10/21/13

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Body, Mind, Spirit:

Optimum Nutrition for the MindSession 1

Instructor:

Andrea Bartels B.A. NNCP RNT

“Every thought and feeling we have can both alter, and

is altered by, the chemistry of our body. The mind and

body are completely interconnected.”

Patrick Holford, author

The New Optimum Nutrition for the Mind (2009)

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Student Evaluation

• Quiz: 15%

Covers: session 1 material

• Final test: 35%

Covers: session 1, 2 and 3 material

Course Outline

Session 1:

• Understanding Mental Illness

• Understanding the diagnostic process

• The danger of drugs

• Neurotransmitter signaling: review

• Introduction to orthomolecular psychiatry

• Schizophrenia

• 5 Biochemical Imbalances in Mental Illness

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Course outline cont’d

Session #2

• Depression

• Bipolar disorder, mood swings

• Delinquent and Violent Behaviour

• Learning difficulties, ADD, ADHD

• Down Syndrome

• Diet, crime, delinquency

Course Outline cont’d

Session #3

• Addictions

• Eating disorders

• Memory decline

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Enhancing Memory and IQ

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Session #4:

• Final Test

• TBA

What is Mental Illness?

“If a person cannot remember the past, deal with the present or

plan for the future, that person could be mentally ill.”

Carl Pfeiffer, American Psychiatrist

“The definition of insanity: to keep doing the same thing and

expect a different result.”

Albert Einstein, German Physicist

“...a state of mind in which one is unable to cope with some

aspect of life to a point where one’s ability to lead a fulfilling

life is seriously impaired.”

Patrick Holford, British Author, Nutritionist

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How the Medical Community

Assesses Mental Status

MSE = Mental Status Exam

• performed by a psychiatrist

Evaluates:

• Clinical signs and symptoms

– (observed by doctor vs. perceived by patient)

• Affect (emotional status)

• Behaviour (outward actions)

• Cognition (ability to reason and understand)

Mental Status Exam

• Visual clues: grooming, facial expression, amount of eye contact, abnormal movements, posture

• Speech: volume, tone, rhythm, rate, quantity, spontaneity

• Mood and personality

• Thought process: coherency, logic, blocking

• Thought content: suicidal ideation, obsessions,

compulsions, odd beliefs

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MSE cont’d

Does the patient demonstrate:

• Perception: hallucination, delusions, depersonalization

• Cognition: alertness, orientation in time and place, memory

(long-term and short term), attention, calculation, language,

communication

• Insight: Is the patient aware of their illness or in denial?

• Judgement: understanding of relationships between facts and

ability to draw a conclusion that determines one’s actions

Mental Health vs. Sickness

Healthy• able to experience full range

of emotions

• kind/considerate/loving

• socially involved

• motivated, passionate

• productive

• enjoys solitude

• correct perception (5 senses)

• distinguish truth

• peaceful

Sick• emotionally flat

• unkind/inconsiderate/

hateful

• withdrawn, non-communicative

• unmotivated, apathetic

• unproductive

• fears being alone

• disperceptions (5 senses)

• false beliefs

• violent

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Treatment Tools Used by Psychiatrists

• Psychotherapy: one-on-one discussions and guided

exercises

• Shock therapy: electrical stimulation of the brain to

alter brain chemistry

• Drug therapy: pharmaceuticals to alter brain

chemistry

Drugs are #1 Tool of Psychiatrists

Types of psycho-therapeutic drugs

1. Anti-depressants: depression, bipolar disorder

2. Tranquilizers: anxiety, schizophrenia

3. Stimulants: ADHD

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Psychiatric Drugs can Kill!

Examples:

Paxil (anti-depressant): may increase risk of suicide in

teens

Ritalin (stimulant): may cause heart attack,

arrhythmias, violent behaviour, ...

A New Approach

• Orthomolecular psychiatry

= the study and use of large doses of nutrients in treatment of mental illness

Goals:

• to correct nutritional deficiencies, bringing the body back to homeostasis

• to support and boost the innate healing process

• used by Pfeiffer Medical Centre, IllinoisResource: www.hriptc.org

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Orthomolecular Psychiatry

• acknowledges the principle of biochemical individuality

• uses biochemical testing to determine patients’ optimal nutritional requirements

• considers role of toxicity in mental illness– Exogenous (environmental: for ex.heavy metals)

– Endogenous (produced in the body: microbial by-products, inflammatory chemicals, adrenochrome, etc.)

Gratitude for...

• Dr. Carl Pfeiffer- discovered biochemical imbalances in psychiatric patients

-Pfeiffer’s Law: For every drug that benefits a patient there is a natural substance which achieves the same effect.

• Dr. Abram Hoffer– Canadian Psychiatrist

– Discovered niacin-schizophrenia link

• Dr. Linus Pauling-Nobel Prize winner for vitamin C research

-collaborated with Hoffer and Pfeiffer

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The Complementary Medicine

Approach

A combination of:

• optimal nutrients

• psychological counseling

• emotional support

• spiritual practice

• minimal use of drugs

Remember: never tell a client to “get off” their

prescribed medications

Adaptive Capacity and Mental Health

= ability to adjust to stressors (mental, physical, etc.)

• Range of capability varies

Depends on 4 Factors:

Inherited Traits: genetic programming

Environment: pollution, diet, allergens

Sensory Input: for e.g. excessive input of noise

Mind frame: interpretation of an experience through a prism of our own cultural, familial and other values

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Brain Bio-Chemistry: Review

• brain: a highly complex network of nerves that

direct body functions

• neurons: nerve cells

• dendrites: connections between neurons

Brain Bio-chemistry Review cont’d

• receptor: a ‘receiving station’ on the cell membrane where a message is delivered to

• synapse: space between cells where

electrical messages are conveyed from

one cell to another

• neurotransmitter: chemical messengers made

from amino acids

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The Construction Crew

• Essential fats

– omega-3s: EPA, DHA

• Phospholipids

– phosphatidyl choline (PC)

– phostphatidyl serine (PS)

• Amino acids: the essential 8

• Vitamins:

• Minerals:

Primary Neurotransmitters

Serotonin:

• tryptophan � 5-HTP � serotonin

• creates feeling of contentment

Dopamine:

• phenylalanine � tyrosine � dopamine

• responsible for motivation

GABA:

• leucine �taurine � GABA

• inhibitory, calming

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More Neurotransmitters

Adrenaline and Noradrenaline:

• phenylalanine � tyrosine � adrenaline and noradrenaline

• stimulating

Acetylcholine (ACH):

• choline (a B complex vitamin) -------------� ACH

• important for learning new info, memory

Schizophrenia

Characterized by:

1. Distorted perceptions of reality

a) hallucinations (visual disperceptions)

b) delusions (perceives auditory, tactile, taste,

smells that are not there)

-i.e. hearing ‘voices’

2. False Beliefs creating phobias, paranoia, anxiety or

depression (usually negative beliefs)

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Schizophrenia:

3. Disordered and disorganized thinking

• ‘word salad’ = speech or writing with no logic or

flow; disjointed

4. Behavioural disturbances: lack of emotional

expression, catatonic (no movement), maniacal

(hyperactive, irrational, obsessed)

= anti-social behaviour

What Schizophrenia Is/Is NOT

NOT:

• NOT “split personality”

disorder

• does NOT typically

involve violent or

dangerous behaviour

towards others

It IS:

• Known to have a high

suicide rate

• Treatable with

nutritional balancing

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Schizophrenia: Underlying Pathologies

Carl Pfeiffer identified 5 pathologies caused by biochemical imbalance in these patients:

1. Histapenia (50%): low histamine, high copper

2. Histadelia (20%): high histamine, low copper

3. Pyroluria: zinc and B-6 deficiency, high urinary pyrroles

4. Cerebral allergy: wheat is most common

5. Reactive hypoglycemia: low blood sugar

Other Biochemical Imbalances

Found in Schizophrenia

• EFA Imbalances

• Oxidative damage (free radical damage)

• Niacin deficiency

• Abnormal neurotransmitter synthesis

Possible triggers:

• Brain trauma: physical injury, infection

• Nutritional imbalance

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Histapenia

= Low blood levels of histamine

• Found in 50% of schizophrenic patients tested

by Drs. Pfeiffer and Hoffer

• Responsible for paranoia, hallucinations,

delusions in schizophrenics with low histamine

What is Histamine?

= inflammatory product of the immune system; also

found in some foods (tomatoes, sardines,

strawberries, red wine)

• made from the amino acid histidine

• note: increases saliva and tear production, lowers

pain threshold and causes swelling

• possesses neurotransmitter capabilities

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Histapenia Traits

Low histamine

High copper

No family history

Allergies are rare

Anxious, paranoid

High pain tolerance

Hairy (hirsute)

Many dental fillings

Tend to have excess weight (pear-shaped)

Slow to reach orgasm

Basophils (wbcs): normal

beneficial: niacin, vitamin C, folate, zinc

Best diet: high animal protein

Histapenia: Treatment Goals

• Raise histamine production to balance proper

biochemistry

• Beneficial: niacin, vitamin C, folate, zinc

• Best diet: high animal protein is a source of

histidine � histamine

• Prognosis: very good, months to 1 year to

stabilize

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Why Niacin Works

in Paranoia and Anxiety!

5 Reasons:

1. Stops brain from converting adrenaline into adrenochrome, a hallucinogenic product

2. Raises low histamine levels

3. A vasodilator, flushing out excess copper, heavy metals

4. Improves oxygen flow to the brain (as a vasodilator)

5. Helps manufacture serotonin (calming)

Think Zinc

• Zinc is a co-factor in hundreds of enzymes

• Zinc prevents copper excess

• Zinc can be used to displace copper excess

• Zinc is low in food due to soil depletion

• Zinc is depleted by (male) ejaculation

• Chocolate is esp. high in copper

• Contraceptive pills increase copper levels by increasing ceruloplasmin, a copper-binding protein of the blood

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Histadelia: What is it?

= condition of having higher than normal

histamine levels in the blood

• Responsible for 20% of schizophrenia in

patients studied by Dr.s Hoffer and Pfeiffer

Histadelia TraitsHigh histamine

Normal/low copper

Family history

Multiple allergies

Compulsive, obsessive, emotional, shy, prone to severe depression, insomnia

Low pain tolerance

Sparse body hair

Few to no dental fillings

lean body

“nymphomaniac”, quick to orgasm

Basophils: high (assoc. with allergy)

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Nutrition for the Histadelic

Beneficial: zinc, methionine, calcium, vitamin C

with bioflavonoids

Ineffective: niacin

Detrimental: excess folate

Best diet: vegetarian, high complex carb

Histadelia: Treament Goals

• Decrease histamine production

• Best diet: vegetarian, high complex carbohydrates (a poor source of histidine)

Notes: calcium releases stored histamine; methioninehelps to detoxify it

Prognosis: can take a year or more to regain balance even with parallel use of medication

Read success stories at: www.hriptc.org

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Pyroluria: What Is It?

= A stress induced physiological disorder which leads to abnormally high production of pyrroles, a group of chemicals that rob the body of vitamin B-6 and zinc.

• Diagnosed by urine analysis: the mauve factor

(pyrroles react with a reagent to produce a mauve colour in the tested sample)

Stats: 30% of schizophrenics are pyroluric

11% with normal mental status have pyroluria

Pyroluria TraitsDisperceptions

Copper excess

Zinc and B-6 deficiencies

Pale, ‘china doll’ appearance

Food and drug intolerances

Strong body and breath odour, fruity/acetone

Morning nausea and constipation

Poor dream recall

Crowded upper front teeth

Fingernails: short with many white spots

History of frequent colds and infections

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Pyroluria cont’d

Highly sensitive to sunlight

Stretch marks

Frequent upper abdominal pain,

bloating

Blinding headaches

Prone to depression, nervous

exhaustion

Highly creative, artistic; possibly

reclusive and withdrawn

Females: menstrual irregularities

Males: impotence

Nutrition for Pyroluria

• Vitamin B-6, enough for dream recall

• Zinc (chelated for best absorption)

• Manganese

• Vegetarian diet (only necessary if supplementation is

not given)

Note: Pyroluria often co-exists with histadelia.

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Cerebral Allergy

= a hypersensitivity reaction to a common substance, affecting behaviour, mood and/or cognitive function

• Any substance can be responsible

• Can develop at any age

• Common allergens: wheat, milk, sugar, eggs, tobacco, mould

• Recall: blood-brain barrier is NOT impervious to all substances

• Immune complexes (allergen+antibody molecules) can cross and deposit in the brain

Cerebral Allergy cont’d

• MOST cerebral allergies are accompanied by physical symptoms, such as:

– Headache

– Sweating, flushing of the skin

– Stomach bloating/distention and/or pain

• MOST food reactions are delayed (6-48 hours after ingestion)

• MOST inhaled substances produce an immediate reaction (within 2 hours of exposure) – For ex. Tobacco smoke, mould, formaldehyde,..

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Symptoms of Cerebral AllergyIrritability/agitation

Fatigue

Slow reflexes

Aggressive behaviour

Social withdrawal

Anxiety

Depression

Paranoia

Hallucinations/Delusions

Hyperactivity

Learning disabilities

Uncontrollable laughing or crying

Mania

Video: 5 Allergic Children

• Courtesy of EAHA and Dr. Doris Rapp M.D.

Exercise:

Pay close attention to the before-and-after

behaviour and appearance of the children in

the video.

What are the tell-tale signs of cerebral allergy

exhibited by each child?

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5 Allergic Children

• Child #1:

5 Allergic Children (cont’d)

• Child #2:

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5 Allergic Children (cont’d)

• Child #3:

5 Allergic Children (cont’d)

• Child #4:

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5 Allergic Children (cont’d)

• Child #5:

Nutritional Support

For Cerebral Allergy

• Modified Elimination Diet

– Remove suspect allergens from the diet for 3

months minimum

– Replace them with nutritionally similar whole

foods

• For ex. Cow’s milk products may be replaced with goat

milk products or soy products to ensure calcium intake

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Nutrition Support for Cerebral Allergy

cont’d

Supplementation:

• Zinc

• Digestive enzymes

• Probiotics

• Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (quercetin, an

anti-histamine)

• EFAs (omega 3)

Reactive Hypoglycemia

= a rapid drop in glucose in the bloodstream

• may occur 1-5 hours after a meal

• highly influenced by the diet

• results from over-secretion of insulin

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Blood Sugar Metabolism: Review

Insulin: a pancreatic hormone that transports

glucose from through the blood to the tissues

Glucagon: a pancreatic hormone that unlocks

stored glucose from the cells, releasing it back

into the bloodstream

Stress and Blood Sugar

Stress (low blood sugar, emotional, physical,..)

Release of adrenaline and cortisol

Rapid breakdown of glycogen (stored glucose)

Increased blood sugar

Fuel for muscles and brain

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Hypoglycemia: Physical Symptoms

Fatigue

Vertigo

Fainting

Headaches

Low blood pressure

Feels cold, chilled

Sweating without physical exertion (cold)

Tremors

Blurred vision

Hunger

Excessive thirst

Waking up at night and trouble falling asleep again

Hypoglycemia: Cognitive

and Behavioural Symptoms

Anxiety

Panic

Forgetfulness

Poor concentration

Depression

Aggressiveness

Crying

Cravings for carbohydrates

Etc.

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Why Does Hypoglycemia Affect

Neurological Function?

• The brain’s most easily accessible fuel is

glucose

• Brain consumes 40% of the carbohydrates we

eat when we are sedentary

• When blood sugar levels drop, the nervous

system is impaired until levels increase

Hypoglycemia

• What kinds of foods trigger the highest insulin

release?

• What kind of meals and snacks can prevent

hypoglycemia?

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Balancing Blood Sugar

• Glycemic index (GI)

= how quickly blood sugar rises after consuming the

food if it were eaten on its own, on an empty

stomach

High glycemic: scores above 70

Moderate: scores over 50-69

Low: scores lower than 50

Issues with the GI

Why Glycemic Index is a limited tool:

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Glycemic Load (GL)

– A quantity-specific quotient; how MUCH of the

carbohydrate a food contains and how fast it

reaches the blood stream

– pp.21-24

< 10 = good (emphasize these foods)

11-14 = fair

15+ = poor (avoid these foods)

Building Meals for

Balanced Blood Sugar

• Meals must be a combination of 3 important

components:

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Nutritional Recommendations

• Consume fibre-rich carbohydrates

• Combine macronutrients at each meal and

snack

• Avoid stimulant beverages

• Avoid refined ‘white’ carbohydrates

• Eat smaller meals

• Eat every 3 hours