Depression, panic, irritability, confusion, impulsive, aggression, sensitive to criticism, hyper-activity….
What do these symptoms have in common?
They are all symptoms of chronic vitamin deficiency
The brain and nervous system require specific nutrients to function properly. There is overwhelming evidence that nutrient deficiencies can lead to aggression and violent behavior.
Let’s look at vitamin A. It’s very important for brain development and function. When it is lacking during gestation, as is common in most mothers in our fat-phobic society, children may be set up for abnormal behavior patterns later in life.
Years ago, Americans ate plenty of fat-soluble vitain rich foods. Today we are told to stay away from egg yolks, butter, organ meats, meat fats, cod liver, oil, etc. The very foods that are needed to balance the brain and emotional health.
Other vitamins play a key role in brain health. A vitamin B1 deficiency can cause neurological consequences directly affecting the hypothalamus of the brain. The hypothalamus is the seat of impulse control. Symptoms of deficiency include depression, irratibility and confusion. People with marginal deficiencies are impulsive, highly irritable, aggressive, and sensitve to criticism. People who eat mostly nutrient-poor foods such a sodas, fast foods, snack foods and alcohol are at risk of vitamin B1 deficiency. Symptoms of B3 deficiency can include anxiety, hyperactivity, depression, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, and hallucinations.
Minerals are also needed for brain health. A zinc deficiency, for example, is common in the American diet because it is removed in processing of foods. Many of the brain’s enzymatic reactions depend on zinc. Deficiency is linked with hypoclycemia, suicide, and with angry, aggressive, hostile behavior that can result in violence. There are other nutrients involved in brain and emotional health, but you get the idea.
Today’s society of kids are growing up on the most devitalized, fake foods yet. We are discouraged from eating the very nutrient dense foods that are needed for emotional health. When they start to have emotional problems, many times doctors put them on medications that don’t deal with the cause of their problems. One has to wonder if there is a link between nutrient deficiency and the violent behaviors in schools that we have experienced this century. It is a fairly new phenomenom.
The importance of high quality food is very under appreciated in the U.S. We tend to medicate when the body is crying out for nutrition. Humans were designed to thrive on food. It’s amazing how much better a person can feel and function with nutrient-dense unprocessed food.
Here are a few foods to include for emotional health*
B1: Sunflower seeds, beans (navy, black, pinto, lima), lentils, sweet potatoes,
B3: Wild caught seafood (tuna, salmon, shrimp, poultry (meat, liver), lamb, beef (meat, liver), sweet potatoes.
Zinc: Wild caught seafood (mollusks, crab, shrimp), beef (meat, liver) sesame and pumpkin seeds, lentils, chickpeas, cashews, almonds, peanuts.
Magnesium: Spinach, artichokes, greens, seeds (sesame, pumpkin, sunflower), beans, nuts (cashews, almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, pine nuts), broccoli
Of course, the best way to determine that you are getting the optimal vitamins and minerals is to have a full Nutrition Response Testing exam and analysis. A personalized nutrition program will be developed and process monitored along the way.
To sign up for a NRT appointment, click here.
Visit our website, www.thenaturalhealthandhealingcenter.com for more information on nutrition and health issues.
*It’s always important to be checked for food intolerances before planning your diet for health reasons.
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