimesperday
Multivitamin/mineral
Asuitableagespecificsupplementshouldbetakentwiceperdaywithmeals
Bvitamincomplex
OnecapsuleofBcomplextwiceperdaywithmeals.
Phosphatidylserine
200300milligramsperday
Iron
Mustestablishthepresenceofadeficiencypriortosupplementingthisnutrient*
Magnesium
5milligramsperkilogrambodyweightperday
Zinc
25milligramsperday
*Testingforfoodallergiesandfoodsensitivitiesisimperative.
Page11
Alcoholism(AlcoholAbuse/Dependence)
DEFINITION
Althoughalcoholism,oralcoholabuseordependence,isnotnecessarilycausedbydeficienciesofnutritionalfactors,itmaybepropagatedbyanddefinitivelyleadsto
franknutrientdeficiencieswithstartlinghealtheffects.Alcoholism,oralcoholdependence,isbydefinitionadisease.Alcoholdependencehasachronic,progressive
course,followsapredictablecourse,andhassymptomsandtheriskofdevelopingalcoholdependenceisinfluencedbyapersonsgenesandlifestyle.Cravingscanbe
astrongastheneedforfoodorwater,andapersonwhoisalcoholdependentwillcontinuetodrinkdespiteitsnegativeeffectonfamily,career,andhealth.Thefour
mostcommonsymptomsofalcoholdependenceare:
Cravings
Lossofcontrol(unabletostopdrinkingoncedrinkinghasbegun)
Physicaldependencemanifestedbynausea,sweating,tremors,andanxietywhenalcoholiswithdrawn
Tolerance,manifestedbytheneedforincreasingamountsofalcoholinordertofeeltheeffectsofalcohol
Moreexpansivedefinitionsofalcoholdependenceandabusehavebeendevelopedforclinicalandresearchpurposesthiscriteriaisincludedinvolumessuchas
DiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisorders,fourthedition,publishedbytheAmericanPsychiatricAssociation,aswellasintheInternational
ClassificationDiseases,publishedbytheWorldHealthOrganization.
Page12
STATISTICS(PREVALENCEANDETIOLOGY)
ThemostrecentstatisticssurroundingalcoholismplacesthelifetimeprevalenceofthediseaseintheUnitedStatesat20percent(9.8million)inmenand8percent(3.9
million)inwomen,withaheritability(attributetobothgeneticandlifestyleinfluences)forbothsexesat5060percent.
1
Afflictingmorethan14millionAmericans(1out
ofevery13),alcoholismisoftenassociatedwithseveralotherpredisposingdisorderssuchasantisocialpersonality,depression,anxiety,andtobaccoaddiction(nearly
80percentofalcoholicsarecigarettesmokers).Recentevidenceclassifiesalcoholicsintotwobroadcategories:Type1alcoholicsbegindrinkinglaterinlifeinresponse
tofeelingsofanxiety,guilt,andavoidanceofharm.Type2alcoholicsaremoreoftenmenwithdecreasedlevelsoftheneurotransmitterserotoninintheirbrainandwho
actimpulsivelyandantisocially.
Recentstatisticsrevealnearly20,000peoplediedfromalcoholinduceddeaths,excludingmotorvehiclefatalitiesinoneyearintheUnitedStates,62percentof18
yearoldandolderAmericansdrankalcoholinthepastyear,32percentofdrinkershadfiveormoredrinksononeoccasionatleastonceinthepastyear,and61
percentofmen1824yearsand42percentofwomenhadfiveormoredrinksonthesameoccasion.
2
Thetollofalcoholismanddrunkdrivinghasbeenwell
publicizedinthelasttwodecades,withsocialandjudicialtolerancedecreasingsubstantially.Thediseaseofalcoholismitselfislesserappreciatedaslikemanypeople
withvaryingtypesofchronicdisease,alcoholicsareatsomepointalongtheirdiseasecontinuumabletomaintainoutwardappearancesofnormalcy.
Causesofalcoholismvarybetweengeneticandlifestyleinfluences.Asstatedearlier,alargepercentage(5060percent)ofchildrenofalcoholicswillbealcohol
dependentthemselves.Additionally,researchershavebeensearchingforadefinitivegeneticlinkthatexplainstheoriginsofalcoholicbehavior.Arecentongoingstudy,
TheCollaborativeStudyontheGeneticsofAlcoholism(COGA),issearchingforthegenesthatmaycontributetoalcoholismandsomeofitsrelatedtraits
(phenotypes)thatincludedepression.Thestudysofarhasrevealedapositivelinkbetweendepressivesyndrome(depressionthatmayormaynotoccurinconcertwith
increasedalcoholintake)andalcoholicsubjects.Further,thisstudyhaslinkedalcoholdependencyanddepressiontospecificchromosomalregions,namelyon
chromosome#1,suggestingthatasolitarygeneorgenesonchromosome#1maypredisposepeopletodepressionand/oralcoholism,whichmaybeinducedby
depression.
3

Specificnutritionaldeficiencieshavenotyetbeenelucidatedinthecauseofalcoholismitself.However,theprogressionofthediseaseisdefinitivelymarkedby
specificconditionsresultingfromspecificnutrientdeficienciesandtheireffectsonthehumanbody.Asalcoholismprogresses,thebrain,liver,gastrointestinaltract,and
pancreasareseverelyaffected.Nutrientdeficiencyinalcoholismisattributedbydecreasedintake(chronicprogressivealcohol
Page13
icsderivemoreandmorecaloriesfromalcoholratherthanfood),reducedstorageasaresultofdecreasedfoodintakeandnutrientreplacement,andimpaired
utilizationduetotheeffectsofalcoholonthegastrointestinaltract.
BOTANICALMEDICINESINTHETREATMENTOFALCOHOLISM
Theeffectsofbotanicalmedicinesonalcoholismareprovidinginterestingresults.Severalherbsdemonstrateareducingeffectonvoluntaryalcoholintakeinanimal
modelsofalcoholism,suggestinginterestingnewformsoftherapyforalcoholism,andthereforemayalsodemonstrateapreventativeeffectinindividualspronetothis
disease.AmongtheherbswiththeseeffectsareHypericumperforatum(St.JohnsWort),Peurarialobata(kudzu),Salviamiltiorrhiza(DanShen),andTabernanthe
iboga(Iboga).Additionally,theseplantsdemonstrateanabilitytoreducealcoholabsorptionfromthegastrointestinaltract.
4

Salviamiltiorrhiza
Theuseofthisherbinreducingalcoholintakeinlaboratoryanimalshasbeendemonstratedinseveralrecentstudies.Salviaisabotanicalmedicinewithalonghistory
ofuseinChina.AdministrationofastandardizedextractofSalviadosedependentlydelayedalcoholdrinkinginethanolpreferringanimalsandwascompensatedby
increasedwaterintake.
5
Anotherstudydemonstratedtheabilityofthestandardizedextractoftheherbtoreducealcoholintakeby40percentinanimalsthatwere
conditionedtopreferalcoholthiseffectisattributedtotheabilityoftheextracttoalterethanolabsorptionfromthegastrointestinaltract:200milligramsperkilogramof
Salviamiltiorrhizadecreasedbloodalcohollevelsbyupto60percentcomparedtocontrolanimals.Furthermore,alcoholdependentanimalsdosedwithSalvia
extractwerelessabletodiscerntheeffectsofalcoholladenwaterfromplainwaterthanotheranimalstrainedtodosotheauthorsofthestudyconcludethatthe
reducingeffectofSalviamiltiorrhizaextractonethanolabsorptioninanimalsmayhavecausedadecreasedperceptionofthepsychoactiveeffectsofethanol.
6

Additionally,Salviaalsodemonstratesantirelapseeffects.
7
Alcoholdependentanimalsdemonstrateatransientincreasedrateofalcoholconsumptionincomparison
topreviouslevelsafteraperiodofdeprivation.Consideredtomodelalcoholrelapseinhumanalcoholics,alcoholdependentanimalstreatedwithSalviaextract
exhibitedacompletesuppressionofextraalcoholconsumedfollowingdeprivation.Becauseofthesefindings,Salviamaypossessantirelapsepropertiesinadditionto
itsalcoholcurbingpropertiesandmayconstituteanovelstrategyforreducingandcontrollingalcoholconsumptioninhumanalcoholics.
Page14
HypericumPerforatum
Hypericum,alsoknownasSt.JohnsWort,hasbeenestablishedasaneffectivetreatmentformildtomoderatedepression.Bothdepressionandalcoholismshare
similarnuerochemicalweaknesses,suchasdecreasedbrainserotoninlevels.Inonestudy,astandardizedextractofSt.JohnsWortwasshowntobesignificantly
effectiveindecreasingalcoholintake,andtheseeffectsdidnotdecreaseduetotoleranceafterconsecutivedoses.
8
Inanotherexperiment,alcoholpreferringanimals
weregivenadryextractofHypericumanda3040percentreductioninalcoholintakewasnoted.
9
ItwasnotedinthisstudythattheeffectsofHypericumwere
selectiveinthatfoodorwaterintakewasunmodified,andfurtherexaminationrevealedthatthedecreasedalcoholingestingeffectswerenotattributabletothe
antidepressanteffectsoftheherb(decreasedalcoholconsumptionwasnotedafterasingleadministrationofthemedicine,whereasantidepressanteffectswereonly
notedafterrepeateddoses),andtheeffectswerenotrelatedtoalteredpharmacokineticsofalcoholeither.Hypericumhasbeendemonstratedrepeatedlytoinhibit
alcoholintakeinalcoholdependentanimals,yetaclearmechanismhasnotbeenestablished.FurtherstudiesareneededtoidentifytheexactmechanismforSt.Johns
Wortonalcoholintakehowever,theexistingfindingsdemonstrateSt.JohnsWortasapotentialtherapueticagentinthetreatmentofalcoholism.
PuerariaLobata
Kudzu(Puerarialobata)exertsseveralprofoundpharmacologicalactionsincludingantidipsotropic(antialcoholabuse)activity.Puerariahasahistoryofuseintreating
thesymptomsofalcoholoverdose(hangover),includingstomachupset,headache,nausea,vomiting,anddizziness.IntraditionalChinesemedicine,kudzuwasusedfor
managingalcoholismanddrunkennessandotherdiseaseconditions.Anextractofkudzu,knownasdaidzein,candecreasealcoholconsumptionandbloodalcohol
levels,aswellasdecreasethedurationofalcoholinducedsleepinanimalmodelsandtheabilityofkudzutolowerbloodalcohollevelsisattributedtoitsabilityto
delaygastricemptying,slowingtheentranceofalcoholintothebloodstream.
10
Otheraffectsofkudzuonthebody,whichmaycontributetoitsuseintreatingexcessive
alcoholintake,includeitsabilitytodecreaseplateltaggregationitsantioxidantabilitytheabilitytodilateheartandbrainbloodvessels,increasingflowtotheseareas
andincreasedbloodoxygenlevels.
11

Anextractoftheplantwasshowntosuppressthealcoholintakeofalcoholdependentanimalswhengivenachoicebetweenwaterandalcohol.
12
Researchers
attributetwoisoflavoneconstituentsoftheplant,daidzinanddaidzein,forthisaction.Additionally,otherstudieshaverepeatedandconfirmedthesuppressanteffectof
thisplantonbothgeneticallyalcoholdependentanimalsandonanimalsthatweretrainedtocravelargeamountsofalcohol.Earlierresearch
Page15
suspectedthatdaidzinwascapableofinhibitinganenzymeknowntodetoxifyalcoholknownasaldehydedehydrogenase.Disulfiram,otherwiseknownasantabuse,is
apharmaceuticalmedicationusedbysomepatientsincapableofstoppingalcoholintakethatoperatesonthismechanism.Whenapersonconsumesalcoholwhile
takingthismedication,onlysmallamountsofalcoholwillcausetremendousnauseaandphysicalsuffering,actingasadeterrenttocontinuedalcoholintake.However,
newerresearchrevealsthatinhibitionofaldehydedehydrogenaseisnotthemechanismthatinhibitsdrinkingbehavior,anditissuspectedthatdaidzinoperatesina
differentbiochemicalpathway.NewerresearchhasrevealedthatdaidzininhibitsasecondstepofapathwayknownasMAO/ALDH2(monoamineoxidase/aldehyde
dehyrdogenase2),apathwayofalcoholdetoxificationinthebody,leadingtoitssuppressiveeffectonalcoholcravinganimals.
13

TabernantheIboga(Iboga)
NativetoAfrica,Ibogahasbeenusedceremoniallyasahallucinogen.Apowerfulmedicinalplant,Ibogahasseveralpharmacologicaleffectsthathaveledittobe
employedintheuseofbreakingaddictivecycles,includingtobaccoandalcoholaddiction.Anextractofthisplant(Ibogaine)cancausestimulationofthebrain(central
nervoussystem)rangingfrommildexcitationtoeuphoriaandhallucinations.
14
Additionally,iboaineexertsserotonergiceffects,meaningthatitcanmimictheeffectsof
thisneurotransmitter,whichisoftenfoundinlowamountsinalcoholics.Animalstudieshaveshownthattheseeffectsmayexertsomevalueinthetreatmentofhuman
addiction,includingalcoholism.
15
Ibogaineadministeredtoanimalsexertsshortliveddecreasesinalcoholintake,anditissuspectedthatlongertermeffectsmaybe
mediatedoverlongtermtreatmentperiodswiththisplantextractastheextractisstoredinfattytissues,allowingforasortoftimereleaseeffect.
16
Ibogaandits
constituentiboainehavebeenusedsuccessfullyinbreakingcyclesofaddictionfurtherstudiesoftheplantmedicinemayrevealgreaterunderstandingofitsusein
breakingalcoholdependency.
NUTRIENTSANDALCOHOLISM
Thaimine
Themostwellknownvitamindeficiencyassociatedwithalcoholismisthatofthiamine(B1)deficiency.Classically,longtermdeprivationofthisvitaminleadsto
WernickeKorsakoffsyndromeandfeaturesneurologicsymptomssuchasconfusion,memoryloss,impairedmovements,andperipheralneuropathy.Wernicke
Korsakoffsyndromeisactuallytwodisordersthatcanoccurindependentlyortogether.Wernickesdiseaseinvolvesdamagetothecentralandperipheralnervous
systems,andcanincludealcoholwithdrawalsymptoms.
Page16
Korsakoffsyndromeinvolvesimpairmentofmemoryandintellectualskills.Themostdistinctivesymptomisconfabulation,orfabricationoffactsasthepersontriesto
fillingapsinmemorywhenrecountingexperiences.Dependingontimeoftreatmentandhowlongthepatienthasbeendeprivedofthiamine,thisconditionmayormay
notbereversible.Treatmentofthisconditioninvolvestheadministrationofthiamineintravenouslyandinrepeateddosesoveraperiodofdaystoweeks.
Zinc
ZincisrequiredforseveralbiologicalfunctionsincludingDNAsynthesis,celldivision,andexpressionofgenes.Additionally,zincisrequiredforthefunctioningof
numerousenzymesinbiologicsystemsandimmunesystemfunction.Alcoholismisapredisposingfactorforzincdeficiencyduetotheeffectsofalcoholonnutrient
absorption.Zinccanpositivelyaffectthemetabolismofalcoholinthebodyandcanreinforcethefunctioningofbothstomachandliveralcoholdehydrogenase
enzymes.
17
Theseeffectscanleadtoincreasedmetabolismofalcoholinthebody,therebynegatingsomeofitsnegativesideeffects,especiallyintheliverandbrain.

Thedevelopmentofalcoholdependenceisaccompaniedbyadecreaseinzinccontentinanareaofthebrainknownasthehippocampus,andsupplementationof
zincmaypreventthisdeficiency.
18
Inanotherinterestingstudydemonstratingtheimportanceofzincandalcoholism,alcoholdependentanimalswereshowntohave
deficientzincbrainlevels,andwhensupplementedwithzinc,alcoholconsumptionwasreduced.
19
Thesestudiesdemonstratealinkbetweenzincandhealthybrain
functioningsupplementationofzincinchronicalcoholicsmayservetoimprovetreatmentandpreventsomenegativelongtermeffectsofdeficiency.
Niacin
Deficiencyofniacin(vitaminB3)isknowntooccurinalcoholicsaswell.Frankdeficiencyofniacinleadstoadiseaseknownaspellagra.Pellagraleadstothetriad:
dermatitis,diarrhea,anddementia,eventuallyfollowedbydeathskinchangesarecharacteristicanddefinetheconditionbythemselves.Oftenmaskedbyother
alcoholrelatednutritionaldeficiencies,pellagracancoexistwithothervitamindeficiencydiseasesinchronicalcoholics.Becauseofthis,supplementationwitha
multivitaminandmineralisimperativeinthetreatmentofchronicalcoholicdisease,althoughpellagrabyitselfisresponsivetoniacintherapy.
Consideredamainlypsychiatricdisease,theknownfamilialandgeneticinfluencesonthisdiseasehavebecomeincreasinglywelldefined.Indeed,theadagethat
geneticsmayloadthegun,butdietandlifestylepullthetriggerringstruewhenitcomestoalcoholism.Noteveryonewithafamilyhistoryofalcoholismbecomesan
alcoholic.Nutritional,botanical,andlifestylecanallhelp
Page17
wardofftheconsequencesofalcoholism.Apreemptivestrategyforindividualswithfamilyhistoriesofalcoholabuseshouldataveryyoungage(atleastage12)takea
multivitaminthathasabundantsourcesofchromiumandzincinbalancewithothernutrients.Takingthesenutrientsintheformofahighqualitymultivitaminisbetterthan
individualdosing,sincetheseandmostnutrientsaredependentonthesynergyofothervitaminsandminerals.Anotherimportantconsiderationistolookforearlysigns
ofhypoglycemiathatclinicallyappeartopresentinsome,butnotall,alcoholics.Thusthepresentationoffluctuationsofbloodsugaraftereatingorifamealismissed
maybeawarningsignindicatingthatworkingwithanutritionallyorientedphysiciancouldbehelpful.
BOTANICALS*
Hypericumperforatum(St.JohnsWort)
300milligrams(standardizedto0.3percenthypericinor4percenthyperforincontent),threetimesdaily
Puerarialobata(Kudzu)
1,500milligramsrootextract,twicedaily
Salviamiltiorrhiza(DanShen)
2,0003,000milligrams,twicedaily
Tabernantheiboga(Iboga)
ThestandardizedextractIbogaineisefficaciousat200300milligramstwicedaily.However,thisherbishallucinogenicandshouldonlybeusedunderclosemedical
supervision.
NUTRIENTS**
B1(Thiamine)
Dosesof5to300milligramshavebeenuseddependingonstateofdeficiency.Agoodstartingdoseis10milligramstwiceperday.
B3(Niacin)
100milligramsthreetimesperday
Chromium
200microgramstwiceperday
Zinc
40milligramsperday,divideddoseswithfood
*Itisimportanttoconsumethesedoseswithamultivitamin/mineralsupplement,asmanynutrientsaredependentoneachotherforproperassimilationandphysiologicsynergy.
**Allherbsshouldbetakenincapsuleortabletformorasatealiquidextractsshouldbeavoidedduetopotentialalcoholcontentthatcanbeashighas50percent(100proof).
Page18
Thispageintentionallyleftblank.
Page19
AlzheimersDisease
Alzheimersdisease(AD)isaprogressivedegenerativediseaseofthebrainandisthemostcommonformofdementiaamongolderpeople.Typically,itaffectsthepart
ofthebrainthatcontrolsthoughts,memory,andlanguageskills.Alzheimersdiseaseisphysicallymanifestedinsidethebrainbyamyloidplaquesandtangledneuronal
fibersthatreplacenormalbraincellorganization.Additionally,nervecellsdieinvitalareasofthebrainresponsibleformemoryandothercognitiveabilities,andsome
brainchemicalsresponsibleforcelltocellcommunicationarefoundinlowerlevels,disruptingthethinkingprocess.Atthispointintime,nodefinitivecauseorcureis
knownforAlzheimersdiseaseratherthereareprobablynumerouscausesthataffecteachpersondifferently.ThediagnosisofADismadeonapresumptivebasis
afterinterviewingandtestingapatient,andspeakingwiththepeoplewithwhomthepatientisclosest,aprobablediagnosiscanbemade.However,adefinitive
diagnosiscannotbepositivelyestablisheduntilanautopsyisperformed,whenapathologistcanconfirmtheexistenceofthepreviouslymentionedanatomicalchanges
(neurofibrillarytanglesandplaques).TheclinicalcourseofADisfairlywellestablishedatthispointintimemortalityratesincreasewithgreaterlevelsofcognitive
disabilities.
Itisestimatedthatapproximately4.5millionAmericanshaveAlzheimersdisease.Symptomstypicallybeginaftertheageof60,althoughrarelyyoungerpeoplecan
alsodevelopAlzheimersdisease.Closeto5percentofmenandwomenages65to74haveAlzheimersdisease,andthenumbersincreasetonearly50percentin
thoseage85andolderthenumberofpeopleinthisagegroupwillgrowto8.5millionby2030.Despitethesenumbers,itisimportanttonotethatAlzheimersdisease
isnotanormalpartofagingratheritisadiseaseprocessrelatedtothecontinuouseffectsofexternalandinternaleventsin
Page20
theenvironmentandbody.Atthecurrentrateofdiseaseincidence,14millionAmericanswillhaveADinthenext50years.Fromthetimeofinitialsymptom
presentation,apersonwithADwillliveanaverageofeightyearshowever,somewillliveupto20yearswithAD.IntheUnitedStates,$100billionisspentonAD
themajorityofhealthinsuranceplans,includingMedicare,donotcoverthelongtermcarethatmanyADpatientsrequire.Perhapsrelatedtothis,70percentofpeople
withADliveathome,andimmediatefamilyandfriendsprovidenearly75percentoftheircare.TherestofthecareprovidedforADpatientscostsanaverageof
$12,500peryearperfamily,whichispaidalmostentirelyoutofpocket.Forfamilieswhohavethemeanstoprovidenursinghomecare,theaveragecostforthisis
$42,000peryearandcancostupto$70,000insomepartsofthecountry.AveragelifetimecostperADpatientis$174,000ADisrankedasthethirdmostcostly
diseasetohave,afterheartdiseaseandcancer.FindingacureforADiscostlyaswelltheU.S.governmentspentcloseto$349.2millionforAlzheimersdisease
researchin1998alone.
1

Inadditiontothesecosts,itiswidelystatedthattherearealwaystwopatientsinAD,thepersonwithADandhisorhercaregiver,oftenaspouse.Caregiversbeara
hugeburdenincaringforthepersonwithADlargeamountsofphysical,emotional,andfinancialstressareoftentheresult.Supportiscrucialforthecaregiverinthese
situationscaringforapatientwithADhasbeencomparedtocaringforaninfant,ataskthatisnotcommonlyenduredbymostseniors.Depressionisquitecommonin
caregiversofADpatients,aswellinthepatientsthemselves.
2

ETIOLOGY
AlthoughacompleteunderstandingoftheoriginsofADarenotfirmlyestablishedatthistime,conclusionscanbedrawnfromepidemiologicstudies(studiesofspecific
populationsofpeople)hintingatpossiblediseaseinitiators.Presently,fourspecificriskfactorsforADhavebeenidentified:increasingage,familialclusteringofthe
disease,thepresenceoftheapolipoproteinEvariation,(epsilon4allele),andDownssyndrome(atypeofmentalretardation).Thefollowingareassociationsthathave
beenfairlywellestablished,althoughnotallofthemholdtrueineverypopulationstudy.Forinstance,morewomensufferfromADthanmenpeoplewithlowerlevels
ofeducationhavemoreADhistoryofdepressionandpastheadinjuryareriskfactorsandaluminumexposure(occupationalandfood/waterbornesources)add
excessrisk,asdohighbloodpressureandothervasculardiseases.Aluminumexposureisaparticularlytroublingassociation,especiallybecause,asAmericans
consumemoreandmoresodaoutofaluminumcans(despitetheirbeingsealedontheinside),ourexposuretoaluminumcontinuestoincrease.Also,thepopularfad
ofusingaluminumfoilonthebarbecuegrillandintheovenaddextrariskaswell.PopulationstudieshavealsorevealedprotectivefactorsforADaswell,including:
estrogenusebypostmenopausalwomenuseofnonsteroidalantiinflammatorydrugsinarthritis
Page21
exerciseandactivelifestylesmoderateamountsofredwineandadiethighinvitaminsB6,B12,andfolate.
3
Theuseoflifestyleandnutritionaltherapiesas
preventativemedicineswillbecoveredingreaterdetaillaterinthischapter.
GENES
FamilyhistoryisanimportantfactorinthedevelopmentofAlzheimersdisease.FamilialAlzheimersoccursinmuchyoungerpeople(age30to60)andisinherited
throughgenetictransmission.ThemorecommonformofAlzheimersdiseaseisknownaslateonsetanddisplaysnoobviousinheritablepatternnoteveryonewitha
familyhistoryofADwillendupgettingthedisease.Sofar,theonlyidentifiablegeneticriskfactorinthedevelopmentofADisagenethatproducesavariationina
commonproteinthatallpeoplemanufacture.Thisprotein,knownasapolipoproteinE(apoE),isproducedundernormalcircumstancesandservesthefunctionof
transportingcholesterolinthebloodstream.ThevariantversionofthisgenehasbeenfoundinpeoplewithAD.MuchneedstobelearnedaboutAlzheimersdiseasein
additiontogeneticcauses.Increasingevidenceismountingindiscoveringthefactorsthatprecipitatethediseaseandfactorsthatmayprovidesometypeofrelieffor
diseasesymptoms.
DIET
Recentresearchfindingssuggestaprobableroleofthedietinagerelatedcognitivedeclineanddementia,includingAlzheimersdisease.Seniorpopulationsconsuming
adiethighinmonounsaturatedfattyacids(Mediterraneandiet)displayprotectionagainstagerelatedcognitivedecline,whereasfishconsumptionandfortifiedcereals
seemtoreducetheprevalenceofADinEuropeandNorthAmerica.Inaddition,aluminumconsumption,whetherinfoodsorwater,mayincreasetheriskof
developingAD,anddeficienciesofthevitaminsB6,B12,E,C,andfolatecannegativelyaffectmemorycapabilityandcognitivedecline.Thesefindingsdemonstrate
thattheuseofantioxidantsanddietarymacronutrientsintheformofbeneficialfattyacidsandgrainsmayactaspreventativefactorsinthedevelopmentofdementiaand
otherconditionsofcognitivedecline.
4

ADisbecomingmorecommoninWesternsocietiesduetobothlongerlifeandmostprobablyincreasingincidence.TherearenumeroushintsthatADmaybelinked
tothetypicalWesterndiet(characterizedbyexcessiveintakesofsugar,refinedcarbohydrateswithahighglycemicindex,highsaturatedfats,anddecreased
consumptionofunrefinedseeds,nuts,andvegetables,withhighamountsoffiber,vitamins,andantioxidants)aswellasseafood(containingomega3fattyacids).
5

BecauseitishasbeenhypothesizedthatADmaybepromotedbythesideeffectsoftheaforementioneddietarytrends,itstandstoreasonthatthisdiseasemaybe
preventedorattenuatedbyadheringtosimpledietarymeasureswitheffectsthatincludeincreasinginsulinsensitivity(bydecreasingrefined
Page22
sugarsandsaturatedfats),improvingtheintakeratioofomega3toomega6fattyacids(byincreasingfishandseedoilconsumption),andbyincreasingintakeof
antioxidantssuchasfolicacid,vitaminsB6andB12,andflavonoidfoodcompounds.Currently,studiesareunderwaytodeterminetheeffectsofsuchpreventive
measures.
HOMOCYSTEINE
Homocysteineisanaminoacidmetaboliteofanothervitalaminoacidinthebody,methionine.Homocysteineisproducedthroughaprocessinwhichmethionine
donatesapartofitschemicalstructuretoothermetabolicreactionsinthebodytheendresultproduceshomocysteine.Homocysteinedoeshaveusesinthebody
however,largeamountsofresearchnowimplicatethisaminoacidasacriticalriskfactorinthepathogenesisofbothheartdiseaseandAD.Additionally,itisalsowell
knownthatthevitaminsB12andfolatedirectlyreducelevelsofhomocysteineintheblood,andlowerlevelsofhomocysteinearerelatedtodecreasedamountsof
cardiovasculardisease.Newresearchnowimplicateshomocysteineinthedevelopmentofcognitivefunctiondecline,includingagerelatedmemorylossandAD.When
presentinlargeamounts,homocysteineisknowntoinflictvasculardamagethroughoutthebody,includingthebloodvesselsinthebrain.Thisaminoacidcauses
vasculardamagethatcompromisesbrainfunctioning,leadingtoareasofdamagedbrain(infarcts)andresultantdementia.Elevatedlevelsofhomocysteine
(hyperhomocysteinemia)havebeenshowntobeanindependentriskfactorforcognitivedecline,andacorrelationexistsbetweenhyperhomocysteinemiaandAD,
includinglowlevelsoffolateandthevitaminsB6andB12.
6
Morerecently,Seshadriandcolleagueshaveshownhyperhomocysteinemiatobeasignificant,
independentriskfactorfordementiaandADtheyfoundagraduatedincreaseinriskofbothdementiaandADthatdirectlycorrelatedwithhomocysteineconcentration
aftercontrollingforestablishedADriskfactors.
7

Additionally,theseresearchersnotedthathomocysteinelevelsdecreasedinconjunctionwithincreasedBvitaminlevels,leadingtothehypothesisthatdementiaand
ADmaypossiblybecircumventedbyanalterationindietaryhabitsthatincludefortificationandorconsumptionofBvitaminsingreateramounts.
ANTIOXIDANTS
Theoxidativeprocess,evidencedbyprotein,lipid,andDNAoxidation,playsamajorroleintheinitiationandpropagationofseveralhumandiseaseconditions,
includingAD.
8
Reactiveoxygenspecies(ROSotherwiseknownasfreeradicals)extolneurologicdamageviadirectoxidativedestructionorthroughsecondaryevents
thatinitiateprogrammedcelldeath(apoptosis).ExcessiveproductionofROSisknowntocontributetodegenerativebrainconditions,propa
Page23
gatingseveraldetrimentaleffectsonthebraintissue.Experimentalevidencedemonstratesaneuroprotectiveroleofdirectapplicationofantioxidants,andstudiesare
underwaytoestablishantioxidantcompoundsasclinicallyprotectiveagents.
9

Measurementsoflipidandproteinoxidativeprocessesalongwithtotalantioxidativecapacityhavebeentakenfrompatientswithboththefamilialandlateonset
formsofAD,aswellasfromsimilarlyagedhealthycontrolsubjects.SamplesfromtheADpatientsexhibitedaprofoundincreaseinbiologicproductsofprooxidative
processes,whereastheantioxidantpotentialofthesesamesampleswerelowerthanthoseofthecontrolsubjects.Additionally,whenintentionallyexposedtooxidative
agents,thecellularsamplesofthefamilialADpatientsexhibitedgreateroxidativedamagethanthosefromcontrols.Theseresultsdemonstratetheroleofoxidationasa
significantearlyeventinthedevelopmentofAD.
10

NewevidencecontinuestomountintheroleofoxidationandthedevelopmentofADsomeofthisevidencepointstooxidativedamagepriortotheformationof
bothbetaamyloidcontainingplaquesandneurofibrillarytangles(diseasedefiningphysicalsignsinthebraintissue).Inareviewofstudiesthatexploredtheuseof
antioxidantsasapreventativemedicineinAD,apositiverelationshiphasbeenidentifiedbetweendietaryintakeofantioxidantsandadecreasedassociationwithAD.
11

SuchevidenceishighlysuggestiveofthepossibilityofusingantioxidantsasanearlypreventativeandtreatmentstrategyinAD.Atthistime,studieshavenotestablished
adirectlymeasurableanswerthatantioxidantscancompletelyprotectagainstAD.Becauseofthemultifactorialcontributionstothedevelopmentofthisdisease,andthe
evidenceprovidedsofardetailingthelinkbetweenoxidativedamageandAD,itishighlysuggestedthatantioxidanttherapybeconsideredamongthekeytreatment
andpreventionstrategiesforAD.
STANDARDMEDICATIONSANDAD
Atthistime,ADisconsideredlargelyadiseasecausedbynumerousinsults.CurrentdrugtherapyhasnotproventobesuccessfulinthetreatmentofADitaimsto
controlsymptomsofthedisease,ratherthanpreventit.However,newertherapiesarebeingdirectedatmanipulationofthedevelopmentofaberrantproteinsthat
appearinpeoplewithAD.Standardtherapyprimarilyinvolvestheuseofdrugsknownasacetycholinesteraseinhibitorsthatallowtheneurotransmitteracetylcholineto
staypresentinthebrainforlongerperiodsoftime,producingastrongereffect.OnlyusedinmildtomoderateAD,patientswithadvanceddiseasearenotasreadily
helped.Treatmentfordementiaismainlyfocusedonattemptsatpreservingandorimprovingthepatientsandtheirfamilysqualityoflifethisincludestreatmentofthe
concomitantmedicalandemotionalissuesfacingthesepatientsandtheirfamily.
Page24
BOTANICALMEDICINESANDALZHEIMERSDISEASE
TheuseofbotanicalmedicinesinADisprovidingnewtherapiesthatarecomparabletosomestandardpharmaceuticalmedications,butwithoutthesideeffects.
BotanicalmedicinesincludingGinkgobiloba,Rosmarinusofficinalis,Salviaofficinalis(sage),andMelissaofficinalis(balm)havepositiveeffectsontheclinical
courseofADandhavebeenscrutinizedinmodernefficacystudies.
Ginkgobiloba
Ginkgoisperhapsbestknownforitsmemoryenhancingqualitiesinhealthypeople.TheseeffectscarryoverintoAD,adiseasewithobviousseverememory
impairment.Theactiveconstituentsofginkgo,knownasginkgolides,haveantioxidant,neuroprotective,andcholinergicactivitiesthatarerelevanttothedisease
mechanismsinAD.Thetherapueticefficacyofstandardizedginkgoextractsincomparisontoplaceboissimilartothemostcurrentlyprescribedcholinesterase
inhibitorspharmaceuticalsincludingtacrine,donepezil,rivastigmine,andmetrifonateandhasfewifanysideeffects.
12
Becauseofginkgoseffectivenessattreating
dementia,itisregisteredasadrugofchoicefortreatingADinEurope.
13
Ginkgohasbeenshowntohavesimilarpharmacologiceffectandclinicalefficacyto
prescriptionmedicationsusedtotreatreducedcerebralperformance.Theprincipalactionsofginkgoincludeimprovedbloodflowpropertiesprotectiveeffectsagainst
ischemiaandhypoxiainthebrainimprovementsinnervecellenergymetabolism,antiswellingandmyelin(theinsulatinglayersurroundingnervecellsthatallowsfor
nervetransmission)protectingeffectsandantioxidantandfreeradicalscavengingactivity,aswellasnonspecificeffectsonneurotransmittersandtheirreceptors.
14

Furthermore,clinicaltrailshavedemonstratedthebeneficialeffectsofginkgooncognitiveperformance,globalfunctioning,andactivitiesofdailyliving.
Themostrecentevidencefortheeffectivenessofginkgoextractindicatesaprotectiveeffectagainstneuronaldamagefromseveralsourceshowever,theexact
cellularandmolecularmechanismsofactionareunknownatthistime.InexperimentalcelllinesthatproduceADcausingamyloidbetaneurofibrillarytangles(akey
diagnosticfindinginAD),formationofthetangleswasinhibitedalongwithcellspecificselfdestruction(apoptosis),promptinginvestigatorstoconcludethatprevention
ofapoptosisandinhibitionofamyloidbetaaccumulationunderscoretheneuroprotectiveeffectsofGinkgobiloba.
15

Whencombinedwiththephospholipidmoleculephosphatidylcholine,ginkgoisbetterabsorbedbythetissuesinwhichithasanaffect.Phosphatidylcholineactsasa
waterproofcarrieroftheherb,assistingitsdeliverytothebraintissuesandresultingingreaterefficacyoftheherb.
Page25
Rosmarinusofficinalis
ThisherbisoftenlistedamongherbaltreatmentrecommendationsforADanddementia.Similartoginkgo,rosemarypurportedlyimprovesbloodflowtocertainareas
ofthebodyandhasbeenusedhistoricallyasanaidforimprovingcerebralfunction,specificallywithmemorylossanddementia.Rosemarypossesfairlystrong
antioxidantcapacity,
16
andthereforemaybeusefulinthetreatmentandpreventionofAD.Moreresearchisneededexploringtheuseofthisherbanditsapplicationsin
AD.TheGermanCommissionEmonographsuggestsadoseof46grams(3/4to11/4teaspoons)ofrosemaryleafperday.
17
Thisamountcanbeincorporatedinto
ateatakenseveraltimesaday.Noknowndrugrosemaryinteractionsarerecognized,andnonegativesideeffectsareassociatedwithmoderateuseoftheabove
dose.Largeamountsshouldbeavoidedinpregnantwomen,astheoilcontainedintheleafmayacttodisruptpreganancy.
18

Salviaofficinalis(Sage)andMelissaofficinalis(Balm)
HistoricmedicalreferencebooksfromEuropedocumenttheeffectsanduseoftheherbssageandbalmashavingmemoryenhancingpropertiesandwereusedforthis
purposeamongothers.Interestingly,moderndiscoveriesofclinicallyrelevantpharmacologicactionsinplantmedicineswithhistoricapplicationshaverevealedstrong
linkstyinghistoricusewithmodernscientificexplanations.Ithasbeenrevealedthatsageandbalmbothexhibitcholinergicactivities,meaningtheyhavesimilareffectsto
theneurotransmitteracetylcholine(specificneuronsthatutilizethisneurotransmitterdegenerateinADthustheuseofcholinergicpharmaceuticals).
TheuseofMelissaofficinalisintreatingthesymptomsofmildtomoderateADwasrecentlyshowntoproduceasignificantlybetteroutcomeinalleviatingAD
symptomswhencomparedtoaplacebomedication.
19
Additionally,theADpatientstreatedwithMelissaexhibitedlessagitation,acommonoccurrenceinpeoplewith
AD.Thetreatmentdoseinthisstudywasonly60dropsadayofextract.Bothbehaviorandpsychologicalsymptomscanbeextremelyproblematicinthispopulation
ofpatients,andmanagementisdifficultforboththepatientandcaregiver.AnotherstudyusinganessentialoilderivedfromMelissawastestedtodetermineitsusein
alleviatingsymptomsofagitationinpatientswithadvancedcognitiveimpairmentandAD.Inthisstudy,theoilofbalmwasincorporatedintolotionsthatwereappliedto
thepatientsfaceandarmstwiceadayforfourweeks,anditseffectswerecomparedtoaplacebooillotionbase.Sixtypercentofthetreatmentgroupexperienceda
reductionofroughly30percentinagitationsymptomsasdeterminedbytheCohenMansfieldAgitationInventory(CMAI)andqualityoflifeindices(percentageof
timespentsociallywithdrawnandpercentageoftimeengagedinconstructiveactivities,measuredwithDementiaCareMapping).
20

Page26
Salviaofficinalis,morepopularlyknownassage,hasbeentestedinstudiestodetermineitseffectivenessintreatingADsymptoms.Thesestudieswerebasedon
theknowledgeofthecholinergicbindingpropertiesofsageaswellasitsbettermentofmoodandcognitiveperformanceinhumans.Onestudyusedadoseof60drops
sageextractinpatientswithmildtomoderateADoverfourmonths.Accordingtheresearchers,theherbcreatedasignificantbetteroutcomeoncognitivefunction
whencomparedtoplacebo,andpatientstakingtheactivemedicineexhibitedlessagitationthanthosetakingplacebo.
21
TheuseofsageasamedicationinADis
supportedbyfurtherresearchextractsofsagehavebeenshowntopossesscholinergic(viaanticholinesterase),antioxidant,antiinflammatory,andsedativeeffects,all
ofwhichareclinicallyrelevantinthetreatmentofAD.
22
SalviacanreducetheneuropsychiatricsymptomsexperiencedbypeoplesufferingfromAD,makingtheuseof
thisherbasuitablechoiceinthetreatmentofAD.
AcetylLcarnitine
ThisnutrienthasbeenshowntobehelpfulinsomeaspectsofADaswell.AcetylLcarnitine(Alc)occursnaturallyinthebodyandissomewhatstructurallyrelatedto
acetylcholine,theneurotransmitterandmaycontributetowarditsformation.
23
Takenasasupplement,AlcisusefulinAD,agerelatedmemorydeficits,andsenile
depression.Onthecellularlevel,Alcassistsintransportingacetylgroups(portionsoffattyacidmolecules)intothepowergenerator(mitochondria)ofthecelland
promotesthemanufactureandreleaseofacetylcholine.
24
ThisisimportantinADbecausepartofthediseaseprocessinvolveslossoftheneuronsthatrespondtothe
acetylcholineneurotransmitter,andacetylcholineinthebrainiseasilydepleted.
25
Usedtherapeutically,Alchasdemonstratedneuroprotectiveactions,improves
neurotransmitterpathways,enhancessynthesisofacetylcholine,enhancessynaptictransmission,andincreasesbloodflowtothebraininpeoplewithcerebrovascular
disease.
26

OTHERINFORMATIONFORPREDICTION
Predictionofdiseaseisbecomingmoreandmoreofafocusinmedicinetodayusingthebestoftechnology.However,oneinterestingaspectofADisthatones
fingerprintsmayyieldrelativelysignificantinformationabouttheirriskofdevelopingAD.Thereareseveraltypesoffingerprintpatternsthatallhumanssharethisdoes
notmeanthattheyareallalike,butratherthatweallsharecertainfingerprintfeatures(somuchsothateachpatternhasaname)muchlikeweallhavetwoeyes,yet
nonearealike.Thefrequencyofthemajorfingerprintpatterns(ulnarloops,radialloops,arches,andwhorls)wasstudiedinagroupofmenwithearlyandlateonset
degenerativedementiaincomparisontohealthycontrolsubjects.
27
Thepeoplewithearlyonsetdiseasehadasignificantlylargeramountofulnarloopsthanthelate
onsetandcontrolgroups.Similarfindings
Page27
havebeendiscoveredinsimilarstudies,
28
indicatingthatthereisadeeperbiologicbasisfortheoccurrenceofearlyonsetdementia.Inthistypeofdiseaseoccurrence,
itisnotedthatthesepeoplearepronetogettingthedisease.Predictingthepossibilityofdiseaseoccurrencemaybepossibleutilizingfingerprintanalysis.Morestudies
areneededtoabsolutelycorrelatethesefindingwithearlyonsetdisease,however.
CONCLUSION
TreatmentofADanditssymptomsisachallenge.Standardmedicationsoffersomereliefofsymptomshowever,thesemedicationsarenotfreefromsideeffects,and
almostmoreimportantly,fewifanymedicaltreatmentsaregearedtowardpreventingADpriortotheappearanceofsymptoms.Newresearchisexploringgene
alterationandreversalofthepathologicdiseasechangesinthebrainhowever,agreateremphasismustbeplacedonpreventingthisdiseasethroughtheuseof
nutritionalandherbalmedications,themostpromisingofwhichhavebeenreviewedinthischapter.Asmedicalsciencecontinuestolearnmoreaboutthedisease
processinvolved,greateremphasiswillbeplacedonpreventingtheorgandamagethatservesasaprecursortoAlzheimersdisease.
Alzheimersbysomepatientsisfearedevenmorethanheartdiseaseorcancer,fortheconceptofbeingtrappedwithinonesbodywithouttheaccordingmental
connectivitywiththeoutsideworldisterrifying.Therearenowmedicationsthatcanassistmanypatientsintheirbattlewiththisdreadedcondition.Likewiseaggressive
andconsistentuseofselectnaturalmedicinescanaugmentbrainfunctionbysupportingnormalbiochemicalpathways.
NUTRIENTS
Dietary
TheantiADdietshouldincludehealthyportionsofcomplexcarbohydratesintheformoffruitsandvegetables,grains,nuts,andseeds,aswellasessential
fattyacidrichsourcessuchascoldwaterfishandseedoils(flax,borage)
Multivitamin/mineral
Twotablets,twiceperdaywithfoodorasdirected
Antioxidants
Arichantioxidantsupplementshouldbetakentwiceperday
BOTANICALS
Ginkgo
60milligramstwiceperday(24%standardized)
Rosemary
Crudeherb(leaf):12gramsinateatwiceperday
Page28
Liquidextract(1:1in45percentalcohol)24millilitersthreetimesperday
Salviaofficinalis(sage)
12gramstwiceperday
Melissaofficinalis(balm)
Liquidextract(1:1in45percentalcohol)twiceperday
Page29
Anorexia
Anorexianervosa(AN)isaseverepsychiatricdisordercharacterizedbyacombinationofabnormaleatingbehaviorandweightregulationwithdisturbancesofattitudes
towardbodyweightandshape.Itisaconditionworthyofgreatrespectand,ifnottreatedproperlybyskilledspecializedhealthcareproviders,canleadtodeathor
seriouslifelongconsequences.Anorexianervosahasbeendefinedastherelentlesspursuitofathinphysique,inwhichapersondoesnotmaintainnormalbodyweight
thatisappropriateforhisorherageandweight.Often,peoplewithanorexiaweigh85percentorlessofthenormfortheirheightandagegroup.Thesepeopleare
terrifiedofbecomingfat,continuouslydenythedangersoftheirownlowweight,andwillfeelasiftheyareoverweightdespitetheirthinness.Additionalsymptoms
includedepression,socialwithdrawal,irritability,andsometimescompulsivefoodhabitsandrituals.Somepeoplemayexperienceproblemssuchasassumptionof
adolescentrolesorfearsofadultresponsibilitiesandhaveineffectivecopingskillswithlifeproblems.
Estimatesoftheprevalenceofthesediseaserangefrom0.5percentto2percentofthefemaleadolescentpopulationwithanaverageageofonsetbetween14and
18years.Anotherwayoflookingatthesenumbersrevealsthatapproximately1percentofallfemaleadolescentshaveanorexianervosa.However,itmustbe
recognizedthataccuratedataisdifficulttoobtainduetothesecretivenatureofthedisorderandthefactthatalargemajorityofthoseaffecteddonotseektreatment.
Thelargemajorityofthepopulationssufferingfromanorexianervosaareadolescents,althoughthisdiseasecanaffectyoungadultsandotheragegroups.Anorexia
nervosaisuncommonamongmaleshowever,itisestimatedthat510percentofdiagnosedcasesaremalesyoungerthan14yearsofage.Inolderadolescents,
however,1030percentofthosewithanorexiaaremales.
Page30
Amongthediagnosticcriteriaarearefusaltomaintainbodyweightatoraboveaminimallynormalweightforageandheight(lessthan85percentofexpected
weight)anintensefearofgainingweightadisturbedviewofonesphysicalstatusdenialofthedangerassociatedwithlowweightand,inmenstruatingfemales,the
absenceofatleastthreeconsecutivemenstrualcycles(amenorrhea).Inaddition,afullphysicalexamisrequiredtoruleoutotherphysicaldisordersmanifestedby
mentalstates,andafulldiagnosticinterviewperformedbyalicensedmentalhealthprofessionalmustbemadebeforeanofficialdiagnosiscanbemade.
Thereisnosolitarycauseofeatingdisorderssuchasanorexia.Causesaremultifactorialandmayvaryfrompersontoperson.Despitethedifficultyinisolatingthe
exactcausesofanorexia,researchisdiscoveringpertinentinformationrelatingtobiologic,societalcultural,andpsychologicalfactors.Biologicallyrelatedissuesinclude
geneticinfluencesthatpredisposecertainpeopletodifferenttypesofbehaviorsthatmayleadtothedevelopmentofeatingdisorders.Thereisalargebodyofresearch
pointingtothispossibility.Twinstudies(studiesoftwinsandtheirhealth)andfamilystudiesindicatedthatsistersofanorexicshaveahigherincidenceofanorexiathan
thoseinthegeneralpopulation,andtwinstudiesdemonstrateasimilarpattern,withevenhigherconcordantrates.
Infact,onestudyestimatedtheinfluenceofheritability,ortheinfluencethatgeneshaveonphysicalmanifestationsofaparticulardiseaseorcondition,ofanorexia
nervosaas5080percent.
1
Asearchforadefinitivegeneorgenemutationasthecauseofanorexiahasbeenunrewarding,despitethestrongfamiliallinkthatexists.
Researchersareinagreementthatfurtherlargescaleprospective(willananorexicwomanmoreoftenhaveanorexicchildrenthananonanorexicwoman?)and
adoption(isanorexiarelatedtofamilydynamics?)studiesareneeded.Abetterunderstandingoftheheritabilityofanorexiawill,ofcourse,allowforgreater
understandingofitscausesandthereforebettertreatmentandpreventions.
Similartootherpsychiatricconditions,hormonesplayanimportantrole.Someolderresearchdefinedalinkbetweenanorexiaandhormonaldysregulation,
specificallyinthehypothalamusandpituitarygland.Notdefinitelylinkedascausesofanorexia,perturbationsinhormonelevelsaretheresultofchronicandrecurrent
starvation.Lossofadipose(fat)tissueandstarvationhasaneffectonmentalstates,producinganxiety,depression,andpersonalitychanges.
2
Anotheraspectof
anorexianervosamaybeanorexiaathletica,orcompulsiveexercise.Intenseandexcessiveexercisewillproduceendorphins,theopioidlikebrainchemicalthatallows
ustofeelgoodandmaskspain.Coupledwithmusclebreakdown(starvationcausesthemusclestobebrokendownforfuel)fromstarvationandintenseexercise,this
phenomenonmayproduceahighfeeling,creatinganotheraddictivecomponentinthealreadyaddictivepattern.
Anothercomponentofanorexianervosaincludessocioculturaleffects.Acommonlydiscussedproblemistheimageofwomenthatisprojectedinpopularmedia,
whichportrayabodyimagethatisdifficultforthelargemajorityof
Page31
womentoobtain.Anorexiaandeatingdisordersaremorecommonintheindustrializedcountries,althoughasothercountriesintheworldbecomemoremodernized,
theirratesofanorexiaalsoincrease.Itisthoughtthatanorexicsaresensitivetodisapprovalandapproval,andthemediaisoftenblamedforprojectingthatselfworthis
tobeequatedwithaleanphysique.Indeedapowerfuleffector,mediaanditsmanyoutletsmayverywellplayaroleinthedevelopmentofeatingdisordersinallage
groups,particularlyadolescents,themostimpressionableofallagegroups.Anorexianervosaissupportedbyaninterestingparadoxinthatincredibleamountsoffood
arewidelyavailableandmuchofmodernlifeiscenteredonobtainingandconsumingfunandextremefoods,yetaslenderphysiqueishighlypraisedthroughoutthe
popularmedia.Asformaleanorexics,anemphasisonamuscularbuildleadstofanaticalattemptstobuildasimilarphysiquethatleadsyoungmentoexercisetothe
pointofphysicalexhaustion.
Psychologicalstatesplayalargeroleintheetiologyofanorexia,andthedevelopmentofpsychologicalfactorsareoftenlinkedtofamilialstatus,whereinboth
influenceeachother.Theinteractionofanorexicbehaviorandfamilyenvironmentareintertwined,andfactorssuchasfamilydysfunction,sexualabuse,excessivelystrict
parenting,andselfesteemissuesareoftenlinkedtoanorexicbehaviors.Peoplewithanorexiaexhibitlowselfesteem,inadequacy,fearofgrowingup,poorconflict
resolution,andseparationissuesfromparents.Familieswithanorexicshavebeendescribedastoocloselyintertwined,andoverprotectiveoftenthereareissues
betweenthetwoparentsandtriangulationisacommonoccurrence.Thisisnottosaythattheproblemisthefaultoftheparents,yettheproverbialstrawthatbreaks
thecamelsbackmaybe,inpart,duetofamilydynamics.
Theconsiderationofallfactorsinthedevelopmentofanorexianervosamustbeconsideredwhenattemptsatpreventionandtreatmentarebeingmade.Sociocultural
andpsychologicaloriginsmayatfirstlooktobemoredifficulttotreatthanbiologicalfactorshowever,byacknowledgingtheroleofbiologyandtheeffectsthatawell
nurturedorganismhasonpsychologicoutcomesandresponsestosocioculturalinfluences,onemaybebetterequippedtodealwithandrespondtotheseexternal
influences.Becauseallfactorsareinterrelated,consideringindividualbiologyisthefirstplacetobegintreatingandpreventinganorexianervosa.
NUTRITIONALFACTORS
Alargeareaofresearchintonutritionalcausesofanorexiahasbeendedicatedtotheeffectsofthemineralzincanditsroleinthedevelopmentofanorexiaandother
eatingdisorders.Althoughmanyanorexicsexhibitthesignsandsymptomsofzincdeficiency(lossofappetite,dermatitis,depression,diarrhea,andweightloss),itis
difficulttopostulatewhetheradeficiencyinzincleadstomoreintensemanifestationsofthediseaseorwhetherprogressionofthediseaseand
Page32
resultantmalnutritioncauseszincdeficiency,manifestingthesesymptoms.However,asitistrueformanydiseases,causesandsymptomsareoftendifficulttoseparate
intodefinitivecategoriesofcauseandeffect.Thepremiseofthisbookistoprovidethefactsandresearchdemonstratingthatproperhealthfactors(nutrition)allowthe
bodyandbraintofunctioncorrectly,negatingthedevelopmentofdiseases.Therefore,itislogicaltoreasonthatapersonwithsuboptimallevelsofnutritionalfactors
maybebiologicallyprone,ormoresusceptible,toaconditionwhendeprivedofadequateresources.Theroleofzincanditseffectsonproperbiologicfunctioninghas
beenrevealedinanumberofareaspertainingtothedevelopmentandtreatmentofanorexia.
Clinicaleffectsofsuboptimalzinclevelsincludeemotionaldisorders,weightloss,andbiochemicalandhormonalendocrineorganfunction(productionofestrogen,
thymopoietin,andprolactin),allofwhichareobservedinanorexicsandthosewithothereatingdisorders.
3
Severalstudiesinvolvingzincsupplementationandweight
gainhaveprovidedinterestingresultsinthisarea.Thesestudiesweredesignedtoexploretherelationshipbetweenzincsupplementationandweightgaininanorexic
females,asmeasuredbyrateofincreaseofthebodymassindex(BMI),whichisameasurementderivedbycalculatingapersonsheightandweighttodetermine
appropriateweight.Whenanorexicsweresupplementedwith100milligramsofzincuntiltheyacquireda10percentincreaseinBMI,therateofweightgainwastwice
thatofanorexicswhowerenottreatedinthisparticularstudy.
4
Inanotherstudyutilizing50milligramsofzinconetimeperday,17ofthe20womenparticipantswere
abletoincreasetheirweightby15percent,onepatientincreasedherweightby57percentintwoyears,andanotherhadanincreaseof24percentinonlythree
months.
5
Additionally,afterstartingonthezinctherapy,noweightlosswasrecordedinanyofthepatients.

Inadditiontoassistingwithweightgainandpreventingweightloss,zincplaysanimportantroleintreatingsomeofthepsychologicalaspectsofanorexianervosa.
Aftercomparingmeanurinaryzincexcretioninagroupoffemaleadolescentswithanorexiacomparedtoagroupofnonanorexics,itwasconcludedinonestudythat
thezincstatusofthesepatientswascompromisedduetoinadequateintakeofzinc.
6
Thepatientsweretreatedwith50milligramsofzincforsixmonthsafterwhich
theyexhibiteddecreasedlevelsofdepressionandanxiety(assessedbytheZungDepressionScaleandtheStateTraitAnxietyInventory),leadingresearchersto
suggestthatanorexicswithlowlevelsofzincmaybenefitfromzincsupplementation.Inaddition,thesewomenalsoexperiencedgainsinheightandweight,clearingof
skinabnormalities,improvedtaste,andaccelerationofsexualmaturationincomparisontocontrolsnottreatedwithzinc.Theoutcomesfromthisstudyunderliethe
premisethatfuelingthebodycorrectlywiththeappropriatenutrientsassiststhemindinfunctioningatoptimallevels.Manyotherexamplesofmoodandnutritional
supplementationexistintheliteraturethatwillbehighlightedinsubsequentchapters.
Page33
Inadditiontozincdeficiencyanditsbenefitsonweightandmood,othervitaminsplayanimportantroleaswell.Calcium,magnesium,vitaminD,vitaminB1
(thiamine),vitaminB12,folate,andcopper,aswellasessentialfattyaciddeficiencieshavebeenreportedinwomenwithanorexiasymptoms.
7
Astarkexampleofthe
effectsofgeneralizedvitaminsupplementationwasrecentlyoutlinedinastudyinwhichwomenwithmildtomoderatesymptomsofdepressionwhowerenottakingany
othermedicationswereinstructedtotakeamultivitaminandmineralandtowalkoutdoorsatalevelof60percentofmaximumheartrate.Incomparisontothe
control/placebogroup,thewomenonthemultivitaminregimenexperiencedimprovementintheiroverallmood,selfesteem,andgeneralsenseofwellbeing,andthey
experienceddecreaseddepressivesymptoms.
8

Essentialfattyacidstatusis,ofcourse,greatlyalteredinanorexics,followingaperiodoffoodrestriction.Astudythatexaminedthelevelsofessentialfattyacidsin
anorexicsrevealedfattyaciddeficienciesthatweredifferentfromthoseseeninsimplefattyaciddeficienciesaswellasthatofchronicmalnutrition.Researchersnoted
significantchangesinthestructureofthefattyacidspresentinanorexics,implyingthatthiswastheeffectofthebodysynthesizingitsowntypeofreplacementfattyacid,
whichdidnotappeartobeasuitablealternativetothetypicalfattyacidfoundincellularmembranes,allowingfortheirnormallyoptimalfluidlikefunction.
9
The
significanceofthesealteredfattyacidsisadecreaseinmembranefluidity(aphysiologicstatethatallowsforgreatercommunicationbetweencellsthroughoutthebody).
Decreasedlevelsofessentialfattyacidshavenumeroushealthimplicationsandhavebeenassociatedwithconditionssuchascoronaryarterydisease,depression,
cancer,arthritis,Crohnsdisease,ulcerativecolitis,andlupus.
10
Anothergroupofresearchershasadvancedthetheorythatinappropriateutilizationanddeficiencyof
essentialfattyacidsmayprecipitateanorexianervosa.
11
Combinedwithmetabolicabnormalitiesofhormonesystems,acascadeofirregularities(whicharefarbeyond
thescopeofthischapter)offattyacidmetabolismculminatesinanimpairmentoftheendocrinesystemcausingsensationsoffullness(satiety)andalterationsinbody
imageperceptionbytheindividualaffected.Newtheoriesthatprovidearolefornutritionalfactorsinthedevelopmentofdiseasessuchasanorexiaprovidegreater
insightintothetreatmentandpreventionofthesediseaseswithproperuseofnutritionalcofactors.
CONCLUSION
Nutritioncanplayanimportantroleinthepreventionofsymptomsofdepression,especiallyinthosepronetothesefeelings.Bysupplementingthebrainwithadequate
levelsofnutritionalcofactors,onemaypreventmetabolicdysregulationthatsooftenaccompaniesanorexianervosaandothereatingdisorders.Nutritionaldeficiencies
maycontributetothecycleofdecreasednutritionalstatusfollowedbylessthanoptimalneurologicandphysiologicfunctions,
Page34
drivingthesymptomsofthisdisease.Anorexianervosaisacomplexdiseasewithmanycontributingfactorsthatallmayhavebeginningsinlessthanadequatenutrition.
Oneofthechiefinitialoccurrencesinthisdiseaseisadecreaseinfoodintake.DietsintheUnitedStates,andforthatmattertherestofthemodernizedworld,donot
provideoptimalamountsofthevitamins,minerals,andtracemineralcofactorsthatplayvitalrolesinhormonalregulationandcarbohydrateandproteinmetabolism.
Whenapersonwithanorexiabeginstodecreasetheirfoodintake,theymaybepropagatingthesymptomsofthisdiseasebyfurthertippingthescalesinfavorof
nutrientdeficiency.
Weliveinasocietythatsendssomanycuestoourchildrenviaadvertising,withprintandnonprintmarketingbothreflectingoverlythinmodels,thatforthosewho
biochemicallypredisposedtoundereating,themaladiesofanorexiaarealltoooftentriggeredtomanifest.Indeed,ifasasocietywearetocurbsuchunnecessaryhealth
trials,wemustbemorecarefulinourselectionofourmodelswhoendupbeingrolemodelsformind,body,andspirit.
NUTRIENTS
Zinc
50milligramsperday
Calcium
500milligramsperday
Magnesium
300400milligramsperday
VitaminD
400InternationalUnitsperday
B1
2030milligramsperday
B12
1,000microgramsperday
Folate
12milligramsperday
Copper
12milligramsperday
EssentialFattyAcids
23gramsperday
Page35
Anxiety
Anxietyseemstobecomingmoreandmoreprevalenttoday.Anxietyhasbecomeapermanentfixtureinmanypeopleslives,affectingnotonlythemind,butalsothe
bodyanddaytodaylivingaswell.Thischapterwilladdressanxietynotonlyinthesenseofanofficiallydiagnosedpsychologicaldisorder,butalsoasageneralized
statethatsomanypeoplefindthemselvesinfromavarietyofcauses.Anxietycanbedefinedintwodifferentways:thefirstdefinesanxietyasanapprehensive,uneasy
stateofmind,typicallyduetoananticipatedevent(i.e.,lifestressors),andthesecond,moreclinicaldefinitiondefinesanxietyasanabnormal,overwhelmingfeelingof
apprehensionorfearthatispunctuatedbyphysiologicreactionssuchastension,sweating,andrapidpulse.Thispictureofanxietymoreofteninvolvesextremeself
doubtoveronesabilitytocopewiththestressor.Regardlessofdefinition,anxietyaffectsboththemindandthebodytovaryingdegrees,andmorepeoplefindtheir
livesfullofthesefeelings.
Theprevalenceofanxietyinthepopulationtodayisundoubtedlyontherise.Americansinparticularcontinuetoworklongerhours,allthewhilebalancing
relationships,family,andhomeresponsibilities.Becauseofthis,itisnowonderthatmorepeopleexperiencestressandanxietytodaythaneverbefore.However,itis
anarguablepointwhethermorepeopleareexperiencingpathologicanxiety,orwhatwouldbeconsideredatrueanxietydisorderasdiagnosedbytheDiagnosticand
StatisticalManualofMentalDisorders(DSMIV).(Thispublicationdescribesthediagnosticcriteriaforthemostcommonmentaldisordersincludingdiagnois,
treatment,andresearchfindings.ItispublishedbytheAmericanPsychiatricAssociationandisthemaindiagnosticreferenceforMentalHealthprofessionalsinthe
UnitedStates.)Regardless,anxietyisaneverincreasingproblemamongpeopletoday,withmoreandmoreofthemseekingtreatmentoptionstorelievetheirsuffering.
Page36
DSMIVdiagnosedanxietydisordersarethemostcommonpsychiatricillnessesaffectingbothadultsandchildrentoday.Anxietydisordersmayspringfromasetof
complexriskfactorsincludinggeneticpredisposition,alterationsinneurochemicals,personalitytraits,andlifeevents.Anxietydisorderscanbegroupedintothe
followinggeneralcategories.
GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder:Thisischaracterizedbyexcessive,unrealisticworriesthatlastbeyondsixmonths.Thisformofanxietycanbeaccompaniedby
physicalsymptomsassociatedwithstresssuchasinsomnia,gastrointestinalupset,andheadaches.
ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder:Peoplesufferingformthisformofanxietyoftenexperiencepersistent,recurringthoughtsthatarecausedbyexaggeratedfearsor
anxiety.Theseobsessivethoughtsmaycausethepersontoperformritualizedroutinesinanattempttoabsolvetheiranxieties.
PanicDisorder:Peoplewithpanicdisordersufferfromdebilitatingattacksofpanicthatareoftenaccompaniedbysymptomssuchasheartpalpitations,chest
tightness,difficultybreathing,andoverwhelmingfear.
PostTraumaticStressDisorder(PTSD):Thistypeofstressbecomesmanifestedfollowinganextremelytraumaticevent.PeoplewithPTSDgenerallyexperience
flashbacks,avoidancebehaviors,emotionalnumbing,andphysiologicsymptomssuchasinsomniaandpoorconcentration.
SocialAnxietyDisorder:Characterizedbyanextremefearofbeingjudgedbyothersorbecomingembarrassedtypicallyleadspeoplewiththistypeofanxietyto
avoidsituationsinvolvingotherpeople.
SpecificPhobias:Peoplewithphobiaswillreactwithanintenseleveloffeartoaspecificsituationorobjectthatcanleadtoavoidanceofthemostcommoneveryday
situations.
Itisestimatedthat19millionadultsintheUnitedStatessufferfromanxietydisorders.Thecostofanxietydisordersisestimatedtobenearly$42billionayearnearly
$23billionisassociatedwiththecostofrepeatedmedicalvisitsforthereliefofsymptomscausedbyanxietythatappeartobephysicalillnesses,andpeoplewith
anxietyarethreetofivetimesmorelikelytoseeadoctorandaresixtimesmorelikelytobehospitalizedforthesedisordersthanthosewithout.
1
Theeconomicand
individualburdensofanxietydisordersarehighastheseconditionscanbechronicandquitedisabling.Peoplewithanxietydisordersutilizeprimaryhealthcareproviders
moreoftenthanpsychiatricmedicalpersonnel,exertingalargecostonthehealthcaresystemitself.Costsareincurredinthepsychiatric,emergencycare,hospital,
medication,andprimarycaresectorsofthehealthcaresystemcostsalsoincludedecreasedproductivityandworkabsenteeism.Only30percentofindividualsafflicted
withanxietydisordersseek
Page37
treatmentfortheircondition,and30millionpeoplewillexperiencesometypeofanxietydisorderatapointintheirlives.
2
Affixingaspecificnumbertotheprevalenceof
anxietyisdifficultbecausesmallchangesindiagnosticcriteria,interviewing,andstudymethodscangreatlyaffecttheresults.
Asmentionedpreviously,theetiologyofanxietydisordersismultifactorial.Thelikelihoodofdevelopinganxietyinvolvesacombinationoflifeexperiences,genes,and
personality/psychologicaltraits.Theindividualeffectsoftheseinfluencesdifferfrompersontopersonandbetweentypesofanxiety.Therolesofsomeinfluencesweigh
differentlyineachtypeofanxietyaswell,suchasthefamilialpatterninpanicdisorder,despitethefactthatnogeneshavebeenfoundthatdirectlylinkthetwo.Itis,
however,generallyacceptedthatthelargemajorityofanxietyisrootedinstressfullifestylesandeventsmostanxietydisordersshareastateofincreasedarousaland
fear.
3
Itisimportanttonote,however,thatinmanyclassicanxietystatesthereisnoimmediateexternalstressfuleventoccurring.Sciencecontinuestoattemptto
uncoveracompleteunderstandingoftheneurobiologyofanxiety.
DIETARYFACTORS
Dietinitselfisamajorcontributortoanxietystatesandmayalsoservetoinhibittheonsetofanxiety.Perhapsoneofthemostimportantcontributorstothe
perpetuationofanxietyishypoglycemia,orloweredbloodsugarlevelsduetoinfrequenteatingorinadequatedietarychoices.Symptomsofhypoglycemiahavebeen
tracedtothedeprivationofglucoseinneuronsthemselves,andsymptomsoflowbloodsugarincludeeffectsthataretheresultoftheautonomicnervoussystems
perceptionofthephysiologicchangescausedbyhypoglycemia,whichcanincludeanxiety,sweating,hunger,tremors,andpalpitations.
4
Peoplewhodonotconsume
thepropernutritionalfuelstosustainbloodsugarareatriskfromthisphysiologicalphenomenon.Nearlyeveryonecanassociatewiththeaforementionedsymptoms
occurringinthelateafternoonfollowingnolunchorverylittlelunchwithinadequatecaloricvalue.Infrequentand/orpoorfoodchoiceswithahighglycemicindex
(foodsthatgreatlyraiseonesbloodsugarleadingtoadrastic,reflexiveloweringofbloodglucoselevels)arethemostfrequentcausesofthissyndrome.Other
symptomsmightincludeirritability,poorconcentration,andfatigue.Inonestudy,patientsdemonstratinganxietyintheformofobsessivebehaviorsecondaryto
hypoglycemia(confirmedbyglucosetolerancetest)weretreatedwithdietarytherapyintendedtoaverthypoglycemicstates.
5
Oneofthesubjectsdemonstrateda
completerecoveryfollowingthedietarytherapyandtheothersubjecthasmadeimprovementscomparabletohislevelofcompliancetothetherapy.Althoughsmallin
nature,thisstudyprovidesinsightintooriginsandtreatmentsforanxietysyndromesmaintainingadequatebloodsugarlevels(90110milligramsperdeciliter)may
serveasakeyfactorinpreventingepisodesofanxiety.Oneofthemostinterestingstudiesinvestigatingthelinkbetweendietandanxietylookedattherelationship
betweentype
Page38
ofdiet(vegetarianversusomnivorous)andlevelsofanxietyanddepression.Inagroupof80subjects,significantdifferencesinanxietyanddepressionlevelsexisted
betweenthetwogroups,withincreasedanxietyanddepressionintheomnivoregroup.
6
Thereasonsforthisareatthistimeundeterminedhowever,increased
regulationofbloodsugarlevelsmaybeoneofthereasonsfortheoutcomeofthisstudy.
Otherprecipitatingcausesofanxietyincludedietaryinfluencessuchasalcoholandcaffeine.Althoughalcoholdoesexertacalmingeffectonthebrainviaits
depressanteffects(alcoholtargetsgammaaminobutyricacidreceptor[GABA(A)]neuronspotentiationoftheresponseoftheseinhibitoryneurotransmitterreceptors
resultsinanxiolytic,sedative,andanestheticactivitiesinthehumanbrain),italsomayberesponsibleforincreasedfeelingsofanxiety.Subjectsinonestudygiven
ethanoloraplacebowereevaluatedforanxietyusingtheSpielbergerStateAnxietyInventory,ameasuringdeviceforanxiety.Subjectswhoreceivedtheethanol
experiencedsignificantincreasesinanxietycomparedtotheplacebogroup,whichactuallyreporteddecreasedfeelingsoftensionfollowingadministrationofthe
placebo.
7
Asadrugthatprimarilyexertsnegativeeffectsonbrainfunction,alcoholshouldbeavoidedinpeoplewithincreasedfeelingsofanxiety.Thisisnottosay,
however,thatalcoholshouldbeentirelyavoidedbyallpeoplewhoattimesfeelanxious,butpeoplewhochoosetodrinkandhaveelevatedlevelsofanxietyshoulduse
extremecaution.Moderation,ofcourse,isalwaysrecommended,especiallyinthecaseofanxiety.
Caffeine,ontheotherhandisawellknownstimulantdrug,causingexcitatoryneurotransmission.Theeffectsofcaffeinewerestudiedinagroupofpatientswith
agoraphobiaandpanicdisordercaffeineconsumptionproducedsignificantincreasesinanxiety,nervousness,fear,nauseas,heartpalpitations,restlessness,andtremors
comparedtothegroupofpatientstakingaplacebo.
8
Additionally,71percentofthepatientstakingcaffeineinthisstudyreportedthattheeffectsofcaffeinewerevery
muchlikethesymptomsexperiencedduringapanicattack.Anotherstudydemonstratedthatpatientswithanxietyhadanxietylevelsthatdirectlycorrelatedwiththeir
levelofcaffeineconsumption.
9
Theresultsofthisstudyalsosuggestedthatpeoplewithanxietyhadanincreasedsensitivitytotheeffectsofonlyonecupofcoffeethis
sensitivitywasreinforcedbytheobservationthatmorepatientswithpanicdisorderweremorelikelytodiscontinuecoffeebecauseofitsnegativesideeffectscompared
tocontrols.Caffeineoverdosemayalsomimicanxietydisorders,andincreasedsensitivitytocaffeinemaycontributetothesepatientssymptomssomecasesof
anxietywereimprovedforthedurationofasixmonthfollowupperiodafterthediscontinuationofcaffeine.
10
Becauseofthesefindings,itisimportantthatpatients
withanxietydisordersavoidcaffeinecontainingfoodsandbeveragesasthismayprovetobebeneficialforthem.
Page39
INTERVENTIONSINANXIETY
Treatmentsforanxietydisordersthemselvesincludepsychologicaltherapies(psychotherapyandothers),medication,andacombinationofboth.Typicalmedications
employedinthetreatmentofanxietyincludeselectiveserotoninreuptakeinhibitors(SSRIs),tricyclicantidepressants,benzodiazepines,betablockers,andmonoamine
oxidaseinhibitors(MAOIs).Thesemedicationscanbehelpfultosomepatientshowever,alargemajorityofpeopleonthesemedicationsreportnegativesideeffects
anddiscomfortwiththesetherapies.
Severalnonpharmacologictreatmentsforanxietyexistandhavebeenbackedbyappropriateresearchtrials.Attemptsattreatinganxietywithouttheuseof
pharmaceuticaldrugscanexistontwolevels.Thefirstistomedicate(palliate)thepatientwithatreatmentthatactssimilarlytoacceptedpharmaceuticalsoronethat
elicitsacalming/sedativeeffectonthepatient.Thesecondtherapeuticapproachinvolvestheuseofmedicinesthatservetopreventtheinitiationofanxietyinthefirst
placethisinvolvesvariousnutritionaland/orbotanicaltherapiesthatworktoalterapatientssusceptibilitytoanxiety(prevention).Theuseofcounselingandother
formsofpsychotherapyshouldalwaysbeconsideredinthetreatmentofapersonwithanxietyareviewofthesetherapiesarenotincludedinthescopeofthisbook.
Instead,theauthorsareattemptingtohighlightbiochemicalinterventions(notthatpsychotherapydoesnotalterbrainbiochemistryitself).Thecomplexityofanxiety
warrantsthatseveraltherapiesbeusedhowever,achangeintreatments,whetherpharmaceuticalornaturallyderived,demandsstrictattentiontosideeffectsand
interactionsthatmayoccurasasideeffectofusingthesetreatments.
VITAMINANDMINERALDEFICIENCIES
Niacin
Thebasisforhealthfunctioningofanyorganismiscompletenutrition.Yes,itisoftenarguedthatanorganism,orapersonforthatmatter,cangetbyonlessthan
optimalamountsofthebasicnutritionalnecessities.Gettingbyis,however,alessthanoptimalstateofbeing.Severalvitaminandmineralnutrientsandtheirlackin
certainpeoplemaycontributetotheoccurrenceofanxiety.Nicotinamide,aformoftheBvitaminniacin,isknowntohavesimilareffectstobenzodiazepinesonthe
brain.
11
NicotinamideactstostimulatetheGABAbenzodiazepinereceptorcomplex,aninhibitoryneurongrouping,therebyexertingacalmingeffectthrough
modulationofthesespecificneurons.
12
OtherexperimentsdesignedtotesttheefficacyofnicotinamideandbrainfunctionrevealedthatGABAnervereceptorswere
underlesscontrol(meaningthatbecausetheyareinhibitoryinnature,whentheyarenotengagedthebrainismoreexcitablewhichintheorymayleadtomore
anxiety)whennicotinamidewaslackinginthetestsubject,andreintroductionofnicotinamideleadtoa
Page40
calmingeffectontheGABAreceptors.
13
Supplementationwithadequateamountsofniacinmaycontributetofeweranxietysymptoms.

Pyridoxine
Pyridoxine,otherwiseknownasvitaminB6,isanimportantcoenzymeinthebiosynthesisoftheneurotransmittersGABA,dopamine,andserotonin,allofwhichare
affectedinanxiety,aswellasdepressionandperceptionofpain.Additionally,deficiencyofpyridoxinecausesanincreasedsympatheticdischarge(increasedexcitatory
nerveimpulses)andhypertensioninanimalsthathasbeenhypothesizedtoreflectadecreaseinproductionofthepreviouslymentionedneurotransmitters.Further,
addingpyridoxinetothedietsoftheseanimalswilllowertheirbloodpressure.
14
Inaseparatestudyinvestigatingtheuseofmagnesiumandpyridoxineonanxiety
relatedpremenstrualsymptoms,investigatorsfoundthatwomenwhoweresupplementedwith200milligramsofmagnesiumand50milligramsofpyridoxineeachday
experiencedasignificantreductioninanxietyrelatedPMSsymptomssuchasnervoustension,irritability,andgeneralizedanxiety.
15
Althoughmagnesiumcouldbe
consideredaconfoundingvariableinrelationtothecompleteanxiolyticeffectsofpyridoxine,theinformationcontainedinthisstudyisrelevantinreferencetotheeffects
ofvitaminB6onresolvinganxietyandrelatedsymptoms.
Magnesium
Magnesiumsupplementationenjoysabroadreputationashavingacalmativeeffectonanxietysymptomsandstresslevels.Onlyafewindirectstudiesofmagnesiums
effectonanxietyexisthowever,thesestudiesdemonstrateinterestingresults.Daroobserveddecreasedlevelsofnervousnessaswellasinsomniainpatients
supplementedwith200milligramsofmagnesiumincombinationwith400milligramscalcium,
16
andSeelignotedanassociationbetweenmagnesiumdeficiencyand
anxietysymptoms.
17
Aseparatestudyinvestigatedtheuseofmagnesiuminpostsurgicalpatientsanditseffectivenessinalleviatingpain.Patientswereinfusedwith
magnesiumbothduringandfollowingsurgeryandwereevaluatedforanxietylevels.Patientsreceivingthemagnesiuminfusionrequiredsignificantlylesspainmedication
(morphineandfentanyl)incomparisontothecontrolgroupthatreceivednomagnesium,andthemagnesiumgroupreportedlessanxietyaswell.
18
Magnesium
deficiencyiscommoninthetypicalAmericandiet,withonemajorsurveydeterminingthatadequatemagnesiumislackinginnearly72percentofpeoplesdiets.Italso
foundthat50percentofpeopleconsumelessthanthreequartersoftheRecommendedDailyAllowance(RDA)ofmagnesiumand30percentofthesepeopleateless
thanhalfoftheRDAformagnesium.
19
Peopletakingoralcontraceptivesdiureticmedicines(medicinethatisdesignedtoincreasewaterlossfromthebodythrough
urination)orlargeamountsoflaxativesmaybeatriskofmagnesiumdeficiency.In
Page41
addition,deficiencyofmagnesiumhasbeenlinkedtoconditionssuchascardiovasculardiseases,alcoholism,kidneydiseases,premenstrualsyndrome,andcramping.
20

CONCLUSION
Thesestudiesendorsetheideathatadequatelevelsofnutritionareessentialinboththepreventionandtreatmentofanxietysymptoms.Withmultiplecauses,anxietyisa
conditionthatmorethanlikelyhasmultipletreatmentsindifferentindividuals.Treatingthepersonwhohasanxietywithadequatenutritionalsourcesmaypossiblyalter
anxietylevelsandofferthepatientagreaterqualityoflife.
Tobehumanistobeanxiousatsomepointinonesexistence.Yet,whenanxietybecomesafixtureinoneslife,itistimetopreemptivelyseekawaytointervenein
ordertoredirectoneslifebackontoamorecalm,relaxed,andenjoyableroad.Itisnotsurprisingtomanytoseemoreandmoreadvertisementsforanxiety
medicationsandnationaltalkshowsdiscussinghowtocopewiththetrialsandtribulationsoflifethatseemtomoreoftenthaneverthrowusintotailspins.Byfar,the
bestdefenseisagoodoffense,andnourishingonesbodyisagreatwaytostart.Also,theproperuseofrelaxingandstressreducingexercise,mentalexercises,and
evenprayercanallplayaveryimportantroleinmaintainingthatinnerpeacethatwealldesiretonotonlyachievebuttomaintainatleastmostofthetime.
NUTRIENTS
Dietary
Maintainingrecommendedbloodsugarlevels(90110)throughouttheday
Niacin
25milligramsperday
Pyridoxine
25milligramsperday
Magnesium
300400milligramsperday
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Page43
Autism
Autismisahighlycomplexdevelopmentaldisabilitythatcanbecomemanifestwithinthefirstthreeyearsoflife.Aneurologicaldisorderthatadverselyaffectsbrain
function,autismaffectsmainlycommunicationandsocialinteractionareas,leavingthechildwithdifficultiesinbothverbalandnonverbalcommunications.Oneoffive
relateddisordersamongthePervasiveDevelopmentalDisordersgrouping,autismhasaspecificsetofdiagnosticcriteriathatisdefinedintheDiagnosticand
StatisticalManualofMentalDisorders(DSMIV).Autismaffectseachindividualdifferentlyandwithvaryingseverity.Overall,autismincidenceisfairlyconsistent
aroundtheglobeanddisplaysnoracialorethnictrends.Thefollowingstatisticalinformationrevealsthemostcurrentstatisticssurroundingautism
1
:

1to1.5millionAmericanshaveautism,affecting26per1,000individuals.
Itisthefastestgrowingdevelopmentaldisability,affecting1outofevery250childrenborn.
Itisfourtimesmorecommoninboysthangirls.
Incidenceiscurrentlygrowingat1017percentannually.
Ninetypercentofcarecostsaredirectedatautisticadults,costing$90billionperyear.
Autismaffectseachindividualdifferentlythoseafflictedwithautismprocesstheworlddifferently,leadingtoabnormalbehaviorsincomparisontootherpeopleintheir
agegrouping.Apersonwithautismmayperceivecertainnormalsoundsorsensationsdifferently,andcommunicationcanbelimitedtorepeatedphrasesorwordsor
theuseofgesturesandpointing.Autisticpeoplemay
Page44
laugh,cry,orbeupsetforreasonsthatothersareunawareoftheymayappearaloofandprefersolitude,refusingtobetouched.Theymayappeartohaveahearing
problem,notrespondingtoanysoundsorwordsdespitenormalaudiologictesting.Someofthesebehaviorsarethoughttobetheresultofaninabilityoftheautistic
persontointegratesensoryinformation.
Nospecificcauseofautismisknownatthistimehowever,itiswidelythoughtthatanalterationinbrainstructureandfunctioncausethesymptomsofautism(autistic
brainsareofdifferentsizeandshapethanapersonwithoutautism).Currently,researchersareinvestigatingthelinkbetweengenesandautism,asmanyfamiliesdisplay
patternsamongtheirmemberswithautismorotherrelateddisorders.Anautismgeneorgroupingofgeneshasnotyetbeenisolated,norhasasingleweaklinkor
triggerthatresultsinthedevelopmentofautism.Otherresearchisinvestigatingeventsduringpregnancyanddelivery,environmentalfactors,metabolicdiseases,and
toxicexposuresasotherpossiblecausesofautism.
OtherconsiderationsofcausativefactorsinautismincludetheoccurrenceofthedisorderingreaterfrequencywithothermedicalconditionssuchasFragileX
syndrome,tuberoussclerosis,untreatedphenylketonuria(PKU),andcongenitalrubella.Oneofthemostdebatedcausativefactorsforautismisthatofmercury
containingvaccines,atheorywithmuchplausibleweightdespitewidespreadrefutationofthistheorybythemedicalestablishment.Becauseoftheabsenceofone
specificcausativefactor,autismisconsideredaconditionthatpeoplearebornwithorhavethepotentialtodevelopifexposedtoacertainfactor.Autismisnotdueto
badparentingorpoorlydisciplinedchildren,anditisnotcausedbyanyknownpsychologicalfactorsthatmayaffectthechild.
Notdiagnosableusingstandardmedicaltesting,autismisdiagnosedwhollyonobservingthepatientsbehavior,especiallythecommunicativeanddevelopmental
aspects.AutismdoessharesomeofthesamecharacteristicsastheotherpreviouslymentionedPervasiveDevelopmentalDisorders,andothertestsmaybenecessary
todifferentiateautismfromoneoftheseotherconditions,includingmetabolictesting.Earlydiagnosisisconsideredessential,becausethesoonertreatmentand
educationisinitiated,thebettertheoutcomesthatareachieved.
2
Autismisdetectableattheveryearliestby18to24monthsandcanbecomefullyobviousby24
monthsto6yearsofage.Someoftheearliestsignsaphysicianwillscreenforinclude:absenceofbabblingorcooingandgesturesby12months,absenceofspeechby
16months,absenceoftwowordphrasesby24months,andareversionorlossoflanguageorsocialskillsatanyagethereon.Anyoneofthesesymptomsdoesnot
confirmadiagnosishowever,furthertestingbyaphysicianiswarranted.Severalscreeningbehavioralandcommunicationstestsareusedtodiagnoseautism,including
theChildhoodAutismRatingScale,ChecklistforAutisminToddlers(CHAT),AutismScreeningQuestionnaire,andtheScreeningTestforAutisminTwoYearOlds,
allofwhichfeatureobjectiveobservationalapproachestoevaluatingachildsuspectedofhavingautism.
Page45
Inperhapsoneofthemostcomprehensivepieceswrittenonthevariouscausesofautism,Kiddexploresthelinkbetweennumerouscausativefactorsandtheirroles
inthedevelopmentofautism.
3
Amongthecausesinvestigatedinthattextarecongenitalfactorssuchasinbornerrorsofmetabolism,prenatalsusceptibilitiesandthe
geneticinterplaybetweenthetwobiochemicalimperfectionssuchasimpairedhepaticdetoxificationabilitiesandnutritionaldeficitscentralnervoussystemfactorssuch
asimbalancesandabnormalitiesofneurotransmittersgastrointestinaltractdysfunctionincludingimpaireddigestionandfoodintolerancesandimmunesystem
dysregulationincludinghypersensitivityandabnormalitiesinantibodyandcellmediatedfunctions.
NUTRITIONALFACTORS
Thevitaminandmineralstatusofchildrenwithautismisasubjectthatrequiresmuchattention.Althoughnotimplicatedinthecausationofautism,vitaminandmineral
therapymaybebeneficialforthesepeople,duetotheiroftenlessthanoptimaleatingandresultantnutritionalstatus.Feedingdysfunction,whereintheautisticchildwill
onlyconsumecertainfoodsforlengthydurations,cansettheautisticpersonupforstarknutritionaldeficiencies.
4
Anevaluationofautisticchildrensnutrientstatusin
onestudyrevealedthatgreaterthan50percentofthesubjectshadinsufficientlevelsofvitaminsA,thiamine(B1),niacin(B3),pantothenicacid(B5),andbiotinas
wellasthemineralsmagnesium,selenium,andzinc.
5
Inadditiontothesenutrientdeficiencies,thesubjectshadlessthanoptimallevelsofessentialfattyacids(omega3
eicosapentaenoicacid[EPA]andtheomega6dihomogammalinolenicacid[DGLA]fattyacids)andessentialaminoacids.Astudythatinvestigatedthe
supplementationofautisticchildrenwithamultivitaminandmineraloverathreemonthperiodresultedinimprovementsinbowelpatternsymptomsandsleepquality,in
additiontoelevationsinbloodlevelsofvitaminsCandB6,revealingsomeofthebenefitsofnutritionalsupplementationforthesechilden.
6

Otherresearchonnutrientfocuseddeficienciesandtreatmentofautisticsymptomshasprovidedinterestingresultsinthisarea.Theuseoffolicacidasatreatment
forpeoplewithautismwasbegunwiththeuseofthisvitamininlargedoses(250mcgoffolicacidperpoundofbodyweightperday)inthetreatmentofFragileX
syndrome(acommonfamilialformofmentalretardationwithbehaviorssimilartoautism)aswellaschildrenwithautsim.
7
Inaddition,theAutismResearchInstitute
(ARI)proclaimsastronglypositiveeffectfromfolicacidsupplementationaccordingtotheirbetter:worsescale,acollectionandaverageofcommentsfromthousands
ofparentswhotreattheirchildrenwithvarioustherapies.
8

VitaminC(ascorbicacid)useinautismwastestedina30weektrialinwhichthevitaminwassupplementedatadoseof8gramsper70kilogrambodyweightper
dayareductioninsymptomseveritywasnotedamongthegroupsupplementedwithvitaminC.
9
TheAutismResearchInstitutescoresvitaminCas

Page46
highlyfavorable,withabetter:worseratioof16:1.
8
Anessentialnutrientnotmanufacturedbythehumanbody,ascorbicacidplaysanintegralroleinthefunctioningof
severalmetabolicpathways,namelythatofneurotransmitterproduction.MorestudiesareneededinordertodeterminethefullefficacyofvitaminCinautismtherapy.
Zincisalsogivenaveryfavorablebetter:worseratiofromtheAutismResearchInstitute,witharatioof17:1.
8
Onestudyofzincinautismrevealedthatnearly90
percentofautisticcasesinthestudyweredeficientinzinc,whileatthesametime90percentofthesubjectshadexcessivecopperlevels.
10
Anormalbiologic
occurrence,zincandcopperlevelsareintimatelylinkedwhereinlevelsofonenutrientwillriseresultingincorrespondingdecreaseintheothernutrient,andviseversa.
However,lowlevelsofzincarenotfavorableinanycondition,especiallythoseaffectingthebrain,becauseofzincsimportanceinneurologictissuefunctionand
synthesisofthebrainneurotransmitterserotonin,whichisdependentonzincdrivenenzymesystems.Anotherstudyagainfoundelevatedcopper:zinclevelsin85
percentoftheautisticchildrenenrolled.
11
Itisdifficulttoanalyzetheroleofzincinparticularinautismfromthesestudieshowever,theimportanceofzincinproper
biologicfunctioncannotbeunderstated.Thesecondmostabundanttraceelementinthehumanbody,zinctotalsnearly2grams.
12
Severaloftheproteinsinvolvedin
generegulation(andthereforebiologicfunction)containvaryingamountsofzinc,anditisfoundinapproximately300enzymes,100ofwhichdependonzincasa
catalyst.
13
Additionally,zincplaysalargeroleingrowth,development,behavior,andlearning.
14
Zincishighlyimportantinthenormalandhealthyfunctionofthe
individual,andplaysanimportantroleintheautisticpatient.
Theroleofessentialfattyacids(EFAs)(omega3andomega6fattyacids)isintegraltoproperhealthandpropermetabolicfunctioning.Theclinicaleffects
associatedwithdisproportionateintakeandmetabolismofthetwomainEFAs,linoleicandalphalinolenicacids,aremostreadilyapparentintheirmetabolicbyproduct
concentrationsinthemembranephospholipidlayer,thefatandproteincomposedcellularcoatthatisdirectlyresponsibleforcorrectcellularfunction.Cellularfatty
acidcontentcanbemanipulatedbydietaryintakeanddiseaseprocesses,therebyalteringtheseverity,character,andintensityofpathologies.
15

EFAsallowforbothinterandintracellularcommunication,providingthesubstrateforsignalmessengersbetweencells.Thelongestofthebiologicallyactivefatty
acidsplaysahighlyimportantroleintheneurologicaldevelopmentofbothfetalandpostnatalstages.
16
Additionally,infantshavealimitedabilitytosynthesizethelonger
chainfattyacids(thatcanserveasbuildingblocksforEFAs)fromshorterchainfattyacidstypicallyfoundintheWesterndiet.Perhapsbecauseofthis,naturehasdone
itspartinassuringthatinfantsreceivetheseessentialfatsinbreastmilk,whichcontainsthelongerchainomega3andomega6fattyacidsdocosahexaenoicacid
(DHA)andarachidonicacid(AA).
17

RichardsonandRosshaveproposedthatabnormalitiesinfattyaciddistributioninmembranephospholipidmetabolismmayplayasignificantroleinthe
Page47
developmentofseveralneurodevelopmentalandpsychiatricdisordersincludingADHD,dyslexia,coordinationdisorders(dyspraxia),andautism.
18
Theseresearchers
explainthattheaforementioneddisordersmayhavecausationindisordersofphospholipiddysfunction,explainingthehighamountofsimilarsymptomologybetween
thoseconditionsandtheirfamilialgrouping.Omega3fattyacidswerefoundtobenearly100percentdeficientinapopulationofautisticcasesstudied,
10
whereas
anotherstudydeterminedthatbloodplasmalevelsofomega3fattyacidsweredecreasedby20percentincomparisontocontrolsubjectsinanotherstudy.
19
As
reportedbytheAutismResearchIndex,essentialfattyacidsupplementationretainsabetter:worseratioof12:1amongpeoplethatcareforautisticpersons.
8
Theory
dictatesthathumansprobablyevolvedonadietcontaininga1:1ratioofomega6toomega3fattyacids,yetmoderntimeshaveproducedtypicalWesterndietsthat
consistofaratiobetween10:1and25:1,andinsomecasesitmaybeashighas40:1.Undoubtedly,thisimbalancehasdefinitelycontributedtoseveralchronichealth
conditions,andnewerresearchiselucidatingtheroleofproperfattyacidbalanceandintakeinautism.
AlargeamountofresearchfocusedonvitaminB6(pyridoxine)andthemineralmagnesiumprovideveryinterestingresultsinthetreatmentofautism.Pyridoxineis
requiredforthemetabolismofaminoacids(thebuildingblocksofprotein),carbohydrates,andlipids(fats).Pyridoxineisconvertedtotwodifferentcoenzymes,
pyridoxalphosphateandpyridoxaminephosphate,bothofwhichplayamajorroleinnumerousmetabolicreactionsinthebody,suchassynthesisofthe
neurotransmittersgammaaminobutyricacid(GABA)andthemetabolismofserotonin,norepinephrine,epinephrine,anddopamine,aswellasthemetabolismof
polyunsaturatedfattyacidsandphospholipids.
20
Asoneofthemostabundantmineralsinthebody,magnesiumplaysanintegralroleinupwardsof300differentcellular
reactionsandisrequiredfortheformationofcyclicAMP,aninternalcellularsignalingmolecule.
21
Additionally,magnesiumshepardsionmovementsacrossthecellular
membranesandiscriticaltopropermuscularandnervouselectricalimpulses.
22

Aseriesoftrialsusingbothcombinationtherapy(pyridoxineandmagnesium)andsolitaryadministrationofpyridoxineandmagnesiumproducedpositiveresultsin
autisticchildrenonlywhenthecombinationtherapywasadministered.
23
Improvementsinbehaviorwerenotedalongwithmeasurementsofimprovedbiochemical
markersinrelationtoautisticbiology(Urinaryhomovanillicacidexcretiondecreasedameasurementofimproveddopamineutilizationinthebody)aswellas
improvedelectrophysiologicalmeasurements(improvedneurologicnervetransmission).Theresultsfromanotherstudyutilizinglargedosesofpyridoxineinautistic
childrenyieldedsignificantbenefitsfromthetreatmentincludingincreasedeyecontact,greaterinterestinthesurroundingenvironment,decreasedtantrumsandself
stimulatorybehaviors,andimprovedspeech.
24
Inareviewof18differentstudiesutilizingmagnesiumandpyridoxinetotreatautism,Rimlandsummarizedthateach
studyledtosometypeofpositiveresultsamongtheautisticsubjects,andnosignificantlyuntowardsideeffectswerenoted
Page48
ineachstudy.
25
Galandwritesinareviewofmagnesiumanditsuseinstressandneuropsychiatricdisordersthatneuronalhyperexcitabilityisonemanifestationoflow
magnesiumstores,andsupplementationwithmagnesiuminconjunctionwithpyridoxinebenefitsapproximately40percentofautisticpatients,perhapsdueto
magnesiumseffectondopaminemetabolism.
26

Dimethylglycine
Aformoftheaminoacidglycine,dimethylglycine(DMG)existsinfoodsaswellastransientlyinthebodyforsmallamountsoftimeinsmallquantitiesasaresultof
rapidmetabolism.
27
Ithasbeenusedrecentlytoimproveneurologicalfunction,preventepilepticseizures(onethirdofpeoplewithautismwillhaveseizures,
28
although
theydonothaveepilepsy),reducetheeffectsofstress(internallyandexternally),andasanantiinflammatoryagent.Havingreceivedamildlyfavorableratingbythe
AutismResearchIndex,
8
DMGisusedinthetreatmentofautismsymptomsdespiterelativelylittleresearchintothismolecule.However,thestudiesthatexistpresent
favorableresults.InadoubleblindstudycomparingDMGtoaplacebo,37autisticchildrenweretreatedwithDMGforfourweeks.
29
Improvementinbehaviorwas
notedamongboththeplaceboandDMGgrouphowever,thedifferencewasnotstatisticallysignificant.SomeofthechildrenrespondedfavorablytotheDMG
supplementation,andasmallerpercentageofnegativechangeswerenotedintheDMGgroup.Inhisreportonautismanditstreatmentusingmagnesium,B6,and
DMG,RimlandcitesatrialofDMGuseinKoreabyaLeeDaeKun,directorofthePusanResearchCenteronChildProblems,inwhichDMGwasshowntoprovide
beneficialeffectson80percentofthesupplementedautisticchildren.
25
RimlandrecommendsthattheinitialstartingdoseofDMGbeapproximately60milligramsper
daywithamorningmeal,andthenslowlyincreasedto500milligramsperdayeffectsmaybecomenoticeablewithinonetofourweeks,althoughsometimestheyare
evidentsooner.
25

CONCLUSION
Ahighlychallengingconditiontotreat,autismisbecomingmorecommoninoursociety.Thecausesofautismremainhighlyelusivetodayandyetsimilartoseveral
otherdisordertypeconditionsaffectingthebrain,autismmorethanlikelyhasmultiplecontributingfactors.Supplyingtheautisticpersonwithearlyandcontinuous
nutritionaltreatmentprovidesaneffective,safewaytoaugmentstandardtreatmentandsuppliesamuchneededboosttocurrentpharmaceuticaltherapeutics.Because
autismisahighlyindividualizedconditionandimprovementsaregainedafterlargeamountsofeffort,caregiversandphysiciansareencouragedtoexplorethemost
effectivenutritionaltherapiesthattheindividualautisticderivesthemostbenefitfrom,evenifonlyminimalimprovementsarenoted.
Page49
Clinically,thereisnogreatersingleprivilegethanhelpingunlocktheworldofanindividualsufferingfromautism.Indeedtheuntappedpotentialofallofusisamazing,
andtoworkwiththewonderfullydynamicindividualswithautismprovidestheopportunitytohelpsolveeachuniquebiochemical,environmental,andgeneticriddle
relativetotheproperandmosteffectiveintervention.Thepreviouslyapproachesshedlightonaselectfewtherapies,andoneshouldallowadequatetimewithany
givenseriesoftreatmentssothatthesupportofthebodysbiochemicalandpsychologicalpathwayshavetimetorespond.Yet,thekey,aswithmosthealthconditions,
istoneverstopknockingonthedoorofinvention.Afterall,necessityisthemotherofinventionandmanytalentedcliniciansandresearchersareseekingtheanswersto
thisandotherpuzzlinghealthconcerns.
NUTRIENTS
Folicacid
12gramsperday,divideddoses
VitaminC
34gramsper70kilogramsbodyweight
Zinc
40milligramsperday
EssentialFattyAcids(EPA/DHA)
23gramsperday
Pyridoxine
50100milligramsperday
Magnesium
5milligramsperkilogrambodyweightperdayindivideddoses
Dimethylglycine
60500milligramsperdaythisdoseshouldbeworkeduptoslowly
Page50
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Page51
BipolarDisorder
Bipolardisorder,alsoknownasmanicdepression,isaconditionthatispunctuatedbywidechangesinmood,thought,energylevels,andbehavior.Apersonwith
bipolardisordermaywitnesshisorhermoodsalternatingbetweenexcessivehighs(mania)andexcessivelows(depression).Changescanbeapparentforaslittleasa
coupleofhourstodays,weeks,andevenmonths.Thecyclicalorepisodicoccurrencesofdepressionandmaniacanbesolitaryinnature,andepisodesofmixedmania
anddepressioncanappearaswell,becomingincreasinglyfrequentleadingtodisruptionsinallaspectsofthepersonslife.
Affectingapproximately2.3millionadultsintheUnitedStates,
1
ornearly1.2percentofthepopulationage18yearsandolderinanygivenyear,
2
bipolardisorder
typicallybeginsinlateadolescence.Bipolardisordercanoccurinyoungerpeopleandmaybemaskedasdepressionduringteenageyearshowever,itcanbeginin
youngchildrenandinolderadultsaswell.Theaverageageatonsetofthefirstepisodeofmaniaisintheearly20s.
3
Bipolardisorderisnotapersonalityflawor
characterweakness,anditaffectsmenandwomenequallyandshowsnopreferentialdistributionamongagegroups,race,ethnicity,andsocialclass.
Althoughdifferentfromclinicaldepression,thedepressiveepisodesinbipolardisorderaresimilar.Thefollowingarestandardattributesofadepressiveepisode(not
allpeoplewithbipolardisorderwillexperiencetherangeofsymptomslisted):
Lossofenergy,persistentlethargy
Prolongedsadnessorunexplainedcryingspells
Irritability,anger,worry,agitation,anxiety
Inabilitytotakepleasureinformerinterests,socialwithdrawal
Page52
Pessimism,indifference
Feelingsofguilt,worthlessness
Inabilitytoconcentrate,indecisiveness
Significantchangesinappetiteandsleeppatterns
Unexplainedachesandpains
Recurringthoughtsofdeathorsuicide
Maniasymptomsareexhibitedbythefollowingbehaviorsandfeelings(notallpeoplewithbipolardisorderwillexperiencetherangeofsymptomslisted):
Racingspeech,racingthoughts,flightofideas
Increasedphysicalandmentalactivityandenergy
Excessiveirritability,aggressivebehavior
Decreasedneedforsleepwithoutexperiencingfatigue
Heightenedmood,exaggeratedoptimismandselfconfidence
Grandiosedelusions,inflatedsenseofselfimportance
Impulsiveness,poorjudgment,distractibility
Recklessbehavior
Inthemostseverecases,delusionsandhallucinations
Anotherphaseofbipolardisorderknownasthemixedstateincludessymptomsfromboththemanicanddepressivephases.Duringthemixedstate,symptomsmay
includeagitation,changesinappetite,psychosis,insomnia,andsuicidalideation.Peoplecanhaveadepressedmoodwhilebeingmanicallyactivated.
Earlybipolardisordermaybemarkedbyintervalsbetweenmanicanddepressiveepisodesduringwhichthepersonexperiencesperiodsofwellness,withfeworno
symptoms.Ifapersonexperiencesfourormoreepisodesofillnessduringthecourseofoneyear,theyaresaidtohaverapidcycling.Inthemoreseverecases,a
personmayhavedifficultieswithalcoholand/orsubstanceabuse,
4
andthemaniaordepressionmaybeaccompaniedbypsychosisthatincludessymptomsof
hallucinationsanddelusionsreflectingthemoodstateatthattime.
Thereareseveraltypesofbipolardisordereachisdividedintotypesthatreflecttimingofsymptomology.BipolarIdisorderischaracterizedbyoneormoremanic
ormixedepisodesnearlyeverydayforatleastoneweekandoneormoremajordepressiveepisodes.Thisisthemostsevereformofthedisorder.BipolarII
disorderismarkedbyoneormoredepressiveepisodesaccompaniedbyatleastonehypomanicepisode(amanicepisodethatislessseverethanatypicalmanic
statethesemaynotbesevereenoughtodisruptlife,althoughtheymayinsomepeople).Cyclothymicdisorderischarachterizedbyconstantmoodfluctuations
involvinghypomanicanddepressiveepisodes.Theseepisodesareshorterandlessseverethantypicalmanicdepressiveepisodesanddonotoccurwiththesame
frequencyasinbipolarIandII.Afinalclassification,knownasbipolardisordernototherwisespecified(NOS)hassimilaritiestotheotherclassificationshowever,
itssymptompatternsdonotfitintoanyoneofthem.
Page53
CAUSATION
Bipolardisorderisafamilialdiseasetwothirdsofpeoplewithbipolardisorderhaveonecloserelativewithbipolarordepression,provingthatbipolardisorderhasa
geneticcomponent.
5
Infact,studiesinvestigatingthegeneticbasisofbipolardiseaseindicatethatmultiplegenesareinvolvedinbipolardisorder.
5
Studiesoftwinshave
indicatedthatifonetwinhasthemooddisorder,thechancesofanidenticaltwinhavingitarethreetimeshigherthanthatofafraternaltwintheconcordancerate(the
occurrenceofthedisorderamongbothtwins)amongidenticaltwinsis80percent,whereasitisonly16percentforfraternaltwins.
6
Evidenceofthiscaliberdirectly
suggeststhatmooddisorders,includingbipolar,arepartiallytheresultofanunderlyinggeneticsusceptibility.
Uncoveringthecorrectgeneticcontributiontobipolardisorderwillallowforimprovedtreatmentsandpreventativeinterventionsdesignedtotargetthecausative
factorsofthisillness.Thecauseofbipolardisorderisnotonlygeneticallylinkedhowever.Theapproachtothisandotherpsychopathologicdiseasesisthatmultiple
biologicandpsychologicalfactorsinteracttocreatethecondition.Saidotherwise,therearephysical,mental,environmental,andemotionalcausesthatwhencombined
incertainpatternsindifferentindividualsmayresultinmentalillnessesinsusceptiblepeople.
Unfortunately,ascribingtheoccurrenceofbipolardisordertogeneticsdoesnotprovidemuchinformationinthetreatmentandpreventionforpersonslivingwiththis
disease.Whatevertheexactcausativefactorsmaybe,theymayallinteractinsuchawaythatapersonwithageneticsusceptibilityforbipolardisorderwillmanifest
imperfectionsinthebrainneurotransmittersystem.Currenttheorieshypothesizethateithertoohighortoolowoflevelsofneurotransmitterssuchasserotonin,
norepinephrine,ordopaminewillcausethesymptomsseeninbipolardisorder,andothertheorieshypothesizethatdespiteadequatelevelsofneurotransmitters,an
imbalanceexistsbetweenthem,andtheratiobetweenthemismostimportant.Anothertheorysuggeststhatdifferencesinthesensitivityoftheneurotransmitter
receptorsonnervecellsmayleadtosymptoms.Allofthesetheoriesareborneoutbyinterestingresearch,andchancesarethateachtheoryexplainsaprobablerolein
bipolardisorder.
NUTRIENTS
Oneofthemostpopularlyprescribedpharmaceuticalsforthetreatmentofbipolardisorderislithium.Knownbymanyothertradenames,lithiumisprimarilyoneofthe
basicelementsandisclassifiedinthesamechemicalgroupingassodiumandpotassium.Primarilyanaturallyderivedsubstance,lithiumisusedtocontrolmanic
episodesandisnotgenerallysedative.Theprecisemechanismbywhichlithiumworkstocontrolmaniaisunknownhowever,itissuspectedthatlithiumaffectsnerve
conductioninthebrainandreducestheactionoftheneurotransmittersnorepinephrineandserotonin,therebyalteringbrain
Page54
chemistry.Althoughlithiumcanbeconsideredanaturalmedicine(30percentofallpharmaceuticaldrugstodayarenaturallyderived),itisusedtotreatthesymptoms
ofbipolarmaniaanddoesnotnecessarilycontributetoresolvingthecauseofthesymptoms.Thatbeingsaid,theauthorsacknowledgetheusefulnessofthismedication
inthetreatmentofbipolardisorder.
FolicAcidinManiaandDepression
Folicacid,oneoftheBvitamins(rarelyknownasvitaminB9),isintimatelylinkedtoproperbrainfunctioning,especiallyintheareasofmaniaanddepression.Several
studieslinkingsuboptimalfolatelevelsandmanicaswellasdepressivesymptomsappearthroughouttheliterature.Asurveyof45patientsdiagnosedwithmaniahad
redbloodcellfolatelevelsthatwereslightlylessthan20percentincomparisontothoseinahealthycontrolgroup.
7
Serumfolateinbothgroupsweresimilar,however
andbothgroupswerederivedfromthesamesocioeconomicclass,demonstratingthatthereductioninredcellfolateinpeoplewithmaniaisassociatedwiththeillness
andpossiblyrelatedtodietarydeficiency.
Therolesoffolicacidinpsychiatricconditionshavebeenrelativelywellresearched,andmanyinterestingconclusionscanbedrawnbetweenthisessentialnutrient
andbipolardisorder.AreviewoffolicacidanditsroleinneurobiologybyYoungandGhadirianrevealsthefollowinginformation:Folicaciddeficiencyisquite
commonamongpeoplewithvariouspsychiatricdisorders,absorptionoffolateisinhibitedbyanticonvulsantmedications(whichareemployedinthestandardtreatment
ofbipolardisorder),andthesepatientspsychiatricsymptomsareassociatedwithfolatedeficiencyseveralstudieshavedisplayedtheeffectivenessoffolateinthe
treatmentofpsychiatricsymptomsinfolatedeficientpatientsfolicaciddeficiencywilllowerbrainlevelsoftwochemicals(Sadenosylmethionine[SAMe]and5
hydroxytryptamine[5HT])intimatelyinvolvedinproperbrainfunction.
8
Sadenosylmethionineisknowntohaveantidepressantpropertiesandwillelevatelevelsof5
hydroxytryptamineinthebrain,leadingresearcherstoconcludethatdeficiencyoffolateisrelatedtodecreasedlevelsofbrain5HT.SAMeisinvolvedinchemical
reactionsknownasmethylation,whichcontributetothehealthyfunctionofmembranephospholipids,influencingnervetransmission.Inaddition,anotherstudyinvolving
folatesuggestedthatadeficientamountofthisnutrientinthebodymightinhibittheformationofamoleculeknownastetrahydrobiopterin(BH4),whichisessentialin
theformationof5HTandothermonoamineneurotransmittersinvolvedinbipolarandotheraffectivedisorders.
9
Astudyinvestigatingthetherapueticapplicationoffolic
acidinpatientsonlithiumtherapyrevealedthatduringthecourseofthetrial,patientswhoweresupplementedwith200microgramsoffolicacidandhadthehighest
blood(plasma)levelsoffolateexperienceda40percentreductioninaffectivedisordersmorbidity(symptomsthataffectedtheirqualityoflife),leadingthese
researchers
Page55
tosuggestedafolicacidsupplementationregimenof300400microgramsdailywouldaugmentsymptomcontrolofpatientsonlongtermlithiumtherapy.
10
These
findingsdemonstratetheimportanceoffolateinpsychiatricdisorders.Theresearchersinthecitedstudyproclaimedthatatleastsomeofthepatientswithbipolarand
otherpsychiatricdisorderswouldrespondfavorablytofolatesupplementation.
VitaminB12
VitaminB12isanotherwellknownnutrientthatwhendeficientcanleadtopsychiatricsymptomsthishasbeenreportedinthemedicalliteratureforseveral
decades.
11
Amongthesymptomscausedbythisvitamindeficiencyarementallassitudeanddepression,aswellasacutepsychoticepisodesandmania,amongothers.
Examplesofthisarehighlightedinthefollowingstudies:OnecaseofmaniathatwasapparentlyduetoB12deficiencybecamemanifestinapatientwithoutthetelltale
signsofdeficiency,namelyperniciousanemia.
12
SupplementationwithB12overthecourseofsixmonthsresolvedthepatientsmanicstate,andcontinuousmonthly
injectionsofB12allowedthepatienttomaintainnormalmentation.AnothercasereportandstudybyEvansetal.describestheoccurrenceofmanicpsychosisthat
occurredinpatientswithnoapparenthematologicalmanifestationsofB12deficiencythatwereaccompaniedbychangesinthepatientselectroencephalograms
(EEG)alongwithotherorganicmentalchanges.
13
Theauthorsofthisstudyperformedareviewoftheliterature,againcitingthecausallinkbetweenB12deficiency
andbraindysfunction,leadingthemtosuggestthatthemanifestationofpsychiatricsymptomsmayoccurpriortootherstandardmanifestations(macrocyticanemiaand
spinalcorddisease)andthatallpatientswithneuropsychiatricdiseasesbescreenedforB12deficiency.Severalotherinvestigationshaveproducedsimilarfindingsof
variedmanifestationsofdepression,mania,andotherneuropsychiatricsymptoms,someofwhichincludedpatientswithbloodstudiesthatwerereflectiveofB12
deficiency(macrocyticanemia)andsomeinwhichthesubjectshadnosuchmanifestations.
14
Allofthesestudiesrecommendednutritionalstatusscreeningof
psychiatricpatientsandbloodtestinginordertoevaluateforB12deficiencyuponadmissiontocarefacilities.
Selenium
Minerals,inadditiontovitamins,playaroleinnormalizationofmood,includingbipolardisorder.Evidencesuggestingadequateintakeandsupplyofselenium
contributestoregularityinmoodandexertsapositiveeffectonbipolardisorder(asanexampleofextrememooddysregulation).AstudyofmenutilizingtheProfileof
MoodStatesBipolarFormtoevaluatemoodincomparisontoseleniumlevelsandintakerevealedthatthemenwithinitiallylowlevelsofseleniumwhowere
supplementedwithalowseleniumdietscoredloweronthe
Page56
moodscalethanthosewhoweresupplementedatahigherlevelinvestigatorshypothesizedthatseleniummayplayaroleinmoodregulationinthebrainandthatlow
seleniumstatusmayresultinapersonexperiencingrelativelypoorermoods.
15
Thebrainwillpreferentiallystoreseleniumduringtimesoflowsupply,indicatinganasof
yetundeterminedbutstillimportantroleinbrainfunction.Inareviewofstudiesinvolvingseleniumandpsychologicalfunctioning,eachinstancerevealedthatlow
seleniumintakewaslinkedtopoorermoodseleniumsupplementationandmoodisaclearexampleofapsychologicfunctionmodifiedbythistracemineral.
16
Inthis
review,theinvestigatorsrevealedthatalthoughthemechanismofactionofseleniumonmoodisnotknown,seleniumsupplementationmightfurtheractivatethe
seleniumlinkedantioxidantenzyme,glutathioneperoxidase.
Vanadium
Atracemineral,vanadiumplaysnumerousimportantrolesinthebody,includingbloodsugarregulation,properbonegrowth,andasacofactorinmultipleenzymatic
reactions.Ontheotherhand,likeallnutritionalfactors,vanadiumhasadverseeffectswhensuppliedorstoredinexcessiveamountsinthehumanbody,includingkidney
dysfunction,gastrointestinalupset,andcentralnervoussystemdepression,tolistonlyafew.
17
Additionally,excessamountsofvanadiummaycontributetobipolar
disorder,aselevatedbloodlevelshavebeendetectedinpatientswithmaniaanddepression,andelevatedlevelshavealsobeenfoundinthehairofpeoplewith
mania.
18
Elevationsinvanadiumlevelsmaycausebipolardisorderanddepressionbythewaythistracemineralinteractswithelectrolytebasednerveimpulse
generationsystems(variationsinNaKMgATPaseandsodiumpumpactivity)inthebrain,whichareknowntobeassociatedwithbipolardisorder.Elevatedblood
levelsofvanadiumwerenegativelycorrelatedwithnervecellelectrolyteratios(NaKMgATPasetoMgATPase)inpatientswithbipolardisorder,butnotinhealthy
subjects,suggestingarelationshipbetweenvanadiumandproperelectrolytegeneratednervecelltransmission.
19
Astudyofbipolarpatientsandtheirintakeof
vanadiumrevealedthatbothmanicanddepressedpatientsfeltbetterwithareduceddietaryintakeofvanadium,furthersuggestingtherolethatvanadiummay
contributetobipolardisorder.
20
Althoughdifficulttoavoid,vanadiumisfoundthroughouttheenvironmentnaturallyandasaresultofindustrialprocesses.Decreasing
vanadiumlevelsinthedietmaybedifficulttoachievehowever,bydrinkingonlyfilteredwaterandavoidingexcessiveintakefromlargeamountsofmineral
supplements,bloodlevelsofvanadiumcanbereducedbyvitaminCandacompoundknownasEDTA(Ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid).
21
Knownasachelating
agent,EDTAisacomplexmoleculethathastheabilitytobindcertainmetalsinthebloodstream,assistingthebodysremovalofthemthroughtheurine.VitaminC
maybehelpfulinthetreatmentofbipolardisorderthroughitsmecha
Page57
nismbywhichitreducestheabilityofvanadiumtoalterpreviouslydescribednervecellelectrolytesystems.
22

BOTANICALMEDICINES
Thereareseveralbotanical(herbal)medicinesthatmaybehelpfulinnormalizingmoods,especiallyduringtimesofmania.Valerian(Valerianaofficinalis)isusedasa
sedativehypnoticmostsuccessfullyininsomniaandforreducinganxietyinducedrestlessnessandsleepingdisorders,oftenseeninindividualssufferingfrombothmania
anddepression.Valerianuseonadailybasishasbeenshowntoreducesleeplatencyandtoimprovesleepqualityasreportedbypatientstakingtheherb.
23
Described
ashavingmildlysedative,anxiolytic,andantidepressanteffects,theuseofvalerianinpeoplewithbipolardisordermaybehelpful.Valerianworkstorelieveanxietyby
theabilityofitsconstituents(valepotriates)topreventthebreakdownofenzymesinthebrainthatareresponsiblefordegradinginhibitory(GABA)neurotransmitters
(allowingforgreatersedationofthebrain)andbyanotherconstituentknownashydroxypinoresinoltobindtothesamebrainreceptorsthatthedepressantdrugs
knownasbenzodiazapenesdo.
24
Althoughvalerianisconsideredamildlysedativeherb,itdoesnotappeartoslowimportantpsychomotorfunctionssuchasreaction
time,alertness,andconcentrationhowever,itmaycausemorningsluggishness.
25
Asasedative,however,useofvalerianwithotherrelaxingdrugs(i.e.,
benzodiazapenes)maycauseadditiveeffects,leadingtotoomuchsedation.Thisis,ofcourse,ariskinpatientswithmorethanmilddepressionpatientsshoulduse
cautionwhenusingthisherbforbipolardisorder.
Lavender(lavendulaofficinalis)hasmildrelaxanteffectsandisusedtraditionallyforrestlessness,insomnia,depression,andnervousness.Lavenderpreparations
arecommonlyderivedfromtheplantoilinternalingestioniscontraindicated.However,plantoilsdoexertphysiologiceffectswheninhaled,astheoilcanpenetrate
mucousmembranesliningtherespiratorysystem.Theconstituentsoflavenderoilwheninhaledleadtorelaxationanddecreasedalertness.
26
Inhalationoflavenderoil
scentsmayservetomodulatefeelingsofanxietyinpatientswithmania.
Lemonbalm(Melissaofficinalis)isanotherbotanicalmedicinewithmildcalmingeffectsandtheabilitytoreducealertness,
27
whichisusefulinthetreatmentof
nervousanxiety,aswellasothernonrelatedmedicalproblems.Theoilsofthisplantcontaincompoundsknownasterpenes,whichhavesedativeeffectsarerapidly
absorbedbythelungs,andcancrossthebloodbrainbarrier,allowingthemtodirectlyaffectbrainfunction(terpenesarethoughttoactonsomeoftheinhibitory
neurons[GABA]inthebrain,therebyelicitingtheircalmativeeffects).
28
Astudyutilizingbothvalerianandlemonbalmdemonstratedanimprovementintheamountand
qualityofsleepinsubjectstakingthisherbalcombination.
29

Page58
CONCLUSION
Bipolardisorder,ormanicdepression,isaconditionwithmanypossiblecauseshowever,littleistrulyknownabouttheoriginsofthisdisease.Butscienceisbeginning
touncoverthelinkbetweennutritionalelementsthatmaycontributetothesymptomsofbipolardisorder.Severalvitaminandmineraldeficiencies(VitaminB12,folic
acid,andselenium),aswellasexcessiveamountsofthetracemineralvanadium,maypredisposecertainindividualstothiscondition.Theimportanceofnutrientsin
properbrainfunctionandbipolardisorderisperhapsbestdemonstratedinthefollowingstudy:AgroupofDSMIVdiagnosedbipolardisorderpatientsaged19to46
yearsweregivenatreatmentofhighdosevitaminandmineralsupplements.
30
Aftersixmonthsofthistherapy,thepatientsexperiencedadecreaseinsymptomsby55
percentto66percentandareductionintheneedforpsychotropicmedicationsbymorethan50percentsomepatientswereabletoreplacetheirpharmaceutical
medicationwiththevitaminandmineralsupplement,remainingwellfortheduration.Thisisanexamplethatdriveshomethepointthatdiseasesarenottheresultof
deficientpharmaceuticalmedicationsrathertheyhavedefinitiveoriginsinnutritionaldeficiency.Additionally,theuseofbotanicalmedicineprovidesamoregentle
approachtobipolardisorderand,whenusedproperly,mayservetoattenuatesomeoftheextremesofmoodswithfewersideeffectsthanthoseofpharmaceutical
medications.
Lifeisfullofebbandflow,yetforpatientswithbipolarsymptoms,thependulumswingstotheextremesandwarrantsconciseinterventiontoassistthemin
maintainingtheirmentalfunctioningbetweentheproverbialyellowlinesoftheroadoflife.Theconditionwerefertoasbipolarisnodifferentthenanyotherhealth
concerninsomuchasthepatientismanifestingwithsymptomsthatneedattentionandaconcertedefforttoaddresstheunderlyingcauseoftheproblemathand.Often
patientswillpresentwithsymptoms,whereaspreviouslytheywereapparentlysymptomfree.Thusthequestionmustbeasked,whatwasthetriggerandhowcanitbe
bestaddressed?
NUTRIENTS
Folate
200300microgramsperday
B12
2,000microgramsperday
Selenium
200microgramsperday
BOTANICALS(FOREPISODESOFMANIA)
Valerian
300400milligramstwiceperday
Page59
Lavender
Tincture(1:5in50percentalcohol)30dropstwiceperday
LemonBalm
80100milligramstwiceperday
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BulimiaNervosa
Bulimia,inadditiontoanorexianervosa,isapsychiatricdisorderwithseverehealthconsequences.Aneatingdisorderwhosenameliterallymeansnervoushunger,
bulimiaischaracterizedbycyclesofbingingonlargeamountsoffoodatonetimefollowedbyselfpurgingofthesamefoodeateninordertoavoidweightgain.
Diagnosticcriteria
1
forbulimiaincludeeating,inaspecifiedperiodoftime(i.e.,inanytwohourperiod),anamountoffoodthatfarsurpassestheamountoffoodthat
themajorityofpeoplewouldeatinthesameperiodoftimeundersimilarcircumstances(caloricintaketypicallyrangesfrom1,000toasmuchas20,000caloriesduring
onesuchepisode)afeelingofnocontrolovertheeatingduringtheepisodecompensatorybehaviorfortheeating,includingselfinductionofvomiting,laxativeabuse,
enemas,fasting,excessiveexercise,orothermedicationsdesignedtohastenweightlossepisodesofbingeeatingandcompensatorybehaviorsthatbothoccuronan
averageoftwiceaweekforthreemonthsandselfesteemthatisinordinatelyinfluencedbybodyweightandappearance.Additionally,thesepatternsdonotoccur
exclusivelyduringepisodesofanorexianervosa,althoughcloseto50percentofpeoplewhohavebeenanorexicdevelopbulimiaorbulimicpatterns.Personswith
bulimiabeginthementionedcyclebecauseofthebeliefthatthisbehaviorwillpreventthemfromgainingweightandwillhelpthemtoloseweightaswell.However,the
oppositeoccurs,leadingtomoreweightgainandmorebingingandpurgingthatcontinuallyincreasetheillnesssseverity.
MillionsofAmericansareaffectedbyeatingdisorderseachyear.Bothbulimiaandanorexianervosaareestimatedtoaffect2percentto6percentofthepopulation,
meaningthat5millionto16millionpeoplemaybeaffected.Ofthesenumbers,bulimiaaccountsfor1percentto4percentofthepopulation.Eightysixpercentof
peoplewitheatingdisordersreporttheonsetofsymptomsprior
Page62
toage20,and90percentofthesepeoplearewomen.Infact,theincidenceofeatingdisordersamongcollegewomenisconsiderednearepidemic,as19percentto
30percentofwomeninthisagegroupexhibitbulimicbehaviors11percentofhighschoolwomenmaybeaffected.
2
Athletesinparticulararemostoftenaffected,
especiallythosewhoparticipateinsportsinwhichsuccessisdependentonthinbodytypes,suchasballet,gymnastics,figureskating,track,andcrosscountryrunning.
Sixtytwopercentofwomeninthesesportsreporteatingdisorders.However,likeothereatingdisorders,obtainingtrulyaccuratedataisdifficultduetothesecretive
natureofthisdisease,andmanyofthoseaffecteddonotseektreatmentuntiltheyareveryill.Moderatecasesmaygounnoticedandthereforeunrecognized.And,like
anorexia,onlyasmallpercentage(10percent)ofthoseaffectedbybulimiaaremales.Bulimiahasseriousmedicalsideeffects,as10percentofindividualssuffering
frombulimiawilldiefromstarvation,cardiacarrest,othermedicalcomplications,orsuicide.
3
Acompletephysicalexamisrequiredtoruleoutotherphysicaldisorders
manifestedbymentalstates,andafulldiagnosticinterviewperformedbyalicensedmentalhealthprofessionalmustbemadebeforeanofficialdiagnosisofbulimiacan
bemade.
Thereisnosolitarycauseofeatingdisorderssuchasbulimia.Thecausesarenumerousandvaryfrompersontoperson.Despitethedifficultyinisolatingtheexact
causesofbulimia,researchisdiscoveringpertinentinformationrelatingtobiologic,sociocultural,andpsychologicalfactors.Biologicallyrelatedissuesincludegenetic
influencesthatpredisposecertainpeopletodifferenttypesofbehaviorsthatmayleadtothedevelopmentofeatingdisorders.Definitive,albeitpartial,contributing
factorstothedevelopmentofbulimiaincludegeneticinheritability,
4
sexualabuse,
5
strainedparentalrelationship,
6
andevengastricdysfunction.
7
Inadditiontothe
multifactorialcausesofbulimia,theroleofnutritionindiseasedevelopmentandpropagationhasbeeninsufficientlyexplored.Theroleofnutritionalfuelingofthebody
anditseffectonhealthcanbeappliedtoadisordersuchasbulimiaaswell,forittrulyisapsychiatricsymptom,beginningwithalterationsinapersonsselfperception.
Aninterestingnutritionallyrelatedcausativefactorinthedevelopmentofbulimiaistherelationshipbetweenabrainneurotransmitter,serotonin,anditseffecton
appetite.Dysregulationofserotoninfunctioninthebrainishypothesizedtocontributetothemainsymptomsofbulimiaandanorexiaandiscurrentlywellresearchedin
theliterature.
8
Thisresearchdemonstratestheeffectofserotoninonregulationoffoodintake(suggestingthatanimpairmentofthisneurotransmittersystemmay
contributetopatternsofrecurrentbingingonfoods)andothersymptomscommonlyseeninpeoplewitheatingdisorders,includingalterationsinmoodsandbehavior
thetherapeuticabilityofdrugsthatacttoincreaseserotoninlevelsinthebrainhasalsobeendemonstrated.Itisthoughtthatserotoninreceptorsinthebrainare
somehowalteredinitiallyinpeoplewithbulimiaandthatfurtherdysregulationiscausedbyextremesindieting,bingeeating,purging,drugabuse,andotherpsychosocial
stressorsthatworktogethertomanifestbulimicsymptomsandbehaviors.
9

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Studiesinvestigatingtheuseofboth5hydroxytryptophan(5HTP)andLtryptophan(aminoacidprecursorsofserotonin)inthetreatmentofeatingdisordershave
mainlyfocusedontheireffectonbalancingtheserotoninsystemsofthebrain.Whengivenintravenously(atadoseof0.4mg/kg),5HTPcausedahormonalresponse
(attenuatedelevationofprolactinlevels)thatwasconsistentwiththefindingthatbulimicpatientshavelessserotoninintheirbrainscomparedtohealthypeople.
10

Additionally,thisstudydemonstratedthatbulimicsareunabletoutilize5HTPaswellasnormalhealthycontrolsubjects.AnotherstudyusingLtryptophantotreat
bulimicpatientsreportedsignificantimprovementsbothinmoodandindecreasedbulimicbehavioralsymptomsaftergivingthesepatients1gramperdayofL
tryptophaninadditionto45milligramsvitaminB6,threetimesaday.
11
Thisstudyalsospeakstothebenefitofsupplementalpyridoxine(vitaminB6)inthetreatment
ofthiseatingdisorder.Aswithothernutrients,pyridoxineisonethatappearstobemorereadilydeficientinmoreselectiveeaters.Anotherinterestingstudyof
tryptophanandbulimiainvolvedgivingwomenwithbulimiaadietthatcontainednotryptophan,andobservingthemforsevenhoursafterward.
12
Thisstudyreporteda
significantdecreaseinmood,increasedratingsofbodyimageconcern,andfeelingsoflossofcontrolregardingfoodintake.Thesefindingsnecessitatefurtherresearch
insupplementalserotoninprecursors(Ltryptophanand5HTP)inthetreatmentofbulimia.Althoughnotacompletecurative,supplementingthebrainwiththese
importantprecursorstoessentialbrainchemicalsmayalterapersonsneurobiologyjustenoughtohelpregulateanychemicalimbalancethatmayleadtodysfunction.
(Authorsnote:Althoughtryptophanwasbannedfromsaleseveralyearsagoduetoaflawinonemanufacturersprocess,tryptophanisavailablebyprescription
todayandmaybeobtainedinacompoundingpharmacy.)
INOSITOL
Inositolisanimportantcompoundwithmanyusesinthehumanbody.Althoughnotanessentialnutrient(thebodydoesmakesomeinositol),itisfoundinthedietand
hasseveralimportantphysiologicfunctions.Afundamentalcomponentofthecellularmembrane,inositolisalsonecessaryforcorrectfunctioningofthebrainand
nervoussystem,amongotherfunctionselsewhereinthebody.Partofthereasoninositolisimportantinproperbrainfunctionisbecauseitservesasaprecursorinthe
messengersystemforsomeserotoninreceptors.Inositolhasbeeninvestigatedasatreatmentforseveralneurologicallyrelateddisorders,anditsroleinbulimia
continuestobeuncovered.Agroupofbulimicpatientsweregiven18gramsofinositolintramuscularlyforsixweeks.
13
Usingsymptomaticscoringtests,someofthe
peopletakinginositolimprovedby50percentincomparisontosubjectstakingplacebo,andonesubjectwhohadnotpreviouslyrespondedtopharmaceutical
treatment(Fluoxetine)respondedsofavorablytotheinositoltreatmentthattheyeventuallyachievedremissionofbulimiaaftercontinuinginositoluse.Sideeffectsnoted
inthisstudyweremildgastrointestinalupset,which
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wasresolvedbyloweringthedoseby6grams.IncomparisontoanotherclinicaltrialinwhichtheefficacyofFluoxetineinthetreatmentofbulimiawasstudied,
14
the
resultsfromtheinositolstudyarecomparabletotheeffectivenessofFluoxetineinthetreatmentofbulimia.
15
Thisisanexcitingexampleoftheeffectivenessand
possibleuseofnutritionalsupplementsinthetreatment,prevention,andcureofdisease.Moreresearchsurroundingthisnutrientisnecessaryinordertofurtherdefine
itsroleinbulimiaanditseffectonproperbrainfunction.Regardless,itisinterestingthatasamajorconstituentofcellsinthehumanbody,addingthistothedietof
personswithnuerochemicalimbalancesleadstothecorrectionandbalancingofthosesystems.
ZINC
Amongothernutrientsstudiedinbulimia,theroleofzincinthisdiseasehasbeeninvestigatedinfairdetail.Thesecondmostabundanttraceelementinthebody
(approximately2grams),
16
zincisusedasacatalystinnearly100differentenzymesystemsinthebody.
17
Itservesasacofactorinthesynthesisofneurotransmitters
andplaysaroleintheregulationofgeneexpressionandbehaviorandlearning.Becauseofitsimportantroleinsomanymetabolicsystemsinthebody,zincdeficiency
mayhaveseveraleffectsonthenatureofbulimia.Adeficiencyofzincwasfoundin40percentofbulimicpatientsinonestudyandisspeculatedtoenhancethechronic
natureofalteredeatingbehaviorsinthesepatients.
18
Anotherstudysuppliedbulimicpatientswithalargedoseofzinc(120millilitersofzincsulfateforanaverageof
8.3days)inordertodetermineitseffectonbulimia.
19
Thesepatientsexperienceddecreasedindicesontwoseparatescalesdesignedtomeasurepatientsself
perception(theMultidimensionalBodySelfRelationsQuestionnaireandtheEatingDisorderInventory),meaningthatthezincsupplementationwasbeneficialin
reducingpatientsselfreportedfeelingsofdiseasesymptoms.Thissameinvestigatorreportsthatusingadoseof9.1to18.2milligramsperday(suppliedinaformof
liquidzinc4080milliliters)leadtoimprovementsinbothbulimicandanorexicsymptoms.Fromtheresultsofthesestudies,itappearsthatzincmayplayarolein
preventingthecycleofbulimiainvariousways.Moreresearchofthisnutrientisneededinthetreatmentandpreventionofbulimia.
Peoplewithbulimiaareoftenfoundtohaveseveraldeficienciesofvitamins,minerals,andelectrolytesintheirbodiesduetothepurgativenatureofthedisease.
Constantbingingfollowedbyregurgitationcontinuallydepletesthebodyandleadstocumulativenutritionaldeficiencies.Althoughcurrentresearchhasnotpliedinto
theseeffectsbeyondregularphysiologicillnessduetodeficiency,deprivationofnutrientsmayverywellservetocontinuethebulimiccycle,withmorebingingleadingto
increaseddeficiencies,neverallowingthebrain,wherethisdiseaseoriginates,togainafootholdinbalancingthediseaseprocess.Thisphenomenonhasbeenexplained
intheresearch,whereinvestigatorsexploredtherelationshipbetweenvitaminstatusandclinicalevaluationofbothbulimic
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andanorexicpatients.
20
Theseresearchesobservedthatvitamindeficienciesinpatientswitheatingdisordersleadtoalteredneuropsychologicalstatusandcanbe
contributorytocognitivedysfunction.Notonlyarevitaminsfoundindeficientamountsinbulimics,butmineralsandelectrolytesarenotablydecreasedaswell.Halting
thebulimiccyclemaybeachievablewhentheseessentialnutrientsarereplacedinthepatient.Anotherstudyinvestigatingnutrientreplacementinbulimiarevealedthatin
comparisontostressmanagementtreatment,nutritionalmanagementcausesamorerapidimprovementinoveralleatingbehavior,quickerdecreasesinbinging
frequency,anddecreasedbingeeatingoverall,leadingresearcherstoconcludethatnutritionalmanagementshouldbethefirstlineoftherapywhentreatingthebulimic
patient.
21

Nutritionalmanagementforthebulimic(inanefforttopreventprogressionofthediseaseandtotreatalreadydepletednutrientstoresthatleadtodisaffectivestates
ofneurologythat,inturn,leadtoincreasedbulimicbehavior)shouldincludereplacementofallvitaminsandmineralsinsupplementalform,inaddition,ofcourse,to
attemptsatconsumingandmaintainingahealthydiet(includingappropriatecounseling).Electrolytedeficiencies,namelypotassium,areanothercommonresultoffluid
lossanddietaryrestriction.Hypokalemia(lowbloodlevelsofpotassium)isacommonoccurrenceinbulimics,
22
anddeficiencyofthiselectrolyteislifethreatening,
leadingtocardiovascularcomplications(dysrrhythmia).
CONCLUSION
Researchisjustbeginningtouncoverthecomplexityofbulimia.Wehavemuchtolearnregardingtheroleofnutrientsinthisdisease.However,someresearchis
beginningtoshowpromiseintheareaofusingnutritionalreplacementtoattenuatesomebulimicbehavior.Placingmorefocusonthisarea(ratherthantreatingbulimics
asthoughtheyhaveapharmacologicdrugdeficiency)mayleadtoimprovedphysiologicand,inturn,neurologicfunctioning.Supplyingbulimicswithatleasttheearlier
mentionednutrientswillundoubtedlyassistthemontheirpathtowellness,andevenifsuchtherapyleadstoincrementalimprovement,thisimprovementmayleadtojust
enoughbettermenttoavertthechronictendencyofthisdisease.
Breakingthecycleofbulimiacantakeaveryconcertedeffortonboththepartofthepatientandhealthcareprovider.Inordertomoreeasilyachievethegoalat
hand,supplementationwithagoodmultivitaminandthenutrientsmentionedabovecaneasethejourneyandallowforimprovedsenseofwellnesswithinthepatient,
allowingforheightenedfocusregardingthetaskathand.
NUTRIENTS
5HTP*
150300milligramsperday
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Ltryptophan*
11.5gramsperday
VitaminB6
45milligramsthreetimesperday
Inositol*
1012gramsperday,divideddoses
Zinc
1520milligramsperday
*Mustbeusedunderguidanceofphysician/providerifcurrentlyonmedication.
Page67
Dementia
Dementiareferstothelossofcognitiveorthinkingneurologicfunctionandisprimarilyattributabletochangesinthebrainresultingfromdiseaseortraumaticinjury.
Cognitionismoreproperlydefinedastheprocessoractofthinking,perceiving,andlearningactionssuchasdecisionmaking,judgment,memory,spatialorientation,
thinking,reasoning,andverbalcommunicationarecognitivefunctionsthataremostoftenaffectedbydementia.Dementiacandevelopslowlyovertimeorappearrather
quickly.Therearenumerouscausesofdementia(over50separateconditionsareassociatedwithdementia)thatcaneitherbereversibleorirreversible.Irreversible
formsofdementiainclude:
Degenerativeneurologicdisorders:TheseincludeAlzheimersdisease(AD)(whichaccountsfor5070percentofalldementiacases),amyotrophiclateralsclerosis
(LouGehrigsdisease),Parkinsonsdisease,andotherlesscommondegenerativediseases.
Vasculardisorders:Multiinfarctdisease(thesecondmostcommoncauseofdementia)isaconditioninwhichseveralsmallstrokesoccurthroughoutthebrain
leadingtodementiaandmanyotherneurologiceffects.
Infectiousdisorders:AIDSdementiacomplexisalateformofHIVinfectionCreutzfeldtJakobdiseaseisarapidlyprogressingfatalinfectionofthebrain.
Inheriteddisorders:TheseincludeHuntingtonsdisease,whichisafatalhereditarydiseasethatleadstothedestructionofneuronsandinvolvestheemotional,
intellectual,andmovementcentersofthebrain.
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Reversibleformsofdementiainclude:
Alcoholism:Thiscanleadtothiamine(vitaminB1)deficiency,causingWernickeKorsakoffsyndrome.
Infection:Infectionbyviruses,bacteria,andfungithatcausemeningitisorencephalitiscantemporarilyleadtoimpairedcognition.Symptomsremitoncetheinfectious
processhasbeenresolved.
Chronicdruguse/abuse:Pharmaceuticalmedicationssuchascoughsuppressants,barbiturates,benzodiazapenes,tricyclicantidepressants,monoamineoxidase
inhibitors,anticholinergics,anddigitaliscantemporarilyaffectbraincognition.
Othercausesofdementiaincludestructuralabnormalities,suchastumors,bleedingwithintheprotectivelayersofthebrain(chronicsubduralhematoma),andincreased
pressureduetofluidretainment(hydrocephalus).Metabolicdisordersincludinghypothyroidism(lowfunctioningthyroidgland),hypoglycemia(lowbloodsugar),
hypercalcemia(elevatedbloodcalcium),andliverdiseasecanallaffectcognitionandaregenerallyreversibleoncetheunderlyingcausesareaddressed.
INCIDENCEANDPREVALENCE
Dementiaaffectsnearly7millionpeopleintheUnitedStates,andgreaterthan1millionadultsintheUnitedStatesarediagnosedeachyearwithsomeformof
dementiacausingbraindisease.
1
Fivepercentto8percentofpeopleovertheageof65havesomeformofdementia,andinpeopleover65,thenumberdoublesevery
fiveyearsoverthatage.Ofpeople85yearsorolder,35.8percenthavemoderatetoseverememoryimpairment,andthispopulationisthefastestgrowingsectorof
theAmericanpopulation.
2
Thirteenmillionto16millionadultsintheUnitedStatesarecurrentlyaffectedwithcommonbraindisordersanddiseasesleadingto
dementia.
3
Theprevalenceofdementiahasincreasedgreatlyoverthelast2030yearsthisispossiblyattributabletobothincreaseddiagnosticmeasuresaswellas
increasedlongevityanditsaccompanyinghealthfactors.
RISKFACTORS
Severalriskfactorsexistfordementia.Advancedageisoftenconsideredthegreatestriskfactorfordementia,andgeneticinheritance(AlzheimersorHuntingtons
diseases)accountsforalargeportionaswell.Whereasconventionalmedicineappliesthecauseofdementiatospecificconditionsofthebrain,thefocusofthischapter
istopointouttheoriginsoftheseconditionsthemselves.Medicalproblemssuchastumors,cardiovasculardisease,headinjury,andothersystemicdiseases,although
consideredcausesofdementia,arereallyonlyconditionsthatsetthebrainupfordementia.Morespecifically,deficienciesofthe
Page69
vitaminsB12,folicacid,andB1(thiamine)aredefinitivelyidentifiedasriskfactorsthatleadtothesymptomsofdementia.
SYMPTOMS
Apersonaffectedbydementiawillexperiencebehaviorandpersonalitychangesdependingonthearea(s)ofthebrainaffected.Oftentimes,impairmentofmemoryis
thefirstsignofdementia,whichcanbemanifestedbyforgettingonesownbirthdateoraddressornotrecognizingfamiliarfaces.Asthedementiaprogresses,verbal
communication,orientationintimeandspace,problemsolvingjudgment,anddecisionmakingmayprogressivelydecline.Sadly,personalityisaffectedaswell,wherein
thepersonmaymakeinappropriateremarksandhavelessemotionalcontrol.
NUTRITIONALFACTORS
Theroleofnutritionalfactorsindementiahasbecomepopularizedinthemedicalresearch.Investigativestudiesarediscoveringdefinitivelinksbetweennutritional
deficitsanddementiavitamindeficienciesareclearlyassociatedwithsomeformsofdementia,andreplacementofthesefactorsleadstoremissionofdementia
symptoms.Undoubtedly,nutritionplaysaroleintheagingprocess.Investigationintotheroleofnutrientsandtheagingprocesshasindicatedthatsubclinical
deficiencies(loweredamountsofnutrientsnotquitehighenoughtocausephysicallyapparentillness)ofantioxidantvitaminslikevitaminsC,E,andbetacarotene,
vitaminB12,vitaminB6,andfolatemaybeevidentlongbeforedementiasymptomsappear.
4
Oneofthebestestablishednutritionalfactorsindementiaisfolicacid.
Folate,morespecificallyknownasfolicacid,referstothevariousformsofthisessentialvitamin.Onceabsorbedbythebody,folicacidisreducedtoaformcalled
tetrahydrofolate(THF).THFplaysanintegralroleintheenzymesystemsthatdealwithcellularmetabolism.FolicacidisindirectlynecessaryforthefinalstepinDNA
synthesisandexertsaprotectiveroleonthisvitalgeneticstructure.
5
Adeficiencyoffolicacidwillleadtodisturbancesinthecellulardivision,leadingtobothearlycell
death(apoptosis)andhastenedcelldeath.
6
Itisclearfromthisinformationwhyadeficiencyofthisnutrienthasaneffectonthebrainitself.Braincellsarenotoriously
fragileandarenotreplaceable.
Themainroleoffolicacidinpreventionofdementialieswithinitsabilitytolowerbloodlevelsoftheaminoacidhomocysteine.Homocysteineisabyproductof
incompletemethioninemetabolism.Methionineisanessentialaminoacid(itisnotproducedinthebody,thereforeitisrequiredinourdiets).Elevatedbloodlevelsof
homocysteineareconsideredaprimaryriskfactorforatheroscleroticdisease,andinvestigatorsarenowlookingatthelinkbetweenhyperhomocysteinemia,*
atherosclerosis,folate,anddementia.Onesuch
*Forhyperhomocysteinemia,vitaminB12inadoseof500mcgincombinationwith0.5to5mgfolicacidand16.5mgpyridoxinehasbeenused.
Page70
investigationlookedatrecentdatathatindicatespeoplewithlowlevelsoffolicacidandconcordantelevatedhomocysteinelevelshaveincreasedriskofAlzheimers
disease(ofwhichdementiaisprimarysymptom).
7
Asapartofthissamestudy,researchersdeterminedthatfolicaciddeficiencyandhomocysteinemiaallowedfor
neuronalDNAtobecomemoreeasilydamagedbyoxidation,settingthemupforincreasedattackandresultantdamagefromamyloidbetapeptide,theproteinform
associatedwithalteredneurologicalarchitecture(aprimaryanatomicfindinginAD).Thisstudyinparticularshedssomelightonexactlyhowfolicacidprotectsthe
brainfromdementia.Alargeamountofresearchisbeinggeneratedregardinghomocysteineanditsnegativeeffectsoncardiovascularhealth.Homocysteine,
consideredaprimaryriskfactorforbothatherosclerosisandstroke,isknowntocauseindirectanddirectvasculardamagethatimplicateselevatedlevelsof
homocysteineinvasculardementiaandincreasedriskofmultiplebraininfarcts.
8
Itiscurrentlyhypothesizedthatfolate,homocysteine,cardiovasculardisease,and
dementiaareinterrelated,withfolatedeficiencybeingtheinitiatingfactorinthiscascadeofdiseaseeventsleadingtodementia.Homocysteine,asadirectlinkto
dementiaofbothcognitivedecline(agerelated)andvasculardementia,canbecontrolledbyothernutritionalfactorsoutsideoffolicacid(cobalamin[B12]and
pyridoxine[B6]).Deficienciesofallthreenutrients(folicacid,B12,B6)arecommoninelderlypeople,andacorrelationexistsbetweenlowlevelsofthesenutrients
andAD,aprimarycauseofdementia.
9

B6ANDB12
B6(pyridoxine)isimportantinthebrainbecauseofitsroleinthesynthesisandmetabolismofneurotransmitters(GABA,serotonin,norepinephrine,anddopamine)
anddeficienciescanaffectnervetransmission.WhereasvitaminB12isnecessarytomaintainneurologichealth,adeficiencyofthisvitaminleadstoneurologicdamage
viaaninabilitytoproducemyelinnervesheathsand,whenprogressive,leadstonervedegeneration(axonandnervehead).
10
Deficiencyofthisvitamincanalsoleadto
functionaldeficiencyoffolate,asfolateisnotusablewithoutB12.Additionally,deficiencyofB12canleadtomemoryloss,moodchanges,andpersonalitychanges
(keysignsofdementia)withoutanyovertclinicalsignsofthedeficiency.
11
Thenutritionalcofactorspyridoxineandcobalaminplayaroleintheattenuationof
homocysteinelevelsinadditiontofolicacid.Forthemostpart,alargeamountoftheresearchonthesevitaminsandhomocysteineattributevasculardamageto
elevatedhomocysteine,ratherthatdeficienciesofthevitamins.AlthoughthepointcanbearguedthatlowlevelsofB6,B12,andfolateleadtohighlevelsof
homocysteine,whichinturndamagesthevasculatureleadingtodementia,othermechanismsofvitamindeficiencyanddementiaarebeingexplored.Astudy
investigatingtheapplicationofB12,B6,andfolateinpeoplewithmildcognitiveimpairmentandelevatedhomocysteinelevelsdeterminedthatthistreat
Page71
mentleadtoimprovedfunctioningofthebloodbrainbarrier(aphysiologicprotectivelayerencasingthebrainprotectingitfromunwanted/dangeroussubstancesinthe
bloodstream)andnormalizedhomocysteinelevels.
12
Additionally,noneofthepatientsinthisstudyprogressedintodementiaduringthestudyperiod,andcognitive
statusappearedtostabilize.Studiessuchasthishintattheroleofthesevitaminsinexertingaprotectiveroleagainstdementiaforreasonspossibleotherthantheir
loweringeffectonhomocysteine.AnothersurveythatexaminedthelevelsofB12inelderlypeoplewithvariedlevelsofdementiademonstratedthatlowerB12levels
weremorecommoninoldersubjectsandassociatedwithsignificantlylowerscoresonmentalstatus(MiniMentalStateExam)anddementiascales(BlessedDementia
Scale).
13
TheseandotherresultsleadresearcherstoconcludethatlowvitaminB12levelsareassociatedwithincreasedoverallcognitiveimpairmentinAD.Vitamin
B12isknowntobeassociatedwithotherneuropsychiatricdisordersandisprobablymorefrequentintheseconditions.Anexcellentexampleoftheroleofthese
vitaminsintreatingneuropsychiatricdisordersincludingdementiaisexemplifiedbythecaseofapatientwithpsychosissecondarytoB12deficiency.
14
Thispatient
exhibitednoovertphysicalsignsofthedeficiencyandexperiencedacompleteremissionofsymptomsuponreceivingaB12andfolatereplacementandremained
stableforthenextthreemonths.AssessmentofvitaminB12,B6,andfolateshouldbedeterminedinallpatientsatriskfororcurrentlyexperiencinganyformof
dementia.Thissectiononlyhighlightsasmallportionofthepositiveliteraturesurroundingtheuseofthesevitaminsindementiastates.Theirefficacyintreatmentfurther
supportstheirroleaspreventivetreatmentsinthedevelopmentofdementia.Researchclearlydelineatestheirroleinhomocysteinemetabolismandnewinvestigations
arediscoveringotherwaysinwhichthesenutrientscanpreventdementia.
MINERALSINDEMENTIA
Theroleofmineralsindementiaandbrainfunctionhasbeenexploredtosomeextentintheliterature.Calcium,oneofthemajormineralsinthebody,playsalargerole
innervetransmissionaswellasneurotransmitterandhormonereleaseandstorage.Researchpointstoadeficiencyofcalciumasacontributingfactortodementia.
Calciumisnormallyfoundinlargeamountsinthebody(99percentofwhichislocatedinthebonesandteeth).Despitethehighlevelsofcalciuminthesetissues,
calciumisneededinsomanyareasofthebodythatcompartmentaldeficienciescanbequitecommon(blood,extracellularfluid,muscle,andothertissues)andmayor
maynotbeaccompaniedbysymptoms.Areviewpapertheorizedthatchronicallylowlevelsofcalciummightcontributetothedevelopmentofplaquesand
neurofibrillarytangles(hallmarksofAlzheimersdisease)becauseoftherolethatcalciumplaysinthegrowthanddevelopmentofmicrotubulesinthebrain.
15

(Microtubules,inagrossdescription,
Page72
makeupabasicpartofbrainmicroanatomy.Irregularitiesinmicrotubuleformationmayaffectmemory,learning,anddevelopmentofplaques).Thispaperhypothesizes
thatbecauseofthisrelationshipbetweencalciumandmicrotubules,adequatesupplementationandavailabilityofcalciummayprotectagainstcognitivedecline.Ina
populationstudyinanareaofJapanwithhigherthanaverageincidenceofamyotrophiclateralsclerosis(ALS)andparkinsonismdementia(PD),thelocalenvironmental
factorsoflowcalciumandmagnesiumfoundinthesoilanddrinkingwaterandtheireffectonthebrainhavebeenexamined.
16
Theresultsofthisresearchhaveledthe
investigatorstoconcludethatlowdietaryintakeofcalciumandmagnesiumoveralongperiodoftimemaycontributetotheformationofALSandPDandconsequent
dementia.
Magnesiummayplayaroleinthedevelopmentofdementiainadditiontocalcium,andsomerelationshipshavebeenelucidatedlinkingdeficiencyofmagnesiumand
increasedbrainuptakeofaluminum(aluminummaybeconsideredapathogenicfactorinAD).Asthemostabundantpositiveioninthebody,magnesiumtakespartin
over300cellularreactions,
17
anditisrequiredfornervousandmuscularelectricpotentialgenerationaswellastransmissionofnervousimpulsesinthebody.
18
Elderly
peopleareatanincreasedriskformagnesiumandothermineraldeficienciesduetoprescriptiondruguse,inadequateintakeofminerals,andlessthanoptimal
gastrointestinalfunction(absorption).Magnesiumdeficiencyhasrecentlybeenidentifiedasacontributingfactorintheagingprocess,anddeficiencyconditionsare
associatedwithADandcardiovasculardisordersinadditiontoothersystemicillnesses.
19
Magnesiumdeficiency,asmentionedpreviously,maybesolelydueto
inadequateintakeandabsorption.Othertheoriesholdthatintakeofaluminum,aneurotoxicmetal,mayinhibitmagnesiumdependentenzymesystemsorthat
magnesiumtransportintothebrainisaltered,wherebyaluminumtransportisaccelerated,leadingtoinadequatemagnesiumlevelsinthebrain.
20
Anadditionalstudy
comparedmagnesiumlevelsinvarioussectionsofthebrainsofcontrolsubjectsversusthosewithADinduceddementia.
21
Levelsofmagnesiumweresignificantly
decreasedinthebrainsectionsofthepatientswithADcomparedtothecontrolgroup.Asidefromtherolesmentionedhere,magnesiumisanimportantmineralforthe
cardiovascularsystem.Lowintakeofmagnesiumisassociatedwithhypertension,atherosclerosis,andstroke.
22
Thismakessupplementationwithmagnesiumeven
moreimportantforanyoneatriskforthepreviouslymentioneddiseasesandespeciallyforthoseatriskfordementia.Vasculardementia(aresultofmultipleministrokes
throughoutthebrain)hasoriginsinhypertension,atherosclerosis,and,ofcourse,stroke.Muchmoreinformationisneededregardingtherolesofbothcalciumand
magnesiuminthedevelopmentofdiseasesthatleadtodementia.Theresearchgatheredsofarprovidesinterestinginsighttotheproblemensuringadequateintakeof
thesemineralsmayverywellsupplyaprotectiveelementagainstthedevelopmentofdementia.
Page73
BOTANICALMEDICINES
Ginkgobiloba
Severalbotanicalmedicinescanbeusedintreatingandpreventingdementias.Perhapsthebestknown(andresearched)botanicalmedicinefordementiaisGinkgo
biloba.Themedicinefromthisplantisderivedfromtheleavesandisusedtotreatmanyconditions,suchascerebralvascularinsufficiency,memoryloss,mood
disturbances,cognitivedisorderssecondarytodepression,andseasonaldepression,associatedwiththevascularsysteminadditiontovascular,mixed,and
Alzheimersdementia.Themajorityofresearchonginkgopointstoitsefficacyindementia.Infact,ginkgoissoeffectiveattreatingdementia,itisregisteredasthe
medicationofchoiceinEuropefortreatmentofdementia.
23
Ginkgosactionsresultinimprovedbloodflowpropertiesinthebrainprotectionagainstischemiaand
hypoxiainthebrainimprovednervecellenergymetabolismprotectionagainstswellingandprotectionofmyelin(theinsulatinglayersurroundingnervecellsthatallows
fornervetransmission)antioxidantandfreeradicalscavengingactivityandnonspecificeffectsonneurotransmittersandtheirreceptors.
24
Inananalysisofallstudies
performedonginkgoanditseffectondementia,areviewoftheliteraturerevealedthatonanoverallbasis,improvementincognitionandfunctionwereassociatedwith
ginkgo,andnosignificantdifferencebetweenginkgoandplaceboexistedbetweenstudyparticipantswhoexperiencedadverseeffects.(Therewerenomorenegative
sideeffectsinthosetakingaplaceboincomparisontothosetakingginkgo.)
25
Ginkgoisanovel,safemedicinefortreatmentofdementiaandhasbeenshowntobeas
effectiveifnotmoresothanstandardantidementiamedicationscurrentlyemployed,withcomparablyfewsideeffects.
26

Salviamiltiorrhiza
Salvia,alsoknownasDanShenorredsageroot,hasbeenusedhistoricallyinChinesemedicineforthetreatmentofdementia.Salviahasbeenshownbymodern
researchtoimprovemicrocirculation,dilatebloodvesselsandimprovecirculation,andreducebloodclottingtimes.
27
Salviawasalsoemployedtraditionallyfor
circulationproblemssuchasanginaandischemicstoketherootoftheplantcontainsthemedicallyactiveconstituents.Inexperimentsdesignedtotesttheabilityofthis
plantmedicinetopreventneurologicischemia,extractsoftherootwereabletoreducethesizeofbraininfarctsinanimalsby30percentand37percentusingtwo
standardizedextracts(TanshinonesIIA[TsIIA]andIIB[TsIIB]).
28
Additionally,thesizeinreductionofthebraininfarctswasaccompaniedbyacomparablereduction
inobservedneurologicaldeficit.AnotheranimalstudyutilizinganextractofSalviademonstratedapreventiveactiononageinducedlearningdeficit.
29
Suchactionmay
hintatpossibleusesforthisherbalmedicineinthetreatmentofagerelatedcognitivedeclinehowever,
Page74
furtherresearchisneeded.AnotherstudyexploringtheneuroprotectiveeffectsofSalviademonstratedthatanextractoftheherbwas88.24percenteffectivein
treatingcerebralinfarction,possiblybyreducingfreeradicaldamageinthebrain.
30
WidelystudiedinChina,Salviaisabotanicalmedicinethathaspotentialprotective
andcurativeeffectsondementiaandmayprovetobeasignificanttreatment.
HuperzineA
HuperzineAisanalkaloidextractfromtheclubmossHuperziaserrataandlycopodiumselago.Itworksasareversibleinhibitorofacetylcholinesterase(AChE)and
crossesthebloodbrainbarrier.
31
Itcanexertthisactivityforthreetofourhoursandproducesvaryingdegreesofacetylcholineelevationindifferentbrainlocations,
withmaximalvaluesofupto125percent.
32
Incomparisontoaprescriptiondrug(tacrine)withasimilarmechanismofaction,huperzineAwasfoundtobe64times
strongerandtohavealongerdurationofaction.
33
Inaddition,huperzineAwasshowntosignificantlyimprovememoryincomparisontotacrine.
34
HuperzineAisused
totreatADandothercausesofdementia,memoryandlearningimpairment,andagerelatedcognitivedeclineanddemonstratesprotectionagainstneurotoxicagents.
35

Huperzineisalsousedforimprovementofcognitivefunction,behavioralfunctioninAD,andmyastheniagravisduetoitsanticholinergiceffects.Additionally,itmay
reducecellularinjuryfromstrokesandepilepsy.
36
AstudyusinghuperzineAinADpatientsshowedimprovementinmemory,cognition,andbehavioralfunctionafter
onlyeightweeksoftreatment.
37
Inanotherstudy,huperzineAwasabletosignificantlyimprovememoryfunctioninpatientswithmultiinfarctandseniledementiaafter
twotofourweeksoftreatment.
38
ItisestimatedthathuperzineAhasbeenusedtotreatover100,000peopleinChinawithADandotherformsofdementia.This
botanicalextractworkssimilarlytoprescriptionmedicationsfordementiahowever,itseemstobemoreeffectivewithfewersideeffectsatthistime.Thebenefitsof
usingbotanicalmedicinessuchasginkgo,Salvia,andhuperzineAarethewiderangingprotectiveeffectsinadditiontotheireffectsondementiaitself.Byproviding
neuronalprotection,theuseofthesemedicinescanservetopreventtheonsetofdiseaseandpossiblyrestorefunctionthatwouldhaveotherwisebeenlosttothe
diseaseprocess.Forotherbotanicalmedicinesthatareusefulindementia,refertothechapteronAlzheimersdisease.
PHARMACEUTICALSANDDEMENTIA
Oneofthelargestcausativefactorsfordementiaintheelderly(andallotheragesaswell)istheuseofcertainpharmaceuticalsandthephenomenonofpolypharmacy.
TheaveragenumberofpharmaceuticalsthattheaverageAmericanwasprescribedintheyear2000was10.4(atanaveragecostof$45.27each).
39
Prescriptions
drugsareimportantcauseofdementia.Seniorsarealreadyatan
Page75
increasedriskofpharmaceuticalinduceddementiaduetohighlevelsofmedicationuse,slowerandlesseffectivemetabolismofdrugs,andimbalancesof
neurotransmitters.Areviewarticleofthedrugswiththehighestpotentialforcausingdementiaintheelderlyincludedmedicationssuchasbenzodiazapenes,opiods,
anticholinergics,andtricyclicantidepressantsothermedicationlistedashavingsomeeffectoncognitionincludetheolderantihypertensivedrugsreserpineand
clonidine,aswellasthiazidediuretics,calciumblockers,ACEinhibitors,andbetablockers.
40
However,thisisnotanallinclusivelist.Rememberthatindividualsmay
besusceptibletodementiafromanymedication,andtheeffectofmultipledrugsthatdonotcausedementiaalonemayleadtothissymptomwhencombined.Itis
importanttoidentifynotonlythemoremalevolentdrugswhenitcomestodementia,butalsotoinvestigatedrugcombinationsinsusceptibleindividualsasapossible
causeofdementia.Closesupervisionofsuchprescriptionsrequiresintensivemanagement,andconsiderationofthenutritionalsideeffectsofthesedrugs(many
pharmaceuticalsareknowntodepletestoresofvitaminsandmineralsinthebody)mayleadtoamoreproactivemanagementofdementiainthesepatients.
CONCLUSION
Thetreatmentandpreventionofdementiainitsmanyformsisachievableusingrelativelysimplevitaminreplacement(folicacid,B12,andB6),themineralscalcium
andmagnesium,andseveraldifferentbotanicalmedicines.Combineduseofthesemedicinescanworktoalleviatesomesymptomsofdementia,andifemployedprior
totheonsetofdiseasesymptoms,mayverywelloffsetorpreventdiseaseadventandacceleration.
Cognitivedeclineandfluctuationscanbebroughtonbymanyphysiologicalcircumstancesandexternalenvironmentalfactors.Fosteringoptimalnutritionalsupportis
essentialtoachieveandmaintainultimatementalacuityandability.Thereisalsogrowingevidencethatinvestingtimeintomentalexercisesandactivitiessuchas
crosswordpuzzles,reading,andwordfindscanassistinmaintainingmentaltone.Indeed,toalargedegreethemindisalsogovernedbytheinputequalsoutput
paradigm.
NUTRIENTS
Folate
510milligramsperday
B6
100milligramsperday
B12
5001,000microgramsperday
Calcium
300400milligramsperday
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Magnesium
300400milligramsperday
Antioxidantsupport
Asupplementalformofantioxidantnutrientsshouldbeconsumedtwotimesperday
BOTANICALS
Ginkgobiloba
300milligramstwiceperday
Salviamiltiorrhiza
Crudeherb:12gramsperday
HuperzineA
50200microgramstwiceperday
Page77
Depression
Thejourneyoflifeispaintedwithavastarrayofemotions.Good,bad,andeverythinginbetween,itisalargepartofthehumanconditionthatweallfeelsomething,at
alltimes.However,feelingsofdepressionshouldnotlastformorethanafewdaystoevenweeksatatimeatmost,throughoutthecourseofnormalliving.
Approximately19millionAmericanadultssufferfromclinicaldepressioninagivenyearthisnumberisequivalenttonearly9.5percentoftheadultpopulation.
1
Almost
twiceasmanywomen(12percent)asmen(6.6percent)areaffectedbydepressivedisorderseachyearthesenumbersareequivalentto12.4millionwomenand6.4
millionmenintheUnitedStates.
2
Depressivedisorder(whichincludesmajordepressivedisorder,dysthymicdisorder,andbipolardisorder)accountsforthreeofthe
leadingcausesofdisabilityintheUnitedStatesandotherdevelopednations(majordepressivedisorderranksasnumber1)manypeoplewhosufferfromonemental
disorderwillsufferfromadditionaldisorders
3
forexample,manypeoplewithdepressionsufferfromanxietyaswell.Thefocusofthischapterisonmajordepressive
disordertreatmentrecommendationscanbeextendedtodysthymiaaswell.Refertoseparatechaptersonbipolarandanxietydisordersformoreinformation.
Majordepressivedisordercandevelopatalmostanyage,butitoccursmostcommonlyinapersonsmid20sdysthymicdisorder,however,oftenbeginsin
childhood,adolescence,orearlyadulthood.
4
Depressivedisorderisamentalillnessthatinvolvesthemindaswellasthebodyitdisruptsthewaysuffererssleepand
eat,aswellashowtheythinkoftheworldandthemselves.Itisnotsimplyanextendeddownmood,thelackofmentalorpersonalstrength,orlaziness.Untreated,
peoplewithdepressioncanhavesymptomsforyearsonend.DefinedaccordingtotheDiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisorders,fourthedition
(DSMIV),
5
depressivedisorderscanbedefinedinthefollowingmanner:

Page78
Majordepressionhasacombinationofsymptomsthatoccurwithnearlyeveryaspectoflife(work,study,sleeping,eating,enjoyment)andcanoccuronlyonceor
severaltimesthroughoutlife.
Dysthymiaisalesssevereformofdepressionthatincludessimilarbutmildersymptomsthatmaybemorechronic,preventingapersonfromeverfeelingentirely
right.Peoplewithdysthymiacanexperiencemajordepressiveepisodesaswell.
SYMPTOMS
TheAmericanPsychiatricAssociationbasesitsdiagnosisofdepressiononthefollowingcriteria:
Lossofappetiteand/orweightorovereatingandweightgain
Insomnia,earlymorningawakening,oroversleeping
Physicalinactivityorhyperactivity
Lossofinterestorpleasureinhobbiesandactivitiesthatwereonceenjoyed,includingsex
Decreasedenergyorfatigue
Feelingsofguilt,worthlessness,orhelplessness
Difficultyconcentrating,remembering,ormakingdecisions
Thoughtsofdeathorsuicideevenattemptsatsuicide
Thepresenceoffiveofthecitedsymptomsisindicativeofclinicaldepression,whereasthepresenceoffourindicatesprobabledepression.Symptomsmustbepresent
foratleastonemonthtoqualifyasdepression.Eachpersonisdifferentandexperiencesvaryinggrades,severity,andtypesofsymptomsthatmayevenchangeover
time.Othersymptomsofdepressionmayinclude:feelingsofhopelessnessorpessimism,persistentsadness,anxiousnessoremptiness,andrestlessnessorirritability.
Persistentphysicalsymptomsthatdonotrespondtostandardtreatment,suchasheadaches,digestivedisorders,andchronicpainmayalsobepresentindepression.
CAUSESOFDEPRESSION
Depressionhasseveralorigins.Someformsruninfamilies,hintingataninheritable(genetic)linkotherformscanoccurinpeoplewithnofamilyhistoryofdepression.
Regardlessofform,however,bothbrainstructureandfunctionchangesareassociatedwiththisdisease.Peoplewithlowselfesteemorwhoareoverlypessimisticor
easilyoverwhelmedbylifestressorsarepronetodepressiveillnessesthismayrepresentapossiblepersonalitysusceptibilitytodepression.However,moreoftenthan
not,variousfactorscombinetocauseamajordepressiveepisode.Seriousmedicalillnesses(heartdisease,cancer,etc.),relationshipstresses,aseriousloss,financial
problems,andevenpositivelifechangesmay
Page79
combinetocauseadepressiveepisode.Inaddition,onceapersonhassufferedfromamajordepressiveepisode,heorshemaybecomemoreatriskfromfuture
episodesthatmaybetriggeredfromlesserstresses.Inshort,combinationsofpsychological,environmental,andgeneticfactorscancombinetobringaboutdepression.
EVALUATIONANDDIAGNOSIS
Determiningifapersonissufferingfromdepressioninvolvesatrainedmentalhealthprofessionaltakingadetailedhistoryofsymptomonset,duration,andseveritypast
orcurrenttreatmentsandiftheyhaveeveroccurredbefore.Otherinterviewinformationregardingdrugoralcoholuse(pain,whethermentalorphysical,isoftenself
medicated),familyhistoryofdepression,andsuicidalthoughtsshouldbeobtained.Additionally,amentalstatusexaminationwillbeadministeredinordertodetermine
theextentofdepressionfromwhichthepersonmaybesuffering.Note:Thesestepsandpreviouslymentioneddiagnosticcriteriahavebeenabbreviatedinthistext.
ReadersaredirectedtoamorethoroughworkupofdepressionintheDSMIV.
NUTRITIONALFACTORS
Likeeveryothermentalillness,wealltoooftenfocusonthepresentingsymptomsofthedisease.Treatingsymptomsinmanycasescanbehighlybeneficialforthe
patient.However,inordertodelvedeeperintomedicine,wecanlookatbodychemistryastheoriginofdysfunctionalneurologicfunctionanddepressionnutritional
factorsindepressionhavebeenresearchedinsomedetailandcertainbotanicalmedicinesprovideexcellenttreatmentfordepressionanditsorigins.
FolicAcid
Folicacidsroleindepressionhasbeenextensivelyinvestigatedintheresearch.Theinformationindicatesthatfolatemayplayseveralrolesindepression,asdeficiency
andlowfolatestatushavebeenlinkedinclinicalstudiestodepression,persistentdepressivesymptoms,andpoorantidepressantresponse.Inasystematicreviewof
researchdatabasescoveringtrialsinwhichfolatewasusedtoaugmenttreatmentofdepression,itwasdeterminedthatfolatehasapotentialroletosupplementother
treatmentsfordepressionadditionallyitwasdeterminedthatnoadverseeffectswereencounteredfromtheuseoffolateandotherstandarddepressiontreatments.
6

TheprevalenceoffolatedeficiencyintheUnitedStatesmayaccompanycertainnumbersofpeoplewithdepressionthisestablishesfolatedeficiencyasanassociated
risk.Astudyinvestigatingthislinkdeterminedthatpeoplewhometthecriteriaforeitherlifelongmajordepressionordysthymiahadlowerfolateconcentrationsthan
Page80
healthypeoplewithoutdepression.
7
Thesamplegroupinthisstudywastakenfromdifferentethnicitiesranginginagesfrom15to39.Fromthisstudy,theauthors
suggestthatfolatesupplementationbeadministeredtodepressedpeopleforayearfollowingtheirepisode.Becauseofthechronicnatureofdepression,andthe
associatedfuturesusceptibility,alifetimesupplementprogramseemstobemoreadvisable(nottomentiontheotherbenefitsoffolateonhomocysteine,etc.).Clinical
observationsandrecentadvancesintheunderstandingoffolateinbrainmetabolismhavesomewhatdefinedtheroleoffolateanddepressionfolatedeficiency
commonlyleadstoneuropsychiatricsymptomsofdepression.
8
Additionally,lowlevelsoffolicacidhavebeendemonstratedtoresultinpoorerresponseto
antidepressantmedications,namelyselectiveserotoninreuptakeinhibitors.
9
Establishinganevengreatertietodepression,serumandredbloodcelllevelsoffolatewere
foundtobesignificantlylowerinpatientswithmajordepressivedisorderthanhealthycontrols,andlowerserumfolateconcentrationswereassociatedwithagreater
severityofdepression.
10
Fromjustthesefewexamplesofstudiestyingfolatetodepressionsymptoms,itstandsclearthatfolicacidshouldbeoneofthefirst
supplementsconsideredinthepreventionandtreatmentofdepression.
Pyridoxine
Pyridoxine(vitaminB6)undergoesconversioninthebodytotwocoenzymes,pyridoxalphosphateandpyridoxaminephosphate,andissubsequentlyusedin
numerousmetabolicprocesses.OneaspectofthesereactionsisthesynthesisofbrainneurotransmitterssuchasGABA,serotonin(akeyneurotransmitterin
depression),norepinephrine,anddopamine.
11
Pyridoxineisbeneficialinlesseningsymptomsofdepressioninmajordepressionaswellaspremenstrualsyndrome.
12

Theusefulnessofpyridoxineinmodulatingcentralproductionofneurotransmittersisfurtherevidencethatdeficiency,orinadequatesupplies,maycontributeto
neurotransmitterdysregulation.Highdosesofpyridoxinemayservetoamelioratecertaindysphoricmentalstatesthatareparticularlyassociatedwithhopelessnessor
cynicismandtoimproveprognosisinthiscondition.
13
Pyridoxinemorethanlikelyexertsitsbeneficialeffectsonthebrainsofpeoplewithdepressionviaitsfunctionas
acofactorfortheenzyme5hydroxytryptophandecarboxylase,whichservesintheproductionofserotonin(decreasedlevelsofserotoninareoneofthemain
physiologiccausesofdepression).
14
Althoughinadequateamountsofpyridoxineareimplicatedindepressivedisorders,actualbloodlevelsofthisandotherBvitamins
associatedwithdepressionarenotalwaysfoundtobeaslowinpatientsexhibitingsymptomsbloodvitaminlevelsdonotreflecttruebrainvitaminfunctionnorarethey
reflectiveofsymptomseverityinallcases.
15
Pyridoxineisanotherimportantvitaminwithprotectiveeffectsagainstdepressioninthatitassistsintheproductionofkey
neurotransmittersthatmaybedeficientinthisdisease.
Page81
VitaminC
VitaminC,orascorbicacid,isanutrientthatseemstoalwayscaptureattentionnomatterwhatinvestigationalstudyitundergoes.Partofthereasonforthisisthatso
manybenefitsarederivedfromvitaminCinsuchwiderangingmedicalconditions.Althoughitisnotnewinformation,vitaminCdoeshavebenefitsindepressionandis
alsoimplicatedasaprecursortothediseasewhendeficientinthebody.Inareviewpaperstudyingtheclinicaleffectsofascorbicaciddeficiencyinpeople,Hodgeset
al.notedthatdepressionisoneofthefirstsymptomsofscurvyinhumanswhowereexperimentallysubjectedtodeficientvitaminCdiets.
16
Indeed,scurvyisrelatively
rareinmodernlifehowever,dietslowinvitaminCarenot,especiallywithprocessedfooddietsontherise.FurtherstudiesonvitaminCandscurvyrevealedan
interestinglinkbetweenpsychiatricpatientsandvitaminClevels.Astudyofpsychiatricpatients(someofwhomhadbipolardepression)revealedthatmanywereina
stateoflowvitaminCsaturation,orsubacutescurvy.
17
ThisandanotherstudyinvolvingasimilarpopulationofpatientsalsodemonstrateddecreasedvitaminCload,
orborderlinescurvy,withoutactuallymanifestingthesymptomsofthisdisease.
18
Patientswithdepressionandotherpsychiatricdiseasesmaybeinstatesofsubacute
scurvydefiningtheactualpointofinsufficiencyisdifficult,especiallytodaywhenRDAsaredesignedtosupplytheminimalamountofnutrientstopreventdisease.
Receivingjustenoughnutrientstopreventdiseasedoesnotmeanthatastateofoptimalhealthisachieved.Inordertopreventillnessandtobeinastateofoptimal
health,sufficientamountsofnutrientsareneeded,aboveandbeyondtheamountssaidtopreventdiseaseonly.
Cobalamin(B12)
TheroleofvitaminB12indepressionissimilartothatofpyridoxine(B6)andfolate.DeficiencyofB12mayleadtosymptomsofdepression,amongother
neuropsychiatricsymptoms.
19
Infact,deficiencyofB12accompaniesmanydepressivecasesinwhichfolateislowaswelldeficienciesofbothvitaminsarecommon
inmajordepression.
20
AlthoughbodilystoresofB12arehigher(generally),arelativedeficiencyorinefficientutilizationofthisvitaminleadstoafunctionaldeficiency
offolate
11
(folatedependsonB12foritsownmetabolism).Ifthiswerethecase,apersonwouldhaveanespeciallydifficulttimemanufacturingtheneurotransmitters
thataretypicallyinshortsupplyindepression(serotonin)becauseoftheeffectthatfolatehasonserotoninproduction.Additionally,depressionisasymptomofB12
deficiencyitselfandmaybemanifestedinadditiontootherneurologicsymptomswhenB12isdeficient.
21
Morespecifically,B12isrequiredinthesynthesisofS
adenosylmethionine,whichservesasaprecursortoneurotransmitterproduction,aswellasinthemanufactureofproteins,DNA,andcellularphospholipids
(componentsofcellmembranethatregulatecellularmetabolism).
22
Astudyof700olderwomendesignedto

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determinewhetherwomenwithB12orfolatedeficiencywerepronetodepressionrevealedthatthosewithaB12deficiencyweremorethantwotimeslikelytobe
severelydepressedincomparisontonondeficientsubjects.
23
SupplementationofB12alongwithfolateishighlyimportanttoensurethattheeffectsofbothvitamins
arerenderedeffective.(FolateismoredependentonB12thanviceversa.)FolateandB12arealsonecessaryforthepreventionofotherneurologicdiseasessuch
asAlzheimersdiseaseandotherdementias.
5HTP
Aprecursorsubstancetotheneurotransmitterserotoninis5Hydroxytryptophan(5HTP).ItisrelatedtotheaminoacidLtryptophan,whichisconvertedinthebody
into5HTP,anditisabletocrossintothebrainandaugmentsuppliesofserotonin.Becauseofthis,5HTPactsasaneffectivetreatmentfordepression,aswellas
otherconditionssuchasinsomnia.Neurobiologistscurrentlyrecognizeinsufficientactivityofserotonin(includingotherneurotransmitters)asakeyelementinthe
pathogenesisofdepression.Onereviewarticleofthevariousprecursortreatmentsfordepressionexpressedthatsuchtherapiesholdatherapueticvalueinthe
treatmentofdepressionandthatmoreresearchisneededtoconfirmadditionalefficacy.
24
Anotherreviewarticleexpressedtheefficacyof5HTPashighintreating
disorderslikedepression,inadditiontobingeeatingandinsomnia.
25
Employedasanutritionalfoodsupplement,5HTPisabeneficialadjunctivetreatmentforpatients
withdepression.Althoughthegreatesttaskinmedicineisidentifyingandremovingthecauseofdisease(whichinmostcasesofdepressionseemstobeaninadequate
activity/supplyofserotonin),supplyingthisnutrientcanactasabridgetobolsterthepatientsneurochemistrywhileothernutritionaltreatmentscanbeemployedthat
mayinprinciplerestorebrainneurotransmitterdysfunction.Asthepatientssymptomsdecrease,taperingofsupplemental5HTPwillallowthepatienttocontinue
functioningnormally,withfewersupplements.
BOTANICALMEDICINE
Hypericumperforatum
Oneofthemostinvestigatedbotanicalmedicinesfromaphytochemicalaspect,St.JohnsWortisaviablealternativetostandardpharmacotherapyfordepression.A
literaturereviewoftheeffectsofSt.JohnsWort(Hypericumperfoliatum)revealstheefficacyofthisherbalmedicineinseveralbiochemicalpathwaysthatplaya
centralroleindepressionanditspathogenesis,includingthemonoamineoxidase(MAO),serotonin,gammaaminobutyricacid(GABA),anddopamine
neurotransmittersystems.
26
Althoughnosingleconstituentoftheherbhasbeenindicatedintheplantseffectivenessintreatingdepressivedisorders,theefficacyofSt.
JohnsWortissimilartothatofstandardpharmaceu
Page83
ticaltherapeutics.
27
Thisbeingsaid,twomainconstituentsofHypericumarethoughttoplayamajorroleintheplantseffectondepression.Inadditiontotheoriginally
identifiedactiveprinciplehypericin,otherconstituentssuchashyperforin,adhyperforin,andotherrelatedcompoundsarethoughttoplayanactiveroleinthe
modulationofdepression.
28
Theextractsofthisplanthavebeenintenselystudiedforthelastdecadeandarenowconsideredaviablemedicineinstandard
antidepressanttherapy.Areviewofthemechanismofaction(s)ofHypericumsconstituentsincludetheabilitiestobindtoGABAreceptors,downregulatebeta
adrenergicreceptors,andupregulateserotonin5HT(2)receptorstheseeffectsleadtopositivechangesinneurotransmitterconcentrationsinareasofthebrainthat
areimplicatedindepression.
29

Hypericumdisplaysacurrentlyunparalleledbroadprofileinitseffectsonneurotransmitters.Becauseofthis,Hypericumdemonstrateseffectivenessinanumberof
pharmacologymodelsofantidepressantefficacy.
30
St.JohnsWortistoleratedwellbypatientsandhasaverylowincidenceofadverseaffectswhentakenproperly.
Despitethisbenefit,severaldruginteractionshavebeenuncoveredwithHypericumthatareclinicallysignificant.Arecentdoubleblind,randomized,placebo
controlledtrialinvolving375patientswithdepressiontaking300milligramsthreetimesadayofstandardizedHypericumextractproducedasignificantlygreater
reductioninHamiltondepressionscalescoresandwasmoreeffectiveinpatientswithhigherdepressionsymptomscores.
31
ThisstudyconcludedthatHypericum
extractwasmoreeffectivethanplacebointreatingmildtomoderatedepression,andpatientstakingtheextracthadnomorenegativesideeffectsthanthosepeople
takingplacebo.Aneffectivemedicinewithfew,ifany,sideeffects,Hypericumcanbeemployedasafrontlinetherapyinthetreatmentofdepression.Thisherb
representsanidealtreatmentfordepression,andnutritionalcausesarebeingpursuedaswell.
CONCLUSION
Depressionisadiseasethathasvariousoriginsofvariednature.Treatingthepatientnutritionallyprovidesabaseforstabilizingbrainneurotransmitterfunctionandmay
leadtostabilizationofsymptomswhentreatmentiscontinuous.Theroleofvitaminfactorsinthisdiseaseisfurtherbackedbyinterestingresearchhighlightingthevarious
rolesinwhichtheyareknowntocontribute.Nutritionalneurotransmitterprecursorssuchas5HTPprovideaveryspecificsourceoffuelforthebrain,supplyingitwith
thebuildingblocksitneedstofunctioncorrectly.St.JohnsWortprovidesahighlyeffectivenaturalmedicinethatcanaugmentdepressiontreatment,withfewside
effects,andcanserveinplaceofstandardpharmaceuticalsthatareoftenpoorlytolerated.
Depressionhasbeenwelldocumentedthroughouthumanhistoryancientcivilizationsvariedtheirperspectiveastoboththeetiologyandthetreatments.Amongthe
varioustreatmentswerebloodletting,spiritualinterventions,fasting,andeventransfusionswiththebloodofanimalsthatwereperceivedasbeing
Page84
morepotent.Indeed,thetruecauseofthedepressionneedstobeaddressedsothattherootcausecanbeeliminated.Ahealthymind,body,andspiritfosteredviaa
gooddiet,mentalhygiene,exercise,andpursuitofdeepenedspiritualitycanallhelpaugmentqualityoflife.Itisalwaysimportanttonotethatdepressionisaserious
healthconcernandwarrantscloseandcarefulmanagementandthatsomepatients,regardlessofnaturalmedicineinterventions,mayneedadditionalassistancewith
pharmaceuticalagents.
NUTRIENTS
Folate
12milligramsperday
B6
510milligrams
VitaminC
1,0002,000milligrams
B12
500microgramsperday
5HTP
150300milligramsperday
BOTANICALS
Hypericumperforatum
300milligramsthreetimesperday(standardizedto0.3percenthypericinor4percenthyperforin)
Page85
HormonalMentalHealth
Thischapter,unliketheothersinthisbook,takesadifferentapproachinlookingatoptimalbrainfunctionbyfocusingonthebodyshormonesandhowtheyare
affectedbynutritionalandbotanicalsupplementation.Notanovertdiseasecondition,hormoneirregularitiesandtheireffectscanhighlyimpactoneshealthandmental
stateofbeing.Hormoneirregularitiesarecommonthroughoutthehumanhealthspectrum,andthereismuchwecandotoassistinreturningpatternstowardnormaland
tohelpthebodytobetterutilizeitshormones.Thisapproachisimportant,ashormonesexertpowerfuleffectsthroughoutthebody,inbothsexes.
Thehumanbodysynthesizesapproximately20differenthormones,allofwhicharenormallytightlyregulatedbyasystemofglandsthatproducethemknownasthe
endocrinesystem.Oftenoverlookedinsubclinicalhealthconditions,theglandsoftheendocrinesystemsecretehormonesthatinfluenceeverycell,organ,andfunction
inourbodies.Hormonesareaspecificsetofchemicalmessengersthattransferinformationandinstructionsfromonegroupofcellsinourbodiestoanother.Inaddition
totheirmanyotherfunctions,hormonesinfluenceourmoodstoagreaterdegreethanmanymaythink.Theendocrinesystemseffectsonthebodyarefarreaching,and
itscontrolofbodysystemsiscomparabletothatofthenervoussystem.Generallyhowever,hormonesoperatemoreslowly,buthavelongerlastingeffectsinthebody.
Hormonalmoleculesarereleasedandtravelthroughthebloodstreamuntiltheyreachaspecificcellthatisprogrammedtobereceptivetothehormone,allowingitto
affectthecellularfunction.Hormonesareproducedinsmallamountsbytissuesotherthanthoseoftheendocrinesystem.Thebrainisonearea,aswellasthekidneys,
liver,heart,lungs,andskin.
Page86
Hormonelevelsfluctuateonavarietyoftimeschedulesandaredirectlyaffectedbystress,infection,andevenshiftsinelectrolytelevelsinthebody.Additionally,
hormonesplayaroleinmodulatingourbehavior,andwhenimbalanced,theendocrinesystemseffectsarefeltwidelythroughoutthebody.Bothmenandwomenare
deeplyaffectedbythelevelsofhormonesintheirbodies.Humansaredeeplyentrainedtotheebbandflowofnaturalcyclesbothinsideandoutsideofourbodies,and
wearehighlysensitivetoourenvironmentdespiteourperceivedmasteryofoursurroundings.Womenareespeciallyaffected,experiencingamonthlyhormonalcycle
thatgovernsthemenses,whichallowsforthecontinuationofanewlife.Newinsightshavealsobroughttolightthehormonalcyclesofmenandthepossibilityofa
malemenopause,knownasandropause,whichmayaffectthemsimilarlytothewaymenopauseaffectswomen.Despitethesefindings,itisclearthatwomensharea
muchgreaterburdenfromtheebbandflowofhormonalcyclesandstandthegreatestchancesofbeingnegativelyaffectedbythem.
Hormonesplayanimportantroleinmodulatingourbehavior,andthebrainstandsatthecenterofhormonalcontrol,justasitdoeswiththerestofourbodily
processes.Thebraincontrolsthereleaseofhormonesthroughitsconnectionwiththenervoussystem.Locateddeepwithinthebrain,anareaknownasthe
hypothalamusisabletoreadthestateofaffairsinthebodyand,inturn,isdirectlylinkedtothepituitarygland(oftenreferredtoasthemastergland).The
hypothalamuscaneitherstimulateorsuppresshormonesecretionsfromthepituitary.Thepituitaryglandmanufacturesandsecretesasetofhormonesthatdirectly
controlalloftheotherhormoneglandsinthebody.Theproductionandsecretionofpituitaryhormonescanbeinfluencedbyfactorssuchasemotions,physicalstates,
andseasonalchanges.Toaccomplishthis,thehypothalamusrelaysinformationsensedbythebrain(suchasenvironmentaltemperature,lightexposurepatterns,and
feelings)tothepituitary.Onecanthinkofthepituitaryglandandhypothalamusasuppermanagementofacorporationandtheglandssuchastheovaries,testes,
adrenalglands,andthyroidastheemployees.Thepituitaryandhypothalamusarecontinuallymonitoringworkperformanceandadjustingtheirordersaccordingto
production.Muchlikemasterchefs,theseglandssamplethebloodlevelsforvarioushormonelevelsandrequestshiftsintherecipeaccordingly.
Thepurposeofthisillustrationistoemphasizetheimportanceofmentalstates(feelings,emotion,andexternalenvironmentalclues)andthebrainsinfluenceon
hormonesecretion.Ahealthymentalstate,whichcanbeaugmentedbyaproperintakeofnutritionalsupportivefactors,hasaneffectontherestofthebodyviathe
endocrinesystem.Therefore,whentreatingaphysicalproblem,itisimportanttoexplorethelinkbetweenbrainfunctionandhormonalinfluencesonthebody.Similarly,
thereverseistruewhenthebodyisimproperlynourished,hormonallevelsmaybecomeimproperlyregulatedasthebodystrivestocontrolhormonallevelsas
preciselyasitcan.Wheninshortsupply,severalnutritionalfactorsmayexertaneffectonhormonelevels,andthereforemani
Page87
festphysicalandmentalsymptoms.Oftentimesproblemsinthebodyarisefromaninabilitytoproperlymetabolizehormonesandestablishabeneficiallevel.Takingthis
astephigher,utilizingnaturalmedicinesintheformofherbscanproduceexcellentoutcomesintherealmofhormonalbalanceaswell.
PREMENSTRUALSYNDROMEANDPREMENSTRUALDYSPHORICDISORDER
Premenstrualsyndrome(PMS)isperhapsthemostcommonlyexperiencedsymptomofhormonalirregularity.PMSisdefinedasaseriesofphysicalandemotional
symptomsthatoccurinthesecondphaseofthemenstrualcycle.ThemostpopulartheoryforthecauseofPMSisanimbalanceofhormones,namelydeficiencyof
progesteroneandexcesslevelsofestrogen.Symptomsvaryforeachwomanandmaylasttypicallyfrom4to10days.Themostcommonsymptomsincludeacne,
anger,anxiety,bloating,breastpain,uterinepain,depression,dizziness,fatigue,headaches,hostility,insomnia,irritability,moodswings,nausea,nervousness,and
tension.TheemotionalsymptomsofPMSarethemostproblematicandcanhaveextensiveeffectsonawomansworkandsocialandfamilylife.Premenstrual
DysphoricDisorder(PMDD)isnotanewconditionandisinfactamoresevereformofPMS.Thesymptomsaresimilarhowever,theymarkedlyimpairawomans
abilitytofunctionineverydaysituationsatworkandhomeandinsocialandrelationshipinteractions.Researchsuggeststhatofthe80percentofwomenthathave
PMSsymptoms,510percentofthemmeetthediagnosticcriteriaforPMDD.
1
PMDDisincludedintheDiagnosticandStatisticalManualIV(DSMIV)whether
thissolidifiestheconditionasanofficialailmentistobedecided,butinsimpletermsitdefinesaneedforbettermanagementofsymptoms.Physicalsymptomsaside,
thementalemotionaltollofPMS,ifuntreated,leadstosignificantdisabilityonamonthlybasisformillionsofwomen.WhenPMSistreatedinafashiontoalleviatethe
rootcause(PMSisnotanibuprofendeficiency!),significantsymptomresolutioncanbeachieved.
Commonlyoccurringsymptomsofpremenstrualirritability,moodchanges,anxiety,andappetiteandsleepvariationinwomenwithPMSareexperiencedmostly
duringthepremenstrualphasehowever,itisthoughtthatmanyotherwomenhavingthesesymptomsmayindeedsufferfrommoodandanxietysymptomsthroughout
theentiremenstrualperiod.AstudywasdesignedinordertodeterminetowhatextentwomenwhosufferfromPMSandseektreatmentforthesesymptomshave
moodoranxietydisordersinadditiontoPMS.Asurveyof206womenrevealedthat39percentmetthecriteriaformoodoranxietydisorders,orbothitwas
determinedthatmooddisordersweretwiceascommonasanxietydisorders.
2
ThesignificanceofthesefindingsrevealsapossiblelinkbetweenPMSandothermental
disorders.WiththemajorityofPMSsymptomsrelatedtohormonaldysregulation,itispossiblethatthismayleadtoincreasedmentaldysfunctionifhormonalbalance
becomessoskewedinasegmentofthepopulationthatthewomenmayhaveadditionalmoodandanxietydisordersin
Page88
relationtoPMS.Earlydiagnosisandtreatmentofmoodandanxietydisorders(andwitheveryotherdiseasecondition)providesthebestchancesatfullrecoveryand
lowerchancesofreoccurring.
NUTRIENTSINPMS
Pyridoxine
Pyridoxine(vitaminB6)wasshowntobeeffectiveinrelievingdepressioninwomentakingoralbirthcontrolinanumberofstudiesinthe1970s.
3
Inaddition,these
studiesconfirmedthatwomenusingbirthcontrolhadanimpairedB6statusandthatadministrationof40milligramsofB6restorednormallevelsandrelievedclinical
symptomsoforalbirthcontrolpillinducedB6deficiency.
4
InareviewofseveralstudiesthatinvestigatedtheefficacyofB6intreatingPMSandPMSrelated
depression,itwasdeterminedthattreatmentwithB6improvedbothPMSsymptomsandPMSrelateddepression.
5
AseparatestudiedexaminedtheefficacyofB6
inthetreatmentofPMSincomparisontothreestandardpharmaceuticals(alprazalom,fluoxetine,andpropranolol).
6
Thefollowingresultswereobtained:Fluoxetinein
10mgdosesresultedinameanreductionof65.4percentinsymptoms,propanololresultedina58.7percentreduction,alprazolamresultedina55.6percent
reduction,pyridoxineresultedina45.3percentreduction,andplaceboresultedina39.446.1percentreduction.Pyridoxinewasusedinadoseof300milligramsper
daythisstudydemonstratestheefficacyofusingoneindividualnutrient(withvirtuallynosideeffectsatthisdose)whencomparedtopharmaceuticalswithwide
rangingsideeffects.Inthisexample,pyridoxineappearstobeasuperiorchoiceforPMStreatment,despiteitslowerpercentageofsymptomreduction,becauseit
providesthegreatestamountofbenefit,withtheleastamountofsideeffects,atafractionofthecost.
Magnesium
Magnesium,awiderangingmineralinthebody,isanotherusefultreatmentforPMSsymptoms.Oneofmagnesiumsgreatestusesisinalleviatingmusclecrampingand
tightness,aswellasgeneralizedmusculoskeletaldiscomfort(Epsomsaltbaths,highlyusefulfortreatmentofsoremuscles,containmainlymagnesiumsalts).Theuseof
magnesiuminPMShasalsobeenstudiedextensivelyandisfoundtobeclinicallyusefulforthisconditionforseveralreasons.Astudyexaminedtheeffectsof200
milligramsperdayofmagnesiumforthedurationoftwomenstrualcyclesforitseffectsonpremenstrualfluidretention.
7
Eachstudyparticipantkeptadailylogof
symptomsnosignificanteffectwasnotedduringthefirstcyclehowever,duringthesecondcycle,anotablereductioninweightgain,swellingofextremities,breast
tenderness,andabdominalbloatingwasnotedbytheparticipants.InadditiontodemonstratingtheusefulnessofmagnesiumforfluidretentionrelatedPMSsymptoms,
thisstudyhighlightsacommontheory
Page89
thatcompletetissuesaturationwithmagnesiumcantakeseveralweekstoaccomplish(andthusforthepatienttobenefitfromtheeffectsofsupplementation).Itshould
alsobenotedthatthisstudyutilizedasmallamountofmagnesiumadosecomprabletoapproximately300500milligramsisrecommendedforoptimalresultsfor
PMSsymptoms.
2
ThebeneficialeffectsofsupplementationwithmagnesiumonPMSsymptomsmaybedueinparttomagnesiumsrelativedeficiencyinwomenwho
experiencePMS.AstudymeasuringredbloodcelllevelsofmagnesiuminwomenwhoexperiencedPMSincomparisontothosethatdidnotrevealedadecreased
levelofbothredbloodcellandwhitebloodcellmagnesiumcontentinthegroupofwomenwithPMS.
8

Mostimportantly,magnesiumhasaneffectonthementalsymptomsthatcanoccurwithPMS.AnothertrialfocusedonmagnesiumseffectsonmoodinPMS
sufferersrevealedpositiveresultsinthissymptomcategoryaswell.
9
AgroupofwomenaffectedbyPMSweresupplementedwith360milligramsofmagnesiumthree
timesaday,fromday15ofthecycletotheonsetofmenses.UtilizingtheMenstrualDistressQuestionnaire,researchesfoundthattreatmentwiththisdoseof
magnesiumresultedinlowerquestionnairescores,meaningthatnegativesymptomsassociatedwithmoodweredecreasedinthewomentakingmagnesium.Becauseof
thisfinding,theresearchersofthisstudyconcludedthatmagnesiumsupplementationcouldbeaneffectivewaytotreatPMSrelatedmoodchanges.Inanotherhallmark
study,magnesiumwasadministeredinordertodetermineitseffectsonnervoussensitivity,whichcanaccompanyemotionalinstabilityaspartofthemoodchangesthat
awomanmayexperiencepremenstrually.Thisstudydemonstratedadecreaseinfeelingsofnervousnessin89percentofthestudysubjects,andinaddition,breast
tendernessandweightgainwerereducedin96percentand95percentofthesubjects,respectively.
10

AstudycombiningtheeffectsofbothmagnesiumandpyridoxinewasperformedinordertoelucidatethesynergisticeffectsofbothnutrientsonPMSrelatedanxiety
symptoms.Asignificanteffectusing200milligramsperdayofmagnesiumincombinationwith50milligramsofvitaminB6wasobservedonanxietyrelatedPMS
symptomsofnervoustension,moodswings,irritability,andanxiety.
11
Thisandthepreviouslycitedstudiesdemonstrateclearlydefinedbeneficialeffectsofboth
supplementstheaforementionedstudythatcombinedtheuseofmagnesiumandpyridoxineutilizedrelativelysmalldosesofthesenutrients,andfurtherstudies
investigatinghigherdosesofbothnutrientsmayrevealevengreaterbenefitforwomenwithPMSrelatedmentalsymptoms.Itisnoteworthythatinorderformagnesium
toachieveproperoptimalcellulareffect,adequateB6mustbepresent.Thus,supplementationwithmagnesiuminsomepatientswitharelativedeficiencyofB6will
notyieldadequateresultsunlessB6issupplemented.
OtherNutrients
VitaminEisafatsolublevitaminthathasdemonstratedusefulnessinPMS.Althoughnotdirectlyrelatedtomentalstates,vitaminEhasbeenshownto
Page90
significantlydecreasePMSrelatedbreastsymptomsofpainandsoreness(dosesrangedfrom150to600InternationalUnitsperday).
12
Whenstudiedinrelationto
otherPMSrelatedmentalemotionalsymptoms,theuseof400InternationalUnitsofvitaminEperdaywasabletoproducea38percentreductioninanxietyanda27
percentreductionindepressionafterthreemonths.
13
Inaddition,thetestgrouptakingvitaminEreportedanincreaseinenergylevels,fewersimplecarbohydrate
(sweets)cravings,andfewerheadaches.
OnesuspectedcontributortoPMSsymptoms,inadditiontoexcessestrogen,isanexcessofanotherhormoneknownasprolactin.Prolactin,inasimplistic
description,preparesthebreasttissuetobeginproducingbreastmilkinanticipationofpregnancy.AsurgeinprolactinmayoccurinsomewomenwithPMS,which
maybepartiallyresponsibleforsomeofthebreastswellingandtendernessthataccompaniesPMSresearchershavenotedthatmanysymptomsofPMSaresimilarto
thosecausedbyaninjectionofprolactinandtheorizethatsomewomenmaybeexcessivelysensitivetoprolactin.Additionally,itisknownthataderivativeofessential
fattyacids(prostaglandinE1)caninhibitsomeoftheeffectsofprolactininthebodyandthatanabsenceordeficiencyofprostaglandinE1willallowforexaggerated
prolactineffects.Becauseofthis,severalstudieswereperformedinordertodeterminetheeffectsoftreatingwomensPMSsymptomswithgammalinolenicacid,an
essentialfattyacidprecursorofprostaglandinE1.Inaddition,eveningprimroseoil(alsoanessentialfattyacidprecursorofprostaglandinE1)wasshowntobehighly
effectiveintreatingdepressionandirritability,aswellasbreastpainandtendernessandfluidretentionassociatedwithPMS.
14
Alaterstudywasabletoreproduce
thesefindingsusinggammalinolenicacidinwomenwithwhatwasdescribedasincapacitatingPMS.
15
ThistreatmentproducedareductioninPMSassociated
depressionaswellasothergeneralPMSsymptoms.InordertoassisttheconversionofessentialfattyacidsintoprostaglandinE1,itisrecommendedthatadequate
amountsofmagnesium,B6,andzincbeincludedinthepersonsdiet,asthebenefitsofthesenutrientsonPMSsymptomsmaybepartiallyderivedfromtheireffects
onessentialfattyacidmetabolism.
ZinclevelsmaybeassociatedwithPMSsymptomsaswell.AstudydesignedtodeterminewhetherchangesinzincandcopperlevelsareassociatedwithPMS
symptomsrevealedthatzinclevelsremainedstablethroughoutthemonthincontrolsubjects(womenwithoutPMS)butinthePMSpatients,zinclevelswere
significantlylowerduringthelutealphase(thesecondhalfofthemenstrualcycle,inwhichPMSsymptomsoccur)incomparisontothefollicularphase(thefirsthalfof
themenstrualcycle).
16
Additionally,zinclevelswerelowerinPMSpatientsthaninthecontrolsubjectsduringthelutealphase.Anotherinterestingaspectofthisstudy
wastherelationshipbetweencopperandzinclevelsduringdifferentmenstrualphases.Copperlevelswerefoundtobehigherduringtheluteal(PMSsymptoms)phase
inPMSpatientswhencomparedtothecontrolsubjectsthisisnoteworthybecausecoppercompeteswithzincforabsorptioninthebodyandthereforetheratioof
zinctocopperisadirectmeasurementof
Page91
zinclevels.ThesefindingsindicatethatwomenwithPMSexperienceazincdeficiencyduringthesymptomaticphaseofthemenstrualcycleduetotheelevatedlevelsof
copper.Thesefindingstieintotheearliersectiononoptimalessentialfattyacidmetabolism,indicatingfurtheraneedformicronutrientssuchaszincinwomenwith
PMS.AdditionalstudieshaveconfirmedlowerzinctocopperratiosinwomenwithPMS,especiallyinthesymptomaticphaseofthemenstrualcycle.
17

HERBALSUPPORTFORHORMONALMENTALFUNCTION
BlackCohosh(Cimicifugaracemosa)
BlackcohoshisknowntohavemildestrogeniceffectsandhasbeenshowntobebeneficialinthetreatmentofPMSrelateddepression,anxiety,tension,andmood
swings.
18
BlackcohoshistypicallyprescribedinastandardizedformknownasRemifeminthemajorityofclinicalstudiesontheeffectivenessofblackcohoshhave
usedastandardizedformulationthatcontains1milligramtriterpeneglycosides,calculatedas27deoxyacetin.Blackcohoshcanalleviatehotflashesassociatedwiththe
perimenopausestate.
19
Theseeffectsservetohelpregulatehormonelevelsthathavegoneawry,leadingtolessmentalemotionalsymptoms.

Chasteberry(Vitexagnuscastus)
Thisherbhasbeenusedformenstrualirregularities(causedbyhormonaldysregulation)aswellasPMSandmenopausalsymptoms.Theefficacyofthisherbinthese
conditionsmaybepartiallyexplainedbyitabilitytosuppressprolactinhormonerelease,whichmayservetonormalizeexcessivehormonalsymptomsduringtheluteal
(symptomaticphase)ofthemenstrualcycle.
20
Otherstudieshaveindicatedthatchasteberrymayhavebothestrogenicandprogesteronicactivity,whichwhen
supplementedmayservetoregulatehormonallevels.
21

Licorice(Glycyrrhizaglabra)
Licoricehasavarietyofusesinhumanhealth,andhormonalregulationisaprimaryindicationforitsuse.InthetreatmentofPMSrelatedhormonaldysregulation,
licoricehasbeenshowntolowerestrogenlevelsandatthesametimeincreaseslevelsofprogesterone(PMSisthoughttobecausedbyelevatedestrogenwithlower
levelsofprogesterone).
22
Licoricecanelevateprogesteronelevelsbyinhibitinganenzymethatisresponsiblefordismantlingitinthebody,andatthesametimelicorice
canincreasewaterretentionviaitseffectsonanotherbodilyhormone,aldosterone.Aldosteroneisresponsibleforassistingthebodyinretainingsalt,whichinturn
allowsthebodytostoremorewater.Therefore,licoriceshouldbeusedcautiouslyinPMSwithwaterretentionasamajorsymptom.
23

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AlloftheseherbalmedicinesareeffectiveatrelievingPMSrelatedmentalemotionalsymptomsthroughtheireffectsonhormonelevelsthatbecomedysregulated.
Supplementationcanservetoadjustthesehormonelevelssuchthatpatientsdonotaseasilynoticetheextensiveeffectsofhormonalimbalance.
Hormonalmentalhealthcanbeachievedbyusingnutritionalandherbalsupplementsthatacttoassistthebodyinregulatingitshormonelevels.Thebriefresearch
reviewedinthischapterprovidesacluetohowonecancontrolpreviouslyunregulatedhormones.Wheninastateofdisarray,hormonescanbegintoaffectmental
processesthatmayresultinseriousconsequencesinregardtoapersonsprofessionalandsocialfunctioning.Thecaseofwomensmonthlyhormonecycleswasonly
partiallyillustratedhereinwiththeapproximate20differenthormonesinthebody,therearemanyotherconditionsofhormonedysregulationthathavedifferenteffects
onthementalstatethatwerenottoucheduponinthischapter.Thepreviousresearchdemonstratestherelativelysimple,yethighlyeffectivemodesforwhichnutritional
factorscanbeemployedtoalterhormonaldysfunction,leadingtofewermentalsymptoms.
MALEHORMONESANDBEYONDFORBOTHSEXES
Bothmenandwomenhaveacompositeofestrogen,progesterone,andandrogenssuchastestosterone.Menalsocycletestosteronelevelsaretypicallyhighestinthe
morninganddecreasethroughouttheday.Moresignificantly,overalltestosteronelevelsdecreasebeginninginthefourthdecadeitisnotedthatlowtestosteroneyields
amalemenopauseand,likewise,shiftsinmetabolismofthetestosteroneleadtosignificanthealthissuessuchashotflashes,decreasederections,libido,andstamina.If
zinclevelsarelowinbothmenandwomen,testosteronemetabolismdoesnotoccurproperly,causingacne,moodchanges,prostatechanges,and,inthecaseofmen
particularly,acircumstancecalledgynecomastia,whichisthedevelopmentofenlargedbreastsduetoinsufficientlevelsoftestosteronethatnormallycounterstheeffects
ofestrogeninmen.
Adrenalglandfunctionaffectsbothmaleandfemalehormonalhealth.Adrenalhealthnotonlyaffectshormonessuchascortisolandrelatedstressresponsehormones
(epinephrineandnorepinephrine),italsobufferssteroidalhormonebloodlevels.IndeedDHEAandotherprecursorhormonesproducedbytheadrenalsareessential
fortheentirecascadeofsteroidalhormoneproductionthatallstartfromthehumblebeginningsofcholesterolastheprincipalbuildingblock.Adrenalfunctioncanbe
supportednutritionallywiththefollowingnutrients.
VitaminC
TheadrenalglandsconcentratemorevitaminCinthemthananyotherpartofthebody.Becauseofthis,largeamountsofresearchhavedelvedintothefunctionof
vitaminCandtheadrenalglands.VitaminChasnumerousbeneficial
Page93
affectsinthismultifacetedorgan.Controllingthereleaseofseveraldifferenthormones,vitaminCservestosupportthetissueoftheadrenalglandsbybothprotecting
andenhancingtheresponsivenessofthistissue.
24
Thisisimportantasaspecificgroupofhormones,thecatecholamines,arereleasedfromtheadrenalstomediatethe
bodysstressresponse.Asmentalandphysiologicstressincreases,moreofthesehormonesarereleased,whichcanassistusindealingwithourstressors.When
constantlyexposedtostress,asmuchofusare,itisimportanttoprovidetheadrenalglandswiththenutrientsitneedstocontinuemanufacturingthesesupportive
hormones.VitaminCisessentialfortheproductionofhormonesintheadrenals,aswellastheconversionoftheseprecursorhormonesintotheiractiveforms.Astudy
ofanimalsthatdidnothavetheabilitytoutilizevitaminCintheiradrenalglandsshowedthattheywereunabletoproduceadequateamountsofcatecholaminesand
soonthereafterdiedfrominadequateadrenalfunction.
25

Phosphatidylserine
Knownasaphospholipid,phosphatidylserineismanufacturedinthehumanbodyinacomplexseriesofreactions.Despitethis,thebodyobtainsmostofitthroughthe
diet.Thismoleculehasseveralfunctions,someofwhichincludeproperbraincellmembranefunction,celltocellsignalinginthenervoussystem,andsecretoryvessicle
release(hormonesaresentintothebloodstreaminwaterproofvesiclesfortransporttootherpartsofthebody).
26
Therapeuticuseofphosphatidylserineincreases
catecholaminereleaseindiseasedanimals.
27
Phosphatidylserinecanassistinsupportingadrenalglandfunctionbybluntingtheresponseoftheglandtoexerciseinduced
stress.
28
Thisstudydemonstratedthatphosphatidylserineattenuatedthereleaseofadrenocorticotropinbythebrain(ahormonethatstimulatestheadrenalgland)and
cortisol(themainstresshormonemadebytheadrenalglands).
CordycepsSinensis
AfungusharvestedinmountainousregionsofChina,Cordycepsissaidtobeanadaptogenicagent.Anadaptogenisanagentthatassistsapersonincounteracting
adversephysical,chemical,orbiologicalstressorsbygeneratingnonspecificresistance.Moresimplified,adaptogensbolsterourbodysdefensesagainststress,helping
ustostanduptoit.Cordycepswasusedtomeasurethephysiologicstressresponseinanimalsinonestudy,utilizingtheweightoftheadrenalglandasaguage.
29
It
wasfoundthattheadrenalglandsoftheanimalsgiventheCordycepsandexposedtostresswerenotaslargeasthosethatwerenotsupplementedandexposedto
stress.(Theadrenalglandsgrowinresponsetostressinordertocompensateforincreaseddemandonthisgland.)Cordycepscanbeusedtoassistthebodyindealing
withstress,andthehormonalconsequencesofthis,bysupportingthefunctionoftheadrenalgland.
Page94
CONCLUSION
Weareacompositeofthetotalsumofouroverallhealthquotient.Unlesseachsegmentofourbodyisbiochemicallybalanced,thenetresultisanimbalance.Muchlike
abankaccountismanagedtomaintainaproperbalancedebitsandcreditsmustbeadjustedtoachieveonesfinancialgoalsourhealthaccountsmustbalanceas
well.Indeedthebalancetobecarriedinoneshealthaccountisnotanetzero,forthatwouldbemerelysurvivalonthebrinkrather,wemusteachhaveasignificant
positivecredittomaintainadiseasefreestateandtoavoidthecircumstancesofbecomingoverdrawnthatmayleadtochronicdiseaseorworse.Thereisanimportant
differentiationtobemadebetweenbiologicalandchronologicalage.Chronologicalageissimplyhowoldwearerelativetoourdateofbirth.Yet,biologicalageisthe
sumofgenetics,diet,andlifestyleandcandifferinthoseofsimilarchronologicalage.Indeed,geneticsmayloadthegun,butdietandlifestylepullthetrigger.Investing
inoneshormonalhealthyieldsbigdividendsandiswellworththeinterest.
NUTRIENTS
Pyridoxine
50milligramsperday,maintenance
300milligramsperdayduringsecondhalfofmenstrualcycle,individeddoses
Magnesium
300400milligramsperday
VitaminE
400800InternationalUnitsperday
EssentialFattyAcids
2,0003,000milligramsperday
Zinc
3040milligramsperday
VitaminC
1,0002,000milligramsperday,divideddoses
Phosphatidylserine
100milligramsthreetimesaday
BOTANICALS
Blackcohosh(Cimicifugaracemosa)
4080milligrams,standardizedto48milligramstriterpeneglycosidesperday
Chasteberry(Vitexagnuscastus)
Crudeherb:20240milligramsperdayupto1,800milligramsperdayintwotothreedivideddoses
Page95
Fluidextract:40dropsdaily
Tincture(1:51:2):1milliliterthreetimesdaily
Licorice(Glycyrrhizaglabra)*
Crudeherb(powderedroot):2,0004,000milligramsperday,divideddoses
Tincture:24milliliterstwotimesperday
Cordycepssinensis
2,000milligramsperday
*Mayincreasebloodpressure,monitoringisessential.
Page96
Thispageintentionallyleftblank.
Page97
Insomnia
Theaverageadultsleepsapproximately7.5to8hourseachnight.
1
Researchersarestilldeterminingthetruefunctionofsleephowever,muchevidencehasshownthat
alackofsleephasseriousconsequencesincludingmedicalandmentalhealthproblems,aswellasmemorydeficits,accidents,andimpairedoccupationandsocial
functioning.
2
Simplyput,restisthesourceofrestorationforthemindandbody.Withoutit,thenormalhealingandsupportivepathwaysofthebodyarenot
sustainable.
Althoughnottechnicallyadiseasecondition,insomniaisactuallyasymptomofdeeperneurologicdysfunction.Insomniacanincludetheperceptionorcomplaintof
poorqualityorinadequatesleepduetodifficultyinfallingasleep,frequentwakingduringthenightwithdifficultyfallingbackasleep,wakinguptooearlyinthemorning,
andhavingunrefreshingsleep.Notdefinedbythenumberofhoursofsleepthatonereceivesorhowlongittakestofallasleep,insomniacanvaryfrompersonto
personbecausesleepneedsarehighlyindividualized.Theprevalenceofinsomniaisthoughttobe32millionpeople,whichfigurestoapproximately1outof8peopleor
11.76percentofthepopulationhavinginsomniaatanyonetime.
Insomniaisclassifiedintothreemaingroups:
Transient:Thisisshortlived,lastingfromdaystoweeks.
Intermittent:Thisentailsclustersoftransientinsomniathatoccurperiodically.
Chronic:Thisinsomniaoccursnearlyeverynight,lastingforamonthorlonger.
Morespecifically,insomniaisthoughtofaseitherprimary,inwhichsleeplessnessisnotattributabletoamedical,psychiatric,orenvironmentalcause(a
Page98
moreexpandeddefinitioncanbefoundintheDiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisorders,FourthEdition(DSMIV),orsecondary,whichiscausedbya
physicalconditionorpsychologicalproblemsuchasdepression.Secondaryinsomniaisthoughttobemuchmorecommonthantheprimaryform.
3

Thecharacteristicsofprimaryinsomniaare:
Apredominantcomplaintofdifficultyinitiatingormaintainingsleepforaleastonemonth
Sleepdisturbancethatcausesclinicallysignificantdistressorimpairmentinsocial,occupational,orotherimportantareasoffunctioning
Sleepdisturbancethatdoesnotoccurexclusivelyduringthecourseofnarcolepsy,breathingrelatedsleepdisorder,circadianrhythmsleepdisorder,oraparasomnia
Sleepdisturbancethatdoesnotoccurexclusivelyinthecourseofanothermentaldisorder(majordepressivedisorder,generalizedanxietydisorder,adelirium)
Sleepdisturbancethatisnotduetodirectphysiologicaleffectsofasubstance
Acommoncomplaintwithfairlysignificantmedicalandpsychologiccomplications,insomniaisoftenasymptomofanunderlyingmedical,psychiatric,orenvironmental
condition.Morespecifically,anxietyanddepressionarethoughttobeamongsomeofthemostcommoncausesofinsomniahowever,neurologicdisorderslikerestless
legsyndromeandlimbmovementdisordercancontributetoinsomniaaswell.Propermanagementofsecondaryinsomniaisentirelydependentonaccuratediagnosis
andappropriatetreatmentoftheunderlyingconditionwhereasprimaryinsomniacanusuallybedirectlytreated.
Insomniatendstooccurmoreofteninthoseofadvancedage(itismorefrequentinthoseover60),females,andthosewithahistoryofdepression.Generally,the
mostcommonpredisposingfactorsforprimaryinsomniaarestress,environmentalnoise,changesinsurroundingenvironment,jetlag,andmedicationsideeffects.
Secondary,orchronic,insomniaisgenerallymorecomplexinnatureandresultsfromunderlyingmentalorphysicaldisorders.Theseincludedepression(oneofthe
mostcommoncausesofinsomnia),arthritis,heartdisease,asthma,hyperthyroidism,andmanyotherdiseases.Chronicinsomniacanbeduetobehavioralfactorsas
well,suchasoveruseofalcohol,caffeine,orothersubstancesandinterruptionsinsleepwakecyclesfromshiftworkorextendednighttimeactivities.
Behaviorally,insomniaseemstobeperpetuatedbythefollowingbehaviorssometimescurtailingtheseactivitiescanmakealargedifference.
Drinkingalcoholbeforebedtime
Smokingcigarettesbeforebedtime
Excessivenappingintheafternoonorevening
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Irregularorcontinuallydisruptedsleepwakeschedules
Expectingtohavedifficultysleepingandworryingaboutit
Ingestingexcessiveamountsofcaffeine
Insomniaisdiagnosedthroughamedicalandsleephistoryintake.Usually,thepatientorthepatientsbedpartnercompletesadiaryregardingthequalityandquantity
ofsleep.Inaddition,specializedsleepstudiesmaybeneededtodiagnoseothersleeprelateddisorderssuchassleepapnea(thecessationofbreathingwhilesleeping)
ornarcolepsy(excessivedaytimesleepiness,lackofREMsleep,andtransientsleeplikestatesduringthedaytime).
Initialtreatmentofinsomniainvolvesidentifyingthecause,whetherphysicalormental.Dependingonthisdiagnosis,additionalmedicalinterventionwillbenecessary
toalleviatetheunderlyingdisorder.Medicalproblemstypicallycauseinsomniaduetophysicaldiscomfort,whichmayormaynotberelieved,dependingonthenature
oftheproblemsurgicalpainisamenabletomedicationsthatbluntthebrainsrecognitionofpain,whereasinsomniaduetoasthmamaybecurtailedbyremoving
nocturnalsymptoms.Althoughnotthefocusofthischapter,theresolutionofinsomniabytreatingtheunderlyingdisorderstandstoreasonasthemostefficacious
approach.Thehighlightsinthischaptercanbeutilizedtoresolveinsomniathatoriginatesfromanynumberofcauses,whetherprimaryorsecondary.Theseapproaches
aremorefavorablethantheuseofmedicationdesignedtobringaboutsleepmedicationsareaddictive,haveareboundeffect,andaretypicallyonlyprescribedinsmall
dosesforshortperiodsoftimefortheaforementionedreasonstheyarenotcurative.Treatinginsomniawithanotherpopularstandby,alcohol,isstronglydiscouraged.
Alcoholiscommonlythoughtbythegeneralpublictohelpwithsleeping.However,alcoholconsumptioncandiminishthequalityofsleepbydisruptingthesequence
anddurationofthevarioussleepstates,alteringtotalsleeptimeandsleeplatency(timetofallasleep).Consumednearbedtime,alcoholmaydecreasethetimeittakes
foronetofallasleep.However,whenconsumedwithinanhourofsleep,itappearstocausedisruptionsinthesecondhalfofthesleepperiod.
4
Sleepmaybemore
fitful,charachterizedbyfrequentawakeningfromdreamsanddifficultyfallingbackasleep.Asonecontinuestorelyonalcoholatbedtime,thesleepinducingeffects
maydecreasewhilesleepdisruptingeffectsincrease.
5
Seniorsaremoreatriskfromtheseeffects,asalcoholisnotmetabolizedasquicklyinthemcomparedto
youngerpeople,leadingtohigherblood/brainalcohollevelsfromthesameamountconsumed.
Theeffectsofalcoholonsleep(wakefulnessduringthesecondhalfofsleep)canbeinducedbyconsumingamoderatedoseofalcoholasmuchassixhourspriorto
bedtime.
1
Atthispoint,allalcoholhasbeeneliminatedfromthebody,whichsuggestsalongtermchangeinbodilysleepregulationandmechanisms.Alcohol
consumptioninpregnantwomenhasevenbeenshowntoinducesleepdisruptionsinthenewbornbaby.
6
Measurementsofbrainactivityshowedthattheinfantsof
motherswhoconsumedatleastonedrinkperdayduringthefirst
Page100
trimesterofpregnancyhadsleepdisruptionsandincreasedarousalcomparedtotheinfantsofmothersthatabstainedfromalcohol.Evenmore,infantsexposedto
alcoholinbreastmilkfellasleepsoonerbutsleptlessthanthoseinfantsnotexposedtoalcohol.
7
Avoidanceofalcoholforinsomniaisstronglyrecommendeditonly
servestoincreasetheproblemsofsleepdifficultyand,overthelongterm,mayleadtoabuseanddependency.
NUTRITIONALCONSIDERATIONS
VitaminB12
Cobalamin,otherwiseknownasvitaminB12,playsaroleininsomniadevelopmentandcontrol.B12playsaroleinnumerousneurologicconditionsandappears
throughoutthisbookitisnotsurprisingthatB12isalsoinvolvedininsomniaaswell.Inastudytodeterminetheeffectofsupplementingmethylcobalamin(a
coenzymeformofB12)onsleepwakerhythmdisorders,researchersfoundalargedoseofB12,significantlyimprovedsleepwakecyclemeasuresaswellasclinical
symptoms.
8
Althoughnotedasinconsistent,bothgroups(highdoseandlowdoseB12)exhibitedimprovementintheirsleepingpatternsB12didprovide
improvementsatbothahighandlowdosageinthisparticularstudy.AninterestingextensionofthisstudymightincludeexaminingpatientsB12status(i.e.,blood
levels)andfolatelevels,asthesetwovitaminsareintimatelyinvolvedinmetabolism.
Inamorespecificstudy,B12supplementationwasusedintwoseparatepatientswithchronicsleepwakerhythmdisorders.
9
Thefirstpatient,a15yearoldblind
girl,hadbeenentrainedtoafreerunningsleepwakerhythmof25hours.(Thisisacommonperiodoftimethathumans,whendeprivedofexternallightcuestotime,
willshifttheirbodilyrhythmstowardthiscreatesdifficultyinestablishingsetpatternssuchasfallingasleepandwaking.)Shewassupplementedwith1.5milligramsB
12threetimesadayandsoonthereaftershiftedtoa24hourrhythmthatwasmaintainedaslongasshecontinuedthesupplementregimen.However,attwomonths
postdiscontinuationoftheB12,herprevious25hourpatternreemerged.Interestingly,herserumlevelsofthevitaminwerewithinthenormalrangebeforeandafter
thetreatment.Thesecondpatientinthisstudywasa55yearoldmanwhoexperienceddelayedsleepformuchofhislife.Whensupplementedwith1.5milligramsB
12onetimeperday,hissleeppatternwasimproved,andthiseffectlastedforthesixmonthsoffollowupthatthepatientunderwent.Inacombinationstudyemploying
B12alongwithlighttherapy(exposingpatientstolightatpresettimes)andtimetherapy(entrainingtimepatterns),106patientswithvariousformsofinsomniathat
includedsleepwakerhythmdisorders,delayedsleepphasesyndrome,irregularsleepwakepattern,andprolongedsleeppatternexperiencedimprovementsof32
percent,42percent,45percent,and67percent,respectively.
10
Thesesubjectsalsoexperiencedimprovementsinsubjectivefeelingsoflackofadequate

Page101
sleep,unpleasantfeelingsatwaking,anddaytimesleepiness.TheuseofvitaminB12asanadjunctivefactorintreatinginsomniaappearstohavesomemeritfromthese
limitedstudies.EnsuringthatapersonhasadequateB12inthedietandviasupplementationmayservetoalleviatealargeportionoftheirinsomnia,andthisapproach
seemstohaveefficacyinseveraldifferentformsofinsomniaandsleepdisorders.
Folate
Folate(folicacid)isalsointimatelyrelatedtoproperneurologicfunctionplaysseveralrolesinthedevelopmentandresolutionofnumerousneurologicdisorders,and
appearsthroughoutthisbook.Itsrolesinaminoacidmetabolism,nucleicacidsynthesis(DNAandRNA),andcatecholamineneurotransmittersareconsidered
essential.Amongtheneurologicdisordersimplicatedinfolatedeficiency,insomniaismentionedintheliterature.
11
Theroleoffolatehasbeenstudiedinthecontextof
alleviatingrestlesslegsyndrome,whichcanbeaprimarycauseofinsomnia.Restlesslegsyndromeischaracterizedasaneurosensorydisorderthatbeginsinthe
eveningandpreventsthepersonfromfallingasleepduetothecontinuousneedtomovethelegs.Inastudyofpregnantwomenwithrestlesslegsyndrome,afolate
deficiencywasassociatedwiththeoccurrenceofthesyndrome,significantlydelayedsleeponset,anddepressedmood.
12
Thisassociationwasexcludedfromother
factorssuchasB12andirondeficiencyinthesewomen,andbecauseofthesefindings,investigatorsrecommendareevaluationofsuggestedfolatelevelsduring
pregnancyinordertoalleviaterestlesslegsandsubsequentinsomnia.Itisknownthatinpsychiatricpatients,symptomsaremoresevereandincreasinglyfrequentin
thosewithsuboptimalfolatelevelsincomparisontothosepatientswithnormallevels.Folatesupplementationhasbeendemonstratedtohaveatherapueticeffectin
psychiatricsymptoms,insomniabeingaprimesymptom.
13
Althoughlimitedinresearch,theapplicationoffolicacidsupplementationininsomnia,especiallythatrelated
toapsychiatricdisorder,mayservetodecreasesymptoms.Theinterworkingsoffolateandthenervoussystemcontinuetobeelucidated,andprimaryresearchhintsat
theusefulnessofthissupplementinconditionslikeinsomnia.
Magnesium
Magnesiumisthemostplentifulpositivelychargedelectrolyteinthebody.Itisusedinoverthan300differentcellularreactionsrequiredformovementofionsacross
cellularmembranes,
14
anditisacrucialpartofmaintainingnerveandmuscleelectricalpotentialsaswellasinthetransmissionofnervousimpulses.
15
Becauseofits
usefulnessinthenervoussystem,theroleofmagnesiumininsomniahasbeenintenselystudiedthroughouttheliterature.Recognizedasaffectingsleepandsleeprelated
nueroendocrinefunctionsaswellasalteringEEG(electroencephalogram)sleeppatterns,magnesiumwasstudiedtodetermineits
Page102
usefulnessinthetreatmentofinsomniaintheelderly.
16
Theauthorsofthisstudynotedthatagingresultsindecreasedsleepindices,namely,slowwavesleepanddelta
andsigmawavelengthpower,andthatthesethreemeasuresofsleepqualitywereimprovedbymagnesiumsupplementation.Additionally,theauthorssuggestthat
magnesium,inthiscircumstance,mayaffecttheglutamaterigicandGABAnergicneurotransmittersystemsandthattreatmentwithmagnesiummayreverseage
associatedsleepchanges.Magnesiumdeficiencyanddepletionisthoughttodisruptnormalbiologicalrhythms,includingsleep.Lowmagnesiumcorrelateswithboth
hypofunctionandhyperfunctionofthebiologicclockhyperfunctionofthebiologicclockinassociationwithmagnesiumdepletionisassociatedwithnervous
hypoexcitability,resultingindepression,nocturnalheadaches,andexcessivesleepiness,whereashypofunctionofthebiologicclockassociatedwithmagnesium
depletionisassociatedwithnervoushyperexcitability,andmaycausedelayedsleeponset,agerelatedinsomnia,jetlag,anxiety,andmigraines.
17
Researchers
speculatethattheroleofthebiologicclockandmagnesiumlevelsarelinkedinsuchawaythatabalanceofmagnesiumisnecessaryfortheefficiencyofthepinealgland
andsuprachiasmaticnuclei.
18
Furthermore,theyhypothesizethatmagnesiummayhaveeffectssuchasstimulationofinhibitoryneurotransmitterssuchasGABAand
taurineandmayantagonizeneuroactivegasessuchascarbonmonoxideandnitricoxide.Magnesiumplaysanintricateroleintheregulationofthebiologicclock
muchmoreresearchintothisareaisneededtofurtherelucidateitsrole.Regardless,currentresearchdemonstratesacausativeeffectoflowmagnesiumstatusand
insomnia.
Tryptophan,5HTP,Melatonin,andSerotonin
Tryptophanisanessentialaminoacidnotproducedinthehumanbodyandisthereforerequiredinthediet.Aprecursoroftheneurotransmitterserotonin,tryptophan
hasasedativeeffect.
19
Ahighlyusefuldietarysupplement,tryptophanwasstigmatizedin1989whenoneparticularmanufacturersbatchoftryptophanwasassociated
withadisablingandfatalconditionknownaseosinophiliamyalgiasyndrome(EMS).DespitetheevidencethatthisoutbreakofEMSwaslargelythoughttobearesult
ofcontaminationinthemanufacturingprocess,
20
theFDAremovedoverthecountertryptophansupplementsfromthemarketin1990.Tryptophanisavailableby
prescription,however,fromacompoundingpharmacy.
Tryptophanisusefulinthetreatmentofinsomnia,aswellasseasonalaffectivedisorder,aconditioncharachterizedbyseasonallyrelatedinsomniaandeither
oversleepingorinsomnia.
21
Themostfrequentlyuseddoseoftryptophanis1gram,andthishasbeenshowntoincreasesubjectivefeelingsofsleepinessanddecreased
wakingtime.
22
Tryptophanisthoughttoinducesleepthroughitsabilitytoincreaseserotoninlevelsinthebrain(tryptophanisaprecursormoleculetoserotonin).
Serotoninplaysnumerousrolesinthebrain,primarilymodulationofthecircadianrhythmandsleepandwakecycles.Dependingonlocation
Page103
inthebrain,serotoninandserotonergiceffectsincludesleep,wakefulness,andbehavioralstates.
5hydroxytryptophan(5HTP)isanintermediaryprecursortoserotoninandisderivedfromtryptophan.Availableasasupplement,5HTPcrossesthebloodbrain
barrierandtherebyincreasesserotoninsynthesis.Onestudydemonstratedthiseffectwhenadoseof100milligramswasshowntoincreaseslowwavesleep.
23
5HTP
entersthebraineasilyandeffectivelyaugmentsserotoninlevelsthishasbeenshowntobeofclinicalbenefitininsomniaaswellasconditionssuchasdepression,
fibromyalgia,andbingeeating.
24
Becauseoftheseeffects,5HTPmaybeaneffectiveagentforreducinginsomniasymptomsresultingfromserotonindysfunction.

Melatoninisahormonethatisproducedfromserotonin.MelatoninseemstoaffecttheneurotransmitterGABAbyassistingitsbindingtoitsreceptorsandby
decreasingneurotransmissionsbydirectlyaffectingneuronsinthebrain.
25
Primarily,melatoninappearstoregulatethecircadianrhythmandsleeppatterns,aswellas
endocrinesecretions.Melatoninlevelsareinfluencedbydayandnightcycleslightwillinhibitmelatoninproductionanddarknesswillstimulateitssecretion.
26
Thismay
partiallyexplainincreasedsomnolenceinwintertime,especiallyinnorthernclimates.Productionofmelatonindecreasesintheelderly,andserumlevelsaredecreasedin
peoplewithinsomniaanddepressedmoods.
27

Lowdosesupplementationofmelatonin,enoughtoachievenormalnighttimelevels(inthosewithlowmelatoninlevels),willpromotesleeponsetandmaintenance
withoutalteringneurologicsleepindices(sleeparchitecture).
28
Additionally,melatonincanadvanceordelaycircadianrhythms(whengivenintheeveningorinthe
morning,respectively).Melatoninhasbeenshowntobenefitinsomniaasaresultofnumerousfactorsandconditions.Forinstance,melatoninsupplementationis
effectiveforrelievinginsomniathatresultsfromjetlag,
29
intheelderly,
30
inchildrenwithmentalretardation,
31
andinthosewithAspergerssyndrome,
32
aswellasin
childrenwithchronicsleeponsetinsomnia.
33
Melatoninhasbeenshownintheresearchtobebeneficialininsomniafromavarietyofadditionalcausestheseareonlya
fewofthemostrecalcitrantcausesofinsomniainwhichmelatoninhasbeenshowntobeofbenefit.
BOTANICALMEDICINES
Passifloraincarnata(Passionflower)
Passionflowercontainsseveralactiveconstituents,includingtheflavonoidcompoundsandharmanalkaloids.
34
Passionfloweractsasasedativeandhypnoticand
anxiolyticagentandalsohasantispasmodicandpainrelievingeffects.
35
Someresearchshowsthataconstituentofpassionflower,apigenin,iscapableofbindingto
benzodiazapenesreceptorsinthebrain,therebyactingasananxiolytic.
36
Otherresearchpointstotheabilityofpassionflowertoreducerestlessnessandaggressiveness
whileraisingthepainthreshold.
37
Passionflower

Page104
extractsarewidelyusedasasedativeagentincomplementarysleepaidproducts.Severalpharmacologicinvestigationshavedemonstratedthesedativeeffectsof
passionfloweraswellasananxiolyticeffect,underlyingitsroleasanimportantagentinrestlessness,irritability,andinsomniaasaresultofanxiety.
38

ValerianaOfficinalis
Valerianrootiscommonlyusedforsleepingdisordersduetoitsknownsedativehypnoticandanxiolyticeffects.
39
Theactiveconstituentsofvalerianincludethe
valepotriates,volatileoils,andmonoterpeneandsesquiterpeneconstituents.
40
Despitetheidentificationofseveralpossiblyactiveconstituentsinvalerian,the
effectivenessoftheherbisprobablymoreaccuratelyattributabletomorethatonecompound(asisthecaseformostherbalmedicines).Valerianiseffectivewhenused
toalleviateinsomniabyreducingsleeponsettimeandbyimprovingreportedsleepquality.
41
Inaddition,valerianiseffectiveatimprovingsleepqualityinpeople
undergoingwithdrawalfrombenzodiazapenes(fortreatmentofinsomnia).
42
Valerianismosteffectiveforinsomniawhentakenoveraperiodofseveraldaystoweeks
ratherthanaonetimeonlydosehowever,thisapproachcanbeeffectiveatincreasingsleepaswell.
43
Theeffectivenessofvalerianintreatinginsomniaismorethan
likelyattributabletobothitsanxiolyticeffects(therebyreducinganxiety)anditssedativehypnoticeffectsonthebrain.
Matricariarecutita(Chamomile)
Knownasamildlysedativeherb,chamomileisusefulininducingsleepinagentlemanner,withnomorningsideeffects.Categorizedasasedativeinthemedical
literature,
44
chamomileisbeneficialforreducingnervousactivityintheevenings,allowingapersontofallasleepwithgreaterease.Chamomileseffectsappeartobe
carriedoutonthecentralnervoussystemandmayreduceaggressivebehavior,therebycurtailinganxiousenergy.
45
Thesedativeactivityofchamomilehasbeenproven
inanumberofstudies,makingchamomileagoodchoiceforthosesufferingfrominsomniathatdelayssleeponset.
46

CombinationHomeopathics
Thereareafewcombinationhomeopathicmedicinesthatcanbeusedforthetreatmentofinsomnia.Containinghomeopathicdosesofpassionflower,oats(amildly
calmingherb),chamomile,andhomeopathicsalts,thesecombinationsarefoundtobeusefulbysomepeople.Inthetreatmentofinsomnia,usinghomeopathic
medicinesprovidesanontoxicformoftreatmentwithnosideeffects.Thesemedicinesareeffectiveinroughly33percentofthepeoplewhousethemandarevery
inexpensive.
Page105
SLEEPHYGEINE
Theimportanceofsleephygiene,ormaintainingahealthysleepingenvironment,canbevitaltocorrectingpatternsofinsomnia.Manypeople,whengoingabouttheir
routinesofgoingtobed,followcertainpatternseachnight.Thedevelopmentofahealthypatternisessentialinallowingthebodyandmindtoadjusttoadifferent
physiologicphase.Justasanathletegoesaboutaritualofwarmingup,stretching,andmentalpreparationbeforeanevent,apersonshouldhavesimilarprocessesin
preparationforsleep.Aspartofthisprocess,oneshould:
Avoidtelevisionjustbeforeorinbed(especiallythenightlynews,whichalwayscontainsstoriesofmayhem)
Avoideatinglateatnight
Organizethedayaheadonpaper,andpreviewthenextday,sothatyoucanrestknowingyouareprepared
Keepaclean,soothingbedroom.Workclutterandotherunnecessaryitemsonlykeepyourmindrunningwhenitshouldbewindingdown
CONCLUSION
Insomniaisbothasymptomandacondition.Dependingonthenatureofitsorigins,insomniacanbetreatedasasymptomofanotherdiseaseprocessorasaprimary
symptom.Ideally,treatmentofinsomniawillinvolveaddressingtheinitialcause(ofwhichamajorityofinsomniaisattributable)beforedirectmodulationofsleep
patternsiscarriedout.Conversely,assistingthepersoninovercominginsomniaandobtainingsleepishighlyimportantinthetreatmentofalmosteverydisease
processes.Utilizingnaturaltherapiesratherthanstandardpharmaceuticalmedications(whicharecostlyandcanbeaddictive)totreatinsomniacanbeachievedwitha
varietyofnutritionalandherbalapplications.
NUTRIENTS
B12
500microgramsdaily
Folate
400800microgramsdaily
Magnesium
300400milligrams,hourbeforebed
5HTP
150200milligramsintheevening
Tryptophan
13gramsintheeveningstartwiththelowestdoseandworkupto3grams,ifnecessary
Page106
Melatonin
0.35milligramsintheeveningstartwiththelowestdoseandworkupward
BOTANICALS
Passionflower
Crudeherb:0.252grams,threetimesdailyoronecupofteathreetimesdaily,withthelastdosehalfanhourbeforebedtime
Liquidextract(1:1extract):0.5to1.0milliliterthreetimesdaily
Tincture:0.52millilitersthreetimesdaily
Valerian
400900milligramsvalerianextractuptotwohoursbeforebedtime
Chamomile
Crudeherb:0.252grams,threetimesdailyoronecupofteathreetimesdaily,withthelastdosehalfanhourbeforebedtime
Tincture:2millilitershalfanhourbeforebedtime
Page107
LearningDisability
Learningdisability(LD)isaneurologicaldisorderthatmayariseasaresultofnumerousreasons,ultimatelyaffectingtheabilityofthebraintoreceive,process,store,
andrespondtoinformationitreceives.Disabilityreferstotheunexplaineddifficultyapersonwithnormalintelligencehasinobtainingbasicacademicknowledgeand
skills.Notasolitarydisorder,LDcomprisesnumerousdisordersthatcanaffectthepersoninavarietyoflearningareas.Limitationsinlearningcanappearasdifficulty
inlistening,speaking,reading,writing,coordination,selfcontrol,orattention.These,ofcourse,canimpedetheabilitytomasterreading,writing,arithmetic,andother
academicorsocialmaterial.LDcanoccurthroughoutlifeandaffectnumerousaspects,especiallyifthepersonhasmorethanoneLD.However,ifapersonhasonly
oneLD,itmayhavelittleeffectontherestofthepersonslife.Somefeaturesoflearningdisabilitiesinclude:
Difficultiesmayemergedifferentlyindifferentpeople.
Difficultiesmayemergeinavarietyofwaysthroughoutdevelopment.
Thepersonmayhavesocioemotionalskillsandbehaviordifficulties.
Theremaybeadistinctgapbetweenexpectedandactualachievementlevel.
Learningdisabilitiesaffectnearly2.9millionschoolchildrenintheUnitedStates,andaportionofthemreceivesometypeofspecialeducation.Thisnumbercomprises
nearly5percentofchildreninpublicschoolsthisdoesnotaccountforthoseinprivateandreligiousschoolsorhomeschooledchildren.
1
Thustheactualnumberof
affectedindividualsislikelytobemeaningfullyhigher,assupportedbyclinicalobservations.LDsdonotaffectracialandethnicgroups
Page108
equallyonly1percentofwhitechildrencomparedto2.6percentofblackchildrenreceivedspecialeducationservicesin2001.Thisdisparityhasbeenattributedto
economicbackgroundratherthanethnicity.Furthermore,LDisnotcausedbysocioeconomicstatus,butexposuretoknowntoxinssuchastobacco,lead,andalcohol
duringearlyphasesofdevelopmentaremoreprevalentinlowsocioeconomicareas.
Learningdisabilitieshaveseveralcauses,noneofwhicharespecific.Aspreviouslymentioned,environmentalfactorssuchasexposuretoknownneurologictoxins,
nutritionaldeprivation,andinjuriesmayallcontribute.Additionally,LDmaybetheresultofillnessorinjurybeforeorduringbirth,drugandalcoholuseduring
pregnancy,lowbirthweight,lackofadequateoxygen,andlabordifficulties.Additionally,LDscanruninthefamily,hintingatahereditarypattern.Mostoften,
however,nospecificcauseorincidentcanbeattributedtodevelopingalearningdisability.
TYPESOFLD
TheexactdiagnosticcriteriaforLDislistedintheDiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisordersIV(DSMIV).Generallyhowever,LDscanbedivided
intothreebroadcategoriesof:
Academicskillsdisorders
Developmentalspeechandlanguagedisorders
Otherdisordersthatincludecoordinationandlearningdisabilitiesnotcoveredinthepreviousterms
Eachcategorycanbebrokendownintoseveralmorespecificdisorders.Themostcommondisordersincludedyslexia,characterizedbydifficultyinprocessing
language,leadingtoproblemsinreading,writing,andspellingdyscalculia,characterizedbydifficultywithmathskills,leadingtoproblemsincomputation,mathfacts,
andconceptsoftimeandmoneydysgraphia,characterizedbydifficultyinwrittenexpression,leadingtoproblemsinhandwriting,spelling,andcompositionand
dyspraxia,characterizedbydifficultywithfinemotorskills,leadingtoproblemswithcoordinationandfinemanualdexterity.Othercommonsubgroupingsinclude
auditoryandvisualprocessingdisordersthataremarkedbyproblemsinprocessingauditoryandvisualinformation.
DIAGNOSIS
Noteverylearningproblemisconsideredalearningdisability.Manychildrenareslowerindevelopingcertainskillsandnaturaldifferencesindevelopmentratesmay
appeartobelearningdisordersbutareonlymaturationdelays.Alearningdisabilitycanonlybediagnosedbymeetingcertaindiagnosticcriteria.Observationsby
parents,teachers,andanyoneelsewhoregularlyinteractswiththe
Page109
personwillbetakenintoaccountwhenconsideringadiagnosis.Ifapatternemerges,alearningspecialistcanthenevaluatetheperson.Nearlyathirdofthepeoplewith
learningdisabilitiesalsohaveattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder(ADHD),whichservestoconfoundtheconditionevenmore.
Notadiseaseprocess,learningdisabilitiesarenotnecessarilycurableanddonotgoaway.Typically,LDsaretreatedwithacombinationofspecialeducation,
copingskills,andmedicationprotocols.Ifvigilantlyadheredto,suchprogramscanhelpthosewithlearningdisabilitiesachievenormalgoalssimilartoothersintheir
ageandeducationgroup.Keepinginmindthatlearningdisabilitiesandhowtheyaffecteachindividualishighlyvaried,differentapproachesandtechniqueswork
differentlyineachperson.
Theobjectofthischapter,similartothosepriortoit,istohighlightpossiblenutritionaldeficienciesthatmaypredisposeapersontoalearningdisorderandtoexplore
othernaturalmedicationsthatmayalleviatetheonsetorsymptomsoflearningdisabilities.
NUTRITION
Seeminglycommonsensical,theideathatoptimalnutritionalstatushasaneffectonlearningcapabilityappearstobecommonlyoverlookedinmodernsociety.Children
aremoreoftenthannotfednutritionallybankruptfoodsnotonlyforbreakfast,butalsothroughouttheday.Manymealscomprisefooditemsthathavebeenprocessed
andladenwithsugarsbutarepassedoffasnutritiousbecauseofacertainfibercontentoramountoffortificationwithBvitamins.Theimportanceofbreakfaston
schoolperformanceandlearninghasbeenstudiedandappearsthroughouttheliterature.Alargestudyinvolvingnearly6,500Koreanschoolchildrenrevealedthe
importanceofbreakfastandlunchasbeingrelatedtoacademicperformanceapositiveassociationbetweenheightandphysicalfitnesstoacademicperformancewas
notedaswell.
2
Academicperformancewasstronglyassociatedwithdietarybehaviors,namely,withmealregularityevenaftercontrollingforparentslevelof
education.
Anotherstudyinvestigatingtheeffectsofauniversal,freeschoolbreakfastprogramonacademicperformancerevealedinterestingresultsaswell.
3
Studentswhohad
totalenergyintakebelow50percentoftherecommendeddailyallowance(RDA)and/orintakebelow50percentoftheRDAoftwoormoremicronutrientswere
consideredtobeatnutritionalrisk.Priortothebeginningofthebreakfastprogram,33percentofthestudentswereclassifiedasbeingatnutritionalriskandhad
significantlyworseattendance,punctuality,grades,andbehaviorproblemsandwerelesslikelytoconsumebreakfastatschoolthanthechildrennotconsideredat
nutritionalrisk.Sixmonthsaftertheinitiationofthebreakfastprogram,thenutritionalriskstudentsexhibitedgreaterimprovementsinattendance,mathgrades,behavior,
anddecreasedhungerthanchildrenwhodidnotdecreasetheirnutritionalrisk.Thisstudydemonstratestheimportanceofnutrientintakeanditseffectofacademicand
psychosocialfunctioning.
Page110
Theimportanceofbreakfastnutritiononcognitiveperformancebyschoolchildrenappearsthroughouttheliteraturewithadditionalpositiveeffectsonattendance,
punctuality,andbehavior.Ifeatingbreakfastcanproducepositiveresultsintheseareas,itisnotsurprisingthatadequatemorningnutritionwillleadtogeneral
educationalimprovements.Needlesstosay,betterattendance,behavior,andcognitiveperformanceallcontributetobetterschoolperformance.Althoughthesestudies
donotassesstheeffectsofbreakfastnutritiononlearningdisabilities,itstandstoreasonthattheaforementionedbenefitswillbeofusetothechildwithlearning
difficultiesaswell.
IRON
Severalindividualnutrientshavebeenimplicatedinlearningdisorderswhetherassociatedwithordirectlyrelatedto,thesenutrientstudiesprovideuswithinteresting
cluesinthetreatmentandnutritionaletiologyoflearningdisabilities.
Theassociationbetweenirondeficiencyandlearningdisordershasbeenstudiedforsometimenow.Inonestudy,therelationshipbetweenlearningdisabilityand
irondeficiencywasstudiedinpreschoolagedchildren.
4
Theprevalenceofirondeficiencyandlearningdisabilityandthedifferentareasofmentaldevelopmentwere
assessedin136childrenagesfourtofive.Nutritionalstatus,ironstoragestatus,andpsychomotor,socioeconomic,andculturalpostsweretakenintoaccount,anda
positivecorrelationbetweenirondeficiencygreaterthan22.8percentanddisabilityintheareaofspeechanalysisandsynthesiswasnoted.
Anotherstudyinvestigatedtheeffectofironsupplementationonschoolperformancemeasurementsinirondeficientanemicchildrenandnonanemicchildren.
5
The
twogroupsofchildrenweredividedintoplaceboandironsupplementedgroupsnotableincreasesinmeanhemoglobinandinhematocritandtransferrinsaturation
werenotedintheanemicchildren,andtheironstatusofthesechildrenwasassociatedwithsignificantpositivechangesinschoolachievementasmeasuredbyimproved
testscores.(Theirontreatedstudentsdemonstratedslightlyhighertestscoresthantheuntreatedgroup.)
Areviewarticlefocusingontheroleofironandlearningpotentialinchildhoodcoveredseveralinterestingaspectsofthisrelationship,namelythatirondeficiencywill
adverselyaffectbehaviorbyimpairingcognitivefunction,producingnoncognitivedisturbances,andlimitingactivityandworkcapacity.
6
Inregardtocognitivefunction,
thereisevidencethatmentalandmotordevelopmentisloweramonginfantswithirondeficiencyanemia,andthereseemstobeanalterationinprocessesinvolving
attentionalfocusinolderchildrenandadultswithirondeficiency.Noncognitiveeffectsofirondeficiencyininfantsrevealedashortattentionspan,failuretorespondto
teststimuli,andunhappiness.Thisresearchreinforcestheneedtoensurepropernutrientintakestartingwiththeyoungestchildren,asirondeficiencycanbegintoaffect
theneurodevelopmentalprocessininfancy.
Page111
Youdimandcolleagueselucidatedspeculationintojusthowirondeficiencyaffectslearninginananimalmodel.
7
Anoticeablecharacteristicofirondeficiencyisa
specificdecreaseincentraldopamineneurotransmissionthatresultsfromadeclineinthenumberofdopamineD2receptorsincertainareasofthebrain(caudate
nucleus,nucleusaccumbens,pituitary,andpossiblythefrontalcortex).Whendiminished,dopamineneurotransmissionwillservetonegativelymodifydopamine
dependentbehaviors,mostnotablyareductioninlearningprocesses.Theauthorsspeculatethatironplaysavitalroleinmaintaininghealthyfunctionofdopamine
neurons,whichareintimatelyinvolvedincognitiveprocesses.
OTHERNUTRIENTS
Magnesium
Themineralmagnesiumhasbeenimplicatedasacausativefactorinsymptomsthatareinconsistentwithlearning,suchasanxiousrestlessness,fidgetingbehavior,
psychomotorinstability,andlearningdifficulties,allofwhichwerenotedinchildrenwithnormalIQlevels.
8
Magnesiumisapotentmineralwithnumerousphysiologic
functionsitsroleinlearningdisabilitiesrequiresmoreintenseinvestigation.
Zinc
Zincisacofactorinthesynthesisofneurotransmittersandisindirectlyinvolvedindopaminemetabolism(lowlevelsofdopamineareassociatedwithADHDand
supplementationofdopaminehasalleviatedthesymptomsofthislearningdisability),
9
andseveralstudiesrevealthatzincisdeficientinpeoplewithADHD.
10
ADHDis
consideredtobeanotherformoflearningdisabilityandoccursinuptoonethirdofthepeoplewhohaveotherlearningdisabilities.Twoseparateanimalstudies
demonstratedtheinitiationoflearningdisabilitiesinbothyoungandadultanimalswhendeprivedofzincintheirdietsforaperiodoftime.
11

VitaminC
Inanolderstudy,alargegroupofstudentsrangingfromkindergartentocollegeageweredividedintotwogroupsbaseduponplasmaascorbicacid(AA)levels.
12

TheaverageIQforthehigherAAgroupwasapproximately4.51pointshigherthaninthelowerAAgroup.Thetwogroupswerethendividedandweregiven
supplementalorangejuiceforaperiodofsixmonths.TheaverageIQforthehigherAAgrouproseonly0.02points,whereasthatofthelowerAAgrouprosebyan
averageof3.54points.Thisstudywascontinuedintoasecondyear,andIQwasraisedbyanaverageof3.6pointswhenplasmaAAlevelswereincreasedby50
percent.
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Iodine
Iodineisanessentialelementinhumanhealth.Obtainedthroughavarietyoffoods,iodineisoneonthemosthighlyabsorbedelementsinthehumanbody.Essentialfor
properfunctionofthethyroidgland,grossdeficiencyofiodinehasdevastatingeffectsongrowthanddevelopmentdeficiencyisassociatedwithmentalretardationand
cretinisminextremecases.
13
Becauseoftheseeffects,hypothyroidism(whichcanresultfromlowiodineintake)isscreenedforatbirthinmostdevelopedcountries.
Therichestsourcesofiodinecomefrommarineanimals,butitisfoundelsewhereinotherfoods.However,iodineisaddedtomanyfoodstoensurethatthepopulation
receivesenoughofthisimportantmineralcertaingeographicareasproducewhatisknownasendemicgoiter,oraconditioninwhichiodinerarityleadstoagoiter
conditionofthethyroidgland.
Despitebeingaddedtotablesalt,thereissomespeculationthatthismaynotbeenough,anddietarypatternsthatfocusonlowiodinecontentmayhaveaneffecton
thelearningandcognitivedevelopmentofchildren.Astudyexaminingthelongtermeffectsofsubclinicaliodinedeficiencyonlearningandmotivationinmalechildren
wasundertakentodemonstratetheimportanceofiodineintheseprocesses.
14
Thechildrenweredividedintoaseverelydeficientiodinegroupandamildlyiodine
deficientgroup.Afterundergoingabatteryoftestsdesignedtomeasurelearningandmotivationabilities,theresultsdemonstratethattheseverelydeficientchildren
wereslowerlearnersandscoredsignificantlylowerontheachievementmotivationscaleincomparisontothemildlydeficientchildren.Theresearchersinthisstudy
suggestthatsubclinicaliodinedeficiencycausesimpairedneuraldevelopmentandpoorsociopsychologicstimulation,whichresultsinlearningdisabilityanddecreased
learningachievementmotivationinthesechildren.InanotherstudycarriedoutinaregionofendemicgoiterinSicily,visualperceptualintegrativemotorability(a
measurementofreadingandspeakingcomprehension)wasmeasuredinover700clinicallynormal6to12yearoldchildren(withnormalthyroidfunction)wholivein
iodinedeficientendemicgoiterareas.
15
Neurologictestingrevealedthatnearly14percentofthesechildrenwerefoundtohavesometypeofneurologicdeficiency(as
comparedtoonly3percentofchildrenlivinginacontrolareaadjacenttotheseaiodineisplentifulinmarinebasedfoods).Additionally,19percentofchildren
exhibitedsignsofneuromuscularandneurosensorialabnormalitiesasmeasuredbyotherneurologictests.Theresultsofthisstudysuggestthepresenceofanendemic
cognitivedeficiencythiswasspeculatedtobeduetothelowiodineavailabilityintheareastudy.
Thesestudiessuggestthatsuboptimallevelsoftheabovenutrientsmayhaveaneffectonthelearningcapabilitiesofchildren,especiallyinthedevelopmentalyears.
Thesestudiesarealsointerestinginthatthenutrientsexaminedarerelativelycommoninhealthydiets,suggestingthateitherfoodcontaininadequateamountsofthese
nutrientsorthatoptimalamountsneedtobereconsidered.Thisbringshometheimportanceofsupplyingchildren(andadults)with
Page113
theverybestnutritionpossible,evenmoresointhosewithafamilyhistoryorpredispositiontolearningdisorders.
METALTOXICITY
Theaccumulationofmetalsintheneurologicsystemisafairlywellrecognizedcauseofneurologicalimpairmentinchildren.Childrenaffectedbymetaltoxicityareeven
moreseverelyaffectedthanthosewithorganicformsoflearningdisorders.Societyhasdonemuchtolowerthisriskleadhasbeenremovedfromhouseholdpaintsand
automotivefuelshowever,childrenexposedtoleadpaintsinolder,unkempthomesremainatrisk.Otherenvironmentalmetalsthatposeaneurologicthreatinclude
selenium,cadmium,andaluminum.Hairsamplesweretakenfromgroupsofchildrenwithlearningdisabilitiesandanothergroupwithoutlearningdisabilitiesand
comparedformetalcontent.
16
Thegroupofchildrenwithlearningdisabilitieswasfoundtohaveelevatedlevelsofleadandcadmiumincomparisontothenonlearning
disabilitygroup.
Leadexposureisknowntocauselearningimpairmentsandbehavioralproblems.
17
Leadisthoughttoaffectneurotransmitterreceptorsitesinthebrainandthe
availabilityoftheneurotransmitterdopamine.Leadexposureleadstolearningdisabilityandotherproblems,notonlyinchildren.Areviewoftheeffectsofchroniclow
gradeleadexposure(whichiscommoninthegeneralpopulationandisthoughttostillaffect1050percentofAmericanchildren[over34million])hypothesizedthat
longtermeffectsincludedifficultyinmentation(thinkingprocesses),behavioraldifficulties,andthedevelopmentofhypertension.
18
Theprevalenceofmetalsinthe
environment(asaresultofindustrialpollution)isfairlywidespreadandwillundoubtedlyhaveaneffectonneurologicdevelopmentaslongasitispresent.However,
becauseofthemultiplecausativefactorsinlearningdisabilities,itisdifficulttopinpointasolitaryfactorintheirdevelopment,especiallywhentheyaretheresultof
environmentalfactors.
ESSENTIALFATTYACIDS
Thedevelopmentofthebrainisahighlyinteractiveprocess,andeventsthatdisruptthisdevelopmentearlyoncanhavesignificant,longlastingeffectsonlater
development.Neuronaldevelopmentfollowsanetworkofsignalingpathways,andtheabilityofthebraincelltoaccuratelyrelaysignalsisdependentonthecomplex
interactionsofthecellmembrane.Thebrainiscomposedofnearly60percentlipidsthemajorityofthesefattyacidsarearachidonicanddocosahexaenoicacidand
areknowntobevitalforthegrowth,function,andintegrityofthebrainstructure.Polyunsaturatedfattyacids,mostspecificallyarachidonicacidanddocosahexaenoic
acid(DHA),areaccumulatedinlargeamountsinearlybraindevelopment,whichreflectsdietaryintakeofthesenutrients.(Bothfattyacidsarefoundinhumanmilk.)
Thesefattyacidsareincorporatedintothecellmembrane,andtheirrelativecontentcaninfluence
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signalingpathwaysandefficiency.Researchershaveshownthatfattyacidimbalancesanddeficiencieshaveanadverseeffectonbraindevelopment,includingtheability
torespondtoenvironmentalstimulation(i.e.,teachingandotherlearningprocesses).
19
Additionally,thisresearchindicatesthatomega3fattyacidsdeficiencycan
influenceneurotransmitterssuchasthedopaminesystem,whichnegativelyaffectsspecificlearningthattakesplaceintheprefrontallobeofthebrain.Thisandother
studiesofhumaninfantssuggestthatdietarydeficiencyofDHAmayplayaroleincognitivedevelopmentandinneurodevelopmentaldisordersthatmay,inturn,playa
roleinthedevelopmentoflearningdisorders.
AnimalstudiesdemonstratethatwhenessentialfattyacidssuchasAAandDHAaresuppliedininsufficientamounts,neurologicdevelopmentisinhibited,andthis
effectispermanent.
20
Riskofneurodevelopmentaldisordersarehighestinthelowestbirthweightbabies,andthesebabiestendtohavedeficitsofAAandDHA,
whichcontributetolongtermdevelopmentaldeficits.
21
Anotherstudyinvestigatedtheeffectsofwithholdingomega3essentialfattyacidsfromthedietsoftestanimals.
TheresearchersnotedadeclineincognitiveperformanceasbraincontentofDHAdecreased.
22
TheimportanceofAAandDHAinbraindevelopmentisevidenced
bythepermanenteffectsnotedwhenthesefatsaredeficientinthedietofdevelopingbrains.Supplementationatanearlyage,beginningimmediatelyfollowingbreast
milkweaning,shouldbeemployedtoavertanylongtermneurologicdefects.
OTHERFACTORS
Otherenvironmentalfactorscanaffectlearninganddevelopmentaswell.Thereissomeevidencethatcaffeineingestionmayimpairthebrainsabilitytoformmemory,
whichisalargepartoflearninganddevelopment.Inonestudy,caffeineimpairedthememoryretentionscoresintestsubjectswhenadministered30minutesbeforea
learningsituationoccurred.
23
Thisstudydemonstratestheabilityofcaffeinetoaffectlearningbychallengingtheprocessofmemorymaking.Otherfactors,suchas
televisionandvideogames,definitelyhaveanegativeeffectonlearning,solelybecauseoftimespentawayfromproductivestudyhabits.Theseinfluenceshavebeen
showntoalsoaffectbehaviorinwaysthatarenotconducivetolearning.Childrenwithlearningdisorderswereexposedtoeitheraggressiveorcontrolcartoonsinone
study.
24
Afterassessingfivedifferentcategoriesofsocialbehaviorfollowingthecartoonviewing,itwasnotedthatthechildrenmostaffectedbytheirleaningdisorders
weremorephysicallyaggressiveafterviewingtheaggressivecartoons.Studiessuchasthisindicatethatwhatchildrenviewontelevisionmayimpairtheirabilitytolearn.
CONCLUSION
Learningdisability,althoughnotadisease,canaffectpeoplethroughouttheirlifetimesandcomeswithsignificanteffectsonqualityoflife.Affectingpeople
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inavarietyofways,learningdisabilitiescanoccursinglyorincombination.Causesforlearningdisabilitiesincludehereditaryandenvironmentalandnutritionalfactors.
Payingparticularattentiontonutrition,especiallyinouryoungestchildren,mayservetoblunttheeffectsthatothercontributingfactorsmaycontributetothe
developmentoflearningdisabilityandmayevenpreventsomedisabilities.Researchhasprovidedseveralinterestinginsightsintonutritionaldeficienciesandtheireffects
onneurologicdevelopment.Clinically,weroutinelyobservesignificantimprovementswithsimpledietaryandsupplementalinterventions.Indeed,muchlikeacar
requirestherightgradeoffuelforpeakperformance,sodoesthehumanbody.Justaseachcarisdesignedforcertainoctane,individualsneedvaryinglevelsof
nutrients.Thus,whetherdueeithertogeneticorenvironmentalfactors,additionalnutrientneedsmaydifferentiatethosethatmanifestwithLDandthosethatdonot.
ThisclinicalobservationisbynomeansintendedtooversimplifythecomplexityoftheLD,butwithoutastrongnutritionalintervention,workwithLDcanoftenbe
unnecessarilymorechallengingthanneeded.Children,particularly,haveatremendousabilitytoadaptandneurologicallyareveryabletomakesignificantstrideswhen
theconditionisaddressedattherootcause.
NUTRIENTS
Multivitamin/Mineral
Twotabletstwicedailywithfood(orasdirected)
ContainingnutrientsmeetingatleastthesuggestedRDAforeach
Iron
Childrenshouldbeassessedforirondeficiencypriortosupplementingwiththisnutrient
RDAdosesforiron:(ironisleadingcauseofchildhoodpoisening)
Olderinfantsandchildren:
7to12months,11milligramsperday
1to3years,7milligramsperday
4to8years,10milligramsperday
9to13years,8milligramsperday
Boys14to18years,11milligramsperday
Girls14to18years,15milligramsperday
Adults:
Menaged19andolderandwomenaged51andolder,8milligramsperday(besttogettestpriortosupplementing)
Womenaged19to50years,18milligramsperday
Magnesium
5milligramsperkilogramofweight,orroughly100200milligramsperday
Zinc
10milligramsperday
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VitaminC
250500milligramsperday
Iodine
150microgramsperday
EssentialFattyAcids
12gramsperdayintheformofDHAstartingjustafterweaning
Page117
MentalFatigue
Mentalfatigueisaconditionthatvirtuallyeveryonehasexperiencedatsometimeinhisorherlife.Formanyothers,however,peakperformanceinlifeisattenuatedby
constantmentalfatigueresultingfromseveralfactors.Amongtheobviousareoverwork,andburningthecandleatbothends,ascenariothatmanyofusinthe
modernworkingworldexperience.Formany,lifeisaseriesoffastpacedeventsandsituationsthatdemandabsoluteattentionpersonal,family,andworkprioritiesall
demand100percentofourfocusedenergy.ForthemajorityofAmericans,mentalfatigueisafactoflife.Ourdependenceonmentallabortodayhasstrongeffectson
theneuroendocrineandimmunesystemsitisnowonderpeopleareinthemidstofpsychologicalandemotionaldysfunctionsthatresultindepression,anxiety,and
fatigue.
Mentalfatigueaffectspeopleindifferentwaysfordifferingperiodsoftime.Primarilytheresultofbrainoveractivity,mentalfatigueisreallyanexhaustionofthe
neurologicsystem,whichisverysimilartoexhaustionofthephysicalbodyfromphysicallabor.Mentalfatigueiscausedbycontinuousmentaleffortandattentionona
particulartaskorrelatedtasksorfromhighlevelsofstressoremotionalstates.Really,anyexcessivementalprocesscanresultinthisdisorder.Themostcommon
manifestationofmentalfatigueoccursneartheendoftheworkingday(whichcanextendlateintotheevening).Fatigueappearsasdutiesseemmorecomplicatedand
impedesthoughtprocesses,makingconcentrationlowandraisingtheoccurrenceofmistakes.
Mentalfatigueatfirstseemseasilytakencareofbyjustrestingorswitchingonesconcentration.Unfortunately,theeventsthatleadonetobecomementallyfatigued
areusuallylifestylebased(jobandhomelife)andarenoteasilyleftaloneforanyextendedperiodoftime.Thebrain,beingtheincrediblecreationthatitis,ishighlyable
torespondtoslightchangesinthewaywetake
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care(orforthatmatter,donottakecare)ofourselves.Supportingthisorgannutritionallywillprovidethenutrientsthatcontributetomentalenergyprocessesandwill
alsoreplacethosenutrientsthatareconsumedintheprocessofmentalactivity.
Thedefinitionofmentalfatigueisthesubjectivefeelingoffatigue,combinedwithnegativeeffectsonperformanceduetotimespentoncognitivelydemandingtasks.
1

Additionally,thesefeelingsoffatigueandperformancechangescanoccurindependentlyfrominfluencessuchasthetimeofday,learningcapabilities,orphysicaleffort.
(Thismayexplainwhythosewithmentalfatiguecanfeelexhaustedevenafterasolidnightofsleeptheprocessischronicandnoteasilyameliorated.)Researchersin
thisareanotethatamongthemostimportantchangesinperformanceinmentalfatigueisadeteriorationoftheorganizationofbehaviorbehaviorappearstolose
cohesionwhenpeoplebecomementallyfatigued.
2
Thefollowingcharacteristicsarenotedasdefiningfactorsofmentalfatigue:

Subjectivefeelingoffatigue
Negativechangeinperformanceduetotimespentincognitivelydemandingtasks
Independencefromtimeofday,learning,orinvestmentofphysicaleffort
Neurologicprocessesthatarethoughttobeaffectedbymentalfatigueinclude
3
:

Inhibitionofinterferingstimuli
Inhibitionofprepotentresponses(irrelevantinformationthatpopsintoonesmind)
Workingmemoryprocessesthatenableretrievalofinformation
Workingmemoryprocessesconcerningpreparationofresponses
DIETANDFATIGUE
Mentalenergy,basedonsimilarphysiologicmechanismsasisphysicalenergy(muscular),wouldseemtoberesponsivetosimilarnutritionalguidelinesthatarefollowed
forphysicalfatigue.Therefore,similardietaryrecommendationsforpeakphysicalenergyalsoshouldbeadheredtoinpersonswithmentalfatigue.True,
neurochemistryisstarklydifferentfrommuscularandmetabolicphysiology,butbothsystemsderiveenergyfromthesamegeneralsources:carbohydrates,proteins,
fats,andthevitaminsandmineralstheycontain.Oneofthefistplacesapersonwithmentalfatigueshouldlook(otherthantheoverindulgenceinactivitiesthatledtothe
fatigue)isattheirnutritionalstatus(i.e.,dietaryintake).Thetopicofmentalfatigueisonethatdemandsanevaluationofoverallmacronutrientintakeanditseffectonthis
condition.Notdefinedasastandard
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disease,mentalfatigueisdefinitelyasymptomofoverworkandundernutritionandmaysomedaybeconsideredanassociatedriskfactorfortruementaldisease.
Regaledinthemediaasoflateasahighlyundesirablefoodcomponent,carbohydratesarenecessaryforhuman(andforthatmatter,animal)metabolism.
Overindulgenceinsimplecarbohydratesandresultantinsulinresistanceiswithoutadoubtoneofthemainreasonsformuchofthediabetes,obesity,hypertension,and
cardiovasculardiseaseseeninmodernizedcountriestoday.
4
However,carbohydratesareaprimaryandnecessaryfuelsourcethatmustbeconsumedforproper
energymetabolism.Aninterestingstudycomparedtheeffectsofvariousmacronutrientbalancedlunchtimemealsonperceivedfatigueinpeopleconsumingthem.
5

Specifically,healthysubjectsconsumedlunchtimemeals(afterfastingovernightandthenconsuminganormalbreakfast)consistingofeitherahighcarbohydrate,low
proteinmeal,asimilarmealcontainingequalamountsofbothcarbohydratesandprotein,orahighprotein,lowcarbohydratemeal,ortheycontinuedtofast.Allmeals
consistedofthesameamountofcaloriesandhadequalfatcontents.Theonlymealtocauseasignificant,immediateincreaseinfatiguewasthehighcarbohydrate
lunchthiswasnotattributedtoreactivehypoglycemiaaspatientbloodglucoselevelsremainedelevated.Investigatorswereabletopartiallyexplainthe
postcarbohydratefatigueasbeingrelativetoelevationsinplasmatryptophanlevelshowever,thefatigueceasedeventhoughtryptophanlevelsremainedhighwithinthe
timeframeofthestudy.
Inanotherrelatedstudy,subjectsconsumedbreakfastmealsconsistingoflowfat,highcarbohydratecontentmediumfat,mediumcarbohydratecontentandhigh
fat,lowcarbohydratecontent,ortheyhadnomeal.
6
Thesepeoplewerethentestedonanumberoftasksdesignedtomeasurecognitiveperformanceandmood
followingthebreakfastmeal.Althoughnodifferencesincognitionwerenoted,significantchangesinmoodwerenoted,specificallydemonstratingthatmacronutrient
contentoffoodscanaffectmoodstatesfollowingconsumption.Thesignificanceofthesefindingsisthatfoodintakecanaltermood,andthereisnodoubtthatmood
statecanaffectonesperformanceatworkandinotherareasoflife.
Providingalowglycemicdietmaybehelpfulinoffsettinganyfoodinducedcognitivedeficitsfollowingthefoodintake.Foodshighinsugarssuchassimple
carbohydrates(cakes,cookies,soda,etc.)createthewellknownphenomenonofreactivehypoglycemiainwhich,followingconsumptionofsuchfoodsandthe
resultantinsulinresponse,bloodsugarsareleftlowerthantheirpreviouslevels.
7
Thisisundoubtedlydetrimentaltomentalfunction,asglucoseisthebrainsmainfuel
supplymanypeoplearefamiliarwiththelateafternoonhypoglycemiccrashinwhichtheybecomehungryandirritableandhavedecreasedperformance.
Aninterestingstudyinvestigatedthecognitiveeffectsofdifferentmacronutrients(fat,protein,andcarbohydrates).
8
Inthisstudy,fatingestionleadtothebest
postprandial(aftereating)cognitiveperformance,whereascarbohydrates
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andproteinconsumptionresultedinloweroverallcognitiveperformance.However,differentcognitivefunctionswereaffectedbyeachmacronutrientcarbohydrate
ingestioncausedbettershorttermmemoryandtaskaccuracy,whereasproteiningestionledtobetterattentionandtaskefficiency.Suchfindingssupporttheideathat
bothstableandbestcognitiveperformanceisrelatedtobalancedglucosemetabolismandmetabolicstates.
Anotheranalysisofbreakfastmealswasperformedandhighlightedinareviewarticlethatcomparedthefindingsofthreeseparatestudiesinvestigatingthe
importanceofadequatebloodglucoseinimprovingmemoryfunctioninpeoplewhoatebreakfast.
9
Thefindingsfromthisreviewrevealedthateatingbreakfast
influencedcognitionthroughseveralmechanisms,oneofwhichwasincreasedbloodglucose.Eatingbreakfast(andmaintainingadequatebloodglucoselevels)resulted
inimprovedmemoryfunction,whereasfastingwasfoundtoadverselyaffectrecallthisperformancedeclinewasreversiblebyconsumingaglucoserichfood.Luckily,
failuretoeatbreakfastdidnotaffectperformanceonintelligencetests.
Thereismuchresearchregardingtheroleoffolateinmentalhealththerolethatfolateplaysinthesynthesisofneurotransmitterscanbeappliedtoitsuseinmental
fatigueaswell.Neurotransmittersareessentiallythelanguageofthebrain,andtheoretically,verylittleneurologicworkcouldhappenintheirabsence.Previouschapters
havehighlightedtheroleoffolateinbrainmetabolismandtheirimprovementwhendeficienciesarecorrected.Theroleoffolatesinneurotransmittersynthesisand
function,aswellastheirroleinneuronalstructure,stressestheimportanceofthisvitaminanditsformsinproperneurologicfunctionandthatdeficitsareassociatedwith
mentalhealthproblems.Amongtheotherfunctionsoffolate,itcontributestotheformationofglutamate,andexcitatoryneurotransmitter,justtonameafew.
10

BOTANICALMEDICINES
Thereareseveralherbswithsocallednootropiceffects,meaningtheyhaveanaffinityforimprovingbrainfunction.Althoughtheroleofpropernutritioninmentalhealth
andpreventionofmentalfatiguecannotbedisputed,theadditionofbotanicalmedicinesthatfurtherassistthebrainonametabolicallyenhancedlevelareimportantto
consider.Thebotanicalmedicinesmentionedhereindonotactasstimulantsseveralstimulants(caffeine,ephedra)havebeenintenselystudiedandshowadefinite
increaseincognitivefunction.However,themetabolicpremiseoftheseandotherneurologicstimulantscanbelikenedtorobbingPetertopayPaul.Rather,stimulants
onlyincreaseenergyattheexpenseofthebrainsnutrientsupplypushingontheacceleratormakesthecargofaster,butitalsousesthefuelmorerapidlyand
accelerateswearandtearonthevehicle.Botanicalmedicinesthatareusedtoavertmentalfatiguedosoprimarilybysupportingcognitivefunctionthroughtheireffects
onneurologicmetabolism.
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Rhodiolarosea
AnativeplanttotheArcticregionsofSiberia,Scandinavia,Lapland,andAlaska,RhodiolahasalonghistoryofmedicinalusedatingbacktothefirstcenturyA.D.
11

Thisherbhasbeenusedtoincreaseenergyandstaminaaswellasmentalcapacityitisclassifiedasanadaptogen,orsubstancethatassiststhebodyinresisting
physical,chemical,andenvironmentalstressors.Recentresearchhasinvestigatedtheefficacyofthisplantasappliedtomoderndaylifestresseswithinterestingresults.
OnestudyinvestigatedtheantifatigueeffectsofRhodiolaonmentalworkcapacityinasituationofbackgroundfatigueandstress(militarycadets).
12
Thestudyresults
demonstratedasignificantantifatigueeffectinthecadetstakingtheherb,andthiseffectwasstatisticallysignificantincomparisontotheplacebogroup.Anotherstudy
moreapplicabletomentalfatigueinvestigatedtheeffectofastandardizedextractofRhodiolaonfatigueduringnightshiftsamonghealthyyoungphysicians.
13
Mental
performanceinthisstudywasmeasuredusingtestsdesignedtomonitormentalfatigueinvolvingperceptiveandcognitivecerebralfunctionssuchasassociativethinking,
shorttermmemory,calculation,concentrationability,andaudiovisualperception.Resultsdemonstratedstatisticallysignificantimprovementsinmentalperformanceas
measuredusingthementionedobjectivepointsnosideeffectswerereportedinsubjectsusingtheherb.
Studiessuchasthesedemonstratethefascinatingeffectsofthisplantonstressrelatedmentalfunctionthisisapplicable,ofcourse,tomanypeopleseverydaylives
thatarefullofstressfulevents,withlittlereprise.AnotherstudyusedRhodiolainstudentsduringanacutestressfulperiodoftesttakingthatoccurredoveraperiodof
severalweeks.
14
Rhodiolawasusedtoattenuatetheeffectsofstressasmeasuredbymentalfatigue,neuromotortests,andphysicalfitness,beforeandafter
supplementation,overa20dayperiod.Selfassessmentofgeneralwellbeingimprovedfollowingthestudyperiod,andsignificantimprovementswerenotedinthe
areasofphysicalfitness,mentalfatigue,andneuromotortestcategoriesaswell.Rhodiolaisaninterestingadaptogenicbotanicalmedicinewithdefiniteusesinthosethat
sufferfrommentalfatigue.Alargeamountofresearchwasperformedonthisherbinthelate1960sand1970s,primarilyinRussia,withinterestingresultsinfitnessand
mentalworkperformance.Researchersareagaininvestigatingthepromisingeffectsofthisherbithaspropertiesthatmakeitanidealsupportiveaidformentalfatigue.
Ginseng
Ginsengisderivedfromthreemainvarietiesofthisherb(Panax,Siberian,American).Anothertraditionallyusedbotanicalwiththousandsofyearsofuse,theginsengs
arealsoconsideredadaptogenicbotanicals.Thetermadaptogencoversahugeareaofphysiologicresponsesandiseliciteddifferentlywithindividualherbspecies.
Pastresearchonginsengrevealsphysiologiceffectsthatmay
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benefitcognitiveperformanceandmoodanimalstudiesindicatemodulationofstress,fatigue,andlearningcapacities,andsingledosesadministeredinhumansubjects
havebeenshowntoimprovememory.
15
Componentsofginseng,knownasginsenosides(whicharederivedfromallthreespeciesofginseng),havenumerous
pharmacologicactionsonthebrainandnervoussystem(inadditiontootherareasofthebody).Astudyusingaginsengcomponentwasshowntoenhancethegrowth
ofneuronsandprotectthemfromdamageinducedbyacommonlyusedexperimentalneurotoxin(MPTP).
16
Resultsfromthisstudysuggestthattheneuroprotective
andneurotrophic(nervegrowing)effectsofginsengmayaccountfortheenhancementofcognitivefunctionthatisexperiencedinpeopleusingginsengasasupportive
agent.Anothereffectofginsengthatmaycontributetotheherbsbenefitonbrainfunctionistheabilityofoneginsenosidetofacilitatethereleaseofaneurotransmitter
(acetylcholine)fromanareaofthebrainknownasthehippocampus.
17
Researchersnotedthatthisincreasedreleaseofacetylcholinemightbeassociatedwiththe
abilityofginsengtopreventmemorylossbymodulatingthemetabolismofthisneurotransmitter.
Ginkgobiloba
Ginkgobilobaisbestknownforitspreventiveeffectsonthebraininvariousformsofdementia(pleaseseethechapteronAlzheimersdiseaseformoreinformation).
Notsurprising,thisherbalsohasneurologicbenefitspriortotheonsetofagerelateddeclineitisachallengetorecallthatmanyherbs,containingseveralactive
constituents,havevariouseffectsonsameorgansystems,aswellasotherbodilysystems.Ginkgoisbeneficialinconditionsofmentalfatigueperhapsinpartduetoits
abilitytoincreasebloodflowandoxygenationtothebrain,amongotherfunctions.Itscombinationwithginsengdemonstratesadditionalneurologicbenefitthathasbeen
highlightedinseveralstudies.
Ginkgoextract,inadditiontobeingeffectiveinpreventingAlzheimersdisease,vasculardementia,andagerelatedcognitivedecline,alsohaspotentantioxidant
activityanddirectlyaffectsthecholinergicneurotransmittersystemrecentresearchdemonstratesthatginkgoactsasanootropicagentthatworkstoimprovebrain
function.Arandomized,doubleblind,placebocontrolledstudyutilizingginkgoextractfor30daysdemonstratedsignificantimprovementsinworkingmemory,rapidity
ofinformationprocessing,andmentalprocessing.
18
Theseresultsaresuggestiveoftheabilityofginkgoextracttoimprovebrainfunctionsthatareassociatedwithboth
mentalfatigueandmeasurementsofintelligence.
Researchinvolvingcombinationsofbothginkgoandginsenghaveprovidedfascinatingresultsregardingmentalperformance.Althoughnotsurprising,combinations
ofthesetwopowerfulbrainspecificbotanicalmedicinesprovidefurtherbenefitsforcombatingthefatigueofmentalexertion.Utilizingacombinationofthetwoherbs,
onestudyattemptedtodefinecalculationskillimprovementsfollowingserialdosesofthetwoherbs.
19
Studysubjectsexperiencedsignificant

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andsustainedincreasedabilitytocalculate(SerialSevens)followingdosingoftheherbcombinationatone,two,four,five,andsixhoursfollowingadministration.
Anotherstudyrevealedthatafterreceivingacombinationofthetwoherbs,thosereceivingtheactivecompoundexperiencedadosedependentimprovementin
performanceinthequalityofmemorytestfactorincognitiveperformance.
20
Thiseffectwasspecificallymoreprominentatlongertermmemoryfunction.These
resultsarequiteprofoundinthatanearimmediateeffectonspecificbrainfunctionswererealizedfollowingadministration,anditlastedforsometimethereafter.
Keepinginmindthattheeffectsmeasuredintheseparticularstudiesrepresentonlyaminisculefractionofcognitivefunction,itisexcitingtoseesuchoutcomes
extrapolationoftheseresultsinrelationtomentalfatigueseemsquitepromisingasthisstudydemonstratestheutilityoftheseherbsasanimmediateremedy.Ginkgoand
ginsengarebothsafebotanicalmedicineswithveryspecificeffectsoncognitivefunction.Theseeffectscanbeinterpretedasimprovementsincognitivefunctionthat
makesthemsuperiorchoicesincombatingmentalfatigue.Theseherbsseemtohaveseveraleffectsonthebrain.Whetherincreasingcognitivefunctioninthehealthyor
amelioratingtheeffectsofdementia,theypresentanasofyetunparallelednutritionaltreatmentthatisnotmatchedbyanyothercompound.
OTHERCONSIDERATIONS
Inadditiontoavoidinglowbloodsugarsymptomsbyconsumingregular,balancedmeals,certainnutrientsmayhelptoassistthebodyinmaintainingitsbloodsugar.
Chromiumisanessentialtraceelementthatthebodyusestoutilizebloodglucose.Partofacomplexofmoleculesknownasglucosetolerancefactor,chromiumis
thoughttobetheactivepartofthecomplex.Chromiumisthoughttoenhancetheactivityofinsulin,abodilyhormonethatisresponsiblefortransportingglucoseintothe
cells.Chromiumincreasesthenumberofinsulinreceptors,ordoorwaysthroughwhichinsulinandglucoseentercells,aswellasreceptoraffinitytoglucose.
21
Without
chromium,insulindoesnotbindaswelltocells,andthenumberofinsulinreceptorsdecrease.Chromiumalsoservestoassistwiththemetabolismofglucoseitself,as
wellasitstransformationintofattyacidsandcholesterol.
22
Whatallofthismeansisthattakensupplementally,chromiumhelpsthebodyutilizefoods(primarily
carbohydrates)moreefficiently,therebypreventinghypoglycemia(decreasedbloodsugar)thatcontributestodecreasedmentalfocusandattention.
CONCLUSION
Mentalfatigueisprimarilytheresultofoverburdeningthecentralnervoussystem.However,withmodernlifeanditsconstantdemands,peoplerequireadditional
supportoftheircognitivefunctionsinordertocopewithdailystressorsandtoavertfuturementaldysfunction.Appropriatesupportofthebrain
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beginswithanadequatenutritionalplanresearchdemonstratestheimportanceofbalanced,regularmealsasafirststepinachievingthisgoal.Asalways,healthy
nutritionshouldbereinforcedwithamultivitaminandmineralsupplement,asasupportiveelement.Inadditiontonutrition,thebotanicalmedicinesRhodiolarosea,
Ginkgobiloba,andginsengspeciesprovideadaptogenicaswellasspecificneurologicfunctionsupportforcombatingmentalfatigue.Thepersonsufferingfromfatigue
caneffectivelyemploycombinationsofthesebotanicalmedicinesasapreventivestrategyagainstmentalfatigueanddecline.
Thekeytohelpingtreatmentalfatigueistoeliminatedeficitspending.Orputanotherway,ifacarburnsahigherrateofgasolinethanisputinthetank,itwillrunon
vaporsuntilitultimatelyrunsoutoffuel.Thehumanbodyisverycomparable.Indeed,properfuelingofthebodyiscritical,yet,evenwithafulltankoffuel,abodythat
hasbecomedeconditionedfromoveruse,excessstress,insufficientrest,orunderlyingotherhealthissueswillincreasethelikelihoodofpotentialcatastrophicfailureof
theneurologicalfunctioningresultingindiminishedmentalalertnessandfoundationalenergy.Onthepositivenote,thebodyisremarkablyrecuperative,andwiththe
slightestinclination,significantstridescanbemadetoregainlostground.Thetakehomemessageisnotoneofjustfuelingthebodyproperlyitalsoimpartsthat,when
endeavoringtobuildupthebodysreserves,overtlossesofcurrentgainsmustbecurtailed.Providingthebodywithsomedowntimeandavoidingcontinuousmental
stimulationthatleadstothementalfatigueinthefirstplacewillallowthebraintorecuperateandrecoverfromfatigue.
NUTRIENTS
Macronutrients
Ensureadequateconsumptionofcarbohydrates,proteins,andfatsinaratioof40:30:30threetimesdaily
Folate
1,000microgramsperday
Chromium
200microgramsperday
BOTANICALS
Rhodiolarosea
50milligrams,twicedaily
Ginkgobiloba
60120milligrams,twicedaily
Ginseng
0.250.5gramstwicedaily
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MultipleSclerosis
Aconditionthatischaracterizedbydemyelinatinglesions(lossoftheprotectivelayerthatsurroundsthenervesandallowsforefficientnervesignalimpulses)inthe
brainandspinalcord,thesymptomsofmultiplesclerosis(MS)canincludeweakness,balanceproblems,impairedvision,numbness,bladderdysfunction,and
sometimeschangesinpsychologicalstatus.Achronichealthcondition,peoplewithMSoftenexperiencevariablesignsandsymptoms,andMSisconsidereda
relapsing/remittingdisease,meaningthatsymptomscomeandgoovertime.Inshort,symptomscanworsenforaperiodoftimeandthensuddenlygreatlyorpartially
improve.Thereislittleevidenceforwhythisoccursatthistime.Thenameofthedisease,multiplesclerosis,exemplifiesthediseaseprocessasitoccursinthecentral
nervoussystem(CNS)(composedofthebrainandspinalcord),characterizedbymultiplesclerosed,orscarred,areasthroughoutthebrainandspinalcord.The
processinvolvesdifferentcomponentsoftheimmunesystemthatattackanddestroytheinsulatingmaterialsurroundingnervecells(myelin)andinsomecasesdestroy
thenervesthemselves.Myelinissimilartotheinsulatingmaterialaroundelectricalwiresawirewithoutthislayerwillinefficientlytransmitelectricalpotentials.
Ofteninitiallyappearinginyoungadults(averageageis30butpeakincidenceoccursinthemid20s),MSsymptomsmayoccurinattacksthatareseparatedby
monthsoryears,makingitdifficulttodiagnose.Truediagnosiscannotbeunequivocallymadeuntilsymptomshaveoccurredinseparateareasofthenervoussystem.
StatisticsconcerningMSvaryitaffects250,000to350,000peopleintheUnitedStatesandanywherefrom1.1to2.5millionpeopleworldwide.
1
Thesenumbersmay
notbewhollyaccurateasMSisadiseasethatisnotalwaysreportedorcaughtbyphysicians.About1ofevery700peoplehasMSintheUnitedStates,anditisthe
secondmostcommondiseasethataffectstheCNS
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inyoungadults.Womenaretwiceaslikelytobeaffectedasmen,andthediseaseoccursmostcommonlyinCaucasiansofnorthernEuropeanorigin,especially
Scottishdescent.Familyhistoryplaysarole,althoughtheriskforinheritingthefullgeneticfactorsthatcontributetoMSrangesfrom2percentto4percentbutrisk
amongidenticaltwinsisnearly30percent.
2

GeographiclocationandMShavebeenlinked,especiallyamongCaucasians.Thereisarelationshipbetweenwhereapersonlivedasachildandhisorherriskof
developingMSlaterinlife,suggestinganenvironmentallinkatworkinthedisease.TheincidenceofMSisgreaterinpersonsliving(aschildren)innorthernareasof
EuropeandNorthAmerica.
3
Otherevidencesuggeststhatwhenpeoplemovefromahighriskareatoalowriskarea,orthereverse,priortotheageof15,theymay
acquiretheriskassociatedwiththenewarea,andiftheyareolderthanage15,theyretainthesameriskassociatedwiththeoldarea.
4
Otherwise,thegeographic
hypothesisisweakenedbythelackofanidentifiableinfectiousagentandweakanalysistestingtheassociationbetweenMSandanypreviousinfectioninsubjects.
5

Asmentionedpreviously,thecausativefactorsforMSaremany,andnoonespecificcausativefactorhasbeenidentified.Naturaltherapeuticsprovideseveralforms
oftreatmentwithestablishedbenefitsinpeoplewithMSandcanhelpreducethesymptomsofthisdisease.Longtermeffectsofnaturaltherapeuticsarenotknownat
thistimehowever,thisdoesnotimplythatthesetherapiesshouldnotbeemployed.Again,MSisadiseasewithprobablyseveralcauses,oneofthembeingbiological
individuality,andwhatmayprovidesomebenefitinonepatientmayprovidegreatorlittlebenefitinanother.
NUTRITIONALFACTORS
InterestingresearchhasbeendoneintheareaofvitaminDandMS.ResearchershavehypothesizedthataformofvitaminD,knownas1,25dihydroxyvitaminD3,
exertsprotectiveeffectsagainstMSduetothefollowing:1.VitaminD3fullyprotectsanimalsfromanexperimentallyinducedformofMS,whichiswidelyusedasa
researchmodelforhumanMS.2.BecauseoftheenvironmentalrelationshipbetweenlatitudeandMS,itishypothesizedthatacrucialfactorislackofultravioletlight
inducedvitaminD3synthesisintheskinandthatvitaminD3actsasaselectiveimmunesystemregulatorthatworkstoinhibitautoimmunediseasethereforeinlow
sunlightconditions,insufficientprotectiveamountsofD3aremanufactured.
3
Despitethecircumstantialnature,thistheorymayexplainthegeographicaldistributionof
MS,andtwoespeciallyinterestinggeographicexamples:MSratesinSwitzerlandareelevatedinlowaltitudesanddepressedathighaltitudes,whereUVlightismore
intense,andinNorway,whereMSratesarehigherinland,butmuchlowernearthecostwherevitaminD3richfishisregularlyconsumed.
6
Theauthorsofthiswork
suggestthatfurtherresearchinthisareamayapproachthepossibilitythatMScouldbe
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preventedingeneticallysusceptiblepeoplethroughtheuseofsupplementalvitaminD3.
TheresearchimplicatingdeficiencyofvitaminDasacausativefactorinMSisfurtherevidencedbythefactthatmostpeoplewithMSareaffectedbythis,asshown
intheirlowbonemassandhighfracturerates.
7
(VitaminDplaysanintegralroleincalciummetabolismandthusbonestrength.)However,thestrongestevidenceisthe
abilityofvitaminDtocompletelyinhibitexperimentalformsofMSinanimalsthisiscarriedoutbytheabilityofvitaminDtostimulatetheproductionoftwo
proexperimentalMSimmunefactors(interleukin4andtransforminggrowthfactorbeta1)inanimalmodels.
8

Intheonlystudyofitskind,agroupofyoungMSpatientswassupplementedwithcalcium,magnesium,andvitaminDoveraperiodofonetotwoyearsinorderto
determinetheeffectsofthesenutrientsondiseasecourse.
9
Thepatientsowncasehistoryservedasthecontrolinthisstudythatis,afterthecourseof
supplementation,thenumberofsymptomexacerbationswascomparedtothenumberexperiencedpriortotakingthesupplementprotocol.Whilesupplemented,these
MSpatientshadlessthanonehalfthesymptomflaresthatwereexpectedfrompriordiseasecharacter,andnosideeffectswerereported.Thisstudyprovidessome
insightintotheusefulnessofthesenutrientsincontrollingdiseasesymptomsandtheirroleinstabilizingmyelininMS.
VitaminB12,withitsmanycontributoryfunctionstoneurologicfunction,hasbeenstudiedtosomeextentinMS.StudiesinvolvingvitaminB12andMShave
demonstratedanassociationbetweendeficiencyofthisvitaminandoccurrenceofthedisease.Additionally,otherstudieshavedemonstratedanincreasedriskofred
bloodcelldeformation(macrocytosis),lowbloodandcerebrospinalfluidlevelsofB12,andelevatedlevelsofbindingcapacityinMS.
10
Investigatorsareunableto
speculatetheexactroleofB12inMSpathologyhowever,itishypothesizedthatbindingortransportabilitiesofB12aretoblame,andthereisastrikingsimilarityin
theepidemiologicpatternsofMSandperniciousanemia.
Additionally,B12deficiencyhasbeenshowntocontributetothedestructionofmyelinandaxonsinthewhitematterareasofthecentralnervoussystem.
11
Acase
reviewofMSandB12studiesrevealedasignificantassociationbetweenMSanddysfunctionalB12metabolismcasesreportedincludedlowserumB12levels,
elevatedsaturationcapacities,andmacrocytosis(bloodcelldeformityasignofinsufficientB12).
12
TheauthorsofthisreviewspeculatethatB12deficiencymay
furtherexacerbateMSsymptomsorimpairpatientrecoveryfromsymptomaticevents.BloodlevelsofvitaminB12andB12bindingcapabilitiesweremeasuredina
groupofpeoplewithMS.
13
Althoughnodeficiencywasdetectedinthisgroupofpatients,therewasasignificantlylargedecreaseintheunsaturatedB12binding
capacities,meaningthatstoragecapabilitieswerereducedincomparisonstohealthysubjects.Subsequently,thesepatientsweretreatedwithverylargedoses(60
milligramseveryday)ofB12for
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thenextsixmonths.Abnormalitiesinbrainstemandvisualnervefunction(evokedpotentials)improvedatagreaterspeedduringthesupplementationphasethanduring
thepresupplementperiod,indicatingthatlargeamountsofB12mayimprovesomeaspectsofMSneurologicfunction.
Inadifferenttypeofinvestigationalstudy,itwasrevealedthatserumB12levelsinpeoplewithMSarerelatedtotheageatwhichthepersonfirstbeginsto
experiencediseasesymptoms.
14
ThestudyfoundthatpeoplewhoseMSappearedpriortoage18(averageageof10years)hadsignificantlylowerserumB12levels
thanthosewhoseMSappearedaftertheageof18(averageageof35years).Investigatorsfoundthatlevelsoffolatewereunrelatedtothesephenomenaand
suggestedthatthereisaspecificassociationbetweentimeofonsetofMSandmetabolismofB12.Inaddition,becauseoftheimportanceofB12inmyelinand
immunesystemfunctions(thereisalargebodyofresearchconcerningviralinfectionasonecauseofMS),theauthorsofthestudysuggestthatadeficiencyofB12isa
criticalfactorinthedevelopmentofMS.
ANTIOXIDATIVETHERAPY
TheroleofantioxidantstatusinMSpatientshasbeenexploredfrombothacausativeandtreatmentstandpoint.Oxidativestresshasbeenimplicatedinmanydisease
processes,notonlyMS.
15
Oxidationisadamagingbiologicprocessthatoccursbasicallyasasideeffectofnormalmetabolism.Unfortunately,theenvironmentisfullof
otheroxidants(namelypollutionandchemicals)thatareingestedalongwiththeairwebreatheandfoodweeat.OxidationdamagesDNAmoleculesandfattyacidsin
thebody,makingitdifficultforgenes,andthereforecells,torepairthemselvesadequately.Continuousdamageatthesemicroscopiclevelsiswidelyconsideredtobe
therootcauseofagerelateddecline.
16

LevelsofvitaminshavebeenmeasuredinMSpatientsinordertodetermineifthesepatientshadadequateamountsintheirblood.Astudydeterminedtheamountof
antioxidantvitamins(ascorbicacid,betacarotene,retinol,andalphatocopherol)andthelevelofprooxidationthatwasoccurring(asmeasuredbythiobarbituricacid
reactingsubstances[TBARS]generation).
17
ThelevelsofthefourvitaminsweresignificantlylowerintheMSpatientscomparedtothehealthycontrolsubjects
(measuresofincreasedoxidationwerehigherintheMSpatientscomparedtothecontrolsubjectsalso),indicatingapossibleincreasedneedforantioxidanttype
vitaminsinpeoplewithMS,mostnotablyduringanexacerbationofsymptoms.
Inaseparatestudy,significantincreasesintheamountofplasmalipidoxidizabilityandautoantibodiesagainstoxidizedlowdensitylipoproteins,inadditiontoa
measurabledecreaseinantioxidantcapacityofpatientplasma,weremeasuredinpersonsexperiencingaflareupofMSsymptoms.
18
Thesefindingshighlightthe
importanceofantioxidantsinthepreventionandtreatmentofdiseaseconditions,includingMS.Bysupplementingwithadequateamounts,one
Page129
maypossiblymitigatetheeffectsofoxidationonlipids,animportantstepinthepreventionofMS.
SupplementationwithvitaminsC,A,Eandthemineralszincandseleniumprovideagoodantioxidativebasetherapy.Allofthesenutrientshaveprovenantioxidative
effectsandhavebeenwidelystudiedfortheirefficacyinpreventingoxidativedamageinthebodyandrestoringantioxidantstatusindiseasestates.
19
Recentresearch
hasrevealedagroupofevenmorepowerfulantioxidantcompoundsderivedfromplantsources.Thesecompounds,knownasoligomericproanthocyanidins,canbe
foundinmanyplantfoodshowever,themostabundantsourcesincludegreentea,bilberry,grapeseed,buckwheat,andredwine.Supplyingadequateamountsof
thesefoodsinthedietmaygreatlydecreaseonesoxidativeburden.Providinglargeamounts(studiesoftheprotectiveeffectsofgreentearevealedthatthosewho
consumedtheequivalentof10ormorecupsperdayexperiencedthegreatestpreventativeeffect)ofthesecompounds(withtheexceptionofredwine)infoodor
supplementform(supplementswillallowforgreaterconsumption)canprovideaproactiveandpreventativestrategyforlesseningtheseverityoftheMSdisease
process.
FATTYACIDS
Essentialfattyacids(EFAs)areneededbyhumansinordertoperformvariousphysiologicfunctions,includingmodulationofinflammationandsynthesisofimmune
systemfactors,andcontributetotheformationofcellularmembranesthroughoutthebody.Deficiencyoftheessentialfattyacidsisarelativelycommonconditionin
countrieswithprocessedfooddiets.Itistheorizedthathumansevolvedonadietconsistingofa1:1ratioofomega6toomega3fattyacids,whereastodaythetypical
Westerndietconsistsofaratiobetween10:1and25:1,andinsomecases,itmaybeashighas40:1.Itisthisimbalancedfattyacidratiothatislinkedtochronic
inflammatoryhealthproblems.Acommonmisconceptionisthatallcommonlyconsumedomega6fattyacids(linoleicacid,arachidonicacid,andgammalinolenic
acid)areunhealthful,whentherealityisthatonlyexcessiveintakeoflinoleicandarachidonicacid(combinedwithdecreasedomega3fattyacids)contributetochronic
inflammation,asthesefattyacidsarenecessarytoperformessentialfunctionsinthebody.Gammalinoleicacidhasconsiderablehealthbenefitsandisnotlinkedtothe
problemsassociatedwithanunbalancedfattyacidprofile.
EvidencefrombothabiochemicalandepidemiologicperspectivereinforcesthebeneficialroleofEFAs.Areviewarticlecoveringstudiesthatutilizedbothomega6
andomega3polyunsaturatedfattyacidsinthetreatmentofMSsuggestsapositivetendencyinthereductionoftheseverityandfrequencyofsymptomrelapsesovera
twoyearperiod,providinganoverallbenefittothepatients.
20
AnearliercollectivereviewofthreestudiesusingEFAsinthetreatmentofMSalsorevealedapositive
effectfromadditionofthesefatstothediet.
21
Theresults

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fromthisreviewcombinedthedatafromthestudiesregardingneurologicassessmentsthatwerecarriedoutoveratwoandahalfyearperiod.Patientswhowere
treatedwithEFAsexperiencedlessrapidprogressionofdisabilitycomparedtocontrolsubjects.Inaddition,itreducedtheseverityanddurationofMSrelapsesinall
treatedpatientsregardlessofdisabilitylevels.ThebenefitsofEFAsupplementationaredemonstratedinseveraladditionalstudiesinvestigatingtheiruseinthetreatment
ofMS.Combinedwithbroadspectrumnutritionalsupplementation,thiscombinationprovidesadditionalbenefitstotheMSpatient.
AgroupofrecentlydiagnosedMSpatientswerestudiedtodeterminewhetherprovidingEFAsupplementation,dietaryadvice,andavitaminsupplementwould
influencetheirclinicalcourse.
22
ThisgroupreceivedsupplementalEFAandvitaminsfortwoyearsandexperiencedasignificantreductioninthemean(average)annual
rateofsymptomflaresandexperiencedlessdisabilityasmeasuredontheExpandedDisabilityStatusScale(EDSS)whencomparedtoprestudylevels.Thisstudy
providesadditionalevidencesupportingtheroleofEFAsupplementationandnutritionalsupport,evenwhensuppliedinabroadmannerasamultivitamin.Using
essentialfattyacidscreatesamorefavorablecellularenvironmentinautoimmunediseasesandconditionsinwhichinflammatoryprocessesareatwork.
TheuseofEFAstotreatMShasitsoriginsintheSwankdiet,whichconsistsofmaintainingadietaryregimenthatisnearlydevoidofsaturatedfats(whichusually
comefromprocessedfattyfoods).Evidenceshowsthatlongtermadherencetoanextremelylowamountofsaturatedfatinthediettendstoslowtheprogressionof
thedisease,aswellasdecreasethenumberofsymptomattacks.AlargenumberofMSpatientswhomaintainedthisdietwerefollowedfor34yearsandwerethen
dividedintothreegroupsofneurologicaldisability(minimum,moderate,severe)thosewhofollowedthedietmostcloselydisplayedsignificantlylessdisease
deteriorationanddeathratesthancontrols.Additionally,thegreatestbenefitswereseenintheminimumneurologicdisabilitygroup,witha95percentsurvivalrate
(excludingothercausesofdeath)andretainmentofhighlevelsofphysicalactivity.
23

FOODALLERGY
Foodallergy,acommonculpritinmanyconditions,shouldbestronglyconsideredinthetreatmentofMSandallautoimmuneconditions.Althoughclinicalevidencefor
removaloffoodallergensisdifficulttocomeby,anecdotalevidencedoessuggestthatthisapproachcanhelptorelieveMSsymptoms.Additionally,evidenceis
accumulatingthatreflectstheintricaterelationshipbetweenfoodproteinsandperturbationsinhumanimmunity.
24
Itisimportantthatallpersons,regardlessofcondition,
identifyfoodsthatmaycausenegativeinteractionsintheirbodies.Foodallergiesandsensitivities,whenidentifiedandremoved,resultinthealleviationofmanypatients
symptomsinnumeroushealthconditions.
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Byremovingthesefoods,thebodyisabletoperformitsregularfunctionswithlessenergydirectedatcombatingand/ordealingwithfoodsthatitdoesnottoleratewell.
Again,ifoneisill,itismostimportanttoidentifyallfactorsthatdistractthebodyfromfocusingoncompletehealthandhealing.
OTHERLIFESTYLEMODIFICATIONS
MaintenanceofphysicalfitnessisimportantinpeoplewithMS.AlthoughbecomingfatiguediscontraindicatedinMS,gettingregular,stimulativeexercisecanbe
beneficialforpreventativemaintenanceasregularexerciseandphysicalactivitycanminimizestatesofdeconditionandhelppeoplewithMStomaintainoptimalphysical
function.Astudydesignedtodeterminetherelationshipbetweenphysicalactivityandsocial,mental,andphysicalhealthandwellbeinginpeoplewithMSrevealedthat
personswithMSwhoreportedparticipatinginregularexercisescoredhigheronphysicalfunctioningandgeneralhealthmeasurementsthanthosewhodidnotexercise
atall.
25

WhenMSsymptomsflare,manypatientswillattributethistoarecentstressintheirlife.Stressappearstobeoneofthehairsthatbreaksthecamelsbackwhenit
comestosymptomexacerbationinthiscondition.Therefore,apersonwithMSwillbenefitfromstressmodulationtechniquesandlifestylechangesthataddressthe
stress.Additionally,botanicalmedicinescanoffersupportintheformofsupportingadrenalglandfunction.Theadrenalglandsareresponsibleforsecretingthebodys
stresshormones,catecholamines.Thesehormonesriseasstresslevelsincrease,andtheirpurpose,atleastinitially,istohelpthebodyadapttothestressthatit
experiences.Overtimeandwhenexposedtochronicstress,itistheorizedthattheadrenalglandsmaynotfunctionuptoparinthisrespect,duetooverstimulation.
Thismayleaveapersonwithlessphysiologiccapacitytodealwithstress.
CordycepsSinensis
AfungusharvestedinmountainousregionsofChina,Cordycepsissaidtobeanadaptogenicagent.Anadaptogenisanagentthatassistsapersonincounteracting
adversephysical,chemical,orbiologicalstressorsbygeneratingnonspecificresistance.Moresimplified,adaptogensbolsterourbodysstressdefenses.Cordyceps
wasusedtomeasurethephysiologicstressresponseinanimalsinonestudy,utilizingtheweightoftheadrenalglandasanoutcome.
26
Aftersupplementingtheanimals
withCordycepsandthenexposingthemtostress,itwasfoundthattheanimalsgiventheCordycepsdidnothaveaslargeadrenalglandsasthosenotsupplemented
andexposedtostress.(Theadrenalglandsgrowinresponsetostressinordertocompensateforincreaseddemandonthisgland.)Cordycepscanbeusedtoassistthe
bodyindealingwithstressanditshormonalconsequencesbysupportingthefunctionoftheadrenalgland.
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PanaxGinseng
Thisspeciesofginseng(morepopularlyknownasAsianginseng)isconsideredanadaptogenicherbaswell,withtheabilitytostimulatetheadrenocorticalhormone
systemoftheadrenalgland.Usedtocombatstress,ginsengcanincreasethebodysresistancetoenvironmentalstressandmayimprovewellbeing.Thisherbmay
increasecortisol(astresshormonefromtheadrenalglands)levelsintheblood,
27
anditstimulatesfunctionoftheadrenalglandaswell.
28
Supplementaldosingof
ginsengattimesofstress,aswellasinanticipationofstressfullifeperiods,mayassistapersonwithMSindealingwiththestresswithoutsufferingasmanyphysical
effects.Preemptivestressmodulationisideal,asrepeatedstresseswillservetoundermineanyhealingprogressapersonhasmadesincetheirlastsymptomepisode.
Ginsengiswelltoleratedandhasfewsideeffectsforstressmodulationpurposes.
CONCLUSION
Adiseasewithmanyunknowns,MShasmanytherapueticoptions.NaturaltherapiesforMSareplentiful,withresultsvaryingfromindividualtoindividual.These
therapiesworktoalleviatethesymptomsand,atthesametime,providethebodywithadequatesourcesofthematerialsitneedstostayhealthy.Preventionofdisease
progressionishighlyimportantinMS.Thekey,ofcourse,istobegintherapyearlyinthediseaseprocess,asthefurthertheprogression,themorerecalcitrantitcanbe.
Nutritionaltherapiesalsoneedtimetowork,astheyaredesignedtoalterpatientmetabolismoverdurationoftimesimplytakingmultivitaminsforafewweekswill
almostcertainlyprovidenolastingbenefit.Whethertryingtostayhealthyorpreventthecontinuationofdisease,itisimportanttogivethosetherapieswithclinical
backingachancetoworkintreatingthisdisease.
Multiplesclerosisiswithoutquestionacomplexandmultifacetedhealthconditionthatwarrantsaholisticlookatthefactorsthatcontributedtotheonsetand
propagationofthesymptoms.Withallchronicconditions,lookingattheunderlyingtriggersofthesymptomsisimportant.Noteworthyisthatthesymptomsarenotthe
conditionrather,theyserveasbenchmarksforsuccessfultreatmentofthedeeperissuesofsusceptibility.Indeed,thereisanageandgeographicprevalenceforMS,as
wellasatendencyforfemalestohaveMS.Yet,notallyoungfemalesgetMS,regardlessofgeographyoranyotherfactorforthatmatter.Geneticsmayloadthegun,
butdietandlifestylepullthetrigger.
NUTRIENTS
VitaminD
10micrograms(400InternationalUnites)
B12
2500microgramsperday(methylcobalaminpreferably)
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Antioxidants
VitaminA
2,500InternationalUnitsperday
VitaminC
1,0002,000milligramsperday
VitaminE
400800InternationalUnitsperday
Selenium
200microgramsperday
Zinc
25milligramsperday
BOTANICALS
Panaxginseng
100milligramstwiceperday
Cordyceps
2,000milligramsperday
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OppositionalDefiantDisorder
OppositionalDefiantDisorder(ODD)ischaracterizedbyacontinuouspatternofuncooperative,defiant,andhostilebehaviortargetedatpersonsinpositionsof
authoritythat,asaresult,interfereswithnormaldaytodayfunctioning.Primarilydiagnosedinchildren,ODDmayoccurthroughoutlifeaswell.Nearlyallchildrenare
oppositionalatsometimeoranother,andthisisespeciallytruewhentheyarestressed,tired,hungry,oremotionallyupset.Consideredanormalpartofdevelopmentin
twotothreeyearoldsandinearlyadolescence,ODDbecomesaconcernwhenhostileanduncooperativebehaviorissofrequentthatitbeginstoaffectthesocial,
family,andacademicaspectsofthechildslife.Additionally,thisbehaviorpatternmaybeexcessiveincomparisontootherchildrenofsimilarageanddevelopmental
level.ChildrenwithODDwillargue,disobey,talkback,anddefyanyonewhorepresentsauthoritytothemthiscanprofoundlyaffecttherestoftheirdevelopmentin
allareasoflife.OthernotablesymptomsofODDmayinclude:
Frequentdisplaysofangerorresentment
Excessivearguingwithadults
Frequenttempertantrums
Refusaltocomplywithrequestsandrules
Deliberateattemptstoupsetothers
Easilyannoyedbyothers,emotionallylabile
Revengeseekingbehavior
Failuretotakeresponsibilityfortheirownactions
Symptomsareusuallydisplayedinavarietyofsettings,mostnotablythehomeandschoolenvironments.Itisestimatedthat5percentto15percentofschool
Page136
agedchildrenhaveODD.
1
TheexactcausesofODDarenotfullyknownandaremultiple.Otherdisordersmaybepresent,suchasattentiondeficithyperactivity
disorder(ADHD)learningdisabilitiesmooddisorders,includingdepressionandbipolardisorderandanxietydisorders.TreatmentofODDismoresuccessfulwhen
theaccompanyingdisorderistreatedaswelltherefore,achildsuspectedofhavingODDshouldhaveathoroughevaluationexploringanyotherpotentialcoexisting
disorders.Additionally,whenleftuntreated,ODDmayprogresstoconductdisorder,andthechildwillhaveproblemswithantisocialbehavioranddifficultieswith
relationshipsandholdingajob.BecauseofthemanycoexistingfactorsthatcanoccurwithODD,anadolescentpsychiatristshouldproperlyevaluateachildconsidered
tobesufferingfromthisdisorderamoreexpansivelistingofdiagnosticcriteriacanbefoundintheDiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisorders(DSM
IV).
StandardtreatmentofODDinvolvesnumerousformsofpsychotherapiesincludingcounseling,socialskillstraining,andpharmaceuticalprescribing.When
accompaniedbyADHD,ODDistreatedwithsimilarstimulantdrugs(RitalinandAdderall)andothermedicationsthatmaybeapplicabletoanyotherunderlying
disorder(depression,anxiety,etc.).Researchregardingtheuseofotherpsychiatricdrugsinthetreatmentofoppositionaldefiantdisorderiscurrentlyavailable.
TreatmentforODDfromanutritionaldeficiencystandpointutilizessimilarfocithatwereexploredinthepreviouschapters:ADHD,Anxiety,Bipolardisorder,
Depression,andLearningDisability.TherearefewsolitarystudiesonnutritionalinfluenceinODDthelargemajorityofthisresearchfocusesonODDthatiscoexistent
withADHD,whichisappropriatefromaclinicalstandpointinthatODDis,inonesense,asubcategoryofADHD.Thedivisionofdiseasesandtheirsymptomsin
medicineisattimesaninterestingphenomenonaclusterofsymptoms,andinthiscaseofbehaviors,issometimesplacedintoacategoryinwhichitbestfits.ODDis
morethanlikelyavariantofthesamepathologiesthatoccurinthosewithADHDthenextsectionwillhighlightthenutritionalfactorsthatareimportantinODD.
NUTRITION
Theimportanceofnutritioninallneurologicdisordersisparamountsciencecontinuestodiscoverthemanywaysthatnutritionalfactorsareincorporatedinto
physiologicreactionsandtheeffectthattheirabsencehasonproperfunction.WithODD,aswithotherneurologicconditions,itisessentialthatthebrainissupplied
withoptimalnutritioninhopesthatbyfuelingthisorgancorrectly(thebrainconsumesnearly20percentofthetotalcaloricintakeperday)wecanavertorabsolve
symptoms,whicharesignsthatsomethingisnotwell,whetherphysicallyormentally.
AstudyinvestigatingtheuseoftwodifferentnutritionalproductsonchildrenwithODDandADHDrevealedinterestingresultsinregardtotheimpor
Page137
tanceofnutritioninthesechildren.
2
Thechildreninthisstudyweresupplementedwithasimplecarbohydratebasedproductandanotherderivedfromfruitsand
vegetables.Basedonasixweektimeframe,adecreaseintheseverityandnumberofODD,conductdisorder,andADHDsymptomswerenotedwithinthefirsttwo
weeksofthestudy.Theseresearcherssuggestthatsymptomsofthementioneddisordersmightbefurtherattenuatedwhenspecificcarbohydrates(saccharidesusedin
glycoconjugatesynthesis)areincorporatedintothedietsofthesechildren.
Thebrainis,insomepeoplewithaparticularsusceptibilityquitesensitivetoinadequateorimbalancedintakeofnutrients.Somechildrenhaveexhibitedadeclinein
behavioralandacademicperformancewhennotthoroughlynourished.Thesesamechildren,whensupplementedwithavitaminandmineralcombination,experienced
improvedacademicandbehavioraloutcomesincomparisontoothers.
3
Inanotherstudyofchildrenandvitaminsupplementation,researchersfoundthatavitaminand
mineralsupplementledtofewerincidencesofantisocialbehaviorandbettercognitiveperformanceinschoolinthechildrenwhoreceivedit.
4
Thesetwoexamples
illustratetheimportanceofandaconnectionbetweenadequatenutritionalfactorsinchildrenandtheirperformanceonasocialandeducationalbasis.BecauseODD
hasnodefinitivecauses,itmakessensetoatleastprovideoptimalnutritiontochildrenatriskorwiththisdisorder.Positiveresearchregardingtheroleofnearlyevery
nutrientcanbefoundinrelationtochildhooddevelopmentandperformancetherefore,itstandstoreasonthatinadisorderwithnorealetiology,nutritionwillplayan
increasinglyimportantrole.
ThereisacollectionofresearchthatfocusesonzincasapotentialnutritiveagentthathasbeenfoundinlowsupplyinchildrenwithADHD,
3
andaseparatestudy
hasfoundlowerlevelsofzincinchildrenwithADHDincomparisontothosewithout.
5
BecausezinchasbeenidentifiedasafactorineachtypeofADHD,itisassumed
thatchildrenwithODDwillbenefitfromzincsupplementationaswell.Zincisacofactorinthesynthesisofneurotransmittersandhasanindirectroleinthesynthesisof
dopaminemetabolism.ThisisimportantaslowlevelsofzincareassociatedwithADHDandODD,andsupplementationwithzinchasalleviatedsomeofthese
symptomsinclinicalstudies.
6

Magnesiumiscommonlydeficientinthegeneralpopulation,andsymptomscanrangefrominsomniatoagitationandmusclecramps.Agroupofchildrenwith
symptomsofODDweretreatedforsixmonthswithsupplementalmagnesiuminordertodetermineitseffectiveness.
7
Asignificantdecreaseinhyperactivitywasnoted
inthistreatmentgroupmagnesiumisusefulinprovidingacalmingeffect,somethingthatisrarelyattainedinchildrenwithODDsymptoms.Magnesiumsupplementation
whenusedappropriatelyhasveryfewsideeffectsandservestodecreasesymptomintensity.
TheidentificationofsolitarynutrientdeficienciesinbehavioraldisorderssuchasODDandADHDimpliesthatifonenutrientisdeficient,thereisahighprobability
thatmoreareinshortsupplyaswell.Actingsynergistically,multiple
Page138
nutrientinadequaciespresentagreaterproblemforthechildwithabehavioraldisorder.Inonestudy,themostcommonnutrientdeficienciesfoundinchildrenwith
ODDandADHDsymptomsweremagnesium,copper,zinc,calcium,andiron.
8
Thesefindingwereapparentinchildrenwhowerehyperactivemoresothaninchildren
withoutbehavioralsymptoms.Uponnotingthedeficiencies,thesubjectsinthisstudyweresupplementedwithmagnesium,zinc,andcalcium,whichledtoadecreasein
hyperactivity.Whentreatedwithoutmagnesium,thehyperactivebehaviorreturned,demonstratingaclearlinkbetweenmagnesiumandbehavior.
AnotherinterestingapproachinbehavioraldisorderssuchasODDandADHDistheuseofphosphatidylserine.Abiologicalmoleculeknownasaphospholipid,
phosphatidylserineservesasamaincomponentofcellularmembranesinthehumanbodyandactstostabilizetheotherconstituentsthatmakeupthecellular
membranes.Foundinlargeamountsinthehumanbrain,phosphatidylserineservestoregulatecellularcommunicationandmembranemetabolism.
9
Asanutritional
supplement,phosphatidylserineservestoincreaseneurologicenergymechanismsviaincreasedsynapticcommunicationsaswellasincreasedproduction,release,and
effectivenessoftheneurotransmitterdopamine.
10
Phosphatidylserinesupplementationinpatientswithbehavioraldisordersresultedinaslightlygreaterthan90percent
improvement,withdosesof200to300milligramsperdayforuptofourmonthsprovidingthegreatestabsolutionofsymptoms.
11
Supplementaladministrationof
phosphatidylserineisthoughttonormalizebrainlipidcontent,therebyassistingthereturnofnormalizedfunctionofneuronalcells.
12

Thesefewstudiesimplicatetheimportantroleofnutrientsinmanagingbehavioraldisorderssomesymptomsareresolvedwiththeadditionofsimplenutritional
supplements.ODDandrelateddisorderssuchasADHDcarryasimilarthemeinthatindividualsmayhaveuniquebiologicweaknessesthatdonotallowthemto
functionoptimallyinthefaceofoneormorenutrientdeficiencies.Whensuppliedinadequateamounts,supplementalnutritionalfactorswilldiminishsymptoms,andmay
leadtocompleteresolutionovertime.Afullspectrumofnutrientsisindicatedwhentreatingbehavioraldisorders,astheresearchpointstoseveraldifferentpossible
causes.AnindividualizedapproachisimportanteachpersonwithODDmayreactdifferentlytovariousnutritionalfactorsandcurrentdietaryhabitsareimportantto
consider.Thedevelopmentofphysiologicsystemsdependsonvaryinglevelsandtypesofnutrientsatdifferentperiodsduringthecourseofdevelopment.
CONCLUSION
Aswithmanyconditionsaffectingthepresentationofpsychologicallydrivenbehavior,ODDcanbechallengingforthosehopingtointerveneonbehalfoftheindividual
exhibitingthesymptoms.CompliancecanbeparticularlydifficultfortheindividualexpressingODDbehaviorandisauniquehurdle.
Page139
Noteworthyisthatfoodallergytesting,andsubsequenteliminationofthefoodsfromthediet,canbeanexcellentplacetostart.Theavoidanceofsubstancescan
occurrelativelypassivelyand,whendonecorrectly,doesnothavetobecomeafocalpointfortheODDtendencies.Oncethealleviationofsymptomsbeginsto
becomenotable,otherinterventionstoenhancebiochemicalfunctioningbecomesignificantlyeasiertoimplement.
NUTRIENTS
InadditiontotherecommendationsinthechapteronADHD,thefollowingnutrientsmaybeused.
Diet
Abalanceddietthatincludescarbohydrates,proteins,andfatsinaratioof40:30:30percenteachday,threetimesperday
Zinc
25milligramsperday
Magnesium
5milligramsperkilogrambodyweightperday
Calcium
5milligramsperkilogrambodyweightperday
Phosphatidylserine
200300milligramsperday
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ParkinsonsDisease
Parkinsonsdisease(PD)isadisorderthatprogressivelyaffectsthebrainitischaracterizedbyadecreasedabilitytoelicitspontaneousmovements,difficultywalking,
posturalinstability,andrigidityandtremor.PDiscausedbyadegenerationofaparticulargroupofnervecellsinapartofthebrainknownasthesubstantianigra.
Degenerationofthesenervecellscausesascarcityofdopamine,avitalneurotransmitter.Theshortageofdopamineiswhatleadstothecharacteristicimpairmentsof
movementinPD.
MenandwomenarebothaffectedbyPD,withslightlyhigheroccurrencesinmen.Thefrequencyofthediseaseishigherinpeopleovertheageof60,andalthough
notanewdisease(Parkinsonssymptomsarementionedinancientmedicaltexts),therehasrecentlybeenanastoundingincreaseofyoungerpeoplediagnosedwiththis
disease.IntheUnitedStates,itisestimatedthatapproximately500,000peoplehaveParkinsons,with50,000newcasesdiagnosedperyear.
1
Boththeprevalence
andincidenceofPDisexpectedtoincreaseasthegeneralpopulationages.Theaverageageofonsetis60,withpeakincidenceinthelate70sandearly80sage
group.Parkinsonsisfoundthroughouttheworld,anddiseaseratesdifferfromcountrytocountry.
ThecauseofParkinsonsdiseaseisnotdefinitivelyknown,althoughseveralpromisingtheoriesexist.Parkinsonshasbeenshowntobeaninheriteddiseasebased
ontwinandfamilystudies,andsomeenvironmentalfactorsmaycontributeaswell.PDhasbeenreportedinpeoplethatatonetimetookanillegalstreetdrugthatwas
contaminatedwithasubstanceknownasMPTP(1methyl4phenyl1,2,3,6tetrahydropyridine).Inaddition,thereisstrongevidencethatanalterationofageneon
chromosome4mayleadtoPDaswell.Themostacceptedtheorysuggeststhatsomepeopleprobablyhaveaninheritedsusceptibilitytothediseasethatisaffectedby
certainenvironmentalfactors.
Page142
SymptomsofPDmostoftenbeginwithatremorofapersonslimbwhileatrest,whichoftenstartsononesideofthebody,usuallyahand.Asthedisease
progresses,itbecomesmoredifficultforthepersontomove(akinesia)thelimbsmoverigidly,thegaitisdescribedasshuffling,andposturebecomesmorestooped.
Theabilitytocreatefacialexpressionsislimited,andpeoplewithPDmayexperiencedepression,personalitychanges,dementia,sleepdifficulty,andspeech
impairments.Thediseaseisprogressiveandtypicallycontinuestoworsenovertime.
PDisdiagnosedbasedonpatientsymptoms.Thereisnospecificlaboratorytestthatcandiagnoseitaneurologistwilltypicallyevaluatethepatientandtheir
symptomsandmakeadiagnosisbasedonthefindings.Sometimes,aspecifictypeofbrainscanmayhelpdoctorsidentifyPDothertimes,apatientwithsuspectedPD
willbegivenantiParkinsonsdrugstodetermineiftheybenefitfromthem.AbsolutediagnosisofParkinsonsisachievedbyidentificationofmicroscopicLewybodies,
whicharefoundinthecellsofthebrain.AhallmarkofPD,Lewybodieshavebeenfoundinalargenumberofpeoplethatwereneverdiagnosedwiththedisease.
Becauseofthis,someresearchersfeelthatifeveryonelivedlongenough,mostpeoplewoulddevelopthedisease.
StandardtreatmentofPDinvolvestheuseofdrugsthatareconvertedintodopamineinthebrain,whichallowsforreplacementofthelostdopaminethatisnormally
synthesizedwithinthebrain.Thisdrug,knownaslevodopa,doesnotpreventprogressivechangesofPDandcausessideeffectsbecauseitisconvertedintodopamine
beforeitreachesthebrain.Levodopacanbetakenwithanothermedication(carbidopa,orSinemet)thatwillpreventitsconversiontodopaminepriortoreachingthe
brainthisservestoconservethelevodopasoitsfullpotentialisusedinthebrain.
NUTRITIONALFACTORS
Parkinsonsdiseaseisessentiallyaneurodegenerativedisease.Whenviewedinthissense,theimportanceofnutritionishighlighted,asthebrainrequiresalargeamount
ofenergytomaintainnotonlyitsfunction,butitsstructuralintegrityaswell.BecauseoftheincreasedappearanceofPDatolderages,itmakessensethatnutritional
supportplaysaroleinthepreventionofthisdisease,aschronicinsufficientnutritionmayleadtotheappearanceofseveraldiseasestates,especiallythoseof
degenerativenature.TheroleofnutritioninPDappearsthroughouttheliteraturethefollowingisabriefoverviewofsomeofthemostsalientinformation.
VitaminC
InonestudyinvestigatingtheroleofoxidationandantioxidantlevelsinthebrainsofpatientswithPD,ascorbicacidwasfoundtobedeficient.
2
Andinanothertrial
investigatingtheuseofvitaminCinthetreatmentofParkinsons
Page143
diseasesymptoms,supplementationwasfoundtocausemodestimprovementsinthefunctionalperformanceofpeoplewithPD.
3
Inatrialusingbothalphatocopherol
(aformofvitaminE)andascorbicacid,bothvitaminsweregiventopeoplewithearlyformsofPD.
4
Thepurposeofthisstudywastodeterminethepreventative
effectsofhighdoseantioxidantsontheprogressionofPD.Comparedtootherpatients(studysubjectswerelimitedtothosepatientstakinganticholinergicmedications
only,asamarkerforParkinsonsdiseasethathadnotadvancedtoastagerequiringdopamineagonists),thosereceivingthemixedantioxidanttherapyofalpha
tocopherolandvitaminCdidnotrequirelevodopatreatmentfortwoandahalfyearsafterthosewhoreceivednoantioxidanttherapydid.Thisstudysuggeststhat
antioxidanttherapyintheformofvitaminCandalphatocopherolmayslowtheprogressofPD.AndinanolderstudyutilizingvitaminCforthetreatmentoflevodopa
sideeffects,4gramsperdayofthevitaminwereabletoreducenauseaandotherlevodopasideeffectsinapatientwithPD.
5

VitaminE
ThisvitaminmayserveasapotentialpreventivetherapeuticaswellinthedevelopmentofPD.Asurveyconductedinthelate1980sconcerningthedietaryhabitsof
Parkinsonspatientsbeforetheageof40revealedthatincreasedintakesoffoodshighinvitaminEwereassociatedwithlowerincidenceofPD.
3
Becauseofthe
widespreadevidencethatoxidativestressinthesubstantianigraplaysaroleinthepathogenesisofPD,theroleofvitaminEinpreventingthistypeofdamagewas
investigated.
6
ResearchersproposethatchronichighdosevitaminEmayserveasbeneficialtherapyinthepreventionandtreatmentofPD(throughprotectionofthe
substantianigracellsfromoxidativedamage).
BVitamins
BvitaminsareparticularlyimportantinPD,specificallyfolateandB12intheirroleinthesynthesisofneurotransmitters.Additionally,thereisevidencethatastandard
medicationforPD,levodopa,maycontributetodeficiencyoffolicacidandB12thereforeperpetuatingthediseasecycle.
7
Niacinmaybecomedeficientinpatients
whoaretreatedwithlevodopaandotherPDmedications(benserazideandcarbidopa,decarboxylaseinhibitors).
8
Supplementingniacinconcomitantlywithstandard
PDtreatmentmayservetopreventdeficiencyandmayactuallyassistinmaintainingelevatedbrainlevelsoflevodopa,therebyincreasingtherapeuticvalueofthedrug
byelevatinglevelsofdopamineinthebrain.
9
VitaminB6maybecomedeficientwhenpatientsaretreatedwithacombinationoflevodopaandcarbidopa,and
treatmentwithvitaminB6wasshowntobebeneficialinsomepatientsintwoolderstudies.
10
B6,inadditiontothiamine(B1),wasshowntoprovidesymptomatic
reliefofPDwhenitwasinjectedintraspinallyinonecasestudy.
3
Althoughthisisnotastandardmodeof

Page144
supplementation,itdemonstratestheefficacyofvitaminsasmedicineandtheireffectivenesswhenusedtotreatsymptomsofthisdisease.Itisalsoimportanttopoint
outthatB6,whenadministeredwithlevodopa,enhancesthemetabolismofthisdrug,hasteningitsconversiontodopamineoutsideofthebrain,whichleadsto
decreaseddrugefficacy.Thisdoesnotoccur,however,whenapersonistakinglevodopawithcarbidopa.
ANTIOXIDANTS
TheroleofoxidativeprocessescontinuestodominatesomeofthecausativeresearchinPD.Increasingevidenceimplicatestheoxidativeprocessandinflammationin
impairmentofmitochondrialfunction(themitochondriaisconsideredthepowerhouseofthecell).
11
Studiesreviewingthebenefitsofnutritionalantioxidantshave
demonstratedaneuroprotectiveeffectfromvitaminEandpolyphenols(phytochemicalsderivedfromgreenteaandotherplants),whichmayservetoprotectagainst
neurodegenerativediseasessuchasParkinsons.
12

Glutathioneisasmallproteincomposedofthreeaminoacids:cysteine,glutamicacid,andglycine.Synthesizedintheliverandfoundthroughoutthebody,glutathione
isapotentantioxidant.
13
ItisinvolvedinDNAsynthesisandrepair,proteinsynthesis,aminoacidtransport,immunesystemfunction,andpreventionofoxidative
cellulardamage.
14
Glutathioneisthoughttoplayamajorroleinprotectingcellsfromoxidativedamageandisknowntobecomemoredepletedinthesubstantianigra
asPDprogresses.
15
Becauseofthedegreeofglutathionedepletioninthesubstantianigraissoevidentasdiseaseprogresses,researchersadvocatethe
supplementationwithglutathionebeahightherapueticpriorityforPDpatients.
16
TheuseofglutathioneasanadjunctivetreatmentforPDwasshowntoprovidemuch
benefitwhenadministeredintravenouslyaswell.
17
Asasupplementthatisnormallysynthesizedwithinthecellsofthebody,replacingitinpeoplewithPDmayserveto
slowtheprogressionofthisdiseaseitisnotknownexactlywhatleadstothedeficiencyofthisproteininthecellsofpeoplewithPD,butreplacementmaybeprovide
benefitinthesepatients.
CoenzymeQ10
CoenzymeQ10(CoQ10)isacompoundfoundwithineverycellofthebodyitisfoundinthegreatestconcentrationsinthemostmetabolicallyactiveorgans.An
essentialcofactoroftheelectrontransportchainaswellasanimportantantioxidant,nearly30percentofthebodysCoQ10isfoundinthenucleus,andnearly50
percentisfoundwithinthemitochondria.CoQ10issolubleinfatandactsasanantioxidantandmembranestabilizerinthecells,andperhapsthemostimportant
functionofCoQ10isitsroleinthegenerationofadenosinetriphosphate(ATP)inoxidativerespiration.
18
CoQ10isavitalpartofcellularenergyproductionand
becauseofthisithasseveraltherapueticuses.
Page145
RegardingitsroleinPD,researchhasfoundthatCoQ10mayplayanimportantpartindiseasemodification.SomeofthemainfeaturesofPDareassociatedwith
CoQ10deficiency,andastudythatsupplementedsubjectswith360milligramsofCoQ10forfourweeksfoundthatitwasabletoprovidesignificantmildsymptom
improvementofPDsymptomsincludingvisualfunction,whichitselfisaPDsymptom.
19
InamulticentertrialinvestigatingtheuseofCoQ10anditseffectonslowing
theprogressionofPD,CoQ10wassuppliedindosesof300,600,or1,200milligramsperdayin80subjectswithearlyPDwhowerenotundergoinganyother
treatment.
20
Thestudysubjectswerefollowedforaperiodof16monthsandwereevaluatedusingtheUnifiedParkinsonDiseaseRatingScale(UPDRS)atfollowup
visitsoccurringatthefirst,fourth,eighth,twelfth,andsixteenthmonthvisits.Researchersconcludedthatbasedontheirfindings,CoQ10wassafeandwell
toleratedbythepatientsatalldoses,andlessdevelopmentofdisabilitywasnotedintheCoQ10supplementedgroupthantheplacebogroupthemostbenefit
occurredinthe1,200milligramperdaydosegroup.Fromthesestudies,theeffectivenessofCoQ10intreatingthesymptomsandinslowingprogressivedeterioration
inPDisquiteapparent.
PROTEIN
TheevidencesurroundingspecificdietarychangesinPDiscompelling,focusingonmacronutrientssuchasprotein.Aneffectthatisassociatedwithpatientstaking
levodopaforsymptommanagement,ahighproteindietisknowntointerferewiththeavailabilityoflevodopainthebrainandcanleadtorecurrentlossofsymptom
control,knownastheoffonphoenmenon.
21
SubsequentstudieswereperformedtodeterminetheeffectsoflowversushighproteinintakesinPDpatients.Alow
intakeof0.5gramsproteinperkilogramperdayappearedtoimprovesymptomcontrolduringthecourseofthedayincomparisontoahighproteindietof10grams
perkilogrambodyweightperday,whichactuallyincreasedthesymptomperiodicity.
22
Anotherstudythatevenlydividedlowprotein(0.8g/kg)intakethroughoutthe
dayrevealedthattheamountanddistributionofdietaryproteincouldaffectresponsetolevodopatreatmentitisthoughtthatlevodopaisaffectedbyproteinnotby
absorptionbutthroughavariationinplasmaaminoacids.
23

OtherinterestingstudiesofdietaryproteinandPDincludeoneinwhichalowproteindietof50gramperdayformenand40gramsperdayforwomenwas
comparedtoahighproteindietof80gramsperdayformenand70gramsperdayforwomen.
24
Thepatientsonthelowproteindietexperiencedgreater
performance,decreasedtremor,andbetterhandagilityandmovementcapabilitiesincomparisontothehighproteingroup.Researchersinthisstudysuggestthat
proteinmayaffectlevodopaefficacyinthebrain,ratherthaninthebloodstream.Theresultsofthesestudiessuggestanimportantroleforthemodificationofdiet,
especiallyinregardtoproteinintake.Bysimplyalteringproteinlevels,patientsmayexperiencefewersymptomsthatmayevenallowthemtouselessoftheir
medicationsattimes.
Page146
AminoAcidsinParkinsonsDisease
Aminoacidsaretheindividualbuildingblocksofproteins.Proteinsarewidelyusedthroughoutthebodytosaytheyareessentialtoproperfunctionisan
understatement,asproteins(andtheirconstituentaminoacids)areusedinnearlyeverymetabolicreactioninthebodyandareincorporatedintonearlyeverystructure
frombonetocellularmembranes.Morespecifically,neurotransmittersarecomposedoftheveryaminoacidsthatmaybeprohibitedfromabsorptionbythe
pharmaceuticaldruglevodopa.
Ltyrosine
LtyrosineisaprecursorofdopamineandmaybeinsufficientlyutilizedinPDpatientsduetoalteredbiopterinlevels(biopterinservesasacofactorintyrosine
hydroxylase)intheirblood.
25
TyrosinewascomparedtolevodopaforitseffectsonsymptommanagementinagroupofPDpatients.
26
Duringthecourseoftreatment
(forthreeyears),patientstakingLtyrosineexperiencedbetterclinicalresultswithfewersideeffectsthanthosepatientstakinglevodopaorotherdopamineagonist
drugs.
Dphenylalanine
AsinglestudyofthisaminoacidrevealedthatuseoftheDform(aminoacidsappearintwomainformsknownasLandD,whichreferstotheirstructural
arrangement)improvedsymptomsofrigidity,speech,walking,anddepression,butdidnotrelievetremorsymptoms.
27
However,someevidencesuggeststhatamino
acidssuchasphenylalaninemayaggravatetheonoffeffectinpatientstakinglevodopa.
Ltryptophan
LtryptophanisusefulinPDfortworeasons.First,itisfoundinlowerlevelsinPDpatientswhoaretreatedwithlevodopa(Ltryptophanandlevodopacompetewith
eachotherforabsorption)
28
second,itisusefulinthetreatmentofPDassociateddepression.
29
Inonestudy,theuseofLtryptophaninPDpatientsimprovedfactors
suchasmoodandmotivationaldriveincomparisontoaplacebo,anditimprovedfunctionalabilitymoresothanwhencomparedtolevodopa.
30

Allthreeoftheseaminoacidsmaybepreventedfrombeingcompletelyabsorbedbylevodopa,leadingtoinsufficientsupplyinthebody.Fromthecitedstudies,it
appearstobeimportantthattheseaminoacidsaresuppliedtothePDpatientduetheirpositiveeffectsonsymptomsandmood.
Page147
OTHERFACTORS:GINKGOANDMAGNESIUM
Inadditiontotheearliersuggestions,theadditionofothersubstancessuchasmagnesiumandginkgomaypossiblyservetofurtherenhancethebioavailablityand
absorptioninthebrainwhenusingtheseaddiotnalsubstances.Bothginkgoandmagnesiumareknowntodilatebloodvesselsinthebody,underdifferentmechanisms.
Ginkgoworksspecificallyonthevasculatureofthebraintodilatethevesselsandiswelldocumentedintheliteraturetoprovideincreasedbloodflowtothebrain,
increasingoxygenation.
31
Additionally,whencombinedwithphosphatidylcholine,aphospholipidmolecule,ginkgoismorereadilyabsorbedintothetissues.Thisallows
evengreaterefficacyforthisherbtoworkonthebrain.Magnesiumworksasasmoothmusclerelaxant(calciumchannelblocker)andcandilatebloodvesselsbecause
ofthis.Someevidenceexiststhatmagnesiumdilatesbloodvesselsinthecentralnervoussystem(CNS)toreduceischemia.
32
Becauseoftheactionsofginkgoand
magnesium,wetheorizethatbyincreasingoxygenationandbloodflowtothebrain,thisorganwillbebetterconditionedtoavoidcontinueddegenerativechanges.
Bloodflowtoareasofinjuryisvital,asevidencedbyanuncontrolleddiabetic,whomaybegintolosetoesduetoinsufficientvascularnutritionwhenbloodflowis
compromised.Therefore,peoplewithPDmaybenefitfromginkgoandmagnesiumasaddedcerebralbloodflowenhancingagents.
CONCLUSION
Parkinsonsdiseaseisaterriblydebilitatingillnesswithnorealstandardtreatmentotherthansymptommanagement.Characterizedbydegenerationofspecialized
dopamineproducingneuronsinthesubstantianigra,therearemanytheorizedcausesofthisdestruction.Foremostamongthemisanaccelerationoforasusceptibility
tooxidativedamageinthisareasupplementationwithcommonvitaminssupportstheproductionofneurotransmittersandactsasantioxidants.ProvidingthePDpatient
withextraantioxidants,regardlessofform,canservetobenefittheminhopesofdelayingorpreventingthecumulativeneurodegenerativedamagefromoxidative
stress.NutritionalsupplementsthatarenormallyproducedinthebodycanprovideadditionalsupportforsymptomsofPDandactasbuffersagainstdisease
progression.RegulationofdietaryproteinisarelativelysimplesteptobetakenthatcanattenuatethesymptomsofPD,especiallyinthosebeingtreatedwithlevodopa.
Finally,afewkeyaminoacids,whenprovidedinsupplementalform,canhelptooffsetsymptomsthatmaybeinducedbystandardpharmaceuticaltreatmentofPD.
PD,asacondition,reflectsthevulnerabilityofthecentralnervoussystem,whichisoftencomparedtoamainframecomputerthatisamazinglyabletojuggle
countlessfunctionsandtaskswithease.Indeed,justastherestofourbodiesarenotimpervioustoassaultsfromtheenvironment,ourbrainslikewisecanbecome
susceptible.Addressingtheissueofsusceptibilityattheearliestsignofsymptoms
Page148
orpotentialsymptomsisessential.Theadageanounceofpreventionisworthapoundofcureisimportant.Likewise,itisimportanttorealizethatthebestoffense
isagooddefenseandthatuponfuelingthebodyoptimally,oneismostabletosucceedintheultimateoftargetgoals:maintainingfunctionandalleviatingsymptoms
withintheconfinesofcurrentknowledge.Indeed,theincorporationofnaturalmedicineinterventionsareamustwhenitcomestothishealthissue.
NUTRIENTS
VitaminC
1,0002,000milligramsperday
VitaminE
400800InternationalUnitsperday
Bvitamins
ABcomplexvitaminshouldbetakentoavoidpharmaceuticalinduceddeficiencyofB12,folate,andB6
Glutathione
250milligramsperday
CoenzymeQ10
1,200milligramsdailyin4divideddoses
Ltyrosine*
1,500milligramsperday,divideddoses
Dphenylalanine*
500milligramsperday
Ltryptophan*
500milligramsperdayor50milligrams5HTP2timesperday
DietaryProtein
Limitto0.51.0gramsperkilogrambodyweightiftakinglevodopa
Magnesium
300400milligramsperday,divideddoses
*Allaminoacidsshouldbetaken30minutesawayfromproteinmeals.Consultyourdoctorpriortotakingtheseaminoacids.
BOTANICALS
Ginkgobiloba
120240milligramsperday,divideddoses
Page149
Schizophrenia
Achronic,severe,anddisablingdiseaseofthebrain,schizophreniaismarkedbysymptomssuchashearinginternalvoicesandbelievingthatothersmaybereading
theirminds,controllingtheirthoughts,orplottingagainstthem.Terrifyingtothepersonexperiencingthem,thesesymptomsoftencausepeoplewithschizophreniatobe
fearfulandwithdrawn,andtheirspeechandbehavioroftenappeardisorganizedandincomprehensible.Often,thefirstsignsofschizophreniaappearastroubling
changesinbehavior,andcopingwiththesechangesisincrediblydifficultforpeoplewhoknowthepatient.Thechangeinbehavior,whenpeoplecannottellthe
differencebetweenrealityandillusion,isknownaspsychosis,orapsychoticepisode.Inorderforapersontohaveadiagnosisofschizophrenia,thepersonmust
experiencetwoormoreofthefollowingsymptomsforatleastonemonthsduration:
Delusions:Thesearebizarre,falsebeliefsthatmayincludeparanoidthoughts(someoneisouttogetthem)orgrandiosethoughts(believingtheyareapresident,
etc.).
Hallucinations:Theseareunrealperceptionsoftheenvironment,whichmayaffectauditory(hearingvoices),visual(seeingfacesorlights),olfactory(smelling),and
tactile(touch,asifsomethingiscrawlingonortouchingthem)senses.
Disorganizedthinking/speech:Abnormalthoughtsareusuallymeasuredbydisorganizedspeech,whichcanbedisjointed,orverylittlespeech.
Negativesymptoms:Theothersymptomsnotethepresenceofabnormalbehavior,whereasnegativesymptomsincludeflataffect(noemotionorexpression,low
energy),socialwithdrawal,andevenpoorhygieneandgroominghabits.
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Catatonia:Thisischaracterizedbywaxyflexibility.Peoplemaybecomefixedinacertainpositionforextendedperiodsoftime,andifmovedbyanotherperson,
theywillcontinuetostayfixedinthatposition.
Adisplayofanyofthesesystemsindicatesanactivephaseofschizophreniahowever,schizophrenicsoftentimeswillhavemildersymptomsbothbeforeandafterthe
activephase.Therearethreebasictypesofschizophrenia,including
1.Disorganizedschizophrenia,whichismarkedbylackofemotionanddisorganizedspeech.
2.Catatonicschizophrenia,whichismarkedbywaxyflexibilityandrigidposture,butsometimesexcessivemovement.
3.Paranoidschizophrenia,whichismarkedbystrongdelusionsorhallucinations.
Somepeoplemayonlyhaveonepsychoticepisode,whereasothersmayhavemanyofthemthroughouttheirlivesandmaybeabletofunctionrelativelywellin
betweenepisodes.Apersonwithmorechronicschizophreniamayneverfullyrecoverfromepisodesandrequirescontinuoustreatmenttocontrolsymptoms.Most
peoplewithschizophreniawillhavesymptomsthroughouttheirlivesonlyoneinfivepeoplewithschizophreniawillrecovercompletely.(Itisnotablethatmanystatistics
sharedregardingrecoveryfromanygivenhealthconditionisbasedonconventionaltreatmentsonlyanddoesnotreflecttheappropriateadditionofnaturalmedicine
supportivetherapiestargetedatsupportinghealthyfunction.)AcompletediagnosticevaluationisavailableintheDiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMental
Disorders,FourthEdition(DSMIV).
Schizophreniaisoneofthemostcommonmentalillnessesoneestimatefiguresthatabout1ofevery100peopleisaffectedbyschizophrenia,whichequatesto1
percentofthepopulation.
1
Itisestimatedthatover2millionAmericanssufferfromthisillnessinagivenyear.Foundthroughouttheworld,schizophreniaaffectsmen
andwomenequally.Schizophreniaseemstoappearearlierinmenthanwomen(menusuallydevelopsignsintheirearly20swhereaswomendevelopsignsintheirlate
20stoearly30s).Itisestimatedthatthecostofschizophreniatosocietyapproaches$32.5billiondollarsperyearintheUnitedStatesalone.
1

CAUSESOFSCHIZOPHRENIA
Thereareseveralcontributingfactorstoschizophrenia,rangingfrombrainanatomytogeneticstonutrition.
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Anatomy
Recentresearchhasplacedanemphasisonbrainstructuresaspartofthepuzzleinfindingthecauseofthisdisease.Thebrainsofschizophrenicscommonlyhavelarger
lateralventricles(partofseriesofspaceswithinthebrainthatcontaincerebrospinalfluid).Theexactsignificanceofthisisnotfullyunderstoodatthistime,butprovides
aninterestinglinkbetweenbrainstructureandproperfunction.Additionally,otherbrainstructureshavebeennotedtobeofabnormalsizeaswell.Areducedsizeof
thehippocampus,increasedsizeofthebasalganglia,andabnormalitiesintheshapeoftheprefrontalcortexhavebeensomewhatconsistentlynotedinpeoplewith
schizophrenia(however,thesechangeshavebeenseeninpeoplewithoutschizophreniaaswell).
Genetics
Schizophreniaisknowntobemorecommoninfamilieswhohaveoneormorememberswiththedisease,indicatingageneticcomponenttothepassingofthisdisease
fromonegenerationtoanother.Utilizingstudiesoftwins,researchershaveshownthatthetendencyforbothidenticaltwinstodevelopschizophreniaisaround30
percentto50percent,andthetendencyforfraternaltwins(theyshareonlyonehalfthesamegenesastheothertwin,whereasidenticaltwinshavetheexactsame
geneticmakeup)isapproximately15percent.Thisisthesamepercentagefornontwinsaswell.
Environment
Otherfactorsthatmaycontributetothedevelopmentofschizophreniaincludefamilystress,poorsocialskillsandinteractions,infectionsatanearlyage,ormental
emotionaltraumaearlyinlife.
Neurotransmitters
Onepopulartheoryofschizophreniafocusesonthepossibilitythatanoveractivedopamineneurotransmittersystemmaybepartofthecause.Strongevidenceinthe
literaturesupportsthistheoryyetatthesametime,thereisotherevidencethatdoesnotprovidestrongsupportforthistheoryandservestorefuteit.
Therearemanyfactorsthatcontributetothedevelopmentofthisdisease.Intenselystudied,sciencecontinuestouncoverinterestingfactorsthatrelatetothecauses
ofthisdisease,manyofwhichfocusontheroleofnutritionasacausativeandcurativefactorforschizophrenia.Schizophreniacausesahighdegreeofdisabilityinthose
affectedbyit,andcurrentmedicationsarenotgreatlyeffectiveatcontrollingitssymptomsanddonotendorseacurativeeffectbytreatingtheunderlyingcause.When
usedcontinuously,patientsareoftentroubled
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bythesideeffectsofthemedicationandsymptomsthatarerefractorytotreatmentbymedication.
NUTRITION
FolicAcid
Severalnutrientshavebeenstudiedinrelationtotheireffectsinschizophrenia.Folicacidcontinuestobeimplicatedinmanyofthediseasescoveredinthisbook,and
schizophreniaisnotanexception.Specifically,folatedeficiencyhasbeenattributedtosymptomsofseveralneuropsychiatricdiseases,includingschizophrenia
symptoms.Forexample,folicaciddeficiencyhasbeenshowntobehighinpatientswithschizophrenia,andpsychiatricsymptomsareknowntooccurwithgreater
frequencyandseverityinthosepatientswithadeficiencyofthisvitamin.
2
Additionally,otherresearchershaveindicatedthatschizophreniclikesymptomsarea
secondaryeffectoffolatedeficiency.
3
Deficiencyoffolateisknowntoexacerbatesymptomsassociatedwithdecliningcognitivefunctionaswell,demonstratingthe
integralroleofthisvitamininmaintaininghealthyneurologicstatus.
4
Inastudyof123patientswithpsychiatricdisorders,includingschizophrenia,itwasfoundthat33
percentofthesepatientswereeitherborderlineorclearlydeficientinredbloodcelllevelsoffolate.
5
Thesepatientsweresupplementedwith15milligramsof
methylfolateperdayforsixmonthsinadditiontotheirnormallyprescribedmedications.Attheendofthetrial,thepatientsreceivingthemethylfolatetreatment
experiencedasignificantimprovementinclinicalandsocialoutcomes,andtheseimprovedovertime.Inoneparticularcaseoffolateresponsiveschizophreniclike
symptoms,amildlyretardedadolescentgirlwas,afterconsiderabletestingofbloodaminoacidsandtheirenzymes(defectinN510methylenetetrahydrofolate
reductase,alsoknownasmethylenereductase),determinedtohaveaninabilitytoproperlymetabolizefolicacid.Thiswasspeculatedtobethecauseofthe
schizophrenicsymptoms,whichwastreatedbydosingthepatientwithfolate.
6
Followinguponthisstudy,anothergroupofinvestigatorsexaminedwhetherabnormally
lowlevelsoftheaforementionedenzymemightcontributetoschizophreniapathology.
7
Theydidnotfindastatisicallysignificantdifferenceintheactivityoftheenzyme
betweenhealthy,nonschizophrenicsandschizophrenicpatients.Theinvestigatorsdid,however,proclaimthattheirfindingsdidnotruleoutthatabnormalmethylene
reducataseactivitymightbepresentinanasyetundiscoveredsubgroupofschizophrenicpatients.Allofthesestudiespointtotheimportanceoffolateinschizophrenia
andsymptomcontrol.Theimportanceofmethylationreactionsandfolate,whichservesasacofactorinthesereactions,ishighlightedinthesestudies.Alowcostand
lowrisktherapy,supplementationofschizophrenicpatientswithfolatemayassistinprovidingatherapeuticresponse.
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Pyridoxine
Pyridoxine,orvitaminB6,playsanimportantroleinthesynthesisofneurotransmittersthatareinvolvedinthedevelopmentofpsychoticstates.Therearemanyreports
ofsupplementalB6alleviatingpsychoticsymptomsinschizophreniaandothermentaldisorders.
8
AstudythatutilizedsupplementalB6inthetreatmentof
schizophrenicpatientswithcomorbidminordepressionproducedpositiveresults.
9
Patientsweresupplementedwith150milligramsperday,inadditiontotheir
standardmedications,forfourweeks.Asmallpercentage(22percent)ofthepatientsexperiencedsignificantimprovementindepressivesymptomsaswellas
schizophrenicsymptomscores,indicatingthataportionofschizophrenicswithdepressionmaybenefitfromsupplementalpyridoxine.
VitaminB6wasusedtoamelioratesymptomsinaschizophrenicpatientwithdruginducedParkinsonism(thisoccursasasideeffectofsomeschizophrenic
medications)using100milligramsperday.ThistreatmentresultedinadramaticandpersistentdecreaseintheParkinsonslikesymptomsaswellasareductionin
psychoticbehavior.
10
TheinvestigatorsinthetrialattributetheeffectivenessofB6inthiscasetoseveralreasons.Pyridoxinedeficiencyisassociatedwithdecreased
brainserotoninconcentrationsaswellasmelatoninproductioninanimalstudies,suggestingthatthemovementdisordersandpsychosissymptomsmayhavebeen
amelioratedsimplybyenhancingthefunctionsofthosetwoneurotransmittersaneffectofpyridoxineonGABAanddopamineactivitieswassuggestedaswell.
Deficiencyofpyridoxineinschizophrenicpatientsmaycontributetoadditionallypsychoticbehaviorandseemstoincreasetheriskofdruginducedmovementdisorders
insomeschizophrenics.Anotherinexpensiveandsimpletreatment,B6supplementationshouldnotbeoverlookedinthetreatmentofschizophrenics.
VitaminC
LowlevelsofvitaminC,orascorbicacid,hasbeenimplicateinschizophrenia.Thiscommonvitaminhasmultipleindicationsforhealthandisprobablythemost
researchedvitaminthroughouttheliterature.Interestingly,itmayplayaroleinschizophreniaaswell.InastudydesignedtodeterminetheutilizationofvitaminCin
hospitalizedschizophrenics,itwasrevealedthatschizophrenicpatientsmightrequirehigherlevelsofvitaminCthanthesuggestedoptimalintakerequiredforhealthy
peopleincomparisontootherpatientsthiswasdeterminedafteranalyzingintake,plasma,andurinaryexcretionlevelsofbothschizophrenicandnonschizophrenic
patients.
11
AnotherstudyinvestigatingsimilarvitaminCparametersinadifferentgroupofschizophrenicsrevealedsimilarresults,suggestingimpairmentinthe
metabolismofvitaminCinpeoplewithschizophrenia.
12
Thesestudies,performedondifferentgroupsofpatientswithschizophrenia,provideinterestinginsightintothe
roleofvitaminCinthisdiseaseifthesepatientsdonotmetabolizevitaminCaswellasnonschizophrenics,
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thismustbetakenintoaccountwhenconsideringnutritionaltreatmentsandsupplementationtherapies.Applyingthistopatients,onecasestudyinvolveda37yearold
schizophrenicwhobenefitedsubstantiallyfromtheadditionofsupplementalvitaminCtohisstandardmedicaltreatment,demonstratingthepossibleusefulnessofthis
vitaminwhenappliedtoschizoprhenia.
13

Niacin
Niacin,anditsotherform,niacinamide(BothareformsofvitaminB3)isoneofthelongestusedvitaminsinthetreatmentofschizophrenia,havingbeenemployed
sincethe1940stotreatpsychiatricconditions.Inalargeclinicaltrial,over1,000schizophrenicsweretreatedwitheitherniacinorniacinamideatdosesof1.5to6
gramsperdayforadurationofthreemonthstofiveyears.
14
Thetreatingphysicianinthesecasesproclaimedthatthistreatmentwasmosteffectiveinpatientswithearly
andacuteschizophreniaandnoteffectiveinthosewithachroniccondition.
Inanotherstudy,niacinamidewasfoundtoproduceantianxietyeffectsequivalenttobenzodiazepinemedicationsniacinisthoughttostimulate,withoutbindingto,the
sameneurotransmitterreceptorsites(GABA)asbenzodiazapenes.
15
Otherresearchregardingtreatmentwithniacinandniacinamideisbothpositiveandnegative
moreinvestigationsintoitsuseareneededtofullyelucidateitsutilityinschizophrenia.
FattyAcids
Fattyacids,whichoccupymanycentralphysiologicfunctionsthroughoutthebody,playseveralimportantroles,especiallyintheareaofcellularmembranefunction.A
highlyinteractiveportionofthecell,thecellularmembraneisthefinalfactorthatdetermineswhatentersandleavesthecell,andnewerresearchisuncoveringtheroleof
thecellularmembraneinregulationofotherbodilyfunctions(i.e.,cellularsignaling).Muchevidenceisindicativeoftheroleofdisorderedmembranephospholipid
metabolisminschizophrenia.Anewtheoryofschizophreniaisthatitisadisorderofmembranephospholipidmetabolismthatisassociatedwithanincreasedlossof
polyunsaturatedfattyacidsfromthecellularmembrane,throughenhancedactivityofphospholipaseA2.
16
Membranechangesthatresultfromthisprocessoccur
throughoutthebody,leadingtophysicalabnormalitiesthesemembraneabnormalitiesmaystandtohavehighlyadverseeffectsonthebrain,wheresequential
coordinationofmillionsofneuronsaredependentoncohesivefunctioningonthecellularmembrane.
Additionalevidenceofthefattyacidlinktoschizophreniaincludesthetheoryofabnormalbrainturnoverofphospholipidsdetectedbymagneticresonanceimaging
andreducedcellularmembranelevelsofomega3and6polyunsaturatedfattyacids.Additionally,fouroutoffivetrialsusingeicosapentaenoicacid(EPA)inthe
treatmentofschizophreniaprovidedpositiveresults.
17
Increasedphospho

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lipidbreakdownanddecreasedlevelsofpolyunsaturatedfattyacids(PUFAs),especiallyarachidonicacid(AA),havebeendemonstratedthroughouttheliteraturein
otherstudies.
18
ResearchiscurrentlydelvingintothevariousphysiologicfunctionsofmembranephospholipidsandPUFAsandtheirroleinschizophrenia.Mostofthis
researchhintsatalteredcellularsignalingandhowitrelatestoneurobiologicalmanifestationsofschizophreniaandtherapeutics.Supplementationofschizophrenic
patientswithamixtureofPUFAs(EPA/DHAat180:120milligrams)andantioxidantvitamins(vitaminE/C,400IU:500milligrams)twicedailyforfourmonths
producedsignificantreductionsinpsychopathologybasedontheoutcomescoresofseveralpsychiatricratingscales.
19
Interestingly,PUFAlevelsreturnedto
pretreatmentlevelsfourmonthsaftertheconclusionofthestudy,yetthepreviouslyexperiencedclinicalimprovementsremainedineffectforthestudysubjects.Ina
comprehensivereviewofthescientificdatabasescontainingdescriptionsofclinicaltrialsutilizingPUFAstotreatsymptomsofschizophrenia,itwasdeterminedthatthe
useofPUFAsproducedfavorableresultsinthesubjects,withlittleornosideeffects.
20
Manystudiesperformedusingthistreatmentwerecarriedoutforrelatively
shortperiodsoftimeinwhichtoexpectphysiologicchangestooccur.Itisestimatedthateverycellinthehumanbodyisreplacedwithin120daysifthereismeritto
thistheory,itmakessensetodeterminetheresultsoffattyacidsupplementationanditseffectsonmembranephospholipidcontentafterenoughofatimeperiodto
allowforcompletereplacementwiththesefattyacids.Giventhealreadypositiveresultsofthesestudies,itstandstoreasonthatalongerstudyperiodmayaffectbetter
outcomesusingPUFAsforsymptommanagement.
CONCLUSION
Schizophrenia,likeotherdiseaseinvolvingthebrain,hasnumerouscontributingfactors,noneofwhichhasbeenshowntobe100percentcausative.Inallreality,this
willcontinuebethecase,butexaminingpotentialtherapiesprovidesmedicinewithadditionaltherapiesthatworktoavertsymptoms,withoutfurthercontributingtoside
effects.Fromthebriefstudiesincludedinthischapter,ithasbeenshownthatsupplementationwithevensolitaryvitaminscanattenuatesymptoms,and,insomecases,
canquitedrasticallyavertthem.Theroleoffattyacidsinschizophreniaaddsmorefueltotheimportanceofaproperdietcontainingtheseessentialfats.PUFAs
continuetoappearthroughouttheliteratureasanimportantpreventivetherapeuticforanumberofdiseasesschizophreniaisyetanother.Theimportanceofpropercell
membranefunctioncontinuestoappearintheresearchasapreventionformanyofthesediseases,andalterationofthecellmembranefattyacidcontentisrelatively
easilyachievedutilizingdietarymodificationsandsupplementation.
Clinicallynotablebenefitshavebeenseenamongindividualssufferingfromschizophreniawhenadjunctivenaturalmedicinestherapieshavebeenused.The
mentionednutrientbasedinterventionsarebynomeanstheonlytherapies
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thatassistapatienttoreestablishimprovedqualityofcognitiveprocesses.Indeed,thesupportofproperbiochemicalpathwaysregardlessoftheultimatediagnosed
condition,whetheritispsychologicalorphysical,createsafoundationforimprovedhealthoutcomes.Addedbenefitsincludesupportofneurologicalandoverallbody
tissuesthatenduresignificantstressfromschizophrenia.
NUTRIENTS
FolicAcid*
1015milligramsperday
Pyridoxine
100150milligramsperday
VitaminC
1,0002,000milligramsperday,divideddoses
Niacin**
35gramsperday,divideddoses
EssentialFattyAcids
EicosapentaenoicAcid/DocosahexaenoicAcid(EPA/DHA)at150milligrams,twotothreetimesdaily
*FolicacidshouldnotbesupplementedwithoutconcurrentB12topreventmaskingadverseneurologicalpathology.
**Underclosemedicalsupervisionduetoniacinflushingandpotentiallivertoxicity.
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PARTII
MostCommonBrainTargetedNutraBotanicals
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B1
MECHANISMOFACTION
VitaminB1,alsoknownasthiamine,hasseveralusesinthebody.Thiamineisprimarilyusedinthemetabolismofcarbohydrates,oneofthethreemainfood
constituents.Incarbohydratemetabolism,thiamineisusedintheformationofthiaminediphosphate,whichservesasacoenzymeintheprocessofcarbohydrate
processing.Thiamineisthereforenecessaryforenergyproductionandassistsinpropernervecellfunction.Additionally,thiamineservesasacofactorinthehexose
monophosphateshunt,intheprocessingofpentose.Adeficiencyofthiaminecanresultinincreasedpyruvicacidintheblood,whichisthenconvertedintolacticacid
elevatedlevelsmaybeusedtodiagnosethiaminedeficiency.
DEFICIENCY
ClassicclinicalsymptomsofB1deficiencyincludeberiberiandWernickeKorsakoffsyndrome.
1
Beriberiaffectsthebodyingeneral,withsymptomsofperipheral
nervedamage,sleepdisturbances,poormemory,andlackofappetite.Whenexcessive,beriberimayaffecttheheart(knownaswetberiberi)andmaycause
palpitations,difficultybreathing,edema,andcardiacfailureifleftuntreated.WernickeKorsakoffsyndromegenerallyistheresultofexcessivealcoholintakein
combinationwithlittleornodietaryB1.Primarilyaffectingthebrain,WernickeKorsakoffismarkedbyconfusion,lying(confabulation),inabilitytospeak,and
difficultyinusingthemusclesoftheeyes,anditmayleadtocomawhenuntreated.Severedeficiencyofthiamineisrelativelyrareinthegeneralpopulationhowever,
manypeopledonotconsumeonacontinualbasistherecommendeddietaryallowanceofthiamineof1.5milligrams.Other
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symptomsassociatedwithamildthiaminedeficiencyincludefatigue,depression,constipation,andnerveparesthesias.
2

USES
ThiamineisusefulinthetreatmentofberiberiandWernickeKorsakoffsyndromeaswellasseveralotherconditions.Itisusedtopreventdeficiencyinconditionssuch
asCrohnsdisease,multiplesclerosis,diabetes,andotherneurologicaldisorders.Thiamineisusedtotreatimpairedmentalfunctionintheaged,aswellaspeoplewith
Alzheimersdisease,andinepilepticswhoaretreatedwithaparticularpharmaceutical(Dilantin).
Consideredessentialforenergyproductioninthebrain,adeficiencyofthiaminemaybecharachterizedbyimpairedmentalfunctionandpsychosisifsevereenough.
Apreviouslymentionedstudyindicatedthatnearly30percentofallpeoplewhoenteredpsychiatricwardsweredeficientinthiamine.
3
Womenexperiencingneuritis
duringpregnancyandpeoplewithperipheralneuritiscanbetreatedwithoralthiaminetoassistinresolvingsymptomsinvolvingnervepain.Insufficientintakeofthiamin
mayoccurinconditionsinwhichabsorptionisaproblem,suchasdiarrhea,alcoholism,livercirrhosis,andothergastrointestinaldiseases.Othersmayhaveinadequate
intakes,suchasanorexicsorbulimics,andthosewhoexperienceextendednauseaandvomiting.Increasedintakeofthiaminisnecessaryinotherconditions,andwhen
notsupplemented,mayleadtoadeficiencystate.Theseconditionsincludepregnancy,increasedphysicalactivity,andincreasedcarbohydrateconsumption.
4
Thiamine
isusedinthetreatmentofmetabolicdisorderssuchassubacutenecrotizingencephalopathy(SNEorLeighsdisease),lacticacidosisduetopyruvatecarboxlase
deficiency,hyperalaninemia,andbranchedchainaminoacidopathy(maplesyrupurinedisease).
Thiaminehasspecificeffectsonbrainfunctioninadditiontoitsroleasanutrient.Thiaminemaymimictheeffectsoftheneurotransmitteracethycholine.
5
Whenused
totreatpeoplewithAlzheimersdisease(inwhichpatientssufferfromreducedlevelsofacetylcholine),thiamine,indosesfrom3to8gramsperday,wasableto
potentiateandmimictheactionsofacetylcholineandimprovedmentalfunction.
6
Inpatientswithepilepsy,thiaminewasabletoimprovementalfunctioninthose
patientstakingDilantin(alsoknownasphenytoin).
7

DOSINGREVIEW
Commonsupplementationamountsaregenerally12milligramsperday.
Formildthiaminedeficiency,530milligramsperdayindivideddosescanbeused.
Forstatesoffrankthiaminedeficiency,upto300milligramsperdayindivideddosescanbeused.
Geneticenzymedeficiencydisordersaretypicallytreatedwith1020milligramsperdaySNEcanbenefitfromupto4,000milligramsperdayindivided
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dosesofthiamin.InAlzheimersdiseaseoragerelateddementia,dosesof38gramsperdayhavebeenused,andinepilepticstakingDilantin,adoseof50100
milligramsmaybeused.
Notoxicityisobservedwithproperthiamineuse.ThiamineisintricatelyinvolvedinenergyproductionwiththeotherBvitamins,andmagnesiumisneededinorderto
convertthiamineintoitsactivecoenzymeform.
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B2
MECHANISMOFACTION
VitaminB2,knownasriboflavin,isconvertedinthebodyintothecoenzymesriboflavin5phosphate(flavinmononucleotideorFMN)andflavinadeninedinucleotide
(FAD).Theseenzymesworktotransporthydrogeninthebodyandareactiveinoxidationreductionreactionsandinintermediarymetabolism.
1
Simplyput,riboflavin
playsanactiveroleinenergyproduction.Additionally,riboflavinservesasacofactorinseveralotherenzymesinvolvedincellularrespirationandindirectlysupportsred
bloodcellintegrity.
2

DEFICIENCY
Afrankdeficiencyofriboflavinresultsinangularstomatitis,glossitis,neuropathy,keratitis,sorethroat,andseborrheicdermatitis,andseverecasesmaymanifestas
normocyticandnormochromicanemia.Riboflavinmaybeinvolvedinthemobilizationofironfromitsstorageform,ferritin,foritsproductionofhemeandglobin
synthesis.
3

Othersignsofdeficiencyincludevisualdisturbancesincludinglightsensitivityandlossofvisualacuityburninganditchingoftheeyes,mouth,lipsandtongueand
mucousmembraneirritation.Deficiencyofriboflavincanoccurinconditionsofchronicinfectiousprocesses,liverdisease,cancer,andalcoholism.Deficiencyismore
commonintheelderly.
USES
Riboflavin,inadditiontotreatingfrankdeficiency,iseffectiveinpreventingmigraineheadaches
4
andcataracts.
5
Otherusesincludetreatingacne,carpal

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tunnelsyndrome,andsomeformsofperipheralneuropathy.Additionally,riboflavinisusedtotreatsicklecellanemia.
6
Riboflavinplaysaveryimportantroleinenergy
productionandisneededforcellularregenerationofthepowerfulantioxidantglutathione.Glutathioneservesasoneofthecellsmostimportantantioxidants.
DOSINGREVIEW
TheRecommendedDietaryAllowanceforriboflavinis1.7milligramsformalesand1.3milligramsforfemales.Riboflavinisavailableintwoforms:thefirstissimple
riboflavinandthesecondisanactivatedformknownasriboflavin5phosphate.
7

Standarddailydosesofriboflavinrangefrom1to4milligramsperday.Deficiencysymptomsaretreatedwith530milligramsdailyindivideddoses.
Topreventmigraines,400milligramsperdaymaybeused.Reducedcataractformationisassociatedwithusing23milligramsperday.Studiesofriboflavin
absorptionrevealthatthemaximumamountthatcanbeabsorbedfromasingledoseis27milligramsinadults.
8
Nosideeffectsortoxicityarenotedwithriboflavin,
withtheexceptionthatriboflavinmaybephotosensitizinginsomepeople.
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B3
MECHANISMOFACTION
VitaminB3includesniacin(nicotinicacid)andniacinamide(nicotinamide).Niacinspecificallyreferstonicotinicacidhowever,bothformsareoftenreferredtoas
niacinthisisinaccurateasbothhavedifferentactionswhentakeninlargeamounts.Niacinisconvertedintoniacinamidewhentakeninsmalldoses,andbothagents
haveidenticalpharmacologicactionsinthebodywhentakeninsmallerdoses(around20milligrams).Whentakeninlargerdoses(greaterthan50milligramsperday),
thetwoformshavedistinctpharmacologicproperties.Niacinisneededformetabolismoflipids,glycogenolysis,andtissuerespiration.Incorporatedintothecoenzymes
nicotinamideadeninedinucleotide(NAD)andnicotinamideadeninedinucleotidephosphate(NADP),niacinassistsinthefunctionofthesecoenzymesashydrogen
carriermoleculesincellularrespiration.
Atdosescloseto1,000milligramsperday,niacincanlowertotalbloodcholesterollevelsby8to21percent,lowdensitylipoprotein(LDL)cholesterolby8to25
percent,increasehighdensitylipoprotein(HDL)cholesterolby15to35percent,andlowertriglyceridesby20to50percent.
1
Niacinisthoughttoexertthiseffectby
slowingthereleaseoffreefattyacidsfromfattissueaswellasbyinhibitingoneenzymaticcontrol(cyclicAMP)oftriglyceridelipase,resultinginaslowingoflipolysisin
thebody.
2
NiacinisalsoabletodecreasethesynthesisofLDLandVLDLbytheliverandenhancestheremovalrateoftriglyceridecontainingchylomicronsinthe
bloodstreambyincreasinglipoproteinlipaseactivity.
3
Niacincausesvasodilationofthesurfacebloodvesselsleadingtoflushingthatismostlikelymediatedby
prostaglandinmoleculestoleranceusuallydevelopsafterafewweeksofsupplementation.Someclinicalresearch
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hasshownthatschizophrenicsdonotdemonstratethecharacteristicbloodvesseldilationwhentakingniacin,suggestingafaultycellularphospholipiddependent
signalingresponse.
4
However,dosesofniacinover50milligramscanpotentiallycausesideeffectssuchasgastricupset,nausea,andliverdamage.Becauseofthe
flushingreaction,severalmanufacturersproduceadelayedreleaseformofniacinthistypeofniacinisapparentlynosaferthanstandardniacinasthisformmaycause
liverdamageaswell.
5

Niacinamidedoesnotaffectbloodlipidsanddoesnotcausethetypicalvasodilationassociatedwithniacin.
3
Largedosesofniacinamideareusedtopreventthe
progressionoftype1diabetes(insulindependent)
6
andmayprotectthecellsthatmanufactureinsulin(pancreaticisletcells)fromfurthercellulardamage.
7
Niacinamide
actsasanantioxidantaswell,addingtofurthercellularprotectioninthebody.
DEFICIENCY
Deficiencyofniacinleadstopellagra,adiseasecharacterizedbydermatitis,dementia,anddiarrheatheskinbecomesdryandscaly,dementiabecomesprominent,and
thegastrointestinaltractmucousliningisnotaswellformed,leadingtodiarrhea.Commonattheturnofthenineteenthcentury,pellagraisnotascommontoday
becausemanyfoodsarefortifiedwithsmallamountsofthevitamin.Inchronicalcoholism,however,pellagramaybeseen.Othercausesofniacindeficiencyinclude
suboptimaldietaryintakeorsupplementation,thepharmaceuticaldrugisoniazid,certaintumors(carcinoid),andHartnupdisease,whichleadstoaninabilitytoabsorb
tryptophan,anaminoacidthatisessentialfortheendogenousformationofniacin.Otherconditionssuchasdiabetes,hyperthyroidism,lactation,livercirrhosis,and
pregnancymaycontributetoafrankniacindeficiency.
USES
Niacinisusedtotreathyperlipoproteinemia,peripheralvasculardisease,pellagra,schizophrenia,depression,ADHD,anddiabetes,amongothers.
Niacinismanufacturedinthebodyfromtheaminoacidtryptophan,andbecauseofthis,niacinissometimesviewedasanonessentialnutrient.However,ifdietary
intakeoftryptophanisinsufficient,niacinproductionisaffected.
Necessaryfortheproductionofenergy,niacinisprimarilyusedfortreatingelevatedcholesterolandtriglycerides,assistinginhealthymentalfunction(conditionslike
schizophrenia),Raynaudssyndrome(painfulbloodvesselconstrictioninthehandsorfeetwhenexposedtothecold),andintermittentclaudication(crampinginthecalf
frominadequateoxygensupply),anditmayassistinhelpingwithbloodsugarcontrol.
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DOSINGREVIEW
TheRecommendedDietaryAllowances(RDAs)ofniacinare16milligramsperdayformenand14milligramsperdayforwomen.Forpregnantorlactatingwomen
theRDAis1718milligramsperday.
Standarddosesofniacinasasupplementaretypically1020milligramsperday.
Incasesofdeficiency,dosesrangefrom50to100milligramsperday.
Forhyperlipoproteinemia,dosesstartat125milligramstwotimesperdayandmaybeincreasedgraduallyto1.53gramsperday.
Becauseofthesideeffectsofniacininlargedoses(over50milligrams),aformknownasinositolhexaniacinatecanbetakenthisformisvirtuallyfreefromside
effectswhentakeninlargedoses.Patientstakinglargedosesofniacin,regardlessofform,shouldhavetheirliverenzymesscreenedeverythreemonthstomonitorfor
safety.
Ifusinginositolhexaniacinate,startwith500milligramsthreetimesdailyfortwoweeksandthenincreaseto1gramperday.
Takeallformswithfood.
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Page169
B5
MECHANISMOFACTION
B5,alsoknownaspantothenicacid,isinvolvedinthemetabolismofcarbohydrates,proteins,andlipidsandtherebycontributestoenergyproductioninthebody.
CoenzymeAisderivedfrompantothenicacid,andthisimportantenzymeisneededfortheproductionandmetabolismoffattyacids,foracetylationreactionsin
gluconeogenesis(thecreationofglucoseinthebody),aswellasforthemanufactureofacetylcholineandsteroidhormones.SomeresearchshowsthatB5may
stimulatetheproductionofacetylcholineinthegutandaprecursorformofB5,dexpanthenol,maystimulatefibroblastgrowththerebybenefitingtheepithelium.
1

Theactiveformofpantothenicacidisknownaspantetheineinitsstableform,knownaspantethine,itcansignificantlylowercholesterolandtriglycerides.
2

Pantothenicaciditselfdoesnothavetheseeffects.Pantethineappearstoinhibitthesynthesisofcholesterolandassistinthemetabolismoffats.
3
Therearenoknown
sideeffectsortoxicityfrompantethine.
4

DEFICIENCY
SeveredeficiencyofB5leadstoburning,numbness,andshootingpainsinthefeet,aswellasfatigue.
5
Othersignsofdeficiencyincludesleepiness,headaches,muscle
weaknessinthelegs,andpossiblechangesinmentaldisposition.B5productioncanbecomecompromisedwiththeuseofantibioticmedications,asantibioticsdestroy
someofthegastrointestinalmicrobesthatareresponsibleforproducingB5.
6

Page170
USES
B5contributestoenergymetabolismaswellastheproductionofadrenalhormonesandredbloodcellsthroughitsformincoenzymeA.B5levelsarerelatedto
rheumatoidarthritis.ResearchshowsthatbloodlevelsofB5arelowerinpeoplewithrheumatoidarthritisincomparisontothosewithout,andtheseverityofdisease
symptomsincreasedwithlowerbloodlevelsofthevitamin.
7

DOSINGREVIEW
TherecommendeddailyintakeforB5is5milligramsperdayformenandwomen,and67milligramsperdayforpregnantorlactatingwomen.
StandardsupplementaldosingofB5is250milligramstwotimesperday.
Forarthritis,2gramsofB5perdaycanbeused,andforloweringcholesterolandtriglycerides,300milligramsthreetimesperdaycanbeused.
Page171
B6
MECHANISMOFACTION
VitaminB6,knownaspyridoxine,isnecessaryforthemetabolismofaminoacids,lipids,andcarbohydratesinthebody.Convertedintothecoenzymespyridoxal
phosphateandpyridoxaminephosphate,B6isinvolvedinthefunctionofapproximately60enzymesystems,includingtransaminationofaminoacidsthesynthesisof
gammaaminobutyricacid(GABA)inthebraintheconversionoftryptophantoniacinmetabolismofserotonin,dopamine,andnorepinephrinethesynthesisofheme
inhemoglobinandthemetabolismofphospholipidsandpolyunsaturatedfattyacids.
1
B6playsahighlyimportantroleinhealthybrainfunctionduetoitsroleinthe
productionoftheaminoacidbasedneurotransmitters(serotonin,dopamine,melatonin,epinephrine,andnorepinephrine).B6isneededforthemetabolismofthe
aminoacidhomocysteine,whichathighlevelsisanindependentriskfactorforcardiovasculardisease.
2
Pyridoxineactsasanantioxidantaswell.
3

DEFICIENCY
Adeficiencystateofpyridoxinemanifestsassymptomsintheperipheralnerves,skin,andmucousmembranes,aswellasthehematopoieticsystem(developmentof
redbloodcells).Inchildren,adeficiencyofB6canaffectthedevelopmentofthecentralnervoussystem.
Deficiencycanoccurfromseveraldiseasestates,suchasalcoholism,congestiveheartfailure,hyperthyroidism,livercirrhosis,andgutmalabsorptionconditions,
1

andinpeopletakingpharmaceuticaldrugssuchasoralbirthcontrolpills
4
andtheophylline.
5
ThefoodcoloringFD&Cyellow#5isaknownantagonistofB6inthe
body.
6

Page172
DecreasedlevelsofpyridoxineareassociatedwithincreasedbloodlevelsofCreactiveprotein(CRP),anonspecificmarkerofinflammationthatisassociatedwith
increasedcardiovasculardisease.
7

USES
B6hasbeenshowntoassistmanyhealthconditionsinadditiontoitsbenefitstoneurologicfunction.Someoftheseconditionsincludeasthma,cardiovasculardisease,
carpaltunnelsyndrome,diabetessymptomprevention,kidneystones,pregnancyassociatednausea,andPMS.
6
B6ishelpfulinautism,
8
depression,
9
epilepsy,
10
and
ADHDlevels.
11

DOSINGREVIEW
TheRecommendedDailyAllowances(RDAs)ofvitaminB6formenis1.3to1.7milligramsperdayand1.3to1.5milligramsperdayforwomen.Pregnantor
lactatingwomenrequire1.92.0milligramsperday.
Thestandardsupplementaldoseis2milligramsperday.Varioustreatmentregimenssuggestdosingfrom25to100milligramsperdayforspecificsymptom
treatment.Womentakingoralcontraceptivesshouldtake25to30milligramsperday,andforthetreatmentofPMS,50to100milligramsperdayissuggested.
Doseslargerthan50milligramsinonedayshouldbedividedintoseparatedosesduetothewatersolublenatureofthevitamin.LongtermdosingofB6over500
milligramsperdayisassociatedwithtoxicitywhentakenoverseveralmonthsoryears.
12
Signsoftoxicityincludetinglinginthefeetanddecreasedcoordination.

Page173
B12
MECHANISMOFACTION
VitaminB12,knownasmethylcobalamin,isavailableintwosyntheticforms:cyanocobalaminandhydroxycobalamin.Requiredfortheproductionofnucleicacids,
myelinsheathsyntheis,productionofcells,redbloodcellmanufacture,andnormalgrowth,B12isahighlyimportantvitamin.B12isneededtomaintaincertain
enzymes(involvedinproteinsynthesis,fatandcarbohydratemetabolism)intheirreducedstate,maintainingtheireffectiveness.B12isnecessaryforthebodytoutilize
anotherimportantvitamin,folate.InsufficientamountsofB12leadtoafunctionaldeficiencyoffolate.
1
B12isabsorbedinthesmallintestine(terminalileum)boundto
intrinsicfactor.B12absorptionisgreatlyreducedintheabsenceofthisglycoproteinthatissecretedbythestomach,althoughapproximately1percentoforallydosed
B12canbeabsorbedwithoutintrinsicfactororsufficientstomachacid.
2
B12deficiencyisassociatedwithincreasedlevelsofhomocysteine,anindependentrisk
factorforcardiovasculardisease.
3

DEFICIENCY
B12canbestoredinlargeamountsinthebodyhowever,deficiencystatesarenotrare.FrankdeficiencyofB12canleadtomegaloblasticanemiaandneurologic
damagewhensevere.NeurologicdamageoccursbecauseB12isnecessaryfortheproductionofthemyelinsheaththatencapsulatesnerves,andtheabsenceofthis
proteincanprogresstonervedegeneration.DeficiencyofB12canalsocauseneurologicsymptomssuchasdepression,
4
paresthesias(nervetinglingandnumbness),
ataxia(movementdifficulty),weakness,memoryloss,and
Page174
personalityandmoodirregularities.
5
ThesesymptomscanoccurintheabsenceofB12deficiencyanemia,whichisoftenconsideredthefirstsignofdeficiency.
6

RiskofB12deficiencyincreaseswithageandismorecommoninmenaswellasCaucasiansandLatinAmericans.
7
Deficiencycanresultfromdecreasedintake,
malabsorptionsyndromes,andperniciousanemia(anautoimmuneconditioninwhichthebodyisunabletoproduceintrinsicfactor).Othercausesofinsufficient
absorptionincludeatrophicgastritis(accompaniedbyanincreasedstomachpH),acidblockingpharmaceuticals,andcertaingastrectomysurgeries(removalofpartof
thestomach).
USES
B12isnecessaryforhealthyneurologicfunction,asdeficiencyresultsinbrainandnervoussystemsymptoms.DeficiencyintheelderlycanmimicAlzheimersdisease
symptomsandisrelativelycommoninthisagegroup.Additionally,itisthoughtthatB12deficiencyisamajorcauseofdepressionintheelderly.
8
DeficiencyofB12
canbethecauseofpsychologicaldisturbancesintheelderly,priortomanifestingasanemia.
9

Theactivationofenzymesthatmanufacturecertainneurotransmitterssuchasserotoninanddopamineisdependentonabraincompoundknownastetra
hydrobiopterin(BH4).BH4synthesisisinturnstimulatedbybothvitaminB12andfolate.BH4levelshavebeenfoundtobedeficientinpeoplewithdepression,and
studiesimplicatethatsupplementalB12andfolatemayincreasebrainlevelsofBH4,therebyalleviatingthedepression.
10

BecauseofthenecessityofB12intheproductionofmyelin,thisvitaminisusedinthetreatmentofmultiplesclerosis(MS).AlthoughMSistheorizedtohavemany
causes,B12deficiencycanaggravatethediseaseandcontributetocontinueddemyelination.
B12isalsousedforotherconditionssuchasAIDS,asthma,diabeticneuropathy,decreasedspermcounts,andtinnitus.
9

DOSINGREVIEW
TherecommendeddietaryallowanceofB12is2.4microgramsforadults,and2.6to2.8microgramsforpregnantandlactatingwomen.Thestandardsupplemental
doseis100microgramsperdaytoensureadequateoralabsorptionandtomaintaintissuestorage.
Forpeoplewithabsorptionproblems,intramuscularadministrationisusedatdosesof30microgramsperdayfor5to10days,andmaintenancedosesof100200
microgramsonetimepermontharerecommended.
Note:FolatemaymaskB12deficiency.FolatewillimprovevitaminB12associatedanemia,butwillnotaffectB12relatedneurologicdegeneration.Forthis
reason,B12andfolateshouldalwaysbesupplementedtogether.
Page175
Dimethylglycine(DMG)
MECHANISMOFACTION
Dimethylglycine(DMG)isamethylatedformoftheaminoacidglycine.DMGisproducedinthebody,butitexistsforonlyafewsecondsbeforebeingconverteditis
alsoformedfrombetaineduringthecourseofhomocysteinemethylation.
1
Actingasamethylgroupdonor,DMGhasareputationforbenefitingchildrenwithautism,
withresultsbecomingnoticeablewithindaysoftakingthesupplement.ResearchshowsanimmuneenhancingeffectfromDMG,ashumoralandcellmediatedimmune
responsesareincreasedwithsupplementation.
2
DMGisabsorbedinthesmallintestineandmetabolizedinthelivertomonomethylglycineorsacrosine,whichisthen
convertedintoglycine.DMGhasbeenshowntohaveanticonvulsanteffectsinmixedcomplexpartialandgrandmalseizures.
3

USES
DMGhasbeenusedtoimproveautismsymptomssuchasspeechandbehavior
4
andtoimprovebehaviorinADHD.Additionally,itisusedtoenhanceneurologic
functionasatreatmentforepilepsy.SomeresearchhasinvestigatedDMGforimprovementofoxygenutilization,liverfunction,andathleticperformance.DMGisused
toenhanceimmunefunctionandtotreatconditionssuchasalcoholism,addiction,andchronicfatiguesyndrome.
DEFICIENCY
Formedinthebody,deficiencystatesofDMGarenotknowntoexist.
Page176
DOSINGREVIEW
ThereisnoRDAforDMG.Fortreatmentofautism,astartingdoseof60milligramsperdayisrecommended,workingupto500milligramsperday.Atypicaldose
fortreatmentofotherconditionsis125milligramsperday,withfood.
Page177
DocosahexaenoicAcid(DHA)
MECHANISMOFACTION
Docosahexaenoicacid(DHA)isalongchainpolyunsaturatedfattyacidderivedfromthetissuesoffishandothermarineanimalsaswellasmicroalgae.Anomega3
fattyacid,DHAisacompetitiveprecursorinthecyclooxygenaseandlipoxygenasepathwayswitharachidonicacid.
1
DHAisconvertedintoeicosapentaenoicacid,
anotheressentialpolyunsaturatedfattyacidinhumans,
2
andalongwithotherlongchainpolyunsaturatedfattyacids,itisincorporatedintothegraymatterofthebrain.
3

DHAplaysahighlyimportantroleinbrainfunctionandisthoughttocontributetoproperstructural,neurologic,andsynapticmembranedevelopment.
4
Additional
researchshowsthatDHAexertsapositiveeffectonretinalfunctionanddevelopment,visualfunction,learningability,andmemory.
5
DHAisincorporatedintothebrain
inlargeamountsthroughoutthethirdtrimesterofpregnancyaswellasinthefirstfewmonthsoflife.
6
FurtherevidencefortheimportanceofDHAinhuman
developmentisitspresenceinbreastmilkchildrenwhoarefedsolitarilywithDHAdevoidformulahavelowerlevelsofDHAinthebrainandthroughoutthebody.
Clinicalstudiesareongoingtodeterminewhateffectthismayhaveonneurologicdevelopmentandoutcomes.
DHAhasbeneficialeffectsincardiovasculardiseasesupplementationwithDHAresultsinelevatedHDLandreducedserumtriglycerides.
7
Italso,however,
elevatesLDLcholesterolandparticlesize,butdoesnotappeartoelevatetotalcholesterol.
8
DHAexertsslighteffectsonbloodviscositybyincreasingtheabilityofred
bloodcellstodeform,whichallowsthemtotravelwithgreatereasethroughnarrowspaces(thusdecreasingpotentialclotsinnarrowedarteries).
9

Page178
DEFICIENCY
InsufficientamountsofDHAarefoundindietsthatdonotcontainanycoldwatermarineanimalfoodsources.ItisalsohypothesizedthatpregnancymaydepleteDHA
storesinwomenoverthelongterm.
10
InfantswhoarenotbreastfedhaveloweramountsofDHAintheirbodiesthanthosewhoare,andasmentionedpreviously,this
mayhaveaneffectonneurologicdevelopment.
USES
DHAasasupplementhasbeenshowntodecreasestressrelatedaggression.
11
Whengiventoprematureinfants,DHAwasshowntoimprovevisualfunction,
12
andit
decreasestheseverityofmovementdisordersinchildrenwithdyspraxia.
13
Supplementationseemstoimprovethedevelopmentofneurologicstructures,asthisfatty
acidisincorporatedintothegraymatterofthebrain,onethirdofwhichiscomposedoflongchainpolyunsaturatedfattyacids.
14
DietsrichinDHAmayalsodecrease
mortalityinpeoplewithcoronaryarterydisease.
15

DOSINGREVIEW
ThereisnoestablishedRDAforDHA.Itistypicallysupplementedwithotherpolyunsaturatedfattyacids,suchaseicosapentaenoicacid.Themajorityofresearch
utilizes13gramsofDHAperdaymostfishoilsupplementscontainroughly12percentDHA.Fivegramsofsupplementalfishoilwillusuallycontain72312
milligramsofDHA.Nosideeffectsarecurrentlyrecognizedwithsupplementation.
Page179
EicosapentaenoicAcid(EPA)
MECHANISMOFACTION
Eicosapentaenoicacid(EPA)isalongchainpolyunsaturatedfattyacidthatisderivedfrommainlycoldwaterfishandothermarineanimals.Anomega3fattyacid,
EPAisacompetitiveinhibitorofarachidonicacidinthecyclooxygenaseandlipoxygenasepathways.
1
EPAisconsideredanessentialfattyacidandisincorporatedinto
cellularmembranes,havinganeffectonmembranefluidityandintercellularsignaling.
ResearchshowsabeneficialeffectofEPAonschizophrenicanddepressivedisordersmuchresearchiscontinuingintheseareas,aswellastheeffectsofessential
fattyacidsinotherneurologicdiseases.
2
SupplementationwithEPAcanreducetriglyceridelevelsandincreasefastinglevelsofbloodglucoseandinsulin,
3
andithas
beenshowntoincreaseHDLcholesterolbynearly12percentinsomestudies.
4
EPAisshowntodecreaseplateletaggregationandincreaseredbloodcell
deformability,allowingerythrocytestotravelwithgreatereasethroughnarrowedarteriestherebydecreasingthelikelihoodofclotting.
5

USES
Inthetreatmentofdepression,EPAusedasanadjunctivetreatmenttostandardantidepressantpharmaceuticalswasshowntodecreasesymptomsofguilt,lowself
esteem,insomnia,anddepressedmood.
2
Usedinthetreatmentofborderlinepersonalitydisorder,EPAmodestlyimprovedsymptomsofaggressionanddepression.
6

Inthetreatmentofcardiovasculardisease,EPAwasshowntodecreasemortality.
7
EPAhasantiinflammatoryactivityandisusedtotreatvariousdiseasesinwhich
inflammationisproblematic.
8

Page180
DEFICIENCY
ThestandardAmericandietistypicallylowinessentialfattyacidsthelackofomega3andomega6fattyacidsincellularmembranesistheorizedtobeacontributing
factortoseveraldiseasestates.SomevegetableoilscanbeconvertedinsmallamountsinthebodyintoEPA,butapersoneatingatypicalmoderndietismorethan
likelyconsuminginsufficientamountsofthesenutrients.Severalstudiesofpeoplewithdepressionindicatethatomega3fattyacidsaredeficientinthispopulation.
DOSINGREVIEW
ThereisnoRDAforEPA.Typically,EPAsupplementscontain169563milligramsofEPAin5gramsoffishoils.Mostfishoilsupplementscontainroughly18
percentEPA.
Asanadjunctiveantidepressanttreatment,1gramtwicedailyisused.Asanadjunctivetreatmentforschizophrenia,3gramsindivideddosesperdayhasbeenused.
Inborderlinepersonalitydisorder,1gramperdayisused.
Page181
5Hydroxytryptophan(5HTP)
MECHANISMOFACTION
Commonlyreferredtoas5HTP,thiscompoundiscloselyrelatedtotheaminoacidLtryptophanandtheneurotransmitterserotonin.Ltryptophanundergoes
transformationinthebodyinto5HTP,whichisthenconvertedintoserotonin.5HTPisanintermediarymetaboliteofLtryptophaninthesynthesisofserotonin.5
HTPsmainmechanismofactionistoincreasethelevelsofserotonininthecentralnervoussystemotherneurotransmitters(suchasdopamineandnorepinephrine)and
otherbrainchemicals(suchasmelatoninandbetaendorphin)areincreasedfollowingsupplementationwith5HTP.
1

Supplemental5HTPsurpassestheconversionofLtryptophaninto5HTPbytryptophanhydrolase,whichisthelimitingstepintheproductionofserotonin.This
enzymemaybeinhibitedordecreasedbystressandvitaminB6and/ormagnesiumdeficiencies.5HTPcanfunctionasanantioxidantaswell.
2
Absorptionof5HTP
intheintestineoccurswithoutatransportmoleculeandisnotaffectedbythepresenceofotheraminoacidsorproteins.Becauseofthis,5HTPcanbetakenwithfood
withoutanyeffectonbioavailablity.
5HTP,whentakenorally,canenterthebrainandenhanceproductionoftheneurotransmitterserotonin.
3
Becauseofthiseffect,5HTPisusedtotreatconditionsin
whichserotoninmayplayaroletheseincludedepression,insomnia,andothers.Serotoninitselfmodulatesappetite,depressionandmood,anxiety,andaggressive
behavior.
4
Supplemental5HTPiscommerciallyderivedfromtheplantGriffoniasimplicifoliafoundontheAfricancontinent.

Page182
USES
5HTPiseffectivefortreatingdepression,
5
anditappearstoprovidesignificantimprovementofdepressivesymptoms,eveninpatientswithdepressionthatwas
previouslyresistanttostandardtreatment.
6
5HTPmaybeaseffectiveasstandardpharmaceuticalantidepressantssuchasfluvoxamineandimipramine.
7
Otherusesof
5HTPincludetreatmentforADHD,anxiety,cerebellarataxia,fibromyalgia,sleepdisorders,someformsofepilepsy,migraines,obesity,andParkinsonsdisease.
DEFICIENCY
ThereisnoRDAfor5HTPhowever,certaindietsthataredeficientinproteinwithlowamountsoftheaminoacidtryptophanmaypredisposeapersontolowstates.
DOSINGREVIEW
Initialdosingof5HTPtypicallystartsat50milligrams,threetimesperdaywithmeals.If,aftertwoweeksofsupplementation,thedesiredresponseisnotyet
achieved,thedosemaybeincreasedto100milligramsthreetimesperday.Whenusingthissupplement,itisbesttousethesmallestpossibledosetoachievethe
greatestclinicaleffect.
Thestandarddoseof5HTPfordepressionis150300milligramsperday.
Fortreatmentofinsomnia,adoseof100300milligramspriortobedtimeisused.
Note:Priortosupplementationcheckingwithonesphysicianandpharmacisttoavoidpotentialdrugnaturalmedicineinteractionsisimperative.
Page183
Folate
MECHANISMOFACTION
Thetermfolatereferstoagroupingofseveralformsoffolicacid.Syntheticfolicacidisnearly100percentbioavailable,whereasfolicacidfoundinfoodsisroughly
40percentto50percentbioavailable.Folicacidhasasidechain,polyglutamate,whichmustbeenzymaticallycleavedawaypriortoitsabsorptioninthesmall
intestine.
1
Onceabsorbed,folicacidisreducedtotetrahydrofolatebeforeenteringvariousmetaboliccylces.
2
FolicacidworksintimatelywithvitaminB12inthebody.
FolicacidisvitalforsynthesisofDNAwithoutfolate,cellscannotdivideproperly.Thedevelopmentofthenervoussystemisdependentonfolicacidaswell
deficiencyoffolateislinkedtoseveralbirthdefectsincludingneuraltubedefects.Folicacidplaysaroleinthemetabolismofhomocysteinelowlevelsoffolateinthe
bloodareassociatedwithincreasedlevelsofthisaminoacid.Folicacidisnecessaryforthemetabolismofhomocysteineintomethionineandfortheconversionofs
adenosylmethionine(SAMe).
3
Elevatedhomocysteineisconsideredariskfactorforatherosclerosis,thromboembolism,deepveinthrombosis,ischemicstroke,and
heartattack.
4

USES
InsufficientfolicacidisthoughttocontributetothedevelopmentofAlzheimersdiseaseresearchshowsthatlowlevelsoffolicacidmayberelatedtodegenerationof
theouterlayersofthebrain(cerebralcortex),
5
anddecreasedbloodlevelsoffolicacidareassociatedwithbraindegenerationthathasbeennotedatautopsyaswell.
ElevatedlevelsofhomocysteinecontributetoDNAdamageandcelldeathinthebrain,andarethereforeconsideredtobe
Page184
neurotoxic.
6
Bothphysicalandmentaldysfunctioncanoccurintheelderlywithlowbloodlevelsanddietaryintakeoffolicacid.
7

Folicacidhasalsobeennotedtobelowinpeoplesufferingfromdepression,
8
andlowlevelsareassociatedwithadecreasedclinicalresponsetoantidepressant
therapyaswell.
9
Populationstudiesindicatethatpeoplewhodonotconsumeenoughdietaryfolicacidorthosewithlowbloodlevelsareatanincreasedriskofhaving
depression.
10

Additionally,folateisneededforthemetabolismoftetrahydrobiopterin,whichisanecessaryenzymaticcofactorfortheenzymesthatproducetheneurotransmitter
serotonin.
DEFICIENCY
Folicaciddeficiencyisthemostcommontypeofvitamindeficiency.Folicacidiswidelyavailableinplantsourcesoffoodsbutisquitelowinanimalsources,except
liver.Alcoholandseveralprescriptiondrugsaffectthemetabolismoffolicacidaswell,limitingtheuseofthevitamininthebody.Deficiencyoffolicacidleadsto
decreasedcellularreplicationandincreasestherateofcellulardeath.
11
Othersymptomsoffolicaciddeficiencyincludedelayedgrowth,anemia,gingivitis,diarrhea,
abnormalpapsmears,depression,insomnia,fatigue,irritability,andforgetfulness.
12

DOSINGREVIEW
TheRecommendedDietaryAllowances(RDAs)forfolateinadultsare400microgramsperdayandinpregnantandlactatingwomen500600microgramsperday.
Atypicalsupplementaldosageis400microgramsperdaytreatmentforotherconditionscanrangeupto10milligramsperday.
Note:Whentakingsupplementalfolicacid,itisnecessarytotakeB12aswellbecausefolicacidcanmaskaB12deficiencybyreversinganemiabutwillnottreat
B12deficiencyinducedneurologicsymptoms.
Page185
Ginkgobiloba
MECHANISMOFACTION
Ginkgoleafcontainsseveralactiveconstituentsandistypicallystandardizedtocontain24percentflavonoidglycosides,whicharethemainactiveingredients.Ginkgos
constituentshavetheirownpharmacologicactionshowever,itappearsthatmanyofthesecompoundsaremorepotentwhenactingsynergistically.
1
Ginkgoisthought
toexertseveraleffectsitprotectstissuesfromoxidativedamage,protectingcellmembranesfromlipidperoxidation,
2
anditcanprotectneuronsspecificallyfrom
oxidativedamagefollowingepisodesofischemia.
3
Byprotectingtissuesfromoxidativedamage,ginkgoisthoughttoprotectthecentralnervoussystem(CNS)from
degenerationthatislinkedtodementia.Ginkgoinhibitsplateletactivatingfactor(PAF)frombindingtovariouscells,whichhastheeffectofdecreasingplatelet
aggregation,smoothmusclecontraction,neutrophildegranulation,andfreeradicalproduction.Thiseffectservestoprotecttissuefrominjuryrelateddamage.
4

GinkgobenefitstheCNSandothervascularconditionsthroughitscirculatoryenhancingeffectsitincreasesblooddeliverytothebrainandeyesspecifically.This
effectappearstobemediatedthroughdecreasedbloodviscosityandsmoothmusclecontraction.
GinkgobenefitsAlzheimersdiseasebyprotectingcellsfromtoxicityproducedbybetaamyloidpeptides,
5
anditappearstoenhancethecholinergicneurotransmitter
system.
6
OtherevidencesuggeststhatginkgolimitstheenzymecatecholOmethyltransferase(COMT),therebypreventingthebreakdownofadrenergic
neurotransmitters,andincreasestheamountofalphaadrenoreceptorsinthebrainthatarereducedaspartoftheagingprocess.
7

Page186
USES
GinkgoisprimarilyusedinthetreatmentofAlzheimersdisease,vascular,andmixeddementias.Ginkgostabilizesandimprovessomeaspectsofcognitiveandsocial
functioninpatientswithdementia,
8
Someevidencesuggestsginkgoleafextractmightmodestlyimprovesomemeasuresofcognitivefunction,particularlyshortterm
visualmemoryandpossiblyspeedofcognitiveprocessing,innondementedpatientswithagerelatedmemoryimpairment.
9
Ginkgoleafextractmightmodestlyimprove
cognitivefunction,suchasmemoryandspeedofcognitiveprocessinginpeoplewithnocomplaintsofmemoryimpairment.
10
Ginkgoisabletoincreasepainfree
walkingdistanceinpeoplewithintermittentclaudication,
11
anditiseffectiveatimprovingmemory.
12

DEFICIENCY
ThereisnoRDAforGinkgobiloba.
DOSINGREVIEW
Fortreatmentofdementia,dosesof120to240milligramsperdayindivideddosesareused.Forimprovementofcognitivefunctioninhealthypeople,adoseof120
to600milligramsperdayisused.*Higherdosesmayhavepronouncedbloodthinningeffectsandwarrantsmedicalsupervision.FortreatmentofADHD,50
milligramsginkgoextractcanbetakenincombinationwith200milligramsAmericanginsengtwicedaily.
*Themajorityofresearchshowsthatlowerdosesof120to240milligramsaremoreeffectivethanhigherdosesupto600milligramsperday.Ginkgosupplementsshouldbetakeninaform
standardizedtocontain24percentglycosides.
Page187
Ginseng
Therearethreemaintypesofginsengused:American(referredtoasPanaxquinquefolius),Asian(referredtoasPanaxginseng),andSiberian(referredtoas
Eleutherococcussenticosus).
AMERICAN
MechanismofAction
TherootofAmericanginsengisthemedicinallyusedpartoftheplant.Theactivecomponentsaretheginsenosides,panaxosides,andsaponins.
1
Therearethoughtto
beatleast11differentformsoftheginsenosidesinvariousginsengspecies.
2
Americanginsengisusedmedicinallyasanagenttolowerbloodpressure,an
antispychotic,acentralnervoussystemdepressant,andanulcerprotectant.Otheractivitiesincludeincreasedgastrointestinalmotilityandfeverloweringeffects.
3
Some
ginsenosidesmayimprovememoryfunctionbyactingonacetylcholineinthebraininanasofyetunknownmechanismtheydonotseemtoaffectthemetabolismand
releaseorreuptakeofthisneurotransmitter.
4
Americanginsengstimulatespartsoftheimmunesystemmonocytesandtumornecrosisfactoralphaareenhancedbythis
herb.
5

Uses
Americanginsengisusedfordecreasingpostprandial(followingmeals)bloodsugarinpatientswithtype2diabetes3gramsoftheherbpriortomealscaneffectively
decreasebloodsugarlevelsfollowingameal.
6
Theabilityofginsengtolowerbloodsugarisattributedtothelevelofginsenosidesintheherbalpreparation.The
mechanismofactionisunknownatthistime.
Page188
AmericanginsengtakenwiththeherbginkgomaydecreaseADHDsymptomsinchildren.Studiesareunderwaytofurtherevaluatethesefindings.
7

Americanginsengisconsideredanadaptogen,orasubstancethatcannonspecificallyincreasethebodysresistancetovariousenvironmentalstresses.Inthis
capacity,Americanginsengisusedforinsomnia,ADHD,stress,improvingstamina,lossofappetite,lossofmemory,dizziness,headache,convulsions,andfor
improvingimmunefunction.
Deficiency
ThereisnoRDAforAmericanginseng.
DosingReview
ThestandarddoesofAmericanginsengrangesfrom0.25to0.5gramsoftheherbroottwicedaily.Inconditionsofextremedebilitation,dosesof0.8gramsaretaken
twicedaily.ForADHDsymptoms,200milligramsofAmericanginsengtwicedailyisused.
Fortype2diabetes,dosesrangefrom3to9gramscautionshouldbeusedwhentakinganyglucoseloweringherbinadditiontodiabetespharmaceuticals.
ASIAN
MechanismofAction
TherootisthemedicinallyusedpartofPanaxginseng.Theactiveconstituentsarereferredtoasbothginsenosidesandpanaxosides.
8
Ginsenosidesalsopotentiate
nervegrowthfactorandmightconferneuroprotectionthroughnicotinicactivity.
9
Panaxginsengisconsideredtobeanadaptogenicherb,whichcanincreasethe
bodysnonspecificresponsestostressresearchindicatesthatPanaxginsenghasaneffectonthehypothalamicpituitaryadrenal(HPA)axis,stimulatingincreased
cortisolsecretionbytheadrenalglands.
10
Panaxginsengalsoincreaseslevelsofthehormonedehydroepiandrosteronesulfate(DHEAS)inwomen.
11

Uses
Panaxginsengiseffectiveatimprovingcognitivefunctionbyenhancingmentalarithmeticskills,abstractmemory,andreactiontimes.
12
Itscombinationwiththeherb
ginkgohasbeenshowntoimprovememoryinmiddleagedpeople.
13
PanaxginsengiseffectiveatloweringfastingbloodglucoselevelsandreducinghemoglobinA1c
intype2diabetics.
14
Supplementationwiththeinfluenzavaccineduringfluseasonfor12weeksdecreasestheriskofcatchingbothcoldsandfluviruses.
15

Page189
Deficiency
ThereisnoRDAforPanaxginseng.
DosingReview
TypicaldosesofPanaxginsengare100milligramstwiceperday.Fortreatmentofdiabetes,200milligramstwiceperdayhasbeenused.
SIBERIAN
MechanismofAction
TherootandleavesofSiberianginsengareusedmedicinally.TheactiveconstituentsaretheeleutherosidesAthroughM.
16
Siberianginsenghasantioxidanteffectsand
canpreventbraindamageresultingfromischemicstroke.
17
Itactsasanimmunestimulantandantiinflammatoryandcanstimulatethepituitaryadrenocorticalsystem.
18

Uses
Siberianginsengcanimprovememoryandmoodinmiddleagedpeople.
19
ItisalsousedforAlzheimersdisease,ADHD,diabetes,appetitestimulation,andchronic
fatiguesyndrome.Asanadaptogen,Siberianginsengisusedtoenhancethebodysresponsetoenvironmentalstress.Theherbisalsousedfortreatingelevatedblood
lipids,
20
ischemicstroke,
21
andheartarrythmias.
22

Deficiency
ThereisnoRDAforSiberianginseng.
DosingReview
StandarddosingofSiberianginsengis200to400milligramsperday.
Page190
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Page191
HuperzineA
MECHANISMOFACTION
DerivedfromtheChineseclubmossHuperziaserrataandfromLycopodiumselago,HuperzineAisanalkaloidconstituent.HuperzineAisareversible
acetycholinesteraseinhibitorthatcancrossthebloodbrainbarrier.
1
Thisconstituentcaninhibittheactivityofacetycholinesteraseinthebrainforseveralhours,which
allowsforincreasedlevelsofacetylcholineindifferentareasofthebrain.
2
Becauseofitseffectsonacetylcholine,HuperzineAisconsideredabeneficialtherapuetic
agentinthetreatmentofmemoryimpairment,myastheniagravis,anddementia.
3

Comparedtopharmaceuticalanticholinesteraseinhibitors(tacrine,donepezil),HuperzineAisthoughtbeamorespecificandlongeractingacetylcholinesterase
inhibitor.
4
HuperzineAismorebioavailablethantacrineandallowsforgreaterphysiologicefficacybecauseitcrossesthebloodbrainbarrier.
5
Additionally,Huperzine
Acanprotectneuronsfromtoxins(glutamate),isthoughttopreventseizures,andmayprotectacetylcholinestores(peripheralandcentral)againstcertainnerveagents
thataffectthephysiologyoftheneuron.
6

USES
HuperzineA,becauseofitsspecificeffectsontheneurotransmitteracetylcholine,isusedeffectivelyinthetreatmentofsenile,infarctinduced,andAlzheimers
dementiasandforimprovingmemoryandcognitivefunction.
7

InAlzheimersdisease,HuperzineAleadstosignificantimprovementsinmemoryandcognitiveandbehavioralfunction.
Page192
MyastheniagravispatientswereabletopreventmuscleweaknessusinganintramuscularinjectableformofHuperzineA.Thetimeofpreventionwasgreaterin
comparisontothedrugneostigmine.
Improvementinmemoryfunctionwasnotedinhealthyadolescentstudents,andanothergroupofstudentsthatcomplainedofpoormemoryhadimprovedmemory
scoresaftertakingHuperzineA.
8

DEFICIENCY
ThereisnoRDAforHuperzineA.
DOSINGREVIEW
Formemoryimprovement:100microgramstwotimesperday.ForAlzheimersandinfarctinduceddementia:50200microgramstwotimesperday.Foragerelated
dementia:30microgramstwotimesperday.HuperzineAisavailableinaninjectableformaswell400microgramsperdaycanbeusedformyastheniagravis.
Page193
Magnesium
MECHANISMOFACTION
Themostabundantpositiveioninthebodyandthesecondmostabundantpositiveioninsideofcells,magnesiummaintainsseveralimportantusesinthebody.
Magnesiumisthoughttocontributetoover300enzymaticreactions
1
someofwhichincludetheformationofcyclicAMP,ionmovementacrosscellmembranes,and
bothproteinandcarbohydratemetabolism.Magnesiumisnecessarytomaintaintheelectricalpotentialsofnervesandmusclesandforthetransmissionofthese
impulsesacrosstheneuromuscularjunction.
2
Thetissuesinthebodywiththehighestamountofmagnesiumarethebrain,heart,liver,andkidneysthemost
metabolicallyactiveorganswhichunderlinestheessentialroleofmagnesiumintheproductionofenergy.Thehumanbodyisthoughttocontainroughly25gramsof
magnesium,with50percentto60percentfoundinthebonesandtherestinsideofthecellsthroughoutthebody.Noteworthyisthatonly1percentofmagnesiumcan
befoundintheserum,thusstandardtestingisnotanaccuratereflectionoffunctionallevels.
Therelaxingeffectofmagnesiumonsmoothmuscles(bloodvesselshypertension,bronchiolesasthma,anduteruspretermcontractions)isthoughttobecausedby
theantagonisticeffectofmagnesiumoncalciumdirectedmusclecontractions.
3
Inotherwords,magnesiumcanactasamildcalciumchannelblocker.Someresearch
showsthatmagnesiummaydilatebloodvesselsinthebrain,therebyreducingischemiaaswell.
USES
Magnesiumisusedformanydiseaseconditionsthefollowingisonlyapartiallistingforconditionsthatbenefitfrommagnesiumsupplementation.
Page194
Hypertension:Lowlevelsofmagnesiumallowforincreasedperipheralvascularresistanceandspasmofbloodvessels,whichleadstoincreasedpressure.
4

Ischemiaandstroke:Magnesiummayprotectneuronsthroughavarietyofmechanisms.
5

Congestiveheartfailure:Magnesiumservestoincreasecoronarybloodflow,isantiarrhythmic,andimprovesotherindicesofcardiovascularhealth.
6

Migraines:Theseheadachesmaybetheresultofdecreasedmagnesiumlevels.
7

Type2diabetes:Thismaybepartiallytheresultofdecreasedmagnesiumintake.
8

Asthma:Symptomsfromasthmabenefitfrommagnesiumadministration.
9

Magnesiumiscrucialfortheproductionofenergysystemsthroughoutthebodyandformaintainingnerveconduction.Itisrequiredforthesodiumandpotassium
pumpthatregulatestheamountsoftheseelectrolytesinandoutofthecells.Whenthesebecomeunbalancedinthecell,energyproductionisdisrupted.
DEFICIENCY
MagnesiumisthoughttobedeficientthroughouttheU.S.populationthisisattributedtodecreasedintakeandabsorption.
10
Inparticular,theelderlyandthosewith
highstresslifestylesareatthemostatriskfordeficiency.Otherfactorsthatcontributetodecreasedmagnesiumstoresarepoordietaryintake,oralcontraceptiveuse,
excessiveintakeofcalcium(thisopposesthebodysabilitytoabsorbmagnesium),alcohol,injury(surgery),andliverandkidneydiseases.
Testingserumlevelsofmagnesiumisthoughttoprovideaninaccuratepicturebecausethemajorityofthebodysmagnesiumstoresareinsideofthecells,alow
serumlevelofmagnesiummayindicatetheendstageofdeficiency.Moreaccuratemagnesiumtestlevelscanbefoundbytestingredbloodcelllevelsofmagnesium.
Magnesiumdeficiencyisthoughttobecontributorytoanumberofdiseaseconditions,suchashighbloodpressure,insomnia,premenstrualsyndrome,mental
confusion,irritability,weakness,insomnia,increasedstress,lossofappetite,diabetes,andcardiovasculardisease.
11

DOSINGREVIEW
TheRDAformagnesiumis350milligramsperdayformenand280milligramsperdayforwomen.Mostoften,theidealintakeofmagnesiumisbasedonapersons
bodyweighttheformulais6milligramsper2.2poundsofbodyweightforstandardsupplementationpurposes.Whentreatingcertaindiseaseconditionsinwhichlow
magnesiumlevelsarethoughttobecontributory,up
Page195
to12milligramsper2.2poundsofbodyweightisused.Therefore,a150poundpersonmaybesupplementedwith409to818milligramsofmagnesiumperday.At
higherdosinglevelsthepotentialforloosestoolsordiarrheamustbemonitored.
Page196
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Page197
NAcetylCarnitine
MECHANISMOFACTION
AlsoknownasacetylLcarnitine,thiscompoundismainlyderivedfromtheaminoacidcarnitineitisanesterformandisstructurallysimilartotheneurotransmitter
acetylcholine.Itisformedinsomeamountinthebodyinsideofthecellularmitochondria.Nacetylcarnitineisthoughttoenhancetheactivityofthecholinergicnervous
systembyservingasaprecursormoleculetoacetylcoenzymeA,makingupastructuralsegmentofacetylcholine.
1
Additionally,itactstoassistinthetransportof
acetylgroupsintothemitochondriaandpromotestheproduction(increasedcholineacetyltransferaseactivity)andreleaseofacetylcholine.
2
Nacetylcarnitineisalso
thoughttohaveneuroprotectiveeffects,assistintheserotoninneurotransmitterpathways,enhancethetransmissionofnerveimpulsesinthebrain,anddecreasethe
agerelatedlossofglucocorticoidreceptorsinthehippocampus.ResearchhasshownthatNacetylcarnitinemayincreasebloodflowtothebraininpatientswith
cerebrovasculardisease.
3
BecauseofthemanyeffectsofacetylLcarnitine,thiscompoundhasbeenstudiedforthetreatmentofAlzheimersdisease(whichis
accompaniedbysignificantdecreasesinacetylcholineandcholinergicneurons).
4

USES
Nacetylcarnitineisusedtoimprovecognitivefunctionandmemoryinpeoplewithagerelatedcognitivedeclineandmemoryimpairment.
5
Itisalsobeneficialfor
peoplewithcerebrovascularinsufficiency(decreasedorimpairedbloodflowtothebrain),vasculardementia,andthoserecoveringfromstokes.
6
Nacetylcarnitine
wasshowntoimprovecerebralbloodflowinpeoplewith
Page198
chronicbrainischemiaafteronlyonedose,
7
anditcanimprovememoryandvisualspaceorientationskillsinrecoveringalcoholicswithcognitiveimpairment.
8

NacetylcarnitineisalsousedinthetreatmentofAIDS,whereitmayslowthedeclineofCD4lymphocytes.
9
ItisalsousedforthetreatmentofHIVmedication
relatedneuropathy.
10

Nacetylcarnitineisusedforimprovingenergyandisapartofformulasdesignedforweightloss,asthiscompoundassistinthetransportoflongchainfattyacids
intothemitochondriawheretheyareusedforenergyproduction.
11
Nacetylcarnitineisalsousedtoimprovespermmotilitythiscompoundispresentinspermand
seminalfluidandhasbeenfoundtobelowininfertileandlowmotilityspermsamples.
12

DEFICIENCY
ThereisnoRDAforNacetylcarnitine.
DOSINGREVIEW
ForthetreatmentofAlzheimersdisease:1,5004,000milligramsindivideddosesperday.Agerelatedmemoryimpairment:1,5002,000milligramsperday.Stroke
recovery:1,500milligramsperday.Agerelateddepression:1,5003,000milligramsindivideddosesperday.Besttaken3060minutesawayfrommeals.
Page199
Phosphatidylserine
MECHANISMOFACTION
Phosphatidylserineisatypeofphospholipidthatismanufacturedinthehumanbody.Phosphatidylserineisalsoobtainedfrommostfoods.
1
Itisthemostplentiful
phospholipidfoundinthebrainandplaysavitalroleinmaintainingthestructuralandfunctionalintegrityofthenervecellmembrane.Itassistsinthesefunctionsby
regulatingtheinternalcellularenvironment,releaseofsecretoryvessicles,intercellularcommunication,regulationofcellgrowth,andsignaltransduction.
2

ThemechanismofactionofphosphatidylserineinthetreatmentofAlzheimersdiseaseandagerelatedmemoryimpairmentisnotclearlyelucidatedatthistime
however,onetheorysuggeststhatthosewithdementiaoragerelatedmemoryimpairmenthaveabnormalitiesintheirneuronalmembranes,whichleadstostructural
andfunctionalneurotransmitterabnormalities.Additionally,thispopulationoftenhaschangesinthelevelsoftheneurotransmittersserotonin,norepinephrine,and
acetylcholine,andresearchersbelievethatthesechangesmaybetheresultofanalterationinbrainphospholipidcontent.Bysupplementingwithanexternalsourceof
phospholipids,intheformofphosphatidylserine,thismaynormalizebrainphospholipidfunctions.
3
Phosphatidylserinecanincreasethelevelsofserotonin,dopamine,
norepinephrine,andacetylcholineinpeoplewithAlzheimersdiseaseandmaydecreaseagerelateddendriticlossasandcholinergicneuronloss.
4

Phosphatidylserinecandecreasethecortisolandadrenocorticotropinelevationthatfollowsstrenuousexercise.Thismayservetoattenuatesomeformsofexercise
inducedphysiologicstress.
5

Page200
USES
PhosphatidylserineisusedinthetreatmentofAlzheimersdiseaseandforseniledementia.Itcanincreasecognitivefunction,behavioralratings,andglobalimprovement
scalesintheshortterm.
6
Inpeoplewithagerelatedcognitivedeclineandmemoryimpairment,phosphatidylserinecanimproveattention,arousal,memory,andverbal
fluency.
7
Someresearchshowsthatphosphatidylserinemayimprovedepressionintheelderlyaswell.
8
Highlytrainedathleteshadanincreasedsenseofwellbeingand
decreasedpostexercisemusclesorenesswhentakingphosphatidylserine.
9

DEFICIENCY
Lowlevelsofphosphatidylserineareassociatedwithimpairedmentalfunctionanddepressionintheelderly.
10
Underregularcircumstances,thebrainmanufacturesits
ownphosphatidylserinehowever,thisprocessiscompromisedwhennutrientssuchasfolicacid,vitaminB12,andessentialfattyacidsareinshortsupplyinthebody.
DOSINGREVIEW
ThereisnoRDAforphosphatidylserine.Thestandardsupplementaldoseis100milligramsthreetimesaday.Someresearchshowstheuseof200300milligramsper
dayforthetreatmentofADHD.
11

Theessentialfattyaciddocosahexaenoicacid(DHA)seemstoenhancetheabilityofphosphatidylserinetoaccumulateinneuroncellmembranes.Therefore,these
twonutrientsshouldbetakenconcomitantly.
Page201
VitaminC
MECHANISMOFACTION
VitaminC,alsoknownasascorbicacid,isawatersolublevitaminthatmustbeobtainedfromfoodsourcesforhumanhealth.VitaminChasmultiplephysiologic
effectsinthebody,namelyinoxidationreductionreactionsasanantioxidant.Itisalsonecessaryforthemetabolismofcarnitineandtryptophan(aminoacids),thyroxin
(athyroidhormone),andtheneurotransmittersdopamineandnorepinephrine.
1
Itisusedintheprocessofcellularrespiration,metabolismofcarbohydrates,conversion
ofcholesterolintobileacids,thesynthesisofproteinsandlipidsusedinthebody,metabolismofiron,andtheconversionoffolicacidtofolinicacid.
2
VitaminCisalso
neededforoptimalfunctionoftheimmunesystem.
3

USES
TheuseofvitaminCformultipleconditionsisbackedbyseveralclinicalandpopulationstudiesthatillustrateitsbenefitsinhumanhealth.VitaminCsstatusasan
excellent(relatingtoefficacyandcost)antioxidantmaybetheprimarypurposeofitswidespreaduseindisease.Someofthemostoftentreateddiseasesusingvitamin
Cinclude:asthma,cancer,colds,coronaryarterydisease,fatigue,infections,menopause,multiplesclerosis,Parkinsonsdisease,andwoundhealing.
4
Theantioxidant
effectofvitaminCisimportantinregardtoprotectingthebrainanditsfunctionfromtheravagesofoxidativeprocessesinthebody.
Page202
DEFICIENCY
TheRDAforvitaminCisonly90milligramsperdayformenand75milligramsperdayforwomenforpregnantandlactatingwomen,120milligramsperdayis
recommended.BecausevitaminCisnotproducedinthehumanbody,itcanbecomeeasilydeficientinadietvoidoffruitsandvegetables,whicharetherichest
sourcesofthevitamin.Althoughnotascommonlydeficientasitwasinthepast,someresearchsuggeststhatvitaminClevelscanbeinsufficientpriortosignsof
deficiency.
5
OneofthefirstsignsofvitaminCdeficiencyisfatigue,butitmaygounnoticedforsometimeduetothemanyothercausesoffatigue.
6
Ifdeficientforthree
tofivemonths,apersonwilldevelopscurvy,whichismarkedbygumswellingandbleeding,hyperkeratosis,andsmallhemorrhagesintheviscera(internalorgans)and
themuscles.
7
Woundhealingismuchslowerinstatesofdeficiency.

DOSINGREVIEW
ThereisawiderangeofdosessuggestedforvitaminC,thelowestbeingtheRDAof7590milligramsperday.However,LinusPaulingrecommendeddosesranging
from2to9gramsduringnormalhealthandevenhigherdosesduringillness.
Foroptimaluseofthevitamin,adoseof500to1,000milligramsperdayisrecommended.Higherdosesmaybeconsideredfordiseaseconditionsinwhichahigh
amountofoxidativestressispresent.
Page203
VitaminE
MECHANISMOFACTION
Alsoknownasalphatocopherol,vitaminEisafatsolublevitaminderivedfrommanysourcesoutsideofthehumanbody.ThemainfunctionofvitaminEinthebodyis
asanantioxidantandthebenefitsofthisvitaminareprimarilyattributedtothiseffect.ThereareeightdifferentformsofvitaminEhowever,theonlybiologicallyactive
formisalphatocopherol.Inordertobecomebiologicallyactive,alphatocopherolisdependentonthealphatocopheroltransferproteinthatisfoundintheliver.
Alphatocopherolbindstothisproteinandisthentransportedthroughoutthebody.
1
VitaminEprimarilyworksinthelipidsofthebodyasanantioxidant.Itis
incorporatedintothelipidlayersofcellmembranesandworkstostabilizeandprotectthemfromvariousenvironmentalassaults,suchasheavymetals,chemicaltoxins
(benzene,solvents),drugs,andfreeradicals.VitaminEisalsoveryimportantforimmunefunctionitservestoprotectthecellsoftheimmunesystemfromoxidative
damageandduringtimesofchronicviralillnesses.
USES
VitaminEseffectsonhumanhealthlayprimarilyinitsroleasanantioxidant.Asmentionedpreviously,vitaminEisprotectiveofthefattyaspectsofthebody,primarily
thelipidcontainingcellularmembrane.Lipidperoxidationisoneofthemaincausesofcellulardamageinthebody,andnervecellsaresomeofthemostsusceptible
cellstothistypeofdamage.Becauseofthis,vitaminEisusedprimarilyinatherosclerosis,alcoholinducedliverdisease,epilepsy,infections,inflammation,menopause,
multiplesclerosis,neuralgia,neuromusculardegeneration,Parkinsonsdisease,premenstrualsyndrome,andseveralotherconditions.
2

Page204
DEFICIENCY
DeficiencyofvitaminEcanbedifficulttoachieveintheshorttermprimarilybecauseitisafatsolublevitaminthatisstoredinthebody.However,vitaminEcan
becomedepletedincertainconditionssuchasfatmalabsorption(celiacdisease,cysticfibrosis),inprematureinfants,ingeneticdiseasesofredbloodcellsthatdonot
allowformaintenanceofnormalbloodlevels,andinpatientsundergoingdialysis.Signsofdeficiencyincludemuscleweakness,damagetonerves,lossofcoordination,
andredbloodcelldamageleadingtodecreasedlifespanofthesecells.
3

DOSINGREVIEW
TheRDAforvitaminEis15milligramsforbothmenandwomen,whichisequivalentto22InternationalUnitsofnaturalvitaminEor33InternationalUnitsofsynthetic
vitaminE.Standardtherapeuticdosesrangefrom400InternationalUnitsto800InternationalUnits.
VitaminCassistsinregeneratingvitaminEthathasbecomeoxidizedinthebodyandpotentiatesitsantioxidanteffectsthereforethesetwosupplementsshouldbe
takentogethertomaximizetheireffects.
Page205
Zinc
MECHANISMOFACTION
Zincisthesecondmostabundanttraceelementinthebody,totalingnearly2grams.
1
Duringperiodsofincreasedzincdemandinthebody,zincabsorptionisincreased
andzincalreadywithinthebodyisconserved.
2
Zincservesasacofactorinproteinsynthesis,includingthatofDNAandRNA,andisusedinmoreenzymatic
reactionsthatanyothermineral.Zinciscontainedinover300enzymesthatarethoughttohaveahandingeneticexpressioninthebodyandisadirectcatalystforover
100enzymes.
3
Zincisneededforgrowthanddevelopment,behaviorandlearning,properimmunefunction,healingoftissuedamage,reproduction,tasteandsmell,and
thefunctionoftheinsulinandthyroidhormones.
4
Themajorityofzincisabsorbedfromfoods(whichisonly40percent)inthesmallintestine,andabsorptionincreases
duringtimesofzincdeficiency.
5

ZincservesasacofactorinthesynthesisofseveralneurotransmittersandsomeresearchdemonstrateslowlevelsofzincinchildrenwithADHDincomparisonto
childrenwithout.
6
Additionally,lowserumlevelsofzincinpeoplewithADHDmaynotrespondaswelltostandardmedicaltherapy.
7

Zincplaysalargeroleinthefunctionofseveralimmunecells,
8
anddeficiencyseemstonegativelyaffectthefunctionofTcells.
9
Zincisthoughttoinhibitviral
replicationinthecommoncoldaswell.
10

USES
Zinchasseveraluseshowever,themostcommonincludetreatmentofADHD,anorexianervosa,alcoholism,alcoholiccirrhosis,infectionandinflam
Page206
mation,andsituationsoftraumaandstarvation.Decreasedzincabsorptionisassociatedwithconditionssuchasdiabetesmellitus,liverdisease,celiacdisease,chronic
diarrhea,andpancreaticinsufficiency.
11
Therefore,zincsupplementationshouldbeincludedinthetreatmentoftheseconditionsaswell.

DEFICIENCY
FrankzincdeficiencyisnotascommonintheUnitedStatesincomparisontootherpartsoftheworldbecausethemajorityofAmericansconsumeatleasttheRDAin
zinceachday.
12
However,zincmayeasilybecomedeficientastheresultofmanyconditionsofdecreasedintakeduetopoordietandseveraldiseaseconditions.
13

Atrulyreliabletestforzincdeficiencydoesnotexistcurrenttestingmethodsarenotefficientatdeterminingzincstatus.(Theyareneithersensitivenorspecific.)Zinc
deficiencyisbestevaluatedbyapositiveresponseinsymptomsfromsupplementation.
Conditionsthatmayrequirethesupplementationofzincincludechronicdiarrheagastrointestinaldiseasesorconditionsinwhichmalabsorptionisevidentalcoholism
andliverdiseaseandtraumaorinfections.Symptomsofzincdeficiencyincludeslowgrowth,mentallethargy,irritability,lowthyroidfunction,decreasedtasteand
smell,nausea,diarrhea,poorhealingofwounds,roughordryskin,anddecreasedspermcount.
14

DOSINGREVIEW
TheRDAforzincis11milligramsperdayformenand8milligramsperdayforwomen.Pregnantandlactatingwomenshouldhave12milligramsperday.Itis
estimatedthatthetypicalmaleconsumesroughly13milligramsperdayandthetypicalfemaleconsumesroughly9milligramsperdayinNorthAmerica.
3
Forgeneral
supplementation,dosesof15to20milligramsperdayarerecommended.
Itisoftenbesttoleratedwhentakenwithameal.
Page207
APPENDIXA
NutrientDeficiencySignsandSymptoms
Thereisgreatcontroversyovertheuseofthetermdeficiencywhenitcomestovitamins,minerals,andothernutrients.Inthemostformalsense,anutrientdeficiency
officiallyoccurswhenanutrientsabsenceresultsinanovertdiseasestate.ThemostclassicandbestknownofthevitamindeficienciesariseswhenvitaminCbecomes
deficientandresultsinaconditioncalledscurvy.WithoutsufficientvitaminClevels,thehumanbodybeginstoliterallyfallaparttheconnectivetissues,likeskin,hair,
nails,andgum,andeventhecirculatorysystembegintofail.Thetreatment,ofcourse,isreplacementofthenutrient,inthiscasevitaminC.
ScurvywasprevalentinthedaysofChristopherColumbusandotherseagoingpioneers.However,thesailorsdidntbecomedeficientovernight,nordidtheir
symptomsimmediatelypresentastheworstcasescenario.Instead,thenutrientdeficiencyledtoprogressivechangeswithinthebody.So,lookingforchangesinones
healthmayofferinsightsaboutdeficitsthatmaybearising,whichneedtobeconfirmedbyaqualifiedmedicalprofessional.
Essentialtosuccesswhenworkingonfuelingthehumanbodyproperlyistoavoidgettingeithertoolittleortoomuchofanutrient.Justasinsufficientnutrientlevels
cancauseproblems,socanexcessamounts.Thereisasayingthatweusewhenlecturingtothepublicandhealthcareprofessionalcommunities,andifoneremembers
theessenceofthemessageitcansavealotofunnecessarysuffering:JustbecauseitsNaturaldoesntmakeitSafe.Afterall,onecangettoomuchofanything:
medication,sun,water,andevenchocolate.Alsoimportanttoremember,naturalmedicinesarestillmedicinesandtheydohavethepotentialtointeractwith
prescriptionandoverthecountermedications,
Page208
thushavingastrongrelationshipbetweenthepatientandhealthcareproviderisessential.
Thisappendixisdividedintotwoalphabeticallistings,oneformineralsandtheotherforvitamins/nutrients.Thisappendixisintendedtooffercluesthat,when
confirmedthroughappropriatetesting,willallowforthepotentialofgreatersuccessinachievingoptimizedhealth.
MINERALS
Suboptimallevelsofthefollowingmineralsmaybelinkedinparttothesymptomslisted.Importanttonote,though,isthatoncesymptomsbegintoappear,other
biochemicalchangesalsobegintomanifestwithinthebodyandafullandcomprehensivephysicalexamandlaboratorytestingisindicated.Itisimportanttoremember
thatmanyofthelistedhealthconditionscanalsopresentwithsymptomsthatneedmedicalattentionwithoutbeingassociatedwithnutrientdeficiencies.Forexample:
Numbnessandtinglinginthelegsmayalsobeasignofabackinjury,neurologicaldisease,ordiabetes.
CalciumDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Excesscalciumintakecanleadtonumeroushealthconditionsaswell.
Brittle/WeakenedNails
Cramps
Depression
Dermatitis(eczema)
GumandToothDisease
HeartPalpitations
HighBloodPressure
Hyperactivity
Insomnia
Irritability
MentalPerformanceDiminishment
MuscularTwitches
NervousAggitation
Numbness/TinglinginLimbs
Osteomalacia
Osteoporosis
RetardedGrowth
Rickets
Page209
ChromiumDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Excesschromiumintakecanleadtokidneyandliverdamage.
CopperDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Excesscopperintakecanalsocausenumeroushealthconditions,includinghyperactivity,immunesuppression,andloweredzinclevels.
IodineDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Inadequateamountsofiodineleadtomentalandphysicalgrowthimpairmentthis,alongwiththepreventionofthyroidgoiters,iswhysaltisiodized.Avoidance
ofsalt,
Anxiousness
BloodSugarDysregulation
Diabetes
ElevatedCholesterol
Fatigue
Hypoglycemia
Irritability
RetardedGrowth
Anemia(microcyticandhypochromic)
Depression
Diarrhea
Fatigue
HairLoss
HeartMuscleWeakening
HighCholesterol
IncreasedFrequency/SeverityofInfections
LoweredWhiteBloodCellCount
Osteoporosis
Constipation
DecreasedBodyTemperature
DecreasedMentalFunction
DiminishedReflexes
Fatigue
ImpairedChildhoodDevelopment
WeightGain(unexplainable)
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especiallybychildren,maycontributetoiodinedeficits.Iodineisessentialforthyroidhormoneproduction,thusgettingalaboratorytesttomeasurethyroidfunction
whenweightgainisnotableisworthwhile.
IronDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Ironoverload/excessisaleadingcauseofpoisoningintheUnitedStates.Adultsneedtobeverycautiousinregardtosupplementingandshouldonlydosowith
clearguidanceandmonitoringbytheirhealthcareprovider.Excessironalsoleadstoseveraldiseasestates,includingincreasedcardiovasculardisease.Insufficientiron,
though,leadstodiminishedcapacitytodeliveroptimallevelsofoxygenandcertainnutrientstotargettissuesthroughoutthebody.
MagnesiumDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Anemia(microcyticandhypochromic)
ConfusionandWeakness
CracksattheCornerofMouth
Depression
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headaches
InflamedTongue
LackofAppetite
TroubleSwallowing
WeakenedBones
AlteredCoordination
Anxiety
ColdHandsandFeet
Eclampsia
Edema(swelling)
Hallucinations
HeartArrhythmias
HighBloodPressure
Hyperactivity
ImpairedConcentration
IncreasedHeartBeat
Insomnia
KidneyStones
LossofAppetite
MuscleTwitching/Spasms
MuscleWeakness
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Note:Excessmagnesiumcanleadtonumeroussymptoms,includinglowbloodpressureandflushing,andcanalsocauseheartarrhythmiasandmuscleweakness.The
lattertwosymptomsappearinboththedeficiencyandexcesscategories,pointingtotheimportanceofbalancewhensupplementing.
ManganeseDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Intriguingisthatexcessamountscanleadtoimpairmentinjudgment,hallucinations,insomnia,andsymptomsthatmimicParkinsonsdisease.
PhosphorusDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Bonepaincanalsobeasignofveryseriousdiseaseandneedstobediscussedimmediatelywithyourhealthcareprovider.
PotassiumDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Nausea
Nystagmus
OversensitivitytoSounds
Restlessness
StartlingReadilyandDramatically
Seizures
Vomiting
Dermatitis
DiminishedOvarianFunctioning
DiminishedTesticularFunctioning
LowCholesterol
WeightLoss(unintended)
Anxiety
BonePain
Irritability
LackofAppetite
MuscleWeakness
NumbnessandTinglinginLimbs
Tremors
BloodSugarDysregulation Constipation
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Note:Thoughpotassiumcanhelpwithheartproblemswhenappropriate,supplementingwithoutcarefulbloodmonitoringandreviewofcurrentmedicationscanbe
verydangerous.
SeleniumDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Thetoxicityassociatedwithseleniumisveryseriousandsupplementationshouldnotexceed200microgramsperday.
SodiumDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Sodiumchloride,alsocommonlyknownastablesalt,oftenmaybeactivelyavoidedforindividualstryingtocontrolelevatedbloodpressure.Yet,sodiumisa
veryimportant
DecreasedReflexes
Depression
DryEyes
Edema(swelling)
Fatigue
HeartbeatIrregularities
ImpairedCognitiveFunctioning
Insomnia
MuscleWeakness
ElevatedCholesterol
IncreasedFrequencyofInfections
MaleInfertility
Confusion
Depression
Dermatitis
Disorientation
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headache
IrritabilityandMoodChanges
LackofCoordination
Lethargy
LowBloodPressure
MemoryImpairment
Seizures
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electrolyteandexcessrestrictioncanleadtodeficitstates.Asimplebloodtestcandetermineifyouhaveoverrestricted.
ZincDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Excessintakeofzinccanleadtoacopperdeficiencyandnumeroussymptoms.Inordertodecreasestomachirritation,zincistypicallytakenwithfood.
VITAMINS
Suboptimallevelsofthefollowingvitaminsandnutrientsmaybelinkedinparttothesymptomslisted.Importanttonote,though,isthatoncesymptomsbeginto
appear,otherbiochemicalchangeshavealsobeguntomanifestwithinthebody,andafullandcomprehensivephysicalexamandlaboratorytestingareindicated.Itis
alsoimportanttorememberthatmanyofthelistedhealthconditionscanalsopresentwithsymptomsthatneedmedicalattentionwithoutbeingassociatedwithnutrient
deficiencies.Forexample:numbnessandtinglinginthelegsmayalsobeasignofabackinjury,neurologicaldisease,ordiabetes.
BiotinDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Acne
BrittleNails
Depression
Dermatitis(eczema)
DiminishedTasteSense
ElevatedCholesterol
Fatigue
Forgetfulness
HairLoss
ImpairedWoundHealing
IncreasedFrequencyofInfections
Irritability
MaleInfertility
NightBlindness
ParanoidTendencies
WhiteSpotsonNails
Anemia
DecreasedAppetite
ElevatedBloodSugars
ElevatedCholesterol
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Note:Biotinisconsideredwatersolubleandthusroutineintakeinthedietisimportanttomaintainadequatelevels.TypicallybiotinisfoundinBcomplexvitamins.
CholineDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Cholineiscrucialforneurotransmitterandcellularfunctioning.Manynutritionallyorientedphysiciansbelievethatcholinedeficiencyissignificantly
underdiagnosed.
EssentialFattyAcidsDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Therearemanysourcesofessentialfattyacids,particularlyvegetables,seeds,nuts,andfish.Itisestimatedthat,largelyduetoprocessedfoodsanda
carbohydratedependentdiet,onlyoneinsixindividualsintheUnitedStatesconsumeoptimallevelsof
Fatigue
HairLoss
Insomnia
MuscleWeakness
SmoothTongue
AlteredLiverFunction
ElevatedCholesterol
MaldigestionofDietaryFats
NeurologicalDeficits
StomachUlcers
Acne
BehaviorDisturbances
BumpsonBackofUpperArm(fineraised)
CognitiveDevelopment
Dermatitis
DryHairandSkin
FattyLiver
HairLoss
HormonalDysregulation
Hyperactivity
IncreasedFrequencyofInfections
Infertility
Inflammation
LackofConcentration(ability)
LackofCoordination
LearningDisability
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essentialfattyacids.NeurologicaltreatmentsfrequentlyfocusonEPA/DHAderivedfromcolddeepwateredfish.
FolicAcidDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:ItisveryimportantthatfolicacidsupplementationnotbepursuedwithoutadditionalsupplementationwithB12.Folicacidsupplementationhasbeenshownto
maskB12deficiency,whichultimatelyleadstoserioushealthissues.
InositolDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Inositolandcholinearecommonlytakentogethertosupportliverfunctioningandaresometimesreferredtoaslipotropicfactors.
Niacin(VitaminB3)DeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Anemia(megaloblastic)
ChangesinMemory
DecreasedAppetite
DecreaseSensations(feet/legs)
FlattenedMood
ElevatedHomocysteine
Headache
InflammedTongue
Insomnia
MuscleWeakness
RestlessLegSyndrome
Anxiety
Dermatitis(eczema)
ElevatedCholesterol
HairLoss
BadBreath
CankerSores
Confusion
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Disorientation
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Note:LargedosesofvitaminB3intheformofniacincancauseflushingandliverenzymeelevationandneedstobedoneunderclosesupervision.Overtniacin
deficiencyiscalledPellagraandisclassicallycalledthediseaseofthe4Ds:Depression,Dementia,Diarrhea,andDermatitis.
PantothenicAcid(VitaminB5)DeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Actualdeficienciesareuncommonamongindividualseatingabroadandhealthydiet.
Pyridoxine(VitaminB6)DeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Headaches
Irritability
LackofAppetite
LimbPain
MemoryImpairment
MoodInstability
MuscleWeakness
SkinChanges(inflammatoryeruptions)
Depression
Dermatitis
DiminishedCoordination
Fatigue
FeetBurningSensation
HairLoss
IncreasedHeartRate
Irritability
LackofAppetite
LowBloodPressure
MuscleWeakness
Acne
AlteredHormoneMetabolism
Anemia
CarpalTunnelSymptoms
Depression
Dizziness
HairLoss
InflamedEye(conjunctivitis)
InflamedMouth/Tongue
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Note:SupplementationwithvitaminB6canoftenoffersignificantrelieffromneurologicalsymptomswhendosedcorrectlyandinbalancewiththeotherBvitamins.It
shouldbenotedthatcertainantiseizuremedicationscanbemadelesseffectivewithsupplementalB6addedtoonesregimeandcarefulconsultationwithahealthcare
provideriscritical.
Riboflavin(VitaminB2)DeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:Typically,riboflavinissupplementedwithvitaminB1(thiamine)andtheotherBvitaminsinordertosupportthebiochemicalsynergywithinthebody.
Thiamine(VitaminB1)DeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:OvertB1deficiencyleadstoadiseasestatecalledberiberi,whichmanifestswithbothcardiovascularandneurologicalproblems.Alcoholicsandindividuals
whohavebeenondiureticsforprolongedperiodsoftimeareespeciallylikelytopresentwithsignsandsymptoms.
Irritability
LackofAppetite
MuscleWeakness
Numbness/TinglingofExtremities
Seizures
AlteredVision(blurred)
Cataracts
Depression
Dermatitis
FissuresofTongue/Mouth
HairLoss
InflammationofTongue
IrritationbyLight
ItchyRedEyes
CardiacDiminishedFunction
Confusion
Depression
DiminishedCoordination
DiminishedMemory
IrritationbySound
LackofAppetite
NervousIrritability
NumbnessofExtremities
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VitaminADeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:VitaminAsupplementationneedstooccurunderclosesupervision.Asafatsolublevitamin,thebodyisabletostoreitandveryserioussideeffectscanarise,
includingliverproblems,fatigue,andmanyofthesymptomsthatitisusedtotreat.VitaminAtoxicitycanbefatal.
VitaminB1:SeeentryforThiamine
VitaminB2:SeeentryforRiboflavin
VitaminB3:SeeentryforNiacin
VitaminB5:SeeentryforPantothenicAcid
VitaminB6:SeeentryforPyridoxine
VitaminB12DeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:IndividualswhoarevegetariansareevenmorepronethantheaverageindividualforB12deficiency.Theelderlyarealsoataparticularlyhighriskofdeficiency
dueboth
Acne
Blindness
Bumps(fineraisedonbackofarmsandalonghairfollicles)
DryEyesandSkin
Fatigue
Hair(dry)
IncreasedFrequencyofInfections
Insomnia
LossofSenseofSmell
NightBlindness
Anemia(macrocytic)
Depression
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headaches
InflamedTongue
Irritability
MoodInstability
NumbnessofLimbs
SpinalCordFunctionDeterioration
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todietarychangesandalsodiminisheddigestiontractfunction,includingchangesinstomachacidity.
VitaminCDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:VitaminCsupplementationismosteffectivewhentakenwithbioflavonoids.Manynutritionallyorientedphysiciansbelievethatifdietaryintakeisinadequate,
supplementationwith1,000to2,000milligramsperdayindivideddosescanbehealthpromotingandcanhelppatientscopewithbothphysicalandmentalstressors.
VitaminDDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:VitaminDisfrequentlyatsuboptimallevelsintheelderly,particularlythosewhodontconsumefortifieddairyproductsorspendsufficienttimeinsunlight.
SupplementationneedstobedoneunderclosesupervisionbecausevitaminDisfatsolubleandisstoredwithinthebody.
VitaminEDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
BleedingGums
Bruising(overly)
DentalProblems(looseteeth)
Depression
Edema
Fatigue
IncreasedSusceptibilitytoInfection
Irritability
MuscleWeakness
PoorWoundHealing
IncreasedRiskofFractures
IncreasedRiskofMultipleSclerosis(proposed)
Insomnia
Irritability
Osteomalacia
Osteoporosis
Rickets
Anemia(megaloblastic)
DecreasedRedBloodCellProduction(fromdestruction)
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Note:VitaminEpossessesitsbroadesttherapeuticrangewhentakeninitsnatural,mixedtocopherol/tocotrienolform.NoteworthyisthatexcessamountsofvitaminE
haveabloodthinningeffectandshouldnotbetakenincombinationwithotherbloodthinnerswithoutconsultationwithaqualifiedhealthcareprovider.
VitaminKDeficitsMayLeadtoOneorMoreoftheFollowingSymptoms
Note:UseofantibioticswithoutadequatereplacementofgastrointestinalfloracanleadtoavitaminKdeficiencywhencombinedwithadietlowindarkleafygreen
vegetables.
Infertility
MuscularWeakness
NeuromuscularDegeneration
ExcessBruising
Hemorrhage
Osteoporosis
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APPENDIXB
ToxicSubstancesandRelatedBrainandBodyHealthChanges
Thefollowinglistsoftoxicitysyndromesandtheirsymptoms,althoughnotexhaustive,offerinsightintopotentialcontributingfactorsthatmayormaynotbesignificantin
preventingoptimalbrainfunction.Thisinformationisnotintendedtobediagnosticofisolateddiseasestates.Rather,thesolepurposeistoprovideafocusofpotential
factorsthatcontributetounderlyinghealthconditions.Oneormoresymptomsmaybepresentonedoesnotneedtohaveallsymptomsinordertobesufferingfroma
toxicitysyndrome.Itisimportanttoremember:Whenindoubt,testdontguess.Thus,followuptestingisabsolutelyessentialtodefinitivelyidentifythepresenceor
lackofatoxicityfactor.
ALUMINUMTOXICITY
ARSENICTOXICITY
AlteredCoordination(includingwalking)
Dementia/MemoryLoss
Encephalopathy
GIPainandIrritation
KidneyDisease
LiverDysfunction
BurningSensationofArmsandLegs
Confusion
Dermatitis
Fatigue
Hairloss
Headaches
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CADMIUMTOXICITY
CALCIUMTOXICITY
COPPERTOXICITY
FOLICACIDTOXICITY
LEADTOXICITY
ItchySkin
MusclePain
NervePain(Neuropathy)
PoorWoundHealing
Seizures
TinglingofHandsandFeet
Anemia
Fatigue
HairLoss
KidneyDysfunction
LackofAppetite
LiverDysfunction
AlteredCoordination
AlteredMemoryCapacity
Depression
Irritability
MuscleWeakness
Psychosis
Depression
Irritability
MusclePain
Nervousness
Euphoria
Hyperactivity
AlteredCoordination
Anemia
Anxiety
Confusion
Depression
Fatigue
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MANGANESETOXICITY
MERCURYTOXICITY
POTASSIUMTOXICITY
SELENIUMTOXICITY
Headaches
GIPain
LackofConcentration
LossofAppetite
Malaise
Restlessness
Sleepiness
AlteredJudgment
DecreasedMemory
LackofAppetite
ParkinsonslikeSymptoms
AlteredCoordination
AlteredMemory
Anemia
Autism(possible)
Depression
Dizziness
ImpairedHearingandVision
Insomnia
Irritability
LackofAppetite
MetallicTaste
Numbness
Psychosis
Sleepiness
AlteredCognitiveFunction
MuscleWeakness
Fatigue
GarliclikeBreath
HairLoss
Irritability
MetallicTaste
MusclePain
YellowSkin
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APPENDIXC
SelectingtheRightFoodforYouAvoidingFoodAllergies
Theincidenceoffoodallergiesisvastlyunderestimated.Somemayarguethatasmanyas50millionpeopleinAmericaalonesufferfromanallergybasedillness.That
isvirtuallyoneinfivewithstandarddiagnosableallergies.Yet,clinicallyitislikelyevenclosetooneintwo,whichis50percent,andthisnumber,fromwhatisseenin
clinicalpractice,isgrowing.
FOODALLERGYANDFOODINTOLERANCES
Afoodallergyisdefinedasanimmunereactiontosomefoodsandnotothersandisuniquetotheaffectedindividual.Conversely,foodintolerance,unlikeafood
allergy,doesnotmountanimmunereaction.Foodintolerancemaybeduetoanumberoffactors,includinganenzymaticdefectinherentinsomepeopleorachemical
componenteitheranadditiveoranaturallyoccurringcompoundinthefoodthatthebodymaybeunabletohandle.
Acommonfoodintoleranceislactoseintolerance.Peoplewithlactoseintolerancecannotdigestmilkproductsbecausetheylacktheenzymetodoso.Theenzyme
lactaseisusuallypresentinourgutandisresponsibleforbreakingdownthemilksugar,lactose.Aninabilitytodothismaycausecrampinganddiarrheafromeating
milkproducts.Thisisthebodyswayofsaying,Icanteatthis,dontgiveittome!Inthecaseoffoodallergies,yourbodymaysendyousimilarmessagesbutthey
areduetoanimmunereactionthatcanleadtocramping,diarrhea,headache,changesinbrainfunction,fatigue,andachingjoints.
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SYMPTOMSARETHECLUESOFAHEALTHCHALLENGE
Symptomsassociatedwithfoodallergiescanvaryfrompersontoperson,affectinghowyoufunctionandfeel.Onepersonmaygetheadaches,anotherirritationofthe
bowel,andyetanotherfatigue,jointproblems,attentiondeficit,depression,ormyriadothersymptoms.Symptomsmayrangefrommilddiscomfortstoincapacitating
illness,withetiologytospecificfoodsthatareuniquetoeachindividual.Symptomsmaycauseyoutofeelsickandtireddayinanddayoutandthusbegintoblendinto
dailyreality(itcanbelikewalkingaroundwithablackcloudoveryourhead,andmanytimesyou,yourfriends,andyourlovedoneswillsimplyassumethattheseless
thanoptimalfeelingsareduetojustgettingold).
Realizethatanyfoodcancauseafoodallergyinthesusceptibleindividual,andsymptomscanhappenimmediatelyorseveraldaysafter.Itisvirtuallyimpossibleto
identifythesedelayedfoodreactionswithoutscientifictesting.Afterall,whenwasthelasttimeyoufeltcrummyandthought,IwonderwhatfoodIatetwoorthree
daysagothatcausedmetofeelthisway?Yetdelayedreactionshappenfrequently.Itisnotsurprisingthatwithouthightechtesting,whichisnowavailableandvery
affordable,identifyingcauseandeffectmaybecomeachallenge.Symptomsofdelayedfoodallergiesarediverseandmayaffectanysysteminthebody.
TheELISAmethodoffoodallergytestingisahighlysensitiveandreliabletestthatcandetectdelayedfoodallergieshappeninginyourbody.Nowthistestingcanbe
doneinthecomfortofoneshomewithnophysicianorderrequired.Asmallfingerstickwithahightechautolancetallowsforthecollectionofafewdropsofblood,
whicharethenplacedonabsorbentstripsandmailedtoalab.Thelabgeneratesareportandmailsitbacktothesender.
TheELISAtestmeasuresantibodies,orimmunoglobulins,whichareimportantproteinsthatyourimmunesystemmakesinanefforttodefenditselffromnoxious
elements.Thisisagoodthingwhenkeptincheck.However,anoverzealousimmunesystemcanleadtoexcessinflammationanddestructionoftissues.These
ImmunoglobulinG(IgG)foodmediatedimmunereactionscanhavelongstandinghealthconsequences,primarilybecauseIgGantibodiescanremainactiveformonths
atatime,promotingastateofchronicinflammationanddegenerativesequelae.
COMMONSYMPTOMSLISTING
Pleasenotethatthesesymptomscanalsobeduetootherunderlyinghealthissues,thusworkingwithonesphysicianorhealthcareproviderisessential.
TheDigestiveSystem
AbdominalCramping CoatedTongue
AbdominalPain Colitis
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NervousSystem
MusculoskeletalSystem
GenitourinarySystem
RespiratorySystem
AnalItching Constipation
AphthousUlcers/CankerSores CrohnsDisease
BadBreath Diarrhea
Belching FailuretoThrive
BloatingafterMeals FeelingofFullnessinStomach
CankerSores Flatulence
Gagging MucusinStools
GallbladderDisease UlcerativeColitis
InfantileColic UndigestedFoodinStools
IrritableBowelSyndrome Vomiting
ItchingonRoofoftheMouth
AggressiveBehavior LearningDisabilities
Anxiety MentalDullness
Confusion MentalLethargy
Depression Numbness
ExcessiveDaydreaming PoorWorkHabits
Hyperactivity Restlessness
InabilitytoConcentrate SlurredSpeech
Indifference Stuttering
Irritability
Arthritis Osteoarthritis
GrowingPains RheumatoidArthritis
JointAchesandPains MuscleWeakness
MuscleAchesandPains
BedWetting UrinaryUrgency
PremenstrualSyndrome VaginalDischarge
UrinaryFrequency VaginalItching
Asthma Hoarseness
ChestCongestion HorizontalCreaseacrosstheNose
ChronicCough PersistentNosePicking
ChronicNasalCongestion PostnasalDrip
ExcessiveMucusFormation RecurrentSinusitis
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CardiovascularSystem
Skin,Hair,Nails
EarsandEyes
Miscellaneous
WHATHAPPENSWHENAFOODALLERGYOCCURSINMYBODY?
Underfoodantigenattack,IgGformsfoodantigenantibodycomplexesinbloodcirculation.Anantigenissimplyanythingtakeninthatisntnaturally
ExerciseInducedAnaphylaxis RunnyNose
ExerciseInducedAsthma SoreThroat
Gagging StuffyNose
Angina Palpitations
Arrhythmias RapidHeartRate
HighBloodPressure VascularHeadaches
Acne Eczema
BrittleNailsandHair Hives
Dandruff Paleness
DarkCirclesUnderEyes Psoriasis
DermatitisHerpetiformis Rashes
DrySkin SwellingandWrinklesunderEyes
BlurryVision ItchyEars
EarDrainage MenieresSyndrome
Earache MotionSickness
FluidintheMiddleEar RecurrentEarInfections
FullnessintheEars Tinnitus
HearingLoss WateryEyes
FoodCravings Insomnia
ChronicFatigueNausea
Dizziness Nightmares
ExcessiveDrowsinessafterEating Obesity
Faintness RapidWeightFluctuation
Fatigue SwellingofHands,Feet,orAnkles
FeelingofFullnessintheHead TeethGrinding
Headaches WaterRetention
FrequentAwakeningsduringtheNight
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partofthebody.Anappleoravirusforexample,undercertaincircumstances,mayinduceareactioninthebodyandcausesymptoms.
WorkingsofanImmuneAttack
Thesefoodantigenantibodycomplexesmaydepositinvariousorgansandtissueswheretheymaytriggerinflammatoryreactions.Delayedonsetfoodallergiesare
muchmorecommonthanimmediatehypersensitivityreactionsmediatedthroughImmunoglobulinE(IgE)antibodies.ItcanbearguedthatIgGmediatedfoodallergies
accountforavarietyofchronichealthconditionsthathavebeenunresponsivetoconventionalmedicalcare.Fatigue,irritability,achingjoints,cognitivedysfunction,and
chronicmigrainesareafewknowncomplicationsduetodelayedonsetfoodallergies.
Thereisnoargumentthatthereisaclearanddefiniterelationshipbetweenwhatyoueatandhowyoufeel.Knowingthis,thefirstorderofbusinessinpromotingyour
healthistoavoidthefoodsthataremakingyousick!Notprovidingyourbodywiththeproperfuelislikegettingoutofthecarandtryingtopushitupthehillitmerely
defeatsthepurpose.
ITSNOTALLINYOURHEAD
Countlessscientificstudieshaveshownthelinkbetweenfoodallergiesandsymptoms.Forexample,milkspecificIgG,inparticular,IgGtothemilkproteincasein,is
diagnosticofmilkallergycausingeczemainadults.IgGmediatedallergytocaseinandothermilkproteinshasalsobeenimplicatedinthedevelopmentandprogression
ofinfantileautism.
IgGantibodiestogluten,aproteinfractionofwheat,hasbeenimplicatedinaggravationofsymptomsofrheumatoidarthritis.Inonestudy,adecreaseingluten
specificIgGserumlevelscorrelatedwithanimprovementinthesymptomsofrheumatoidarthritisin40percentofsubjectsplacedonaglutenfreediet,comparedtoa
4percentimprovementinacontrolgroup,overaoneyearperiod.GlutenallergyisalsoawellestablishedetiologytoCeliacsdiseaseofthebowel.Inaddition,
casein,aswellasgluten,hasbeenimplicatedincasesofidiopathicschizophrenia.Theseareprimeexamplesofhowfuelingthebodywiththewrongfoodscanhave
graveconsequences.
WHATSHOULDIDOIFIHAVEAFOODALLERGY?
Treatmentissimple:identifyandeliminatefoodallergensandimplementarotationstylediet.Thesetwosimplemeasurescanhaveprofoundeffectsononeshealth.
Realizethatmucosalimmunity,theGutAssociatedLymphoidTissue(GALT),playsanintegralpartinsystemicimmunityandhealth.GALTisthelargestimmuneorgan
ofthebodyandrepresentsourfirstlineofdefenseagainstforeignagentssuchasfoods,microbes,andothersubstances.Thequalityofourmucosalimmunityis
influencedbyourgenetics,dietaryandlifestylehabits,and
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microbialcolonizationofthegut.Manipulationofthesefactorsoffersinterestingpossibilitiesforthepreventionofchronicdegenerativeconditionsaswellasautoimmune
diseases.
CASESTUDIES(COURTESYOFUSBIOTEKLABORATORIES)
1.A10yearoldboywithautismpresentedwithapositivestoolcultureforCandidaalbicans.Also,foodallergytestingrevealedelevatedantibodylevelstodairy,egg,
andgluten.Thechildwasadvisedtoavoidallallergenicfoodsandsupplementedwithessentialfattyacids(EFAs)andCELLULARFood,agastrointestinal
restorationproduct.Aftertwomonths,thechildspractitionerreportedgreatimprovementinthisyoungboysmentalconditionfromfollowingtheEliminationand
RotationDietPlanthroughUSBioTekLaboratories.
2.A35yearoldgentlemansufferedfromconstipation,musclepain,continualinfection,nasosinusitis,andchronicfatigue.AbloodtestthroughUSBioTek
Laboratoriesrevealedelevatedantibodiestoegg.Aftertwomonthsofavoidingegg,andfollowingthedietaryrecommendationsfromUSBioTek,hereported
considerableimprovementandrelieffromhissymptoms.
3.TheparentsofoneyearoldMatthiassoughthelpfortheirsonwhohadtheproblemofwakingeverytwohourssincemovingtoanewtownafewmonthsearlier.
BothparentsleaveforworkinthemorningandareexhaustedhavingtocareforMatthiasthroughoutthenight.Physicalexaminationofthechildrevealedanormal,
healthylittleboy.AfoodallergypanelwasorderedthroughUSBioTektoruleoutfoodallergiesasapossibleetiologytoMatthiassproblem.Theresultsshoweda
strongdelayedtypehypersensitivitytodairyproducts.Uponwithdrawalofdairyproductsfromhisdiet,Matthiaswasabletosleepthroughoutthenightinlessthan
aweekstime.AfewweekslaterwhenMatthiaswasaccidentallyexposedtodairyproducts,heagainwokerepeatedlythroughoutthenight.
ONCEYOUHAVEYOURTESTRESULTSITSAMATTEROFKNOWINGTHENEXTSTEP
AfavoritesayingofDr.ChrisMeletissumsupthenatureofanyoflifesprojects,includingfoodallergies:Inordertoachieveagoal,onemustfirstunderstandthe
natureofthegoal.ThefollowingpageshavebeencreatedtohelpyousuccessfullyavoidyourIgGfoodsensitivitiesthatdifferfromanIgEorimmediatereaction.IgG
reactionsarealsocommonlyknownasdelayedreactions,meaningthatitcantakeupwardof72hourstofullyreacttoafoodconsumed.Thus,forillustration
purposes,afoodconsumedonMondaymaynotpresentwithovertsymptomsuntilWednesdayorpossiblyThursday.Onecaneasilyseehow
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importantgettingtestedforIgGreactionscanbe,forwealltypicallylookatwhatwehavejusteatenwithinagivendayasthesourceoftroublesomesymptoms.
YoucanthinkoftheGinIgGasstandingforgradual,becausethesymptomsarisingtypicallytakeawhiletomanifest.Therefore,youwillwanttomakesurethat
youdonteatanyfoodsscoringlowmorethanonceeveryfourdays.Otherwise,clinicallyithasbeenobservedthatyoucanexperienceastackingeffect.Lowscores
arelikesmallstepsmakingupastaircase.Nosinglestepresultsinmucheffect,yetifyouconsistentlyaddyourstepstogetherthestackingeffectisgainingmomentum
ofupwardmovement.Stackingtheeffectofallergicresponsesisdetrimental.Thus,eatingafood,evenonewithalowscore,threedaysinarowthatyouhaveanIgG
reactiontowillleadtoacumulativereactionthatispotentiallygreaterthananyofthethreepreviousdaysbythemselves.Eatingmoderatefoodsmorethanonceevery
fourdaysaddslargerstepsthaniflowreactingfoodsareconsumedoverthesameperiodoftimeandthusleadstoahigherlevelofreactivitymorequickly.Thisis
clinicallywhatpatientsreportanditmakessenserelativetothescientificandmedicalliterature.
READINGYOURREPORT
Therearefourgeneralcategoriesofreactions:NoReaction,Low,Moderate,andHigh.Youcanthinkoftheseasthesizeofthereactionstairsthebiggerthe
reactionthehigherthelevelofreactivity.Consumingafoodfrequentlyincreasesthechanceofhavinganegativereaction.
WHATSHOULDIDOABOUTMYRESULTS?
Allresultsandmedicalinformationyouhaveregardingyourhealthisalwaysimportanttosharewithyourprimaryhealthcareprovider.So,sharingtheseresultswith
yourphysicianorotherproviderisawisechoice.Withthatsaid,herearesomegeneralguidelinesthatmanypatientshavechosentofollowtomaximizethebenefitsof
thetestresults.
HighReactingFoods
Totallyavoidthesefoodsforthreetosixmonths.Readlabelsandactivelyavoidingcomingincontactwiththem.Thisincludesinprocessedfoodsaswell.
ModerateReactingFoods
Itisbesttoalsototallyavoidthesefoods.Ifyoudonthavemanyreactions,thiswillnotbetoohard.Ifyoueatafoodthatismoderatereactingtoooften,itis
possibletofurtherexacerbatethereactions,whichcanultimatelyyieldahighreactionoccurringforagivenfood.
LowReactingFoods
Formostindividuals,thesefoodscanbeeatenfreelyonceeveryfourdaystostartwith.Afterthefirstthreemonths,theycanbeeatenmore
Page232
often,dependingonthesymptomsandtheindividualsoverallsenseofwellbeing.Clinically,ifanindividualhasfewornomoderateorhighreactions,thenthe
lowscorescanbeconsideredasapersonshighscores,andthefoodsshouldbeavoidedtoseeifsymptomsabate.
NoReactionFoods
Thesefoodsarejustasthenamesounds,nonreactorsatthistime.Atthistimecantbeemphasizedenoughifyoudecidedtostarteatingafoodthat
otherwisewasneverorrarelyinyourdietandnowduetootherfoodreactivitylevelsarebeingavoidedandanothernonreactorisbeingsubstitutedroutinelya
levelofreactivitycanarise.Overeatingacertainfoodcanbecomeproblematic,sovarietyisimportant.Thistypicallyiswherethetraditionalrotationdietis
recommended.
ROTATIONDIET
Thestandardrotationdietisenoughtomakeapersonlosetheirmind,figuratively,ofcourse.Inthepast,arotationdietwouldallowapatienttoeatonlyspecified
foodseachdayforfourdays,afterwhichthemenuwouldstartoveragain.Thisworkswellforthesmallpercentageofthepopulationthattoleratesstrictguidelinesand
arigidregime.
Clinically,followingarotationdietfoodlistworksbetterfromacomplianceperspective.Itisimportanttoconsistentlylookatthelistsofyournoreaction,lows,
moderates,andhighsandreviewyouroptionsonadailybasis.Remember,ifyoueatalowfoodonMondayandthesamefoodagainonWednesdaybeforethe72
hourfullwindowisgone,youwillhavethepotentialofinitiatingastackingevent,thusamplifyingtheeffectofthelowreactionfood.Putanotherway,aLow+Low
ismorethanaLowBurdenonyourbody.
THEBARGRAPHS
Youwillnoticethatthebargraphsonyourreactionsdontendexactlyinthemiddleofeachcategory.Noreaction,low,moderate,orhigh,eachhasadegreeof
severity.So,onefoodmaybealowmoderatewhereasanothermaybeahighmoderate.Takethisintoconsiderationaswell.Trytopickthelowerreactingfoodina
givencategoryofreactivity.Theonlyexceptiontothatruleisthatifyouhaveindulgedalreadywiththatspecificfoodwithin72hours.
RETESTING
Therearetwotypesoffoodreactionsthatcanbewelldescribedclinically:fixedandvariableallergies.Reactivefoodsarelifelongproblemsandwillalwaysbepresent
toadegreeregardlessofyouractiveavoidanceofthem.Althoughyoumaytoleratethembetter,thefactisthattheynevertotallygoaway.But,somefoodsreactona
variablelevelandarefoundtobehighbecauseyouwereeating
Page233
themtoooftenforyourbodysuniquebiochemistry.TheonlywaytoknowwhichcaseyouaredealingwithisthroughretestingtoseehowyourIgGreactionshave
changed.Alsobybuildingupyourbodyandgivingitarestyoucanimprovelevelsofreactivityaswell.Infact,specificsupplementscanbeusedtoaidintheallergy
reactivity.
SUMMARY
Yourbodycanonlyoperateaswellasitisfueled.Justasacarcantoperateonthewrongfuel,neithercanonesbody.Identifyingpotentialculprits,andthus
alleviatingobstaclesthatmaybepreventingincreasedsuccessandwellness,makesgoodsense.
Clinically,theoutcomesoftenareastoundingforthosesufferingfromallergieswhosooftenarenotevenawareoflevelofimpact.
Note:IgGFoodAllergytestingisnowavailablewithoutaphysiciansorderandthesamplecanbecollectedinthecomfortofyourownhome.Thesampleisthen
sentintoalicensedlaboratoryandtheresultsarereturnedtothesender.Ifyouwouldliketoorderthistestforyourself,afriend,orafamilymember,youcancall503
6561993formoreinformationorvisitthefollowingWebsite:www.vitamedics.com.
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Thispageintentionallyleftblank.
Page235
Notes
Sourcesarelistedinnumericalorderoftheirfirstcitation.Sourcesaresometimescitedmultipletimesinachaptersimilarly,morethanonesourceissometimescited
foragivenfactortheory.
PARTI:
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Index

Acetycholinesterase,191
Acetylcholine:
Alzheimersdisease,25,26
HuperzineAand,191
mentalfatigue,122
Nacetylcarnitineand,197
phosphatidylserineand,199
AcetylLcarnitine.SeeNacetylcarnitine
Adaptogens,93,12122,13132,188,189
ADD/ADHD,310
causesof,35
diagnosisof,4
diet,810
effectsof,4
geneticfactors,4
nutritionalfactors,59
andODD,136
prevalenceof,34
Adrenalglands,9293,13132
Adrenocorticotropin,93,199
AIDSdementiacomplex,67
Alcohol:
anxietyand,38
insomniaand,98,99100
Alcoholism,1117
botanicalmedicines,1315,17
causesof,12
diagnosisof,11
asformofdementia,68
geneticfactors,12,1617
nutritionalfactors,1213,1517
prevalenceof,12
Aldosterone,91
Alphatocopherol.SeeEvitamin
Alprazalom,88
Aluminum:
Alzheimersdisease,20,21
dementia,72
learningdisability,113
toxicity,221
Alzheimersdisease,1928
botanicalmedicines,2426,2728
causesof,2021
diagnosisof,19
diet,2122,27
asformofdementia,67
geneticfactors,21
healthsystemimpactof,20
medications,23
nutritionalfactors,27
predictionof,2627
prevalenceof,1920
Americanginseng,18788
dosing,188
mechanismofaction,187
uses,18788
Aminoacids.SeeEssentialaminoacids
Amyotrophiclateralsclerosis(LouGehrigsdisease),67
Anorexia,2934
bulimiaand,61
causesof,3031
diagnosisof,30
diet,34
familyenvironment,31
geneticfactors,30
healthsystemimpactof,3637
nutritionalfactors,3134
prevalenceof,29
psychologicalfactors,31
socioculturalfactors,3031
Antabuse.SeeDisulfiram
Antioxidants:
Alzheimersdisease,2223,27
B6,171
Cvitamin,2012
dementia,76
Evitamin,2034
multiplesclerosis,12829,133
Parkinsonsdisease,143,14445
Antisocialpersonality,alcoholismand,12
Page278
Anxiety,3541
alcoholismand,12
categoriesof,36
causesof,36,37
diet,3738,41
interventions,39
medications,39
nutritionalfactors,3941
andODD,136
PMSand,8788
prevalenceof,35
psychologicaltherapies,39
ApolipoproteinE,21
Arachidonicacid:
EPAand,179
multiplesclerosis,129
schizophrenia,155
Arsenictoxicity,22122
Arthritis:
B5and,170
insomniaand,98
Ascorbicacid.SeeCvitamin
Asianginseng,18889
dosing,189
mechanismofaction,188
multiplesclerosis,132,133
uses,188
Aspergerssyndrome,103
Asthma:
B6and,172
B12and,174
Cvitaminand,201
insomniaand,98
magnesiumand,194
Atherosclerosis,203
Attentiondeficitdisorder.SeeADD/ADHD
Auditoryandvisualprocessingdisorders,108
Autism,4349
causesof,4445
diagnosisof,44
geneticfactors,4445
nutritionalfactors,4549
prevalenceof,43
symptomsof,4344
AutismScreeningQuestionnaire,44
Avitamin:
autism,45
deficiency,218
multiplesclerosis,129,133
toxicity,218

B1(thiamine)vitamin,15961
alcoholism,1516,17
anorexia,34
autism,45
deficiency,15960,217
dosing,16061
mechanismofaction,159
Parkinsonsdisease,143
uses,160
B2(riboflavin)vitamin,16364
deficiency,163,217
dosing,164
mechanismofaction,163
uses,16364
B3(niacin)vitamin,16567
alcoholism,16,17
anxiety,3940,41
autism,45
deficiency,166,21516
dosing,167
liverdamage,166
mechanismofaction,16566
Parkinsonsdisease,143
schizophrenia,154,156
uses,166
B5(pantothenicacid)vitamin16970
autism,45
deficiency,169,216
dosing,170
mechanismofaction,169
uses,170
B6(pyridoxine)vitamin,17172
ADD/ADHD,56
Alzheimersdisease,2122
anxiety,40,41
autism,47,49
bulimianervosa,63,66
deficiency,17172,21617
dementia,7071,75
depression,8081,84
dosing,172
hormonalmentalhealth,88,94
mechanismofaction,171
Parkinsonsdisease,14344
premenstrualsyndrome,88,94
schizophrenia,153,156
uses,172
B9vitamin.SeeFolicacid
B12(cobalamin)vitamin,17374
Alzheimersdisease,2122
anorexia,34
bipolardisorder,55,58
deficiency,17374,218
dementia,7071,75
depression,8182,84,174
dosing,174
folicacidand,173,174,183,184
insomnia,100101,105
mechanismofaction,173
multiplesclerosis,12728,132
Parkinsonsdisease,143
phosphatidylserineand,200
uses,174
Balm.SeeMelissaofficinalis
Bcomplexvitamins:
ADD/ADHD,10
biotinin,21314
Parkinsonsdisease,148
Benserazide,143
Benzodiazepines,39
Beriberi,15960
Betablockers,39
Betaendorphin,5HTPand,181
Bilberry,129
Biotin:
autism,45
deficiency,21314
Bipolardisorder,5159
botanicalmedicines,57,5859
causesof,53
depressivesymptoms,5152
geneticfactors,53
manicsymptoms,52
nutritionalfactors,5356,58
andODD,136
prevalenceof,51
typesof,52.
SeealsoDepression
Blackcohosh(Cimicifugaracemosa):
hormonalmentalhealth,91,94
premenstrualsyndrome,91,94
Page279
BlessedDementiaScale,71
Bloodpressure,187,194
Borderlinepersonalitydisorder,179,180
Brain,andhormonalmentalhealth,86
Buckwheat,129
Bulimianervosa,6166
anorexiaand,61
causesof,62
diagnosisof,61
geneticfactors,62
nutritionalfactors,6266
prevalenceof,6162

Cadmium:
learningdisability,113
toxicity,222
Caffeine:
anxietyand,38
insomniaand,98
learningdisability,114
Calcium:
ADD/ADHD,7
anorexia,34
deficiency,208
dementia,7172,75
magnesiumand,194
oppositionaldefiantdisorder,138,139
toxicity,208,222
Cancer,201
Carbidopa,142,14344
Carbohydrates:
B1and,159
mentalfatigue,119
oppositionaldefiantdisorder,137
Cardiovascularsystem,foodallergysymptomsof,228
Carnitine.SeeNacetylcarnitine
Carpaltunnelsyndrome,163,172
Cataracts,164
Catecholamines,93,131
Celiacdisease,206
CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention,4
Cerebellarataxia,182
Chamomile.SeeMatricariarecutita
Chasteberry(Vitexagnuscastus):
hormonalmentalhealth,91,9495
premenstrualsyndrome,91,9495
ChecklistforAutisminToddlers(CHAT),44
ChildhoodAutismRatingScale,44
Cholesterol,165,170,177,179,201
Cholinedeficiency,214
Chromium:
alcoholism,17
deficiency,209
mentalfatigue,123,124
toxicity,209
Chronicfatiguesyndrome,175,189
Chronicsubduralhematoma,68
Cimicifugaracemosa.SeeBlackcohosh
Clubmoss.SeeHuperzineA
Cobalamin.SeeB12(cobalamin)vitamin
CoenzymeA,169
CoenzymeQ10,14445,148
Colds,201,205
Congenitalrubella,44
Congestiveheartfailure,194
Copper:
ADD/ADHD,7
anorexia,34
autism,46
deficiency,209
hormonalmentalhealth,9091
oppositionaldefiantdisorder,138
premenstrualsyndrome,9091
toxicity,209,222
Cordycepssinensis:
adrenalglands,93,131
hormonalmentalhealth,95
multiplesclerosis,131,133
phosphatidylserineand,199
premenstrualsyndrome,95
Coronaryarterydisease,201
Cortisol:
hormonalmentalhealth,92,93
multiplesclerosis,132
CreutzfeldtJakobdisease,67
Crohnsdisease,160
Cvitamin,2012
adrenalglands,9293
Alzheimersdisease,21
autism,4546,49
bipolardisorder,5657
deficiency,202,219
depression,81,84
dosing,202
Evitaminand,204
hormonalmentalhealth,94
learningdisability,111,116
mechanismofaction,201
multiplesclerosis,129,133
Parkinsonsdisease,14243,148
premenstrualsyndrome,94
schizophrenia,15354,156
uses,201

DaeKun,Lee,48
Daidzein,alcoholismand,14
Daidzin,alcoholismand,1415
DanShen.SeeSalviamiltiorrhiza
Deficiencysymptoms.SeeNutrientdeficiencysymptoms
Dehydroepiandrosteronesulfate(DHEAS),188
Dementia,6776
botanicalmedicines,7374,76
causesof,6769,7475
irreversibleformsof,67
nutritionalfactors,6972,7576
pharmaceuticalsand,7475
prevalenceof,68
reversibleformsof,68
symptomsof,69
Page280
Depression,7784
alcoholism,12
ancienttreatmentsof,83
botanicalmedicines,8283,8485
causesof,7879
diagnosisof,78,79
Hypericumperforatum,14
insomniaand,98
majorversusdysthymia,78
nutritionalfactors,7982,84
andODD,136
prevalenceof,77
symptomsof,5152.
SeealsoBipolardisorder
DHA.SeeDocosahexaenoicacid
DHEAS(dehydroepiandrosteronesulfate),188
Diabetes,119,166,172,18788,189,194,206
DiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisorders(DSMIV)(AmericanPsychiatricAssociation),4,11,35,43,77,87,98,108,136,150
Diarrhea,206
Diet:
ADD/ADHD,810
Alzheimersdisease,2122,27
anorexia,34
anxiety,41
Feingolddiet,8
mentalfatigue,11820
oppositionaldefiantdisorder,139
Swankdiet,130
Digestivesystem,foodallergysymptomsof,22627
Dilantin,160
Dimethylglycine(DMG),17576
autism,48,49
dosing,176
mechanismofaction,175
uses,175
Disulfiram,alcoholismand,15
DMG.SeeDimethylglycine
DNAsynthesis,folicacidand,183
Docosahexaenoicacid(DHA),17778
deficiency,178
dosing,178
mechanismofaction,177
phosphatidylserineand,200
uses,178
Dopamine:
ADD/ADHD,6
anxiety,40
B12and,174
B6and,171
Cvitaminand,201
dementia,70
depression,80,82
5HTPand,181
ironand,6
learningdisability,111,113,114
oppositionaldefiantdisorder,13738,138
Parkinsonsdisease,141,142
schizophrenia,151,153
zincand,7
Dphenylalanine,146,148
Druguse/abuse,asformofdementia,68
DSMIV.SeeDiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisorders
Dvitamin:
anorexia,34
deficiency,219
multiplesclerosis,12627,132
Dyscalculia,108
Dysgraphia,108
Dyslexia,108
Dyspraxia,108
Dysthymicdisorder,77

Ears,foodallergysymptomsof,228
EatingDisorderInventory,64
Eatingdisorders.SeeAnorexia
Bulimianervosa
EDTA(Ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid),56
Eicosapentaenoicacid(EPA),17980
deficiency,180
DHAand,177,178
dosing,180
mechanismofaction,179
uses,179
ELISAmethodoffoodallergytesting,226
Encephalitis,68
Endocrinesystem,85
Endorphins,anorexiaand,30
Environmentalfactors:
learningdisability,113,114
multiplesclerosis,126
schizophrenia,151
Enzymaticreactions,205
EPA.SeeEicosapentaenoicacid
Epilepsy,160,172,175,182,203
Epinephrine:
B6and,171
hormonalmentalhealth,92
Essentialaminoacids,autismand,45
Essentialfattyacids:
anorexia,33,34
autism,45,4647,49
B6and,171
deficiency,214
DHA,17778
EPA,17980
hormonalmentalhealth,94
learningdisability,11314,116
multiplesclerosis,12930
phosphatidylserineand,200
premenstrualsyndrome,94
schizophrenia,15455,156
Estrogen:
Alzheimersdisease,20
premenstrualsyndrome,87
Eveningprimroseoil,90
Evitamin,2034
Alzheimersdisease,21
Cvitaminand,204
deficiency,204,21920
dosing,204
hormonalmentalhealth,8990,94
Page281
mechanismofaction,203
multiplesclerosis,129,133
Parkinsonsdisease,143,144,148
premenstrualsyndrome,8990,94
uses,203
Exercise:
Alzheimersdisease,21
anxiety,33,41
bulimiaand,62
multiplesclerosis,131
ExpandedDisabilityStatusScale(EDSS),130
Eyes,foodallergysymptomsof,228

Familyenvironment:
anorexia,31
bulimia,62
Fattyacids.SeeEssentialfattyacids
Feingolddiet,8
Fibromyalgia,182
Fingerprints,andAlzheimersdisease,2627
5hydroxytryptamine(5HT),54
5hydroxytryptophan(5HTP),18182
bulimianervosa,63,65
deficiency,182
depression,82,84
dosing,182
insomnia,103,105
mechanismofaction,181
uses,182
Flu,188
Fluoxetine,6364,88
Fluvoxamine,182
Folate.SeeFolicacid(B9)
Folicacid(B9),18384
Alzheimersdisease,21
anorexia,34
autism,45,49
B12and,173,174,183,184
bipolardisorder,5455,58
Cvitaminand,201
deficiency,184,215
dementia,6970,75
depression,7980,84
dosing,184
insomnia,101,105
mechanismofaction,183
mentalfatigue,120,124
Parkinsonsdisease,143
phosphatidylserineand,200
schizophrenia,152,156
toxicity,222
uses,18384
Foodadditives,ADD/ADHDand,89
Foodallergies,22533
ADD/ADHD,89
casestudiesof,230
eliminationandrotationplanfor,229,23132
fixedversusvariable,23233
gluten,229
IgEantibodies,229
IgGantibodies,226,23031
intolerancesversus,225
milk,225,229
multiplesclerosis,13031
oppositionaldefiantdisorder,139
prevalenceof,225
processof,22829
symptomsof,22628
testingfor,226
Foodsensitivities.SeeFoodallergies
FragileXsyndrome,44,45
Freeradicals.SeeReactiveoxygenspecies

GABA(gammaaminobutyricacid):
anxiety,40
autism,47
B6and,171
bipolardisorder,57
dementia,70
depression,80,8283
insomnia,103
schizophrenia,153,154
Galland,L.,47
GALT.SeeGutAssociatedLymphoidTissue
Gammaaminobutyricacid.SeeGABA
Gammalinolenicacid,90,129
Genitourinarysystem,foodallergysymptomsof,227
Ghadirian,A.M.,54
Ginkgobiloba,18586
Alzheimersdisease,24,27
dementia,73,76
dosing,186
mechanismofaction,185
mentalfatigue,12223,124
Parkinsonsdisease,147,148
uses,186
Ginseng,18789
American,18788
Asian,18889
mentalfatigue,12123,124
multiplesclerosis,132,133
Siberian,189
Glutathione:
B2and,164
Parkinsons
disease,144,148
Gluten,allergyto,229
Glycyrrhizaglabra.SeeLicorice
Grapeseed,129
Greentea,129
GutAssociatedLymphoidTissue(GALT),22930

Hair,foodallergysymptomsof,228
Heartdisease,insomniaand,98
Histidine,6
Homocysteine:
Alzheimersdisease,22
B6and,171
B12and,173
dementia,6970
folicacidand,183
Hormonalmentalhealth,8595
botanicalmedicines,9192,9495
brainand,86
menand,92
nutritionalfactors,8891,94
PMSandPMDD,8788
Page282
Hormones,anorexiaand,30
Huntingtonsdisease,67
HuperzineA,19192
dementia,74,76
mechanismofaction,191
uses,19192
Hydrocephalus,68
Hypercalcemia,dementiaand,68
Hypericumperforatum(St.JohnsWort):
alcoholism,14,17
depression,8283,84
Hypertension,187,194
Hyperthyroidism,insomniaand,98
Hypoglycemia:
alcoholismand,17
anxietyand,37
dementiaand,68
mentalfatigue,119
Hypothalamus,86
Hypothyroidism,dementiaand,68

Iboga.SeeTabernantheiboga
Ibogaine,alcoholismand,15,17
IgE(ImmunoglobulinE)antibodies,229
IgG(ImmunoglobulinG)antibodies,226,23031
Imipramine,182
Immunesystem,201,203,205
Infections,201,203,205
Inflammation,203,2056
Inositol:
bulimianervosa,6364,66
deficiency,215
Insomnia,97106
botanicalmedicines,1034,106
causesof,9899
diagnosisof,99
medications,99
nutritionalfactors,100103,1056
prevalenceof,97,98
sleephygiene,105
symptomsof,98
typesof,97
InternationalClassificationDiseases(WorldHealthOrganization),11
Iodine:
deficiency,209
learning
disability,112,116
Iron:
ADD/ADHD,6,10
Cvitaminand,201
deficiency,210
learningdisability,11011,115
oppositionaldefiant
disorder,138
toxicity,6,210
Ischemia,194
Isoflavones,alcoholismand,14

Kidd,P.M.,45
Kidneystones,172
Kudzu.SeePuerarialobata
Kvitamindeficiency,220

Lactoseintolerance,225
Lavender,bipolardisorderand,57,59
Lead:
learningdisability,113
toxicity,22223
Learningdisability,10716
causesof,108
diagnosisof,1089
nutritionalfactors,10914,11516
andODD,136
prevalenceof,107
typesof,108
Lemonbalm.SeeMelissaofficinalis
Levodopa,14246
Licorice(Glycyrrhizaglabra):hormonal
mentalhealth,91,95
premenstrual
syndrome,91,95
Linoleicacid,multiplesclerosisand,129
Lithium,bipolardisorderand,53
Liverdisease,203,206
LouGehrigsdisease,67
Ltryptophan:
B3and,166
bulimianervosa,63,66
Cvitaminand,201
5HTPand,181
insomnia,102,105
Parkinsonsdisease,146,148
Ltyrosine,Parkinsonsdiseaseand,146,148

Macronutrients,mentalfatigueand,11920,124
Magnesium,19395
ADD/ADHD,67,10
anorexia,34
anxiety,4041
autism,45,4748,49
calciumasinhibiting,194
deficiency,194,21011
dementia,72,76
dosing,19495
hormonalmentalhealth,8889,94
insomnia,1012,105
learningdisability,111,115
mechanismofaction,193
oppositionaldefiantdisorder,13738,139
Parkinsonsdisease,147,148
premenstrualsyndrome,8889,94
testingfor,194
toxicity,211
uses,19394
Malehormones,9293
Manganese:
deficiency,211
toxicity,223
Manicdepression.SeeBipolardisorder
Matricariarecutita(Chamomile),insomniaand,104,106
Medications:
Alzheimersdisease,23
anxiety,39
Page283
Melatonin:
B6and,171
5HTPand,181
insomnia,103,106
schizophrenia,153
Melissaofficinalis(balm):
Alzheimersdisease,25,28
bipolardisorder,57,59
Meningitis,68
Mentalfatigue,11724
botanicalmedicines,12023,124
diet,11820
neurologicprocessesaffectedby,118
nutritionalfactors,124
symptomsof,118
Mercury:
autism,44
toxicity,223
Metaltoxicity,learningdisabilityand,113
Methylcobalamin.SeeB12(cobalamin)vitamin
Migraines,164,182,194
Milk,allergyto,225,229
Mind,relationtobrainof,ixx
MiniMentalStateExam,71
Monoamineoxidaseinhibitors(MAOIs):
anxiety,39
depression,82
Mooddisorders:
ODDand,136
PMSand,8788
MultidimensionalBodySelfRelationsQuestionnaire,64
Multiinfarctdisease,67
Multiplesclerosis,12533
antioxidativetherapy,12829
botanicalmedicines,13132,133
causesof,12526
essentialfattyacids,12930
foodallergy,13031
geneticfactors,126
nutritionalfactors,12630,132
prevalenceof,12526
Multivitamin/mineralsupplements:
ADD/ADHD,10
alcoholism,17
Alzheimersdisease,27
autism,45
bipolardisorder,58
learningdisability,115
Murray,M.T.,8
Musculoskeletalsystem,foodallergysymptomsof,227
Myastheniagravis,192

Nacetylcarnitine,19798
Alzheimersdisease,26
Cvitaminand,201
dosing,198
mechanismofaction,197
uses,19798
Nails,foodallergysymptomsof,228
Narcolepsy,99
Neostigmine,192
Nervoussystem,foodallergysymptomsof,227
Neuralgia,203
Neuromusculardegeneration,203
Niacin.SeeB3(niacin)vitamin
Niacinamide.SeeB3(niacin)vitamin
Nicotinamide,3940
Nicotineexposure.SeeSmoking
Nonsteroidalantiinflammatorydrugs:
Alzheimersdisease,20
Norepinephrine:
B6and,171
Cvitaminand,201
dementia,70
depression,80
5HTPand,181
hormonalmentalhealth,92
ironand,6
phosphatidylserineand,199
Nutrientdeficiencysymptoms,20720
calcium,208
chromium,209
copper,209
iodine,209
iron,210
magnesium,21011
manganese,211
phosphorus,211
potassium,21112
selenium,212
sodium,21213
zinc,213

Oats,insomniaand,104
Obesity,182
Obsessivecompulsivedisorder,36
Oligomericproanthocyanidins,129
Omega3fattyacids:
autism,4647
DHA,17778
EPA,17980
learningdisability,114
multiplesclerosis,129
schizophrenia,154
Omega6fattyacids:
autism,45,4647
multiplesclerosis,129
schizophrenia,154
OppositionalDefiantDisorder(ODD),13539
causesof,136
diet,139
medications,136
nutritionalfactors,13639
prevalenceof,13536
psychologicaltherapies,136
symptomsof,135
Oralcontraceptives,172,194

Panaxginseng.SeeAsianginseng
Pancreaticinsufficiency,206
Panicdisorder,36
Page284
Parkinsonsdisease,14148
botanicalmedicines,14748
causesof,141
diagnosisof,142
asformofdementia,67
geneticfactors,141
medications,142
nutritionalfactors,14248
prevalenceof,141
Passifloraincarnata(Passionflower):
insomnia,1034,106
Passionflower.SeePassifloraincarnata
Pauling,Linus,202
Pellagra,16,166,216
PervasiveDevelopmentDisorders,43
Phenylalanine.SeeDphenylalanine
Phobias,36
Phosphatidylcholine:
Alzheimersdisease,24
Parkinsonsdisease,147
Phosphatidylserine,199200
ADD/ADHD,6,10
adrenalglands,93
deficiency,200
dosing,200
hormonalmentalhealth,94
mechanismofaction,199
oppositionaldefiantdisorder,138,139
premenstrualsyndrome,94
uses,200
Phosphorusdeficiency,211
Physicalexercise.SeeExercise
Pituitarygland,86
Pizzorno,J.T.,8
PMDD.SeePremenstrualdysphoricdisorder
PMS.SeePremenstrualsyndrome
Poisoning.SeeToxicsubstances
Polyunsaturatedfattyacids(PUFAs),schizophreniaand,155
Posttraumaticstressdisorder(PTSD),36
Potassium:
bulimianervosa,65
deficiency,21112
toxicity,223
Prayer,anxietyand,41
Premenstrualdysphoricdisorder(PMDD),87
Premenstrualsyndrome(PMS),8791
B6and,172
nutritionalfactors,8891
ProfileofMoodStatesBipolarForm,55
Progesterone,87
Prolactin,90
Propranolol,88
ProstaglandinE1,90
Protein,Parkinsonsdiseaseand,14546,148
Psychologicaltherapies,anxietyand,39
Psychosis,149
Psychosocialadversity:
ADD/ADHD,45
Puerarialobata(kudzu),alcoholism,1415,17
Pyridoxine.SeeB6(pyridoxine)vitamin

Raynaudssyndrome,166
Reactiveoxygenspecies(ROS),22
Redsageroot.SeeSalviamiltiorrhiza
Redwine,21,129
Refinedsugars,ADD/ADHDand,8
Respiratorysystem,foodallergysymptomsof,22728
Restlesslegsyndrome,98,101
Rhodiolarosea,mentalfatigueand,121,124
Riboflavin.SeeB2(riboflavin)vitamin
Richardson,A.J.,46
Rimland,B.,47,48
Ritalin,5
Rosmarinusofficinalis,Alzheimersdiseaseand,25,2728
Ross,M.A.,46

Sadenosylmethionine(SAMe),54
Sage.SeeSalviaofficinalis
Salviamiltiorrhiza(DanShen):
alcoholism,13,17
dementia,7374,76
Salviaofficinalis(sage):
Alzheimersdisease,26,28
Schizophrenia,14956
anatomicalfactors,151
causesof,15051
diagnosisof,14950
geneticfactors,151
healthsystemimpactof,150
nutritionalfactors,15256
prevalenceof,150
typesof,150
ScreeningTestforAutisminTwoYearOlds,44
Scurvy,202,207
Seasonalaffectivedisorder,102
Selectiveserotoninreuptakeinhibitors(SSRIs),39
Selenium:
autism,45
bipolardisorder,5556,58
deficiency,212
learningdisability,113
multiplesclerosis,129,133
toxicity,223
Serotonin:
ADD/ADHD,6
alcoholism,12,14
anorexia,62
anxiety,39,40
B12and,174
B6and,171
bulimianervosa,6263
Page285
dementia,70
depression,14,80,8283
5HTPand,181
folicacidand,184
ibogaineand,15
insomnia,1023
ironand,6
phosphatidylserineand,199
schizophrenia,153
selectiveserotoninreuptakeinhibitors,39
Sexualabuse,bulimiaand,62
Siberianginseng,189
Sicklecellanemia,164
Sinemet,142
Skin,foodallergysymptomsof,228
Sleepapnea,99
Smoking:
ADD/ADHD,45
alcoholism,12
Socialanxietydisorder,36
Socioculturalfactors:
anorexia,3031
learningdisability,114
Sodiumdeficiency,21213
Spermcount,174
Spermmotility,198
St.JohnsWort.SeeHypericumperforatum
Stress:
mentalfatigue,117
multiplesclerosis,131
Stroke,194
Sugars,ADD/ADHAandrefined,8
Swankdiet,130

Tabernantheiboga(Iboga),alcoholismand,15,17
Tacrine,191
Testosterone,92
Tetrahydrobiopterin(BH4),174,184
Tetrahydrofolate(THF).SeeFolicacid(B9)
Thiamine.SeeB1(thiamine)vitamin
Thyroid,20910
Thyroxin,201
Tinnitus,174
Tobacco.SeeSmoking
Toxicsubstances,22123
Tricyclicantidepressants,39
Tryptophan.SeeLtryptophan
Tuberoussclerosis,44
Tumors,dementiaand,68
Tyrosine.SeeLtyrosine

Ulcers,187
UnifiedParkinsonDiseaseRatingScale(UPDRS),145
Untreatedphenylketonuria(PKU),44
USBiotekLaboratories,230

Valerian:
bipolardisorder,57,58
insomnia,104,106
Vanadium,bipolardisorderand,56
Vitamindeficiencysymptoms:
A,218
B1,217
B2,217
B3,21516
B5,216
B6,21617
B12,218
biotin,21314
C,219
choline,214
D,219
E,21920
folicacid,215
inositol,215
K,220
Vitamins.SeeMultivitamin/mineralsupplements
Vitamindeficiencysymptoms
nameofindividualvitamins
Vitexagnuscastus.SeeChasteberry

WernickeKorsakoffsyndrome,1516,68,15960

Youdim,M.B.,111
Young,S.N.,54

Zinc,2056
ADD/ADHD,7,10,111
alcoholism,16,17
anorexia,3132,34
autism,45,46,49
bulimianervosa,64,66
deficiency,206,213
dosing,206
hormonalmentalhealth,9091,92,94
learningdisability,111,115
mechanismofaction,205
multiplesclerosis,129,133
oppositionaldefiantdisorder,137,139
premenstrualsyndrome,9091,94
testingfor,206
toxicity,213
uses,2056
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Page287
AbouttheSeriesEditorsandAdvisors
MARGOTLONGENECKER,N.D.,isAssociateSeriesEditor.SheisaCoDirectoroftheIntegrativeMedicineCenteratGriffinHospitalandamemberofthe
ClinicalFacultyattheNaturopathicMedicalCollegeattheUniversityofBridgeport,bothinConnecticut.Dr.LongeneckerisalsoamemberoftheBoardofDirectors
fortheAmericanAssociationofNaturopathicPhysicians.SheisinprivatepracticeinGuilford,Connecticut.
CHRISD.MELETIS,N.D.,isSeniorSeriesEditor.HeisSeniorScienceOfficerandAssociateProfessorofNaturalPharmacologyattheNationalCollegeof
NaturopathicMedicine.HewaschosenfortheNaturopathicPhysicianoftheYearAwardfor20032004bytheAmericanAssociationofNaturopathicPhysicians.
Heisaninternationallecturer,aradiopersonality,andaneducatorofmedicaldoctors,nurses,pharmacists,andthealliedhealthcarefields.Hehasauthored9books
onnaturalhealthtopics.
AdvisorMARKNATHANMILLER,M.D,N.D,isoneofasmallnumberofphysiciansintheUnitedStateswhohavebeentrainedandboardcertifiedasbotha
medicaldoctorandanaturopath.After13yearsofpracticingurgentcareandinternalmedicine,hebeganhisnaturopathiceducation.Alsoaboardmemberforthe
OregonchapterofPhysiciansforSocialResponsibility,heisaClinicalInstructorofEndocrinologyattheNationalCollegeofNaturopathicMedicine.Heisalsoin
privatepracticeattheLegacyUrgentCareClinicinSt.Helens,Oregon.
AdvisorMICHAELOREILLY,M.D.,isasurgeonandChairpersonoftheDepartmentofObstetricsandGynecologyatGriffinHospital,whereheisalsoa
FoundingMemberoftheIntegrativeMedicineCenter.HeisaDiplomatofthe
Page288
NationalBoardofMedicalExaminers,aguestlecturerattheUniversityofConnecticutSchoolofMedicine,andaClinicalInstructorattheUniversityofBridgeport
NaturopathicMedicalCollege.
AdvisorGLENZIELINSKI,D.C.,isachiropracticphysicianandboardcertifiedchiropracticneurologist.HeisaDiplomateoftheAmericanChiropractic
NeurologyBoard.Dr.ZielinskiisanAssistantProfessorofClinicalNeurologyattheCarrickInstituteinOregon.HeisalsoDirectorofPhysicalMedicineatthePearl
ClinicinPortland,Oregon.Helecturesonneurologythroughoutthenation.
Page289
AbouttheAuthors
CHRISD.MELETIS,N.D.,isSeniorSeriesEditorforthePraegerseries,ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine.HeisSeniorScienceOfficerandAssociate
ProfessorofNaturalPharmacologyattheNationalCollegeofNaturopathicMedicine.HewaschosenfortheNaturopathicPhysicianoftheYearAwardfor2003
2004bytheAmericanAssociationofNaturopathicPhysicians.Heisaninternationallecturer,aradiopersonality,andhasauthored9booksonnaturalhealthtopics.
JASONE.BARKER,N.D.,isinprivatepracticeandhasbeenAdjunctProfessorofNaturopathyattheNationalCollegeofNaturopathicMedicine,atOregon
HealthSciencesUniversityandatSouthwestCollegeofNaturopathicMedicine.