The quarterly newsletter, published by the International Schizophrenia Foundation, focuses on orthomolecular medicine in relation to the treatment and prevention of mental illnesses. Complementary orthomolecular treatments for such illnesses as schizophrenia, depression, autism, behavioural disorders are investigated, along with current issues in the mental health field, patient advocacy and current research. This newsletter is unique as a resource as it is devoted exclusively to the orthomolecular approach to mental health.

Below is our archive of the newsletter. For an online discussion about mental health issues, visit here.

Spring 2009 - A New Approach for our Newsletter

The ISF has been steadily growing over the last few months, increasing our pubic educational talks and our presence at mental health shows. Our pool of members and volunteers is also enlarging. With this growth, we have come to realize that our newsletter, Nutrition & Mental Health, is an integral communication forum to reach our current members, and to encourage others to join us. 

As a charitable organization that receives no government funding, we rely entirely on our members and donors for support so that we can continue to meet our mission: to promote the wide acceptance and use of orthomolecular treatment in mental illness.

With a revitalized focus on membership needs, Talya Rotem, our Community Liaison, is happy  to respond to member feedback with several new columns that will inspire, educate and build community awareness about the benefits of Orthomolecular Medicine. We hope you’ll benefit from these additions and look forward to receiving your feedback.

The content has been enhanced in order to continue to be distinguished as the only newsletter dedicated to orthomolecular medicine and mental health. Let’s take a moment to introduce you to some of the new columns that you will see in this exciting, member-focused, issue of Nutrition & Mental Health:

Ask the Expert–Features brief articles written  by naturopathic doctors who have presented at ISF Public Information Sessions. 

OM FAQs–Provides objective, straightforward responses to basic questions asked by those who have not heard of the benefits of Orthomolecular Medicine. 

Spotlight–OM Advocates–We’ll share with our members the wonderful work of unsung orthomolecular advocates around the world. They offer us inspiration and provide their own suggestions on how to become an advocate.

Recovery Stories–The experiences of those who have used orthomolecular medicine for positive improvements in their own mental health. 

Healthy Eating–Not to forget our roots, this section will feature a recipe, specifically chosen to introduce particular foods as healing agents for body and mind.

ISF Board Elects New Chair 

 One of North America’s leading orthomolecular advocates and practitioners, Ronald Hunninghake, MD, has been elected as the new chair of the ISF. He succeeds Sara Sochaczevski, who remains on the board and overseas the ISF’s Montreal Chapter.  “Dr. Ron”, as his patient/co-learners call him, is Chief Medical Officer of the Olive White Garvey Center for Healing Arts, the clinical division of The Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning, International, in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Hunninghake is also a Family Practice physician, and a board-certified member of the American Holistic Medical Association. Dr. Hunninghake is a regular presenter at the Orthomolecular Medicine Today Conferences, and at The Center’s Lunch and Learn series. In recent years, he has published three popular books on health and wellness. Dr. Hunninghake’s years of experience working alongside the late Hugh Riordan in establishing America’s leading orthomolecular treatment centre makes him a good fit for the ISF, which will continue to grow under his leadership.

My Recovery

I quit smoking three years ago. I did it in three days. I had no withdrawal symptoms. I used no patches or meds. To do this cost me perhaps five dollars. I owe my quit-smoking method to an observation I made while talking with my cousin, who is a medicated schizophrenic. Smoking and schizophrenia,  I noted, seem to go together. 

During long-distance calls to him, he kept running off for a smoke. “Gotta go, have to have a smoke!” Extraordinary! And it happened during our conversations all the time.

My reading in biochemistry had alerted me to the importance of niacin in reversing and controlling one type of schizophrenia. Like pellagra, some forms of “the schizophrenias” can be cured with B3. 

B3 or niacin is also called nicotinic acid. Nicotine! Might the brain accept nicotine and nicotinic acid like right- and left-hand skeleton keys? If so, did “gotta have a smoke” mean “I need niacin”? Was I hooked because my brain craved niacin?

To quit smoking, I chose a time when I had no tobacco in the house. My lungs hurt and I was motivated. I purchased some vitamin C and niacin - both very cheap, the B3 flush variety - and proceeded to load up with both. For three days, every time I went to urinate, I took 500 units of vitamin C (one pill, 500 mg) and 100 to 250 mg of niacin. I experienced some uncomfortable itchy skin flushing, but nothing too painful. I was delighted to find that the vitamin C detoxed my body, and I had no craving for nicotine. They say that after three days, nicotine is no longer in your system, and since those days I have never smoked again. I rebuilt my lungs with grape seed extract and raw fruits and veggies. My lungs don’t hurt any more.  In addition, niacin and vitamin C are great for cancer. Do a Google search for hoffer+niacin+cancer. I still take niacin and C daily. niacin also lowers cholesterol and helps prevent heart attacks. To your health! 

- K. Seay, ISF Member, Canada

Ask the Expert

Are you looking for answers to your Orthomolecular Medicine questions? Just ask the expert! Each newsletter issue will feature an answer by a health practitioner expert associated with the International Schizophrenia Foundation. 

Question: “I’ve heard that certain foods will help increase neurotransmitter levels in my brain and gut. If I don’t get enough of those foods, will the neurotransmitters be shared or will one organ take everything?”

Zoya Voitenko, MA, ND Responds:

Neurotransmitters are involved in many functions at various sites while the gut and the brain are a big part of the whole picture. Healthy organs produce the amount of neurotransmitters based on that organ’s requirements and individual biochemistry. If there is a deficiency of nutrients from poor diet, there will be an overall imbalance of neurotransmitters in the body. 

Neurotransmitters are biochemicals that have different effects on the various organs depending on where they are produced. All of the major neurotransmitters (except acetylcholine) are made from amino acids with the help of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. 

For example, while some amino acids come from foods, others are made in the body. Some are also converted from other amino acids. If we don’t have a sufficient supply of amino acids, we may lack components essential for the production of neurotransmitters in the brain and in the gut. Protein is a food source of amino acids.  Good food sources of protein are peas, beans, game, and lamb. Vitamins and minerals act as co-factors and coenzymes in the production and utilization of neurotransmitters. They come from many fruits and vegetables.  

Healthy fats, such as fish oil, improve the sensitivity and function of neurotransmitter receptors, particularly dopamine, responsible for such brain functions as problem solving and attention. 

Some foods are more dense in nutrients than others. For example, eggs provide nutrients necessary for the production of acetylcholine, dopamine and serotonin, i.e. major neurotransmitters in the brain and in the gut. Eggs are also high in B vitamins that act as co-factors in many reactions in the body. Eggs contain cholesterol, essential for the machinery that triggers the release of neurotransmitters. According to a study published in the February issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, cholesterol increased neurotransmitter function by five times.

Poor food choices, such as processed foods abundant in the Standard American Diet, will result in nutrient deficiencies. Deficiency of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients will affect both the brain and the gut. Furthermore, a dysfunction of the gut will result in nutrient deficiencies due to poor absorption and poor delivery to the brain. If the brain is not functioning well, it will initiate cravings for foods to compensate for imbalances. 

Making healthy food choices is a good start on the way to the healthy gut and healthy brain. For top and long lasting performance you need good fuel.

Zoya Voitenko, MA, ND, practices Naturopathy at the Stop-The-Clock Naturopathic Clinic in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The focus of her practice is gastro-intestinal disorders, mental health, women’s and men’s health, and cancer. Dr. Voitenko presented ‘The Brain-Gut Connection’ at ISF’s Public Info Sessions in 2007 and in 2008.  www.stoptheclockclinic.com

Did You Know?

From August ‘08 to February ‘09 Orthomolecular Health hosted screenings of the documentary FoodMatters in six Canadian cities–Victoria, Vancouver, London, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal–for a combined audience total of almost 2,000.

Spotlight

Orthomolecular Advocacy: An interview with Suat Tuzlak, OM advocate and bakery owner, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. www.alpinebakery.ca

Why Orthomolecular Medicine?

Just over a year ago, our son developed a severe mental illness which landed him in the hospital. During those difficult days, all we heard from our family physician and psychiatrist was that he would have to take psychiatric drugs for the rest of his life or end up in a “crazy hospital.”  We didn’t want to accept this, and within a month we had the good fortune of learning about possible help from OM. We went to see Dr. Abram Hoffer in Victoria immediately. OM made more sense than the other options as it is a nutritional approach which goes beyond treating disease, and promotes optimum health.  I like the fact that, unlike drugs, vitamins and nutritional supplements don’t have negative side effects. It is much less expensive than drugs, available without prescription, and is less complicated and safer than conventional psychiatric approaches. I also very much appreciate how OM works alongside other methods for treating mental illness, rather than insisting that it is the only way.

How do you promote OM?

I have ordered books written by Abram Hoffer and Linus Pauling, plus 20 copies of the documentary “Food Matters.” These are available to the public either for purchase or to borrow. I also share them with the Yukon Mental Health nurses. (I find these progressive professionals show a lot of enthusiasm compared with other mental health practitioners.) For the twelve employees at our business I always have available vitamin C in 1 kg bottles at no charge. Recommended maintenance dose is six grams a day. This is to improve their health, and I have to admit my motivation is a little selfish, too. I get more productive, energetic and dependable workers who take fewer sick days.

What is your favourite part of the advocacy work that you do?

Watching people get excited and benefiting from this approach, not only those who have a serious mental illness, but also average people who are interested in attaining optimum health. It makes me happy to see them healthier, not falling ill as much, and living with greater vitality. I know a whole range of people who have benefitted, such as employees at my bakery, family members, colleagues and strangers. I know a tradesman who drinks pretty heavily, and who used to get sick often. One day I gave him a big bottle of vitamin C as a gift. Recently, he reported a great improvement in his health and well-being. His eyes were lit up with excitement and he had a big smile on his rough face. Every morning, I take great pleasure in preparing vitamin C cocktails for each of my family members. That quiet ten minutes of stirring is now part of my daily meditation.

What difficulties, if any, have you come across?

It is frustrating to try and share this with conventional medical practitioners. As I attempt to share even the simplest Orthomolecular materials, the usual response is that the FDA-recommended amounts of vitamins are sufficient, and secondly that high doses of vitamin C may cause kidney stones.  On the other side of the spectrum, some well-meaning friends with an interest in natural health were suspicious of high dose vitamin treatments. They questioned why it would be necessary to take massive amounts of supplements when abundant good, fresh organic food was readily available.

What do you do when not advocating OM?

I love to produce food of the highest quality for others. You may also call me a sustainable, organic agriculture advocate.  I have been running a small organic food establishment for 25 years. This business is heavily involved in the community and promotes good nutrition for residents as well as institutions such as schools, soup kitchens, and a women’s shelter.

I sincerely believe that good food is a core foundation for social justice. I am happiest when my business can help support sustainable agriculture and fair trade. Food purchase decisions, even on a small-scale (like choosing an organic apple over a hamburger) have a great impact on the environment. It makes me feel really good that this business, though modest, can use its purchasing power to benefit the world.

What advice do you have for people who have never heard of OM and for other advocates?

For those who are new to OM, I usually give them the simplest books from Hoffer and Pauling, and also share the story of our family’s big challenge. For other advocates, definitely I’d suggest they attend the annual OM conferences.  I’d also encourage them to try OM’s advice for health maintenance. Starting with the basic Hoffer Protocol, they can experience for themselves the beneficial effects in their body and mind.

OM FAQs

Why has my doctor never heard of Orthomolecular Medicine?

Answer: Many OM supporters are quick to respond to this question with an obvious answer: because medical schools do not teach Orthomolecular Medicine. While this may be true, it is not a complete answer since the medical system does not exist in a vacuum. In reality, it is reflective of society’s current health values and beliefs. Therefore, a more precise answer as to why doctors are unaware of OM would be this: society is currently entrenched in a medical model based on science, with its limiting confines of what constitutes “medicine” and “science.”  Over the last 100 years or so, as the scientific model came to solidify into what today is our popular mainstream medical model, the converse occurred to nutrition: it became outdated. Nutrition was relegated to the domain of the female and to the popular sector of health, in other words, the non-scientific. And so, the current medical model leaves little room for therapies that fall outside the mainstream belief surrounding science. Orthomolecular Medicine utilizes the often overlooked power of nutrients that once stood at centre stage, before “pharma-science” lured the medical profession to its side.

–Talya Rotem

Book Review

Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder: A Compendium of Nutritional Approaches

By Eva Edelman, Borage Books, 2009

Paperback. 392 pages. US $34.00