• Focus on the positive. Make a list of what and who you are grateful for; read it to yourself every day with feeling.
• Get Regular Activity & Sleep. Exercise – lift weights to develop your will-power and will tire you out enough to promote good sleep. 
• Keep a routine & use a Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) light and/or a Dawn Simulator alarm clock at night and in the morning to reset your waking/sleeping patterns. Keep your blinds open to wake up with sunlight.
• Eat healthy, on a budget. Try herbal tea & healthy Ayurvedic food; go for food allergy testing. Buy inexpensive-but-healthy organic produce from your local farmer’s market.
• Seek Inspiration…with music, poetry, & movies. Put up inspiring pictures on your fridge and bathroom mirror.
• Gain Self-Knowledge. Create a scrapbook of your passion(s), strengths, support system, personality type, and interests.  Follow your heart. Be hopeful. What you choose to think and do everyday turns your dreams into reality, one step at a time.  Use self-affirmations & positive, self-talk. Volunteering your time helps you feel useful – helping others helps ourselves. 
• Find a mentor…on your own or through mental health associations. Try Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to assert boundaries and reframe stressful events.
• Structure home, work, & social environments with routines and regularity. Above all else, connect with those that love and care for you – your friends and family.  Be clear about your goals and dreams. Put your health first each and every day. 

Three years ago, I couldn’t picture being where I am now, nor think it possible. Through self-understanding, I learned self-forgiveness, patience, perseverance, and compassion. I am now successfully working towards and achieving my dreams and life goals, one dream and one goal at a time.

–Mike D.  littlebrownprince@gmail.com

Ask the Expert

Question: "When I’m back at school I get stressed. Will this affect my immune system?”

Rob Ayoup, ND, responds:

Stress and the immune system are closely linked. Stress in all its forms (from the obvious school and job stressors, through to the less obvious of sitting in traffic or living amidst urban pollution) triggers a ‘stress response’ mediated through the adrenal glands.  These glands sit above our kidneys and release the hormone cortisol, our body’s ‘master coordinator’ in the physical response to any stress. Adrenal dysfunction occurs in the context of either excessive cortisol release, or end-stage exhaustion, characterized by insufficient cortisol release, sometimes referred to as  ‘burnout’. 

The immune system’s robustness seems to depend on the ebb and flow of cortisol as well. Initially, a normal-to-slightly elevated cortisol release can be protective and actually enhance our immune system’s response to potential infection. However, chronic unresolved stress can lead to a pattern, again, of either excessive or inadequate cortisol release, both associated with a detrimental effect on immune function. A combination of preventive and therapeutic measures can successfully protect the immune system in the face of stressful conditions.

 To begin, wash your hands at every opportunity, and consider lotion-based hand sanitizers in between. Remember that you are sharing many door handles with your classmates! Support your adrenal functioning with foods high in B-vitamins such as crimini mushrooms, raw sunflower seeds, spinach, cauliflower, and broccoli. 

Although you may feel you need it for late night studying, try to reduce exposure to caffeine, as it can put cortisol release into overdrive, further compounding adrenal dysfunction. Instead, try a blended protein smoothie, using almond or rice milk, along with whey/soy protein powder, flax seeds/oil, and frozen fruit. If you absolutely need a small kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of the powdered matcha green tea to the mix. Key supplements to support both adrenal and immune function include Pantothenic acid (B5) and Vitamin C, in doses up to 1,500 mg and 6,000 mg daily, respectively. 

Interestingly, a recent study in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine showed Vitamin C to reduce fatigue under periods of prolonged physical stress. Also consider Astragalus, an herbal medicine with immune enhancing properties also doubling as an adaptogen, helping to raise or lower cortisol in accordance with the body’s needs at that time. I hope this helps!

Rob Ayoup, ND, practices as a general clinician in Toronto, Ontario. Dr. Ayoup has served on Government Relations and Continuing Education Committees for the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND). He teaches at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, is a freelance writer, and he has been featured on the A-Channel and the Fashion Television channel. Dr. Ayoup presented “Stress Management: A Practical Guide” at ISF’s Public Info Session in the Spring of 2009. www.robayoupnd.com

References

• Assessment and Nutraceutical Management of Stress-Induced Adrenal Dysfunction; Anderson, DC; Integrative Medicine Journal; 2008; Vol. 7; No.5; Oct/Nov 
• Hang-Hwan Yeom; Gyou Chul Jung; Sang Woo Shin, et al: Changes In Worker Fatigue After Vitamin C Administration.J  Orthomol Med, 23; 2008: 4.

Volunteer Report

Devi Panday volunteered at the 2009 Orthomolecular Medicine Today Conference in Montreal. She assisted with registration, literature sales, and many other functions. Devi was also able to attend several lectures. Below is her report on Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride’s “Gut and Psychology Syndrome” lecture. 

Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) has different symptoms in children and adults. In children, symptoms include ADHD, bed wetting, asthma, eczema, allergies, malnutrition and dyslexia. GAPS symptoms are present at a very early age, even at birth, appearing as colic, feeding difficulties, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation–all abnormal infant issues. This is the root of both digestive and mental problems later in life. In adults, we see behaviour such as substance abuse, depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Maintaining the balance of the gut flora is very important because the beneficial bacteria have functions such as protection from foreign bodies, appropriate digestion and absorption, vitamin and chemical production, detoxification and immune system modulation. The GI tract also produces the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine which are needed for mood stability and other mental functions. If there is dysbiosis these chemical neurotransmitters will not be produced. “Leaky gut” is also associated with GAP syndrome, where the intestines are weakened, allowing damaged and incompletely digested food matter and bacteria to pass through the intestinal wall into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream this matter passes the blood brain barrier causing further damage and mental imbalances. 

Anyone suffering from a mental illness will undoubtedly also have GI tract imbalances. But they can treat the root of the problem and live a healthy and vibrant life by following a specific carbohydrate diet, addressing any nutritional deficiencies and detoxification; supplementing with probitotics, vitamin A and EFAs may also be necessary.  

Book Review

Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone 

by Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, and Andrew Saul, PhD,

Basic Health Publ Inc., 2008 375 pages

In this book, Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, and Andrew Saul, PhD, explain how orthomolecular medicine can help people feel better and live longer. In Part One, Dr. Hoffer (biochemist, physician and psychiatrist) and Dr. Saul (health educator) teach us that vitamins and minerals are important to human health; nutritional deficiencies can cause health problems; many patients can restore their health by taking supplements; and optimal doses are key.

After introducing the concepts of nutritional deficiencies and dependencies and biochemical individuality, the authors outline how orthomolecular doctors treat chronic illnesses and maintain health by prescribing regimens of vitamins A, B, C, D and E with trace minerals and other nutrients.  

Part Two details safe, effective orthomolecular treatments for health problems such as gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease, arthritis,  psychiatric and many other problems. Will a poor diet drain our vitality? If we get sick, can nutrients restore our health? Consider mental illness: Most psychiatrists quickly label patients, prescribe combinations of meds and talk to their psychoses. Non-responsive patients get electroconvulsive therapy.

Early in his career, Dr. Hoffer saw very few recoveries after this therapy and wondered whether psychotic patients might actually have metabolic disorders. He began to assess root causes and contributing factors before making a differential diagnosis. He also discovered that foods and nutrients could affect mental health. These treatments helped many of his patients to stop hallucinating, rejoin their communities, work, pay taxes and live well. Thousands of patients recovered. Orthomolecular medicine proved safe and effective: even acute schizophrenia patients recovered taking optimum doses of a methyl acceptor (niacin or niacinamide) with an antioxidant such as vitamin C.

For more than 50 years, while researching and developing regimens of nutrients to heal many kinds of mental disorders, Hoffer's greatest progress revolved around simple means such as improving diets and giving medicinal doses of vitamins B3, B6, C, zinc and manganese. 

Even when Hoffer conducted  double-blind placebo-controlled research to corroborate his clinical observations,most psychiatrists ignored his work. Not only did they dismiss his 75% recovery rate for acute schizophrenia, but they didn't even interview his recovered patients. Hoffer pressed on.Believing that thousands of patients and their trusting families could benefit from complementary vitamins and minerals, Hoffer somehow found time to write more than 30 books and 600 journal articles and editorials. This book is a classic example of Hoffer’s thorough research, detailed references, careful observations and thoughtful writing. 

Abram Hoffer and Andrew Saul wrote this informative, insightful, helpful and hopeful book to educate the public how to restore health, get proper medical care, adjust our diets and take supplements. If we suffer from biochemical deficiencies or dependencies, we can ask our health professionals to complement standard treatments with nutritional regimens. Orthomolecular medicine has helped thousands of patients, for decades. You can help yourself recover, feel better and live longer; then tell your friends and families!

– Robert Sealey, BSc

In Memoriam

Harold D. Foster

1933 – 2009

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Harry Foster. Following a brief illness, Harry died peacefully on August 15 in Victoria.

He was one of the giants in orthomolecular medicine with boundless enthusiasm and a prolific gift of writing. Harry was a researcher with a soaring scientific mind who made unique contributions to our understanding of health and disease: only he could combine his expertise in geography and epidemiology to create new insights into orthomolecular medicine. A fixture at the Orthomolecular Medicine Today Conferences, Harry’s eagerly anticipated presentations were always fresh and original as he explored the complex relationships between genetic inheritance, health and the “nutritional geographies” of the world. Harry served Associate Editor for the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine and on the board of directors for the International Schizophrenia Foundation. 

A Canadian by choice, he was born in Yorkshire, England, where he was educated at the Hull Grammar School and University College London. He was a faculty member in the Department of Geography, University of Victoria, from 1967 to 2008. As a tenured professor, he authored or edited over 300 publications, the majority of which focused on reducing disaster losses or identifying the causes of chronic degenerative and infectious diseases. His numerous books include Health, Disease and the Environment, and Reducing Cancer Mortality: A Geographical Perspective. He also wrote six books in the “What Really Cause” series, including those on AIDS, Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Schizophrenia, SIDS, and Breast Cancer. 

Foster Health will ensure that Harry’s vision of alleviating suffering, remineralizing the soils and triggering a revolution in how we look at health, disease and the environment will be realized. For more information please visit /www.fosterhealth.ca

A public celebration of Harry’s life will take place on the afternoon of October 27at the University Club on the University of Victoria campus. Contact the Department of Geography for further details (info@mail.geog.uvic.ca, 250-721-7327). 

Letter to editor

In our "Ask the Expert" column (Summer 2009), we featured an article written by Mitchell Zeifman, BSc, ND, discussing high dose vitamin C and kidney stones. The following is a response from one of our readers. 

I have objection to Mitchell Zeifman’s views on “Does high dose vitamin C cause kidney stones?” published in N&MH, Summer 2009. His conclusion against vitamin C is misleading and scares away those who are taking high dose of vitamin, thereby depriving them of the benefits of this vitamin. I take 4 g daily. The dose of Linus Pauling is well known. I know of a mother who gives her schizophrenic son over 15 g of niacin and 30 g of ascorbic acid daily.

My (late) professor Joseph Wolpe in the Temple University Medical School, pioneer of behaviour therapy, used to take 20 g of ascorbic acid daily. All these people have not had any kidney stones in over a decade of high intake. I read a case in the book, Brain Allergies, that one person taking high dose of ascorbic acid developed toxalic acid stones in kidneys. She got rid of these stones easily by ingesting 50 mg of Pyridoxin (vitamin B6) daily andmcould tolerate high doses of ascorbic acid with the help of vitamin B6. Mitchell Zeifman’s views are one sided, that is, against vitamin C. 

-Ratan Singh, India   www.jaipurmart.com/trade/meditationandhealth

From the New Yorker

            *********************************** 

(ISSN 1199-7699) is published quarterly by the International Schizophrenia Foundation, 16 Florence Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M2N 1E9. Phone (416) 733 -2117, Fax (416) 733-2352. E-Mail centre@orthomed.org Copyright by the Canadian Schizophrenia Foundation. CSF Membership is $35.00 per year ($40 overseas), which includes a subscription to Nutrition & Mental Health. The contents reflect the views of the individual writers and not necessarily those of the editor. It is recommended that treatment of all health problems be undertaken in consultation with a qualified Health Professional.

Managing Editor: Steven Carter


Editor/Production: Greg Schilhab


Editor/Researcher: Talya Rotem