The reliance on processed and fast foods in most industrialized countries have created severely malnourished inhabitants. Poor diet and malnutrition force the brain to conserve energy stores and shut down unnecessary processes needed for basic survival while temporary and permanent damage could be taking place. In some circumstances, a minor mental issue can be alleviated by balancing the diet and getting enough daily essential vitamins and minerals. While not all mental disorders have a nutritive basis, a diagnostic workup may help determine if supplements are needed. As always, it is imperative to consult with a health professional before attempting to self-medicate any condition.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, or a combination of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexanaeoic acids, are essential fatty acids that the body does not manufacture and store. They are necessary for optimum brain development, memory, processing and performance. Deficiencies in omega-3s can result in behavioral problems, chronic fatigue, memory deficits, poor complexion, poor blood circulation and possibly heart disease. According to "Lipids in Health and Disease," a peer-reviewed journal, patients with major depressive disorder are almost always omega-3 deficient. Results from one of several clinical studies involving supplementation showed marked improvement of symptoms in just four to six weeks.
B Vitamins
B vitamins are water soluble and must be replaced daily. Many individuals diagnosed with mental disorders such as bipolar tend to have B vitamin deficiencies. The Betty Hardwick Center suggests that those who have rapid cycling moods or persistent mania are likely low in vitamin B12, choline or inositol. Supplementation has shown to improve symptoms of bipolar and atypical depression. Additionally AARP recently found that supplying the elderly with high-dose B vitamins slowed the rate of brain shrinkage. This is important news for those who are in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Minerals
Mineral deficiencies in the processed American diet may play an integral role in the rise of mental disorders. According to Brigham and Women's Hospital at Harvard, the brain is malnourished from lack of whole grains, fruit and vegetables. The Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders lists iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc and selenium as critical-need minerals. Deficiencies in any one mineral can impair proper brain functioning, transmission of nerve impulses and metabolism; permanently alter brain chemical activity; and increase agitation seen in many mental disorders.
Amino Acids
Food sensitivities, malabsorption or metabolic disorders, brain abnormalities and poor blood circulation can cause deficiencies in amino acids. Amino acid deficiency is a known offender in cases of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and similar mood disorders. This is due to the depletion of neurotransmitters dependent on amino acids for generation. "Nutrition Journal" adds that the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline and GABA are dependent on the amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine and methionine to balance moods and combat the doldrums of depression.
References
- "Lipids in Health and Disease"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Major Depression: A Primer for the Mental Health Professional; A.C. Logan; November 2004
- Betty Hardwick Center: Other Therapies for Bipolar Disorder
- AARP: Health Discovery, High Doses B Vitamins Benefit the Brain
- Brigham and Women's Hospital: Back to the Stone Age
- Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders: Nutrition and Mental Health
- "Nutrition Journal"; Nutritional Therapies for Mental Disorders; Shaheen Lakhan; January 2008
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