MENTAL ILLNESS
by Walter Last
Schizophrenia - Mania - Depression - Paranoia - Neurosis
Serious mental diseases are
much more common than generally suspected. Up to 3% of the population may develop
schizophrenia and another 1% manic depressive psychosis. In addition, there is
a widespread incidence of serious depression, anxiety neuroses, paranoia and
dementias. It has been estimated that about 10% of Australians require
institutionalised psychiatric treatment at some time during their lives.
In conventional medicine
and psychiatry there is no real understanding about the causes of mental
diseases, and the commonly used treatments with sedatives, stimulants,
electro-shock and psychotherapy are purely symptomatic and of limited value.
In contrast, natural
medicine offers important insights into these conditions, and is usually able
to offer genuine help. As a general rule, the two main influences on the
development of mental diseases are nutrition and stress, in particular
emotional stress. In most cases there are combinations of different nutritional
factors and varying amounts of stress.
However, in general the
nutritional factor has the more decisive influence. On a high-quality diet and
without any allergies or vitamin, mineral and enzyme deficiencies, we are able
to regard even serious problems in our lives as challenges, which help us to
grow mentally and emotionally. On a poor diet, on the other hand, even minor
problems can become insurmountable obstacles and cause extraordinary stress.
With correct nutrition it will be so much easier to overcome the remaining
non-nutritional factors.
NUTRITION AND YOUR MIND
The two most basic
requirements for the normal operation of our brain are a sufficient energy
supply and an optimal presence of biochemicals involved in transmitting
messages.
The most common brain fuel
is glucose, but in addition also the amino acid glutamine can be used.
Furthermore, the brain uses a massive 20% of the total oxygen supply of the
body. This demonstrates the importance of having a good blood circulation to
the brain as well as efficient free-radical protection, both of which which may be severely impaired in many cases of dementia
and depression. Energy production inside the brain cells, as in other cells,
can be disrupted in two fundamental ways: either the breakdown of glucose is
too fast as in 'fast oxidisers' or hypoglycemics, or it is too slow as in 'slow
oxidisers'.
If hypoglycemics eat fast
digesting food, such as sweet food and fruit, their blood glucose level rises
too high initially, but then too much insulin is released and excessive amounts
of glucose rush into cells. Cells cannot store glucose and must try to process
it. Usually a deficiency of oxygen and oxygenating enzymes develops and much of
the glucose is only partially metabolised in an anaerobic way (without the use
of oxygen) to form lactic acid.
High lactic acid levels
have been shown to trigger anxiety attacks and all kinds of phobias in
susceptible individuals. In addition, an excessive amount of otherwise normal
metabolic acids, such as citric acid may be formed and contributes to make the
body overacid.
Nevertheless, during the
period of elevated blood glucose a surplus of energy may be generated in the
brain and this can lead to mental agitation and irritation. In children
hyperactivity is likely to result, and in adolescents the outcome may be
violence. In mentally unstable individuals it may trigger a manic episode that
is a period of great, uncontrollable excitement. When the burst of energy has
past, there is a lack of energy and this may lead to a lethargic, listless or
depressed condition. This may be the case with fast-cycling manic-depressive or
bipolar disease.
With slow oxidisers,
glucose enters the cells too slowly; also energy production inside the cells
may be obstructed. Brain cells do not need insulin as muscle cells do for
glucose to enter. Therefore, an insufficient supply of glucose to the brain is
mainly due to a heavy diet high in meat and fat and low in carbohydrates. With
elderly individuals this may be in addition to an impaired blood circulation to
the brain.
A variety of B vitamins and
minerals are required to convert glucose and glutamine into brain energy. These
are mainly the vitamins B1, B2, B6, nicotinamide, pantothenic acid and the
minerals magnesium, manganese and zinc. If any of these are deficient, the
brain cannot produce sufficient energy and periods of lethargy, stupor and
depression may result.
The state of excitement
following sweet food intake by fast oxidisers is usually short lived and within
hours may swing to depression and back to excitement after another intake of
sweet food. On the other hand the energy deprivation caused when slow oxidisers
eat predominantly heavy food may last for months and years.
However, both conditions,
in combination with hidden allergies and vitamin, mineral and enzyme
deficiencies may produce a wide range of abnormal or exaggerated mental
conditions, such as paranoia, delusions and phobias. In such cases it is not
always apparent if the metabolism is fast, slow or normal. Therefore, an
important step in healing mental disorders is to determine the state of the
metabolism.
Histamine Levels
The most prominent
distinguishing feature is usually the level of histamine in the blood. Fast
oxidisers are overacid. This liberates histamine,
which may be bound to proteins, and histamine levels rise.
The result is a very sensitive skin, which reacts strongly to insect bites and
irritants such as wool, chemicals, nylon and some other synthetics. The blood
pressure is usually low, less than 120/80, and hands and feet are cold in cool
weather. Inflammations and sunburns from sunbathing are common, and pain
generally is felt strongly.
Slow oxidisers, on the
other hand, usually are too alkaline due to their deficiency in metabolic
acids, and this causes histamine levels to be too low. Therefore, the blood
pressure is elevated, usually above 120/80, and the skin is rather insensitive
to cold, insect bites and irritants. Inflammations are uncommon and not much
pain is felt.
If conditions, mainly
sensitivity to cold, skin irritants and pain, are normal then the metabolism is
probably balanced. With this, we have the first important step in healing
mental illness: select a diet according to metabolic requirements. Fast
oxidisers must use slow-digesting food; slow oxidisers use fast digesting food,
and balanced oxidisers select normally digesting food.
Slow-digesting foods are mainly protein and fat or oil rich foods while fruits
are the main fast-digesting food.
Allergies
Allergies, mostly in the
form of food allergies, are most obvious in fast oxidisers, but may be present
in all types. Hidden allergies may lead to prolonged periods of brain
irritation and, with this, to periods of uncontrollable excitement, anger,
thought dissociation and all kinds of mental abnormalities.
Manic periods may last for
months at a time or even become chronic. Sometimes, after weeks or months the
body adapts to this continuing allergic irritation through hormonal changes and
the inflammation response, which caused the irritation, disappears, sometimes
permanently, at other times only temporarily.
In one case of mental
illness the skull had been opened and an inflammatory swelling of the brain
tissue after ingesting wheat could be observed. Wheat products and gluten
grains in general are most frequently linked to the development of
schizophrenia. Allergies in mental diseases are also common to cows' milk
products as well as to unbiological chemicals in our foods, such as artificial
colours, flavours, preservatives, pesticide residues and so forth.
Many of these food
additives are classed as Excitotoxins.
These are taste or flavor enhancers that release glutamic
acid or glutamate. Also aspartic acid and cysteine
are brain-active amino acids. The best-known example of an excitotoxin
is MSG or mono-sodium glutamate, a salt of glutamic
acid. High blood levels can cross the normally protective blood-brain barrier.
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that is present in the extra-cellular fluid
only in very low concentration. If levels are inappropriately raised then
neurons fire abnormally, and at higher levels brain cells begin to die. Oxygen
deficiency and lack of fuel (hypoglycemia) both interfere with the energy
production of brain cells to make them susceptible to damage by these excitotoxins. This may be an important factor in the
development of neurological diseases and especially in overactive or manic
conditions.
Excitory amino acids cause problems mainly when they are
used either in high concentrations or in free form while bound, as in most
natural foods, they are slowly released and therefore harmless. Most processed
foods contain excitotoxins, especially if any kind of
commercial taste or flavor enhancers has been added, such as hydrolyzed
vegetable protein, soy protein extract, yeast extract, beef stock and caseinate; commercial soups, sauces and gravies are usually
most affected. On the label any of these products may just be called 'natural
flavoring'. Aged proteins, processed meat, cheeses and tomato puree have higher
levels of free glutamate as well but fresh tomatoes are fine. All of these
should be avoided by sensitive individuals who are prone to overactive mental
conditions.
In addition, if the
intestinal wall has been damaged by a high gluten intake, by local
inflammations due to Candida, food allergy, and also by the frequent use of
aspirin and similar drugs, then bacterial and fungal breakdown products from
the normal intestinal flora may be absorbed. It has been shown that specific
protein fragments (peptides) from wheat, cows' milk and bacterial decomposition
products have a special effect on the chemistry of the brain and cause a
so-called cerebral allergy. This may then express itself in a wide range of
mental and emotional disorders.
Some environmental
allergists claim that over 90% of schizophrenics treated by them have allergies
on average to about ten different foods each. However, the most frequent type
of schizophrenics with low histamine levels is rather insensitive to
conventional allergy testing, and only a strict elimination diet will bring
results. Actually, there are reports from varying sources claiming that most
schizophrenics became symptom-free during a water fast
of about one week. Therefore, rule number two: test for sensitivities and
allergies to foods and chemicals, see Allergy Testing.
Specific Nutrients
There is an up to ten-fold variation
in individual requirements for certain nutrients, such as vitamins, in
apparently healthy people and animals. Unhealthy or stressed individuals
require still higher levels to maintain a normal metabolism. Greatly increased
requirements may be inherited or they may be acquired as in prisoner of war
camps or on highly refined diets Most vitamins affect brain chemistry to some
degree and if chronically increased requirements are not met, then abnormal
brain chemistry may develop.
The classical brain vitamins
are vitamin B1 and nicotinamide. Severe long-term deficiencies of these cause
the well-known diseases of Beriberi and pellagra. Symptoms include digestive,
muscle and skin problems, nervous system and thought
disorders. With chronic vitamin B1 deficiency often a weakness in the legs
develops, starting upwards from the feet.
With nicotinamide
deficiency changes in sensory perception have the best diagnostic value. This
means one may see objects differently than one used to see them or how others
see them. One may see something where there is nothing, one may hear voices
where there are none, one may feel like walking without the feet touching the
ground, and many similar symptoms. In contrast to vitamin B1 deficiency, there
is usually a noticeable loss of humour with nicotinamide deficiency.
Nicotinamide or niacin is
most important with low-histamine schizophrenics. Sometimes daily doses of up
to 9 g were needed to normalise metabolism and behaviour. However, when wheat
and cows' milk products were avoided, the requirement dropped to 4 - 6 g and it
dropped still further with the addition of other vitamins, especially folic
acid and ascorbic acid. Finally, after proper fasting periods and on a
high-quality low allergy diet, a multivitamin tablet may be all that is still
needed.
Vitamin B6 together with
zinc and manganese are most helpful with depression and schizophrenia when
histamine levels are normal. With vitamin B6 deficiency there is often an
inability to remember dreams. In order to overcome mental problems it is often
necessary to increase the vitamin B6 intake until there is a normal dream
recall, which may involve several hundred milligrams daily. However, if there
is a zinc deficiency at the same time, vitamin B6 may not work and instead cause
neurological problems. Therefore, zinc and manganese should be taken in higher
doses as well. Zinc deficiency may show as white spots or bands on fingernails.
Another antidepressant
vitamin is vitamin B12. There may be either higher requirements or poor absorption.
In any case it is best to use injections initially and continue with tablets to
be absorbed under the tongue (sublingual). Vitamin B12 blood levels do not
correlate with levels in the cerebrospinal fluid, that
means there may be brain deficiencies despite normal serum B12 levels. Also
folic acid is usually deficient and supplements helpful except in patients with
high histamine levels.
With mental disorders serum
vanadium, a rare heavy metal, has sometimes been
suspected of causing depression. It can apparently be removed from the body
with large intakes of vitamin C. While healthy individuals may lose 50% of a
test dose of 100 mg of vitamin C in the urine, some schizophrenics may lose
hardly any even at intakes of several grams. This indicates a greatly increased
requirement.
With mentally retarded
children vitamin B6, nicotinamide, ascorbic acid and zinc are usually the most
important supplements, in addition to a balanced supplementation of all other
vitamins and trace minerals.
Besides vanadium there are
various other metals harmful for our brain activity. Aluminium as from
antacids, aerosol sprays, baking powder or cooking utensils is implicated in
the dementia of Alzheimer's disease, lead from paints and car exhaust fumes and
mercury from contaminated seafood and especially from amalgam tooth fillings
are strong nerve and brain toxins. While copper is an essential trace mineral,
it is usually too high in schizophrenics and may overstimulate the brain.
Increased amounts of zinc help to counteract this tendency.
There are indications that
schizophrenics, especially the low-histamine type, improve when using so-called
omega-3 fatty acids mainly from linseed and fish oils. The polyunsaturated
oils, on the other hand, and especially the arachidonic acid in meat have a
negative influence. Also manic-depressives and sufferers of other mental
diseases seem to benefit. With additional omega-3 fatty acids low-histamine
schizophrenics require less niacin while with other disorders less vitamin B6
may be needed.
SCIENTlFIC AND CLINICAL STUDIES
G. Watson in his pioneering book 'Nutrition and
our Mind' gives many case examples of patients with schizophrenia and other
mental diseases becoming 'normal' by using a fast-digesting diet with slow
oxidisers but slow-digesting food with fast oxidisers.
In recent years C. Pfeiffer
continued the differential approach but distinguished between 3 different
types. His high-histamine type corresponds to Watson's fast oxidisers and his
low-histamine type to the slow oxidisers. Between both types is the normal
oxidiser with normal histamine levels but greatly increased vitamin B6 and zinc
requirements.
R. Mackarness
(e.g. 'Not All in the Mind') provides additional case reports on the value of
food allergy testing in mental disease, while the Journal of Orthomolecular
Psychiatry demonstrates in countless reports the beneficial effects of high
doses of specific nutrients, especially vitamins and minerals in the treatment
of mental diseases.
Studies of whole diets in
the treatment of mental diseases are rare and studies are usually confined to
allergies and specific foods or nutrients. Some publications report a high
incidence of allergies and others a low one. The difference is usually found in
the methodology: the low-allergy reports are not based on strict elimination
diets for foods and chemicals.
The link between wheat or
gluten and schizophrenia first became obvious as a side effect of the Second
World War. Dohan, an American psychiatrist, noticed
that the incidence of schizophrenia had dropped in occupied countries but rose
again to the average rate soon afterwards. Dohan
suspected cereals as the cause for this fluctuation and tested his theory by
dividing a schizophrenic ward into a group fed the normal diet and the other
group with a cereal-free diet. Soon the cereal-free group started improving.
Another link between gluten
and mental disease is the observation that adult schizophrenics have a high
incidence of coeliac disease during childhood while coeliacs
on the other hand, have several times the normal chance of developing
schizophrenia as adults. Coeliacs have a severe
gluten allergy.
Further supporting evidence
comes from a study of tens of thousands of natives in
In a recent study of 14
schizophrenics the substitution of soy products for cereal grains and milk
resulted in the improvement of 10 patients who deteriorated again when given
wheat gluten. In laboratory studies it has been found that wheat gluten and
casein of cows' milk yield protein fragments or peptides during digestion,
which have a strong neurochemical effect on the brain
with changes in the ERG as well as mood alterations. A published double-blind
test shows a young female becoming psychotic after ingesting milk products.
Furthermore, gluten has
been shown to erase or blunt the absorption villi in the small intestines,
leading to malabsorption problems. Individuals with malabsorption usually have
difficulty gaining weight. Therefore, gluten-sensitive individuals with
suspected malabsorption problems must make special efforts to assimilate key
nutrients. Vitamins and trace minerals need to be taken in high doses and
easily absorbed form. Vitamin A, for instance as emulsion,
natural vitamin E in tablet form, essential fatty acids emulsified with
lecithin and also used as skin rubs.
For a good compilation of
scientific literature in relationship to mental diseases see www.nutritional-healing.com.au.
Vitamin Studies
The most important vitamins
in the treatment of mental diseases are niacin or nicotinamide, folic acid
and the vitamins B1, B6. B12 and C.
Nicotinamide is used in
orthomolecular psychiatry on a large scale in the treatment of schizophrenia.
However, nicotinamide itself can cause some problems in very high doses in
susceptible individuals, such as depression and liver disturbances. Therefore,
the acid form, niacin or nicotinic acid, is commonly used despite the initial
flushing it may cause.
The beneficial effects of
niacin were discovered in 1952 by Osmond and Hoffer
who were intrigued by the similarity of the psychosis seen in pellagra with
that in schizophrenia. Since then they published two double blind studies and
numerous papers and case reports confirming their original positive results.
However, there are also
some studies with negative outcomes and orthodox psychiatry generally still
rejects the use of vitamins and especially niacin in the treatment of mental
disease. There are several reasons why some results may be negative. In some
studies nicotinamide has been used instead of niacin; Hoffer
and Osmond used additional large doses of ascorbic acid and later also folic
acid and vitamin B12, which were not used in negative studies. Finally, only the
approximately 50% of schizophrenics with low histamine blood levels benefit
from niacin therapy and there was no differentiation of high and low-histamine
schizophrenics in most studies.
Of equal importance in the
treatment of mental diseases is vitamin B6. Together with zinc, vitamin B6 or
pyridoxine is essential for the metabolism and synthesis of proteins, including
the neurotransmitters for brain and nerve functions.
Clinical studies show
vitamin B6 to be most effective in cases of behavioural problems, depression
and schizophrenics with normal histamine blood levels. Pfeiffer in various
publications provided research data to show that one group of schizophrenics is
characterised by an abnormal loss of vitamin B6 and zinc in the urine and that
such patients could be quickly restored to normal with high dosage vitamin B6
and zinc supplements.
Improvement according to
Pfeiffer is noticeable within one week and recovery can be expected in 3 - 4 months.
The first patient was treated in this way in 1971. New patients coming to the
Brain Bio Centre who did not use supplements were vitamin B6 deficient in 51%
of cases, while those who took vitamin B6 supplements were still deficient at a
rate of 21%.
Other investigators found
that 75% of their depressed patients had insufficient vitamin B6 intake, while
another report found vitamin B6 deficiency in 57% of depressed patients and 25%
of obsessive-compulsive patients. Frequent vitamin B6 deficiencies were also
reported in dementias, such as Alzheimer patients as well as in autistic
children. The brain responses in the autistic children could be improved to
approximate those of normal children and half of the children in one study
showed marked clinical improvement as well.
A group of agoraphobic
patients was found to be deficient in multiple B vitamins, including B1, B6,
B12, niacin and folic acid. They received dietary counselling and vitamin
therapy. After 3 months 19 of the 23 patients showed dramatic improvement
with most of them free of panic attacks.
When
normal subjects were placed on a vitamin B1 deficient diet in an experimental
study, 5 out of 9 developed marked depression and irritability. Also vitamin B2 deficiency is
linked to depression.
Folic acid is sometimes
called the most frequently deficient vitamin. It works closely together with
vitamin B12 in the synthesis of blood, nucleic acids and in various nerve and
brain functions. Folic acid deficiency is associated with confusion,
depression, dementia, apathy and psychosis. Symptoms are similar with vitamin
B12 deficiency: confusion, depression, hallucinations, paranoia, psychoses and
impaired memory and ability to learn and concentrate.
One investigator reported a
58% incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency in 135 cases of psychoses and
organic brain syndrome. Reports of folic acid deficiency in psychiatric
patients range from 25 - 50%.
Both vitamins are
especially required in the low-histamine group of schizophrenics. Such patients
had only half the folate blood levels than another group of schizophrenics with
normal histamine levels. Folic acid and vitamin B12 work together with niacin
to normalise blood histamine levels and this, in turn results in the
improvement of schizophrenic symptoms within 5 - 6 months.
Vitamin B12 and folic acid
are also deficient in a high percentage of dementia patients and many show
improvement with supplementation. Folic acid deficiency has also been observed
in mentally retarded children.
Folic acid and the vitamins
B12 and C have been reported to be the most important vitamins with the bipolar
disorder of manic-depressives. One case of mania has been reported, which was
cured just by correcting a vitamin B12 deficiency that was present even without
signs of pernicious anaemia.
In several studies
psychiatric patients have been found to be severely deficient in vitamin C.
Stressed individuals require more vitamin C than those not under stress, the
vitamin C content of the adrenal glands decreases when individuals are stressed.
Apparently, psychiatric
conditions are experienced as a stress on the body. Low vitamin C levels were
present in psychiatric patients even when they were on the same diet as
controls with normal vitamin C blood levels.
In vitamin C loading tests
normal controls only need I - 2 days to become saturated with vitamin C but
psychiatric patients usually require 6 days and even more, similar to scorbutic
individuals who require 7 - 10 days. Patients with dementia and depression were
as deficient as those with schizophrenia. After vitamin C saturation, there was
a significant improvement in depressed, manic and paranoid conditions. Patients
generally expressed a feeling of wellbeing and became noticeably more sociable.
In a double-blind study with manic-depressives a significant improvement was
noticeable between 3 - 5 hours after ingesting a single dose of 3 g of ascorbic
acid.
Mineral Studies
The main mineral
deficiencies; associated with psychiatric diseases are zinc and manganese with
schizophrenia, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc with organic
mental disorder and calcium iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc with
depression. Excesses of harmful metals are copper with some forms of
schizophrenia; copper, lead and mercury with organic mental disorder, aluminium
with dementia and vanadium with depression.
Zinc is probably the most
important mineral with psychiatric disorders in general. Over 90 metallo-enzymes require zinc and the functioning of the
brain is dependent on adequate levels of zinc. Deficiency can cause amnesia,
apathy, depression, irritability, lethargy, mental retardation arid paranoia.
A study found a 30%
reduction of brain zinc content in early onset schizophrenics as compared to normals. In another study autopsies were performed on
schizophrenics and their brains had only half the zinc content of control
brains. A part of the brain, called hippocampus, next to the pineal gland has
the highest zinc content in the brain. The hippocampus is involved with the
integration of thoughts, memories and emotions
Other important effects of
zinc deficiency are an increase in copper levels, which can cause
over-stimulation of the brain, and also an inhibition of the essential fatty
acid metabolism, which generally is disturbed with psychiatric disorders.
Pfeiffer and co-workers
provide case histories of the essential role of zinc in the treatment of a
subgroup of schizophrenic, called pyrolurics. One
case of minimal brain dysfunction and learning disability with severe
behavioural problems is described in which zinc alone was responsible
for normalising the condition. Generally, however, zinc is required together
with vitamin B6 and other supplements for effective treatment.
The most common time of
onset of schizophrenia and various emotional disturbances is
during adolescence, a period which is also characterised by unusually high zinc
requirements. This is partly due to the greatly increased stresses and
metabolic activity in this time, but mainly to the sexual development and
functioning.
There is a high zinc
requirement during the development of the sex organs, especially the male
organs and also for the production of semen. In females zinc levels drop when
oestrogen levels rise and also one week before the menstrual period when women
are more liable to depression. A frequent sign of zinc deficiency are white
spots or bands on the fingernails or opaquely white nails.
Manganese is a key element
in various important aspects of our metabolism and for the utilisation of the
vitamins C, B1, biotin as well as choline. There are early reports of a
beneficial effect of manganese supplementation on schizophrenia. 38 patients
with psychosis were treated with manganese and 22 showed mental and physical improvement. In another report 37% of hospitalised patients
with schizophrenia were discharged in 1 year with manganese treatment as
compared to 18% of controls.
An important effect of
manganese supplementation may be the lowering of elevated copper levels.
Pfeiffer showed that manganese caused a 3-fold increase in copper excretion in
patients with copper overload and low histamine levels. Copper reduction is
even more pronounced if manganese is given together with increased zinc. Hair
manganese levels in schizophrenics were low as compared to healthy individuals.
Calcium has been found to
be helpful with post-menopausal and post-natal depression, also in the elderly,
while iron is mainly associated with women before menopause. Low calcium levels
can also cause an anxiety syndrome, mainly in post-menopausal females.
The magnesium content in
the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with schizophrenia or major depression who
had made a suicide attempt was significantly lower than in neurological
controls. Low magnesium levels also increase anxiety and irritability.
Depressed individuals were
found to have decreased n potassium levels inside the cells and those who
suicided also had low potassium levels in the brain. These effects are present
despite usually normal potassium and sodium levels in the blood. However, avoiding
salt and using a high-potassium diet will be beneficial.
Harmful Metals
Copper is essential in
trace amounts of about 2 mg per day. However, there is much copper pollution in
our environment and intakes are often too high, causing insufficiency of zinc.
High levels of copper overstimulate the brain. A study in the
Mental diseases and
symptoms linked to high copper levels are low-histamine schizophrenia,
postpartum psychosis, depression, senility, autism and hyperactivity. Paranoia
and hallucinations are prevalent in younger schizophrenics and depression in
older ones.
However, excess of copper
does not necessarily show up in the blood. In an evaluation of 30 patients with
normal serum and urine levels but unusually high hair copper levels the
following symptoms were present: apprehension, poor concentration, severe
depression, insomnia, irritability, memory lack and profound mental fatigue, in
addition also somatic (bodily) problems. Removal of the excess copper by
chelation usually led to rapid improvement.
Copper levels
in the blood rise when zinc levels drop as for instance with raising oestrogen
levels in females the week before period time and when on contraceptive pills
and in both sexes when consuming sugar. However, copper blood levels are also high
with inflammatory condition and degenerative diseases with an underlying
inflammatory basis, even if tissue copper levels are low. Therefore, with all
inflammatory conditions copper is beneficial.
Vanadium is a heavy metal,
which in trace amounts seems to be essential for us. However, in
manic-depressives it is frequently elevated in blood and hair. Also blood
vanadium levels have been found to be higher during active states of the
disease than during inactive phases or remissions.
A double blind study of 23 patients had manic as well as
depressed individuals improved on a low vanadium diet with an additional heavy
metal chelating agent (EDTA). Generally, however, studies show that depressed
patients respond better to lower vanadium levels than manic conditions.
Two case reports may
demonstrate this point. A patient with a regular 10-week cycle of mania and
depression skipped her depressive phase on a low vanadium diet and supplements
of ascorbic acid and EDTA. Another patient with the same treatment changed from
a severe bipolar condition to a mild hypomanic state with no depressive phase.
However, five days after the supplements were withdrawn she became severely
depressed and returned to the hypomanic condition only after resumption of
supplementation.
The beneficial effect of
ascorbic acid supplementation appears to be due to a reduction of the vanadium
ion to a more inactive form (from vanadate to vanadyl).
In addition there may be an increased excretion of vanadium. Methylene blue has
been used as an effective alternative reducing agent (200 - 400 mg per day)
while EDTA (1 g per meal) chelates vanadium from dietary sources in the gut but
will also prevent the absorption of beneficial minerals. Vanadium is relatively
high in milk, egg white, gelatine and shellfish.
The adverse effect of
vanadium results from its inhibition of the active transport of sodium across
cell membranes. This means the sodium content inside the cells becomes too high
and cells cannot build up the full electric potential for proper functioning. Lithium, on the other hand, which is a mineral often used with
mental disorders, improves this sodium transport.
Aluminium is mainly
implicated with dementia and in particular with Alzheimer’s disease. The
aluminium content in the brain of such patients is greatly elevated as compared
to normal controls. Aluminium exposure in animal experiments causes nerve
fibres to become tangled up (neurofibrilar tangles).
Aluminium is known to
inhibit and reduce an important co-factor in the synthesis of many neurotransmitters
and it is also reduced in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's dementia. In
one controlled experiment Alzheimer patients received injections of
aluminium-chelating agents for 4 - 24 months. While controls continued to
deteriorate at the normal rate, the treated patients had either slower
deterioration or even improved in some cases. Aluminium also promotes acute
psychotic conditions by making the blood-brain barrier more permeable to
ingested neurotoxins.
Our aluminium intake comes
mainly from aluminium cooking utensils, antacids based on aluminium, public
drinking water; some types of baking powder and especially aerosol sprays. It
has been shown that the aluminium silicates from such sprays can be directly
transported through nerve connections from the nose into the brain and
deposited in the most sensitive areas.
In a psychiatric study on
31 patients with elevated lead levels 17 had one or more of the following
symptoms: depression, fatigue, headache and irritability. The main complaint
was severe depression. We absorb lead from tinned food (lead soldering), car
exhaust fumes, old paints and lead water pipes.
Symptoms reported from
exposure to mercury include anxiety, apathy, drowsiness, depression, fatigue,
irritability, poor concentration and memory loss. The main sources of mercury
pollution are dental amalgam fillings and in some areas coastal seafood.
Cadmium from refined foods,
plated containers and leached from plastics causes problems mainly as a zinc
antagonist. While salt normally causes problems with degenerative diseases, if
blood pressure is very low a salt-free diet can produce apathy, memory
impairment, social withdrawal and even illusions and hallucinations.
Essential Fatty Acid
Studies
Recent studies have found a
strong connection between mental disorders and an abnormal metabolism of
essential fatty acids. There are two groups of essential fatty acids, the
omega-6 series based on linoleic acid common in oil seeds, and the omega-3
series based on alpha linolenic acid from linseed. The most prominent higher
omega-6 fatty acid is arachidonic acid, which is abundant in meat, while the
longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids are the fish oils (EPA and DHA).
Both groups form different
kinds of tissue hormones or prostaglandins. Linoleic acid may form either
series 1 or 2 prostaglandins or PGE1 or PGE2, while omega-3 fatty acids lead to
the 3 series or PGE3. Generally, there is an overproduction of the PGE2 series
and a lack of PGE1.
This situation can be
improved by restricting the intake of arachidonic acid and greatly increase the
amount of omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha linolenic acid. An excess of
linolenic acid restricts the formation of PGE2 while the additionally formed
PGL3 have similar effects to the PGE1 series.
Further nutrients, which
are required for PGE1 production are the vitamins C,
B6 and niacin as well as manganese, zinc and insulin. Increased PGE1 and PGE3
production is especially beneficial with low-histamine schizophrenics as well
as depressed and agoraphobic individuals. Schizophrenic patients then have a
greatly lowered flush threshold with niacin but more easily develop neurotoxic
symptoms with high doses of vitamin B6 in the absence of sufficient zinc.
In manic conditions,
however, there is an overproduction of PGE1. This may possibly be improved by
greatly restricting all omega-6 fatty acids and use predominantly ornega-3
fatty acids.
Lithium, a mineral related
to sodium and potassium, is often used as a drug with mental diseases,
especially in manic-depressive conditions. Lithium seems to have a normalising
influence on PGE1 production, which is most effective with manic conditions,
but with depression PGE1 levels may fall to a very low level, and this causes
toxic side effects. These can usually be overcome by providing evening primrose
oil together with the lithium to stimulate PGE1 production.
In an interesting study 12
patients were taking 2 - 6 tablespoons of linseed oil in divided doses with
meals. 8 patients showed impressive improvements within 2 - 12 weeks, 2 of
these were schizophrenic, 3 manic-depressive and 3 agoraphobic. 3
schizophrenics and 1 agoraphobic patient failed to improve. It is possible that
linseed oil has less effect on high-histamine schizophrenics and none on pyrolurics (vitamin B6 and zinc deficient).
In the manic-depressives
the amount of linseed oil had to be carefully balanced as too high a dose
induced hypomanic episodes or rapid oscillations between the manic and the
depressed condition. The name bipolar disorder has been given because of this,
normally slow, alternation between the two opposite conditions. However,
fish oils now appear to be the functional form of omega-3 fatty acids, and it
is generally better to use several grams of fish oils instead of linseed oil.
It is conceivable that a
hidden allergy or chemical sensitivity causes an over-stimulation of the PGE1
production resulting in a manic phase until the hormone and enzyme systems
responsible for this overproduction become temporarily exhausted. This leads to
a rest period with little PGE1 production and depression. When enzymes and
hormones have recovered, another manic phase with overproduction of PGE1
begins.
Deficiency in omega-3 fatty
acids may result not only from inadequate intake but more often from fat
malabsorption. Main causes of this are gluten allergy, obstruction of the bile
duct, and lipase deficiency. To remedy this, avoid gluten, use lipase
supplements, and emulsify cod liver oil or linseed oil by shaken it with
lecithin in juice.
Further Studies
Several amino acids have an
influence on brain functions. L-glutamine acts as an alternative brain fuel to
glucose. In high doses as a supplement it can cause manic periods. There are
two case reports of individuals with no previous manic episodes who became
manic after 1 week on either 4 g or 2 g of daily glutamine supplement. These
symptoms ceased within a week after stopping glutamine supplementation.
Other amino acids are used
to produce neurotransmitters, the messenger chemicals between nerve endings.
Too much or too little of these can disturb brain functions as well. Such
neurotransmitter amino acids are 1-phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine. The
neurotransmitter dopamine is formed from tyrosine and phenylalanine and is
already too high in manics and schizophrenics except
in depressed conditions. Therefore, do not take these amino acids in overactive
conditions.
Taurine, a sulphur amino
acid, has the opposite effect. It is a sedating neurotransmitter and,
therefore, useful in overactive or manic conditions. Try 1-2 g before meals 3
times daily.
L or D,L
-phenylalanine is very effective with depression, especially with bipolar
depression. It can be used to form the neurotransmitters dopamine and
norepinephrine (also called noradrenalin) and with the help of vitamin B6 it
can be formed into phenylethylamine, which is an
amphetamine-like stimulating neurotransmitter to be found in high
concentrations in chocolate. This explains why depressed individuals easily
become addicted to chocolate.
In an experiment with 40
severely depressed patients 31 improved almost immediately on supplementation
of phenylalanine and vitamin B6.and 10 of these were completely free of
depression. The urinary output of a phenylethylamine
breakdown product was below normal before the trial but rose during treatment
in tandem with the spirits of the patients.
Tryptophan forms the
neurotransmitter serotonin. The metabolism of tryptophan is disturbed and blood
levels often low in bipolar disease, depression and schizophrenia. In a group of
female schizophrenics the tryptophan blood level was low while the disease was
active but increased with remission. It was similar with a group of depressed
female patients. Also in a group with postnatal depression those with the most
severe depression had the lowest tryptophan levels.
Supplementation of
generally 6 g daily resulted in improvement in some groups of schizophrenics, manics and depressives. For 90 minutes before and after a
tryptophan dose ingestion of proteins was avoided to improve the uptake of
tryptophan into the brain. As an example of a good response a 65% improvement
was reported in a group of depressed patients after 4 weeks of supplementation.
Anxiety, too, improved with tryptophan and vitamin B6.
However, some depressives
do not respond to tryptophan but to tyrosine instead. Tyrosine is used to
produce the important hormones and neurotransmitters adrenalin, noradrenalin
and dopamine. A case report describes a young woman with chronic depression who
recovered while on 6 g per day of tyrosine but relapsed on placebo. Tryptophan
and tyrosine have opposite effects on depressives and should be used
separately; if one does not work then the other may be tried.
The main ingredient of
lecithin is phosphatidyl choline, which in turn is
used to produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Supplementation with
lecithin is reported to be beneficial with stress related bipolar disease that
did not respond to any other therapy but patients recovered after 6 weeks on 15
g of lecithin daily. Also other groups of bipolar patients improved with signs
of mania disappearing in 5 patients of a group of 6. Trials with Alzheimer
patients indicate that the disease process may be halted with long-term high
lecithin intake.
Several studies recommend
avoiding caffeine with schizophrenia as it interferes with several
neurotransmitters in the brain. In individuals prone to anxiety it increases
lactic acid formation and the amount of caffeine ingested paralleled the degree
of panic or anxiety created. Anxiety also results from caffeine withdrawal.
Alcohol has a similar harmful effect.
Tetraethyl-lead is a
neurotoxin in fumes from leaded petrol. In sensitive individuals it reportedly
can produce symptoms of anxiety, aggression, mania, schizophrenia and suicidal
tendencies.
OTHER FACTORS
An episode of severe stress
is often the trigger of a mental breakdown. This is because during stress we
require much higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals than normally. If
this additional requirement comes on top of a generally poor vitamin-mineral
status and combined with an inadequate diet, the brain just does not receive
the necessary nutrients to function in a normal way.
In this way the stress of
extreme grief for a lost companion, the stress of severe financial difficulties,
a work-related emergency and similar stressful situations may all incapacitate
the brain. The stress of childbirth combined with the vitamin and mineral loss
during pregnancy and breastfeeding often trigger the well-known post-natal
depression.
Another possibility is the
inability to decide between two equally unacceptable alternatives but
experiencing strong pressure to make such a choice. Depending on past
conditioning, the individual may subconsciously choose a psychosomatic disease
or a mental disease or even commit suicide.
It has been shown that
psychoses can result from bacterial toxins absorbed from the intestines. This
happens, for instance, if an infection develops after abdominal surgery and
also from an abdominal abscess. Disorientation, confusion and sometimes
psychosis commonly precede an abdominal infection by one or two days. Acute
delirium from infections and delirium tremens from alcohol withdrawal show the
same symptoms: anxiety, confusion, suspiciousness, hallucinations, illusions and
delusions. These symptoms can in both instances be cleared up with antibiotics.
Such mental symptoms, in
addition to other neurological and physical changes have also been observed
when a blind loop has been surgically formed in the small intestine. The common
link in all of these different conditions is an overgrowth of the
gastro-intestinal tract with undesirable microbes. These microbes can be
reduced with antibiotics, with garlic and temporarily even with alcohol to
alleviate the symptoms of a hangover.
Cases of patients in
psychiatric wards have been reported with circulating antibodies in the blood
against the toxins from intestinal bacteria. These originated from colibacillary infections that cleared up, together with the
psychotic symptoms, during antibiotic therapy.
Such bacterial chemicals
are generally called endotoxins and if they affect the central nervous system,
they also belong to the group of neurotoxins. Conditions which favour the
infiltration of neurotoxins into the bloodstream are chronic inflammations of
the intestinal wall as caused by Candida, food allergy or high gluten diets,
high sugar consumption, low gastric acidity, and also a rebound overgrowth with
undesirable microbes following repeated use of alcohol or antibiotics.
Candida overgrowth in the
gastro-intestinal tract is a common event after antibiotic therapy. Chemicals
released by the fungus are themselves potent neurotoxins. They may be absorbed
from the intestines but if the condition persists, Candida sooner or later
invades the blood and then problems usually become much worse, often causing
chronic fatigue in addition to severe mental problems. Schizophrenia as well as
depression and other mental problems, especially hyperactivity or ADD, have
been cured by eliminating Candida. For further information see Candida and the Antibiotic Syndrome.
The most effective way to
overcome these problems is the normalisation of the intestinal flora with
cultures of acidophilus and bifido-bacteria, in addition to a high quality
diet. If the Candida has invaded the blood, then a course of Lugol's solution
in addition to a herbal parasite cure and an
electronic zapper may be required.
Dead teeth are another
related problem; they slowly decay with inflammation (osteitis) of the
surrounding jawbone. This is a toxin factory, which can cause much mental
distress. The positions of the wisdom teeth are specifically linked to the
central nervous system.
In recent years also some
evidence has emerged that a virus, specifically the Borna
virus, may be involved in the causation of some mental diseases, especially
depressive phases of schizophrenia and bipolar disease. This virus is more
common in horses and some other animal species but may also infect humans.
Another frequent infection in schizophrenics is as toxoplasmosis acquired from
cats. Children from mothers with herpes simplex 2 infections during pregnancy
were six times more likely to develop schizophrenia later in life.
The stress of persistent sexual
tension frequently is a contributing or causative factor in mental problems.
Schizophrenia and other conditions have sometimes been quickly cured by
changing unsatisfactory sexual habits, see www.health-science-spirit.com/Sexuality.html.
The solution is generally skin or sexual contact between individuals of the
opposite sex lasting for at least 30 minutes.
The possibility of occult
influences is not officially contemplated. Many sensitive individuals have
psychic abilities which expose them to such influences. This does not normally
cause a problem for those who understand what is happening. However, there are
others who may become open to occult interference unprepared because of
deteriorating health or a stressful situation. They may become frightened and
seek psychiatric advice only to be labelled as being schizophrenic.
Another possibility is the
experience of different states of consciousness and rearrangement of internal
energy patterns due to meditation and yoga practices. Normally individuals will
have an understanding of these happenings and not be alarmed. However,
sometimes profound or even frightening mystical experiences may occur spontaneously
and unprepared individuals have been reported to seek psychiatric help with
unfortunate consequences.
Orthodox psychiatry has no
room for altered states of consciousness and divine or higher guidance. This
has led to Christian mystics and historical figures such as Joan D'Arc being labelled schizophrenic because they heard inner
voices or had visions.
SCHIZOPHRENIA
From a biochemical point of
view we may distinguish between three different types of schizophrenics: slow
oxidisers with low histamine levels also called histapenics;
fast oxidisers with high histamine levels called histadelics,
and balanced oxidisers with normal histamine levels. In addition, each of these
may at times display symptoms of either overactivity or underactivity.
Histapenics are the 'typical' schizophrenics,
insensitive to cold and pain and comprise about 50% of all
schizophrenics, 20% are histadelics
and. the rest have normal histamine blood levels (40 - 70 ng
histamine/ml).
The following descriptions
show that it is usually easy to distinguish between high and low histamine
types. If in doubt about the histamine status, take (or give)
50 mg of niacin with water on an empty stomach. If a strong facial flush
develops, histamine levels are high. If there is no or only a weak flush, levels
are probably normal or low. Then try 200 mg of niacin in the same way. If there
is still no or only a weak flush, histamine levels are low.
Dr Hoffer,
who pioneered the niacin therapy for schizophrenia, stated:
"For schizophrenics, the natural recovery rate is 50%. With orthomolecular
medicine, the recovery rate is 90%. With (additional) drugs, it is 10%. If you
use just drugs, you won't get well. "
By far the best diet for all mental problems is a raw food diet that is appropriate for your metabolic type, for details see Healing Foods, and especially The Raw Food Diet. Combine this with an intensive anti-microbial therapy, including adequate selenium and high antioxidant intake. Also do a parasite
cure.MANIC
DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS or BIPOLAR DISORDER