Understanding Mental-Wellness, ADHD and Nutrition Deficiencies

Researchers are beginning to learn how to favorably influence genes via the study of epigenetics, a gene-altering process called methylation which is involved in 70% of serious psychiatric conditions.

Several studies revealed that most mental disorders involve disturbances or imbalances of essential nutrients that alter brain function.

All heritable mental illnesses were presumed to have an unavoidable genetic component and people believe their biological and psychological fate has already been predetermined and is locked in by gene mutations.

Many mental disorders now appear to be epigenetic, rather than genetic. This means that

gene protein making can be switched on (called gene expression) or off (called gene silencing) by environmental factors such as radiation, temperature, food or lack of food. Certain molecules within foods (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential oils) can do this reliably.

Most severe heritable mental disturbances will be reversible once we understand how to tap into epigenetics. Moreover, present nutrient therapies have already resulted in thousands of reports of recovery in persons diagnosed with violent behavior, ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.

More than 70% of people with behavioral and mental disorders have a methylation imbalances, this chemical that dominates gene expression. About 42% of schizophrenics are over-methylated while 28% are undermethylated. More than 95% of persons diagnosed with autism, OCD, and antisocial personality disorder (e.g., convicted felons) exhibit undermethylation.

The body’s methyl groups arise from methionine, one of the amino acids present in meat and other proteins. There are nutrient therapies that can normalize methylation and correct many brain chemistry imbalances without resorting to drugs.

Copper overload is a primary offender in many mental disturbances, including autism, paranoid schizophrenia, clinical depression, hyperactivity, learning disability, and postpartum depression. Excessive copper reduces the brain chemical dopamine and increases norepinephrine.

During pregnancy, blood copper levels more than double to stimulate the development of new blood vessels as the baby grows rapidly. If copper levels do not return to normal after birth, then postpartum depression may result and antidepressant drugs usually do not help these women.

Vitamin B6 is another nutrient that is associated with many mental health issues, producing symptoms of irritability, depression, poor short-term memory, insomnia, muscle weakness, difficulty walking and even psychosis. B6 is needed to produce important brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and GABA (a relaxing brain chemical). Zinc deficiency is the most frequently observed chemical imbalance in mental health populations. Zinc deficiency is associated with temper control problems, weak immunity, depression, poor wound healing, epilepsy, anxiety, learning problems and hormone imbalances.

Another common imbalance is a chemical produced in the body called pyrrole that binds to zinc and vitamin B6 and increases their excretion in the urine. Nearly one-third of persons diagnosed with depression, behavioral disorders, autism, and psychosis have elevated pyrroles. A urine test can reveal whether a pyrrole disorder is present. This important chemical imbalance can be corrected within weeks using supplements of zinc, B-6, and augmenting nutrients.

Experience with ADHD and depression patients report significant improvement within month of individualized nutrient therapy and some of them are able to wean away from psychiatric drugs without a return of symptom. Women with post-partum depression have reported significant improvement after blood copper levels were normalized.

Author

Dr. Andrea Bretal M.D. Andrea Bretal, MD, is the medical director at Weston Medical Health & Wellness in Weston, Florida. She has more than 20 years of experience as a board-certified physician in internal medicine. Originally from Argentina, Dr. Bretal earned her degree from the Universidad Nacional de Rosario in Rosario, Argentina. She completed residencies in internal medicine at the Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and at the Western Reserve Hospital with Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown, Ohio. Her interest in obesity medicine began with her own weight struggles. When traditional strategies didn’t result in lasting weight loss, she began exploring the science behind weight. Today, she uses holistic, integrative approaches to weight loss, helping each patient balance their body, mind, and soul. Dr. Bretal proudly partners with other holistic professionals to give her patients the complete support they need for success. Dr. Bretal is passionate about helping her patients lose weight and live health