The Power of Micronutrients: How Nutrition Can Improve Mental Health

The historical significance of Semmelweis and handwashing in preventing infection

In 1847, a physician by the name of Semmelweis made a groundbreaking discovery that could save lives. He advised all physicians to wash their hands before touching a pregnant woman in order to prevent childbed fever. His research showed that simply washing hands with chlorinated lime could reduce the mortality rates from septicemia from 18% down to 2%. However, his medical colleagues refused to accept that they themselves were responsible for spreading infection. Semmelweis was ridiculed by his peers, dismissed, and the criticism and backlash broke him down, and he died in an asylum two weeks later from septicemia at the age of 47.

This historical account shows the significance of handwashing in preventing infection. Semmelweis’s discovery was a turning point in medical history that led to the development of hygienic practices in medicine. However, this lesson is not limited to medical practitioners. It also applies to the general public and the importance of personal hygiene in preventing the spread of disease.

The rise of mental illness in children and its link to poor nutrition

The rates of mental illness are on the rise, especially in children. According to the 2013 New Zealand Health Survey, the rates of psychiatric illnesses in children doubled over the last five years. Internationally, there has been a three-fold increase in ADHD, a 20-fold increase in autism, and a 40-fold increase in bipolar disorder in children. Moreover, there has been a four-fold increase in the number of people who are on disability as a direct consequence of an underlying psychiatric illness.

Poor nutrition is a significant and modifiable risk factor for the development of mental illness. Nutrient-depleted mothers produce nutrient-depleted children. Nutrient-poor foods during pregnancy increase the chances that your child will have a mental health problem. This is why pregnant women need to be informed about the importance of nutrition and its impact on their unborn child.

The limitations of the current medical model in treating mental illness

Currently, the medical model for treating mental illness involves offering psychiatric medications first, followed by psychological therapies and other forms of support. However, the increasing reliance on medications as a frontline form of treatment is evident from the rising rates of prescriptions. For example, in 2012, half a million New Zealanders, that’s one-eighth of us, had been prescribed an antidepressant. That’s 38% higher than five years previously. Similarly, the rates of prescriptions for antipsychotics doubled from 2006 to 2011.

If a treatment is truly effective, then the rates of disorder and disability as a direct consequence of that illness should be decreasing rather than increasing. However, this is not the case with medications used for mental illness. In the short term, these treatments are often effective, but in the long term, they aren’t. Moreover, in some cases, they make life worse. For instance, children with depression who are treated with antidepressants are three times more likely to convert to bipolar disorder than children who were never given these medications.

Conclusion

The historical significance of Semmelweis’s discovery highlights the importance of handwashing in preventing infection. This lesson applies not only to medical practitioners but also to the general public in maintaining personal hygiene. The rise of mental illness in children is alarming, and poor nutrition is a significant risk factor. The limitations of the current medical model in treating mental illness underscore the need for alternative treatments such as micronutrients. In conclusion, prioritizing lifestyle factors, healthy eating, exercise, and supplements when necessary, along with psychological treatments, can go a long way in treating mental illness.

The increasing reliance on psychiatric medications and their effectiveness in the long term

Mental illness is on the rise, and the current medical model used to treat it relies heavily on psychiatric medications as a frontline form of treatment. The rates of prescriptions for these medications have increased significantly in recent years, with half a million New Zealanders being prescribed an antidepressant in 2012 alone. However, while these medications may be effective in the short term, studies show that they often lose effectiveness in the long term and can even make things worse for patients.

For example, a study on ADHD children treated with stimulants showed that while they responded well in the short term, they fared less well than children who were never prescribed these medications in the long term. Similarly, recovery rates and relapse rates for depression have not improved in the 50 years since the advent of antidepressants. Children with depression who are treated with these medications are also three times more likely to convert to bipolar disorder than those who were never given them.

This bleak picture highlights the limitations of the current medical model in treating mental illness. There is a need for alternative treatments that are safe and viable in the long term.

One such treatment is the use of micronutrients, which are minerals and vitamins given in appropriate doses to improve mental health. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial on the use of micronutrients for ADHD in adults, twice as many people responded positively to the treatment compared to placebo. Hyperactivity and impulsivity reduced to normal levels, and those taking micronutrients reported less impairment in work and social relationships.

The benefits of micronutrients are not confined to just one study. The Mental Health and Nutrition Research Group at the University of Canterbury has published over 20 papers in medical journals documenting the benefits of micronutrients in treating a range of mental health conditions. These studies show that 60 to 80% of people respond to micronutrients, demonstrating just how powerful this intervention can be.

Moreover, micronutrients can be a cost-effective public health intervention to improve mental health. One study documented the treatment of a 10-year-old boy with psychosis, where the cost of the treatment with micronutrients was less than 2% than the cost of the unsuccessful inpatient treatment with medications.

In conclusion, the increasing reliance on psychiatric medications as a frontline form of treatment for mental illness has limitations in terms of their long-term effectiveness. There is a need for safe and viable alternative treatments such as micronutrients, which have been shown to be effective in improving mental health in the long term. It is imperative that we pay attention to the wider benefits of this approach and consider incorporating it into our healthcare system.

The Mental Health and Nutrition Research Group and their findings on the benefits of micronutrients

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that our bodies need in small quantities for optimal health. While these nutrients are typically obtained through a healthy diet, research has shown that supplementing with additional micronutrients can have a significant impact on mental health.

The Mental Health and Nutrition Research Group, based at the University of Canterbury, has been at the forefront of this research. Their studies have documented the benefits of micronutrients in treating a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, stress, autism, and ADHD.

The group’s most recent study focused on the use of micronutrients in treating ADHD in adults. The randomized placebo-controlled trial found that within just an eight-week period, twice as many people responded in the micronutrient group compared to placebo. Those who were taking the micronutrients were more likely to report that their ADHD symptoms were less impairing and less interfering in their work and social relationships than people who were on the placebo.

The cost-effectiveness of using micronutrients as a treatment for mental illness

One of the most compelling aspects of using micronutrients as a treatment for mental illness is its cost-effectiveness. In a study involving a 10-year-old boy with psychosis, the use of micronutrients completely eliminated his hallucinations and delusions, changes that were maintained six years later. The cost of the treatment was less than 2% than the cost of the unsuccessful inpatient treatment.

This cost-effectiveness makes it imperative for our society to pay attention to the wider benefits of this approach. If nutrients work, then shouldn’t they be covered through our healthcare system?

The preventative power of nutrition in stopping mental illness from developing

Another important finding of the Mental Health and Nutrition Research Group is the preventative power of nutrition in stopping mental illness from developing. A study involving 81 adolescents at risk for psychosis found that those who received omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oils had an 80% reduction in the chances of converting to psychosis.

This study highlights the importance of optimizing nutrition as a safe and viable way to avoid, treat, or lessen mental illness. If we prioritize lifestyle factors, healthy eating, exercise, and supplements when necessary, we can save medications for when these approaches don’t work.

In conclusion, the Mental Health and Nutrition Research Group has shown that micronutrients can be a powerful intervention in improving mental health. By optimizing nutrition, we can not only treat mental illness but also prevent it from developing in the first place. This cost-effective approach has the potential to transform the way we approach mental health treatment and care.

The relationship between dietary patterns and mental health

Mental illness is on the rise globally, with significant increases in rates of psychiatric illnesses in children, ADHD, autism, and bipolar disorder. The current medical model for treating mental illness heavily relies on psychiatric medications as a frontline form of treatment, followed by psychological therapies and other forms of support. However, research shows that in the long term, these treatments are often ineffective and can even make life worse for individuals.

Optimizing nutrition is a safe and viable way to avoid, treat, or lessen mental illness. Poor nutrition is a significant and modifiable risk factor for the development of mental illness. Studies show that a well-nourished body and brain are better able to withstand ongoing stress and recover from illness. Therefore, giving micronutrients in appropriate doses can be an effective and inexpensive public health intervention to improve the mental health of a population.

There is a strong relationship between dietary patterns and mental health. Recent studies have shown that the more individuals eat a healthy and unprocessed diet, such as a Mediterranean-style diet, the lower their risk for depression. On the other hand, the more individuals consume a Western-style diet, heavily processed and low in fresh produce, the higher their risk for depression.

It is the responsibility of society to prioritize lifestyle factors and healthy eating in mental health. Individuals need to be aware of the risks of cheap processed foods and learn about the benefits of consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, and healthy fats. Schools need to reflect on the content of their lunch menus and reward children with healthy food choices for good behavior.

Pregnant women need to be informed of the importance of nutrition as nutrient-depleted mothers produce nutrient-depleted children. Universal prevention should be implemented by optimizing the nutrition of those who are vulnerable. As a society, we need to teach children the importance of making healthy food choices and the impact it has on their mental health.

In conclusion, the relationship between dietary patterns and mental health is evident. The need to pay attention to the research on the critical role of nutrition in mental health is crucial. By prioritizing lifestyle factors and healthy eating, individuals can avoid, treat, or lessen the severity of mental illness. It is time to reconsider our current treatment approach and save medications for when other approaches do not work.

Conclusion

The relationship between nutrition and mental health is becoming increasingly evident, and it is time for us to prioritize this in our approach to mental illness. The current medical model that heavily relies on psychiatric medications as the frontline treatment has limitations in terms of long-term effectiveness and potential side effects. Instead, we should consider the potential of micronutrients as a safe and viable treatment for mental illness. The Mental Health and Nutrition Research Group has conducted numerous studies showing the benefits of micronutrients, and the cost-effectiveness of this approach makes it imperative that we pay attention to these findings.

We also need to focus on the preventative power of nutrition in stopping mental illness from developing. This includes prioritizing healthy eating and lifestyle factors, and educating individuals about the importance of nutrition, starting with pregnant women. Additionally, society as a whole has a responsibility to prioritize healthy eating, cooking skills, and access to nutrient-rich foods, especially in schools and other public institutions.

In conclusion, the research on the critical role of nutrition in mental health cannot be ignored. It is time for us to reconsider our current approach to mental illness and prioritize nutrition as a key factor in prevention and treatment. The impact of nutrition on mental health is too significant to overlook, and we must take action to address this issue for the benefit of all.