CALCIUM,
MAGNESIUM, AND ZINC - THE BIOCHEMICAL SEDATIVES
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 a 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.
BIOCHEMICAL DEPRESSION
Norma
complained of fatigue and depression.
A tissue mineral test revealed elevated calcium and magnesium levels,
and low levels of sodium and potassium.
This pattern is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. With corrective diet and the several
nutritional supplements, Norma's moods became more even within three
months. She has since remained
well.
While
low tissue levels of calcium and magnesium in the tissues can produce anxiety
or hyperactivity, an excess of these same elements in the tissues has a
depressive effect upon brain chemistry.
Low
levels of thyroid and adrenal hormones can also cause fatigue and consequent
depression. The sodium level in
the hair tissue is a reflection of adrenal gland activity, because sodium is
largely regulated by the adrenal hormone, aldosterone. Thus a low sodium level on a hair
element analysis is a strong indicator of inadequate adrenal activity that can
result in fatigue and depression.
These individuals require a diet with low fat and plenty of protein, and
supplements of vitamins B, C and E.
Extra manganese and zinc are also very helpful.
TOXIC
METALS AND MENTAL HEALTH
Copper. 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.
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".
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.
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 childrenís
foods. Dr. Benjamin Feingold, MD
pioneered the study of food allergies on childrenís behavior. Depression can also be the result of
food allergies, or allergies to chemicals in food or drinking water.
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.
CONCLUSION
Deficiencies
or excesses of many common nutrients can have profound effects on the way we
think and feel. In many cases,
simple dietary changes and individualized nutrition programs can do much to
improve mental health.
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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