Nutrition influences brain function in a variety of ways. The brain disturbances of an alcoholic, unstable diabetic, pellagra victim, or elderly patient with vitamin B₁₂  and/or   folic acid deficiency are all recognized examples of nutritional mental illnesses. Vitamin deficiency is always a concern with brain dysfunction, and the risk of deficiency increases as mental disorder increases. B-vitamins play a critical role in brain function. Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is a notable cause of numbness, tingling, incoordination, and impaired cognitive function. Niacin deficiency presents as dementia, dermatitis, and diarrhea. Thiamine deficiency causes cognitive dysfunction and is fully expressed in malnourished alcoholics as Wernicke's psychosis. Vitamin-mineral supplementation is always a desirable component of nutritional therapy, although high doses of individual nutrients are only desirable in acute deficiency states.

Our emphasis is always on correct proportioning of nutrient intake - the right molecules at the right place at the right time.

Sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium are the key mineral ions in the brain and must be maintained in critical balance. Low calcium levels produce, painful muscle contractions with dizziness, confusion, and even seizures. Hyperventilation causes a sudden drop in blood calcium levels that produces tetany.

Magnesium can reduce brain irritation and block seizures during alcohol withdrawal and toxemia during pregnancy. Extra calcium and magnesium tend to have a calming effect and are safe to take in supplemental form. Potassium intake is often deficient and increased potassium intake is desirable. Sugars and sodium salts are used in moderation.

Protein intake is carefully considered because of the many possibilities for ingested protein to cause nervous system disease through biochemical and immune misadventures. Most food-input problems can be avoided by replacing food with an elemental nutrient formula ( Alpha ENF). We can expect brain function to settle into a more stable, more functional state within 10 days.

Alpha BMX can be added to the daily nutrient intake to boost levels of key nutrients into the therapeutic range. If mental aberrations are severe, many months of careful feeding  with Alpha BMX  plus meticulously selected and prepared food may be required. With improved mental clarity, better cognitive functioning, and more stable moods, cravings and compulsive eating are less likely to upset nutritional balances.

The problems of adverse brain effects of  nutrient deficiencies, the toxic effect of molecules derived from food, and the immunogenic potential of food proteins and peptides  are under-recognized.  There  are a host of clues that link the food supply to mysterious and threatening neurological diseases. We suggest that a prudent person suffering early brain-dysfunction symptoms would be wise to pursue vigorous, thorough diet revision at the earliest opportunity. Because some brain dysfunction compromises judgment  learning, and motivation, family members, friends and professional advisor often have to provide the right direction and support.

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Human Brain in Health and Disease

You are viewing the Brain Center at Alpha Online.  Persona Digital publishes Philosophy, Psychology and Neuroscience books. The topics discussed at the Brain Center are taken from this series of books.  These books are available as print editions at Alpha Online or they can be downloaded from Persona Digital.

Persona Digital is a separate online site where you can read book descriptions, and download eBooks as PDF files. Alpha Online is a division of Environmed Research, founded in 1984 at Vancouver, BC, Canada. Online Since 1995. Alpha Nutrition is a trademark and a division of Environmed Research Inc. All Alpha Education books, eBooks and Starter packs are ordered online.  We are located at Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, Canada.