Page 22 - Spring2013

B deficiency is directly related to the occurrence significantly lowers vitamin C levels in plasma.
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of a kind of convulsion that commonly occurs in The nerve endings in the brain contain the
youngsters. 36 highest concentrations of vitamin C in the body
B is needed for modulating homocysteine after the adrenal glands. It makes good sense
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levels―high levels are implicated in mental ill- to conclude that good vitamin C status supports
ness. Vitamin B deficiency has been reported mental health.
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in some cases of infant formulas. Certain drugs
will deplete vitamin B . 37 MINERALS
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In 1989, elevated homocysteine was found Studies also show that deficiencies in iodine,
to be an independent risk factor for vascular potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc, chromium,
disease. Homocysteine is a sulfurated amino acid manganese and other minerals can result in
derived from methionine. Methionine is found in mental symptoms.
animal products like cheese, eggs, fish, meat and Magnesium is used in hundreds of brain
poultry and produced in a pathway that produces enzymes. Low levels of magnesium are related to
methyl groups required for the synthesis of cate- many neurological conditions, such as aggressive
cholamines and DNA. High homocysteine levels behavior, dementia and schizophrenia. Magne-
are a sensitive indicator of B vitamin deficiency. sium is found mainly in seeds, nuts, legumes,
Elevated homocysteine, called homocysteinuria, dark leafy vegetables and whole grains if it is
has a high prevalence in psychiatric disorders not lost during processing. 45
leading to violence, and elevated levels are found Iron is necessary for the synthesis of neu-
in Alzheimer’s disease. 38 rotransmitters and myelin that covers the nerves,
Vitamin B deficiency has a well-known and is critical during pregnancy in relationship
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correlation with mental disorders, including to the IQ of the child.
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irrational anger. A higher incidence of low B 12 Iodine is required for the development of a
is found in mental patients than in the general healthy brain. Iodine deficiency affects all indi-
population. Deficiencies cause mental symptoms viduals but especially pregnant women, lactating
ranging from poor concentration, depression and women, women of reproductive age, and children
severe agitation to hallucinations. Deficiencies younger than three years of age. During fetal and
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are caused by pernicious anemia, an autoimmune neonatal growth and development, iodine defi-
condition; they are also found in vegetarians and ciency leads to irreversible damage to the brain
vegans, those with low animal protein intake, and and central nervous system. Iodine deficiency
individuals with leaky gut. Drugs including in the fetus results in severe mental retardation
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anesthetics can deplete vitamin B . called cretinism. 47
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Volunteers on a diet deficient in pantothenic Zinc deficiency is common in the American
acid (vitamin B ) experience hypoglycemia, diet because zinc is removed in processing of
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numbness in hands and feet, headache and foods. It is abundant in red meat and oysters,
insomnia; they are easily upset, irritable, quar- foods not well liked or available to many chil-
relsome, sullen and depressed. Good dietary dren and teens. Many brain enzymatic reac-
Low levels sources include meats, organ meats, potatoes, tions depend on zinc. It is involved in insulin
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of folate tomatoes and royal bee jelly. metabolism as well. Zinc deficiency has been

Low levels of folate show up in 40-80 linked with hypoglycemia and suicide, and with
show up in percent of elderly psychiatric patients. Folate is angry, aggressive, hostile behaviors that result in
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40-80% of required for remethylation of homocysteine and violence.
hence plays a role in mental health. Good sources
elderly include liver, leafy green vegetables and orange CHOLINE, ARA AND DHA

psychiatric juice. Folate is also found in enriched cereal Choline is a key nutrient for the brain. Phos-
products. Chronic alcohol consumption impairs phatidycholine is produced from choline and is
patients. folate absorption as do a large number of drugs. the main storage form of arachidonic acid (ARA)
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Finally, regarding vitamin C, research indi- and docosohexanoic acid (DHA), two fatty acids
cates that almost any physical or mental stress that are vital to neurological function. There are
22 Wise Traditions SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 Wise Traditions