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