Call for change

The President of the United States has called for change in the wake of the latest school shooting in Newtown, Conn. He mentioned mental illness as one of the area’s that need to be considered. I humbly submit that we need to look at the health deficiencies created by the mass production food system of our world and the side effects of pharmaceuticals. You the consumer have the greatest power to prompt change … here are some facts.

Nutritional deficiencies are linked to mental illness. Research has shown that major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are all caused from nutritional deficits and the side effects of psychotropic medications can be devastating and life altering.

Major depression has been shown to be due to Serotonin, Dopamine/Noradrenaline, GABA, Omega-3, Folate/Vitamin B, Magnesium and SAMe deficiencies. Supplements like Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Omega-3s, Folate/Vitamin B vitamins, Magnesium and SAMe have been shown to improve and eliminate Major depression as have exercise and improving nutrition.

Bipolar Disorder has been scientifically researched to show that excess acetylcholine receptors and vanadium along with Vitamin B/Folate, Choline. L-Tryptophan and Omega-3 deficiencies are causal factors. Supplementation with Lithium orotate & taurine, Vitamin C, Vitamin B/Folate, L-Tryptophan deficiency.

Lecithin, and Omega-3 along with dietary, sleep and exercise routine alterations, have brought significant symptom relief.

Schizophrenia sufferers have impaired serotonin synthesis, Glycine and Omega-3 deficiencies. OCD patients have a St. John’s wort deficiency. These are just four of the ten leading causes of disabilities in the United States according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Research shows that essential vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids are often deficient in the general population in America and other developed countries; and are exceptionally deficient in patients suffering from mental disorders. Emerging scientific evidence proves that nutritional supplement treatment is appropriate for controlling major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), addiction, and autism. This evidence document’s that daily supplements of vital nutrients often effectively reduce patients’ symptoms and that supplements containing amino acids also reduce symptoms, because they are converted to neurotransmitters that alleviate depression and other mental disorders. This research goes on to show that the processes needed for the mass production of our foods and the side effects of pharmaceutical interventions cause our foods to be deficient in these needed nutrients.

In considering these facts, would it be logical for us as consumers to call for more research into the production of our foods and the side effects of pharmaceuticals? Could the issues of our increasingly violent society be as simple as a need for getting back to the basics of eating unaltered foods and healing with what nature provides? Could the ever rising problems of mental illnesses be solved with such simplicity?

Angelyn Nienhuser has a doctorate in naturopathy. She can be contacted at 308-249-5520.