Where are the Niacin Studies for Schizophrenia?

from November 2009, timely today in regard to the discussion about psychiatry currently in the news.

Natural Mental Health

UPDATE 12/21 - Food Sources of Niacin (B3)

UPDATE: 12/18 - If you have been a proponent of natural mental health you would already have known that omega 3 EFAs have been an effective help to many who live with several mental health issues.

BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids may be a factor in mental illnesses, U.S. researchers suggest.

The study, published in Behavioral Neuroscience, named two omega-3 fatty acids -- docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid -- as key to maintaining a nervous system capable of avoiding sensory overload.

The researchers suggest low omega-3 may be linked to the information-processing problems found in people with afflictions of the nervous system including schizophrenia and bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders.

The researchers looked at nervous system function in the offspring of four groups of pregnant mice that had been fed different diets with no or varying types and amounts of omega-3s. Only the mice raised on the two omega-3 fatty acids showed normal, adaptive sensorimotor nervous responses that did not result in the animals being perpetually startled and easily overwhelmed by sensory stimuli.

"It is an uphill battle now to reverse the message that 'fats are bad,' and to increase omega-3 fats in our diet," study leader Norman Salem Jr. of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in Bethesda said in a statement.

-----------------------------------------------------
Travelling back some 50 or more years ago there were some members of the medical profession who took a totally different look at mental health issues.  Instead of fluoride based anti-psychotics, these courageous fellows relied on nutritional supplementation and effectively treated thousands of people diagnosed as schizophrenic.

And to make it all the more respectable, numerous scientific reports were issued on this care that came to be known as orthomolecular medicine.

And you might wonder why PubMed fails to include the orthomolecular journal so you might be more able to find related data.

Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders
Double blind controlled therapeutic trials in Saskatchewan in 1952 showed that adding vitamin B-3 to the treatment then available, which was electro convulsive therapy, doubled the recovery rate. From this start, and corroborated by a large number of clinical studies and by one double blind corroborative study that was sponsored by National Institute of Mental Health, Washington, this early treatment has been refined and expanded. There are no negative studies. It now includes examination of the diet for possible food allergies; includes using optimum doses of vitamin B-3, which range from 3 to 12 or more grams daily; includes the use of vitamin C as an important antioxidant and other vitamins if needed, plus the best medication. As patients respond, the doses of medication and the nutrients are adjusted until the optimum doses of all nutrients and drugs is achieved. This treatment should be under medical control.

Nutrients Most Commonly Used For Schizophrenia and Schizo-Affective Disorders (under medical supervision):



* Vitamin B-3

* Vitamin C

* Vitamin B-6

* Zinc

* Vitamin B complex

* Selenium

Mood Disorders: Anxiety, Bipolar or Depression -
The following nutrients are helpful in controlling mood disorders (under medical supervision):


* Niacinamide

* B complex

* Vitamin C

* Folic acid

* Vitamin D

* Vitamin B-6
* Zinc citrate

* Essential fatty acids


In contrast to anti depressant medication I have not yet seen the type of warning issued by Professor Lana Watkins PhD, Duke University, who told the Annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society held in Denver, March 4, 2006, that current anti depressants increased the risk of dying from heart disease by 55 percent.

"Orthomolecular treatment does not lend itself to rapid drug-like control of symptoms, but patients get well to a degree not seen by tranquilizer therapists who believe orthomolecular therapists are prone to exaggeration. Those who've seen the results are astonished." 
---Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D., 1917-2009

Read: http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2009/08/arthritis-drugs-pose-cancer-risk.html

FDA Okays New Antipsychotic for Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder
By Cole Petrochko, Staff Writer, MedPage Today, August 14, 2009

WASHINGTON -- The FDA approved the atypical antipsychotic asenapine (Saphris) for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in adults, making it the first psychotropic drug to gain initial approval for both conditions.

The drug is indicated for first-line use in acute treatment of schizophrenia and of manic or mixed episodes in bipolar I disorder, with or without psychotic features.

FDA approval was based on data from more than 3,000 patients showing statistically significant efficacy versus placebo in acute schizophrenia trials and statistically significant reduction of bipolar mania symptoms versus placebo.

The drug showed signs of treating negative schizophrenia symptoms better than risperidone (Risperdal) in early clinical trials, but the advantage was not subsequently confirmed against olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zydis). (See APA: New Drug No Better for Negative Schizophrenia Symptoms)

Like other atypical antipsychotics, asenapine's side effects include sedation, weight gain, tardive dyskinesia, and diabetes risks. However, a clinical trial showed that asenapine's rate of weight gain was significantly lower than that experienced with olanzapine, a similar antipsychotic.

Atypical antipsychotics also show an increased likelihood of death in elderly patients treated for dementia-related psychosis.

The tablets are available in five and 10 mg doses and should be taken twice daily.

Manufacturer Schering-Plough said it plans to make the drug available in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Mental Health - maybe some one has been listening

Natural Mental Health

MIND Reviews: What is Mental Illness?

By Ferris Jabr  | December 31, 2010 |

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=mind-reviews-what-is-mental-illness

by Richard J. McNally. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2011
When a breakup is one-sided, the rejected party’s behavior and mental state often change dramatically. A veil falls upon the world. Sleep becomes elusive. Food and sex are suddenly strangers to pleasure. Concentration dwindles to a rare resource. Intrusive memories and spiraling pessimism worm their way into every moment of consciousness.
These changes are an expected response to loss. Sometimes, however, they are also symptoms of major depression. In his new book, What Is Mental Illness?, experimental psychopathologist Richard J. McNally explores how to identify the line that separates an appropriate response to loss from a dysfunctional one. In other words, how do we distinguish mental distress from mental disorder? “There is a fuzzy boundary, but mental illness has properties that mental distress does not have,” McNally says.
Although McNally asks a direct and important question, he never gives a straightforward answer. Instead of clearly outlining exactly how mental illness and mental distress differ, he swims through eight chapters in which he tries to answer a series of new and daunting questions. For instance, the chapter “Are We Pathologizing Everyday Life?” asks whether we misdiagnose our reactions to stressful events, such as going through a breakup or getting a speeding ticket, as more grave than they actually are. And in the chapter “Is It in Our Genes?” McNally tries to parse out to what extent our biology dictates our mental health. When we arrive at the final chapter, “So What Is Mental Illness Anyway?” we can only conclude that the most succinct and accurate response is, “Well, it depends.”
In the end, that is actually McNally’s main point. Understanding mental illness requires context, and when making a diagnosis, we cannot simply tick off criteria on a checklist. We need to consider the symptoms and the causes as well as our biology, genes and culture.
If you are looking for definitive answers to complex questions, this is not the book for you. If you want to delve into the complexities of mental illness, however, then join McNally in grappling with some of the toughest issues facing psychology today.

Natural Help for OCD

Some years ago my oldest daughter went through a period of time when she was troubled by a compulsive disorder. We found it was related to vitamin deficiencies so I took steps to get her on a natural regimen that resolved thie health problem.

A number of years later I became involved with the Safe Harbor Project and have compiled some information from that resource.

And recently via a twitter contact I commented on B vitamins for OCD.

This information may be of help, and since we doo offer natural mental health therapy, let us know if you have an interest in this service. Our professional grade supplements amy also interest you as well as our Health Detective service.

Eat a well planned food plan filled with nutrient rich foods. (Ask about our food plan for biochemical rebalancing)

With anxiety or OCD, reduce sugar and simple carbohydrates (donuts, white pasta and other white food)

Eat whole grain, natural foods. 

Include protein at every meal. 

Eat high-protein snacks if you notice you tend to crash or bottom out during the day. Hypoglycemia has been linked to anxiety and OCD. This may also indicate stressed adrenal glands (low levels of B and C vitamins, sodium).

Caffeine may add to anxiety.

Soft drinks should also be avoided.

Psychotherapy,choose a therapeutic approach that is meaningful to you.

Exercise a minimum of three times per week for 30 minutes per session. and/or  increase your level of physical activity. 

If your cholesterol is below 170, it cannot repair the myelin.  
EFA fatty acids or pure lecithin, or pure olive oil can help nourish the myelin
Spirulina
A nervine compound(ask us about this and also about passionflower)

In addition, the following nutrients may help:

• L-theanine—200 milligrams (mg) twice daily to decrease the symptoms of OCD
• Inositol—4 grams (g) in three divided doses daily
• Tryptophan—2 g taken in the evening on an empty stomach
• St. John’s wort—300 to 900 mg daily
• Melatonin —10 mg at night to start

Another protocol - from Dr Charles Gant

• Theanine 500 mg. (green tea amino acid-inhibits glutamic acid) - 3000 mg/day
• GABA 500 mg - 3000 mg a day
• Phosadyllic (purified soy lecithin) - 3000 mg a day
• Magnesium taurate 3000 mg a day
• P5P (activated B6) 50 mg twice a day
• (5HTP) 300 mg a day

These are maximum doses unless amino acid/mineral testing suggests that higher doses are needed, and should be divided and can be taken at bedtime for sleep.

Both men and women may consider comprehensive hormone testing to see whether they are suffering from abnormal hormone levels. If so, bioidentical hormone therapy may be recommended. 

Julia Ross, Therapist and author of The Mood Cure
This syndrome has already been identified as a symptom of serotonin insufficiency. It responds well to tryptophan and 5HTP therapy in our clinical experience (which rarely includes psychosis).

Inositol Treatment of "OCD"

Inositol, one of the B vitamins, has been found effective in treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Inositol is used in biochemical processes that effect serotonin receptors.

A double-blind study reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry, 1996 [153(9):1219-21] was done on 13 patients. They were given 18 grams of inositol per day (2 tsp in juice 3 times daily). At 3 weeks there were no significant effects. At 6 weeks inositol significantly reduced "OCD" scores compared with placebo. It was as effective as some drugs.

From the Pfeiffer Clinic

A. Inositol is usually very helpful for UNDERMETHYLATED, HIGH HISTAMINE patients. This includes nearly every OCD patient we have seen.  Inositol usually provides calming throughout the day and ability to settle down to sleep at night, for these patients.

B. On the other hand, OVERMETHYLATED patients usually derive little or no benefit from Inositol, and may experience very nasty side effects from it. 

OCD patients respond nicely to methonine, SAMe, calcium, magnesium, B-6, Inositol, TMG, and zinc.  

Most OCD patients get worse if given supplements of DMAE, choline, copper, or folic acid.

Another natural approach

Increase HCL (hydrochloric acid – stomach acid) test with Betaine HCl and use as the supplement if needed.

Minerals

B-6 

Adrenal gland support

Rest is very important.