Friday, June 26, 2009

Vitamin D 3 and Schizophrenia

Today I received a letter from Dr. Robert Young about Vitamin D research (I think it refers to Vitamin D-3) and I just want to share a few lines: "Low vitamin D status is linked to a number of different conditions," said James C. Fleet, Ph.D. professor in the department of foods and nutrition at Purdue University. "These include certain cancers, muscle weakness and types I and II diabetes--possibly even schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis."
What most interested me was the mention of schizophrenia. In my studies, there is some indication that bipolar disorder and some schizophrenia's have responded well to fish oil (The Omega 3 Connection by Dr. Andrew Stoll). Also, there is some research indicating that candida can contribute to both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Dr. Carl C. Pfieffer, a psychiatrist in the field of nutritional research, and author of the book,"Nutrition and Mental Illness," treated more than 25,000 mentally ill patients successfully with nutrition. Blood tests were taken to determine deficiencies in the patient.
Wouldn't it be awesome if a combination of fish oil, vitamin D-3, proper nutrition and getting rid of candida could help reverse schizophrenia and other mental health symptoms? Research indicates that many patients with dementia have inadequate nutrition and some have too much aluminum in their body (some from taking antacids). How I wish that people didn't have to deal with the trauma and pain of mental illness and the side effects of some medication.
There is so much more that needs to be researched in the field of mental health and nutrition.
Please do not misunderstand me. I do not recommend that people with mental health problems go off their medication. My greatest nightmare as a therapist is when patients who are bipolar or schizophrenic decide to go off their meds. Don't go off medication unless your physician recommends it and guides you through the process.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Patriotism and Our Flag

I'm looking for our flag. What is the 4th of July without "Old Glory?"
When David and I were in the sixth grade at Lincoln Elementary School, we sang the patriotic songs, "You're a grand old flag.." We even memorized the "Gettyingsburg Address," by Abe Lincoln.
Everyday we said the Pledge of Allegiance- we loved America then and we love it now. Patriotism ran through our blood.
We believed the words from the poem on the Statue of Liberty,
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
—Emma Lazarus, 1883)
But, these teeming masses came legally. In 1926, and knowing how deeply his father and family wanted to emigrate from Holland to America, a great-uncle joined the Dutch navy at age 16 and labored for four years to earn the money to send his family to America. Then he returned to the navy and worked four more years until it was finally his turn to go to America. He arrived at Ellis Island only to be told his sight were so bad that he wouldn't be allowed to enter America. Discouraged, he returned to Holland and re-enlisted in the navy and was later lost at sea. Still, his parents and eight of his siblings enjoyed the freedom and liberty to live in
America because of his sacrifice.