Mental – ADD, ADHD, Depression, et cetera
Cordell E. Logan, ND
The brain has a high amount of fat. Cholesterol and arachidonic acid (more commonly in meats) are found in relatively high amounts in brain tissue. Yet so many want to keep cholesterol low and up the omega-3 oils without balancing the others.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and similar conditions involve many factors. This short article will highlight some ideas to consider when looking deeper. Are heavy metals, allergies, drugs, thyroid dysfunction, and carbohydrate metabolic stresses involved? Detailed diagnosis is needed.
Some people cannot convert plant-origin fats, (flax etc) to proper metabolites whereas animal oils are much better (salmon, tuna, other animal fats, etc). Grassfed cattle and other animals have better fats.
For some a ketogenic diet, or close to it, works well (higher protein and fats, way down on carbs). Since Standard Process® is one of few brands that has truly natural products, some of their suggested products is hereby listed for brain functions. Not all the products is usually needed, but some are probably required. Of course diet is the basic place to start.
Catalyn® (basic multi-vitamin-mineral-enzyme support)
OPC Synergy® (grape see oil and others, brain support)
Neurotrophin PMG® and/or Neuroplex® (nerve support, brain and other nerves)
Cataplex® G and Cataplex®B (vitamin B complexes)
Tuna Omega-3® (quality omega-3 support)
Min-Tran® (sleep and relaxing support)
For autism, some of these may work as well. May also need Pituitrophin PMG® (endocrine support), Super-EFF® (phospholipid cell protective), and Parotid PMG® (specific cell determinants).
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric anxiety disorder. Many factors need consideration with this. Brain tumors need to be ruled out. Children with OCD may have an autoimmune condition related to Group A streptococcal infection. Standard medical treatments have been the use of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and parixatube (Paxil, Aropax). The more natural Inositol (vitamin B related) and St. John’s Wort are serotonin modulators. Inositol powder (as from Standard Process®) in relatively high amounts such as 6 or more grams a day (6 tsp) for 4 weeks has helped depression and anxiety conditions as well as in OCD.
As a more novel treatment of depression, the Photrex™ instrument has worked well (see article on BioPhotons).