Vitamin B the Mental Health Vitamin

Vitamin B complex and Gaining Over Depression

Testimony

In 1992 I was admitted to the Rapha House, a mental health clinic. I was diagnosed as suffering from bipolar disorder/major depression. I had suffered severe set backs caused by a whirlwind of emotional turmoil and unrelenting stress.

While there I was put on lithium. But after my release from the hospital, I ran across the late Dr. Carlton Fredericks' quote. "Drugs hide the symptoms, and nutrients usually remove the cause."

Anyone who suffers from depression or bipolar may, at first, lean on a crutch and fill a doctor's prescription for a mood-elevating drug but in doing so will cause his "hot engine to crack."

Doctors Rally Nutrition

Fortunately, psychiatrists now realize that not all depression or mood disorders are caused by emotional conflicts or trauma. Such simplifications are only for the over-simple. In fact, many psychiatrists and wellness counselors now add nutrition to the therapy. This is my "angle."

And why not? Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, predicted that a biologic or physiologic therapy would someday prove to be more effective in coping with emotional illness than psychotherapy. Carl Jung agreed¹.

After my bout with bipolar disorder, I have come to believe and promote, "Depression is actually one of the early signs of nutritional depletion." As it turns out, this exact quote is cited in the classic Kinsman-Hood study².

Now it would be wrong to say all depression or mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, all originate from nutrient depletion. There are many factors involved in determining an individual's underlying cause of bipolar disorder.

However, such concerns as genetics, post traumatic stress disorder, major depression, chemical imbalances can be lessened with super-nutrition. Super-nutrition is needed these days because of depleted soils and depleted and processed foods, thus few people fill every nutritional need.


Bible Wisdom

It's always wise to do everything in moderation. The Good Book tells us, "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand," Philippians 4:5.

Too much of any good thing can be harmful. Using the car engine as an example, too much oil in the oil pan causes problems. Large amounts of vitamin B, including choline, and lecithin, when combined with pantothenic acid, serve as precursors to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

In high potencies, if too much is taken by a manic-depressive in the depressive episode, could plunge the person into profound depression.³

However, it is unlikely one would "over dose" on vitamin B by eating foods that are known to be rich in vitamin B.

Foods rich in vitamin B12 include: liver, sardines, mackerel, red snapper, salmon, lamb, swiss cheese, eggs, haddock, muenster cheese, beef, and bleu cheese.

Foods rich in vitamin B6 include: brewer's yeast, brown rice, whole wheat, royal jelly, soybeans, rye lentils, sunflower seed and hazelnuts, alfalfa, salmon, wheat germ, tuna, bran, walnuts, peas and liver, avocados, beans, cashews, peanuts, turkey, oats, chicken, and beef, halibut, lamb, bananas.

Folic acid can be obtained from foods such as: brewer's yeast, alfalfa, endive, chickpeas, oats, lentils, beans and wheat germ, liver, split peas, whole wheat, barley, brown rice, asparagus, green peas, sunflower seeds and collard greens, spinach, hazelnuts and kale, walnuts and corn.

So if you have plenty of these types of foods everyday in your diet you are likely to gain advantage over depression. However many, in today's world, do not cook whole foods or prepare enough raw foods to sufficiently obtain enough of the B vitamins. Therefore, many simply take a supplement to fulfill the nutritional need for vitamin B.

It is very unlikely one would "over dose" on a natural vitamin when taken according to instructions on the bottle or package. I found out personally, that not all vitamin B supplements are the same. Personally, I use three different high quality vitamin B supplements:

1. Trivita Sublingual B-12 (which includes B-6 and Folic Acid, because:

• Sublingual B-12, B-6 & Folic Acid absorbs through the veins under the tongue for fast vitamin B delivery.
• After age 40, your ability to absorb vitamin B begins to diminish.
• Your brain needs B vitamins to function properly.
• If you are deficient in B vitamins, you could be aging prematurely and become more susceptible to disease.

• B1 (thiamin) - essential for key reactions in energy metabolism, particularlycarbohydrate metabolism.
• B2 (riboflavin) - used by the body in maintaining clear vision and proper growth, and it helps the body to effectively use proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It also helps cell respiration by assisting in supply of oxygen to the cells.
• B3 (niacin) - found in all body cells and contributes to many metabolic processes, especially in sugar and fat metabolism and tissue respiration.
• B6 (pyridoxine) - used in the body in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
• B12 (cobalamin) - helps body cellular functions and prevents pernicious anemia. It is also involved in synthesis of amino acids and fatty acids.
• B5 (pantothenic acid) -sometimes called the anti-stress vitamin, is need to convert glucose to energy andis also necessary for protein synthesis and PABA and choline utilization.
• Biotin - plays an important role in the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It is also a component of several enzymes.
• Folic Acid - a precursor for essential coenzymes.
• Choline (bitartrate) -needed for nerve transmission and especially for proper brain function.

These are the only two I have found that work and does what it claims to do. I personally promote the most natural avenue for nutrition, thus recommend Gelly Bees very highly. When I used other vitamin B supplements, I realize the cheaper brands simply do not work.

So my friend in conclusion, we can do something about our mood disorders even if they are not entirely due to nutritional deficiency. The supplements do help bring about the necessary chemical balances necessary for good mental health. If you have other issues that need to be dealt with by a qualified counselor, make an appointment today and be sure to tell them you want a NEW START using alternative therapies rather than psychiatric drugs, naturally.

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Bon Voyage,

Dr. Cares™

Catherine Sinclair, PhD., uses the trade name Dr. Cares™. She is a licensed pastoral counselor. The information contained in this website is not to be taken as a substitute for professional advice from your qualified medical "practitioner."

The author of this website is not an M.D. and therefore must post this required FDA disclaimer. None of the statements, self testing, nor recommended alternatives to overcoming bipolar symptoms have been evaluated by the FDA. Therefore, the tested and proven experiences, testimonies, supplements and alternative and natural therapies are for informational purposes only and does not purport to prescribe, diagnose or cure any mental or physical condition.

Though as a licensed counselor she does advise her clients to be informed and involved in the recovery of their physical, spiritual and mental health. The above information has transformed many lives and the same can happen for you, but you alone are responsible for the decisions you make concerning all aspects of your health.

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1. Stephen Langer and James F. Scheer, Solved: The Riddle of Illness (New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1984, 59.
2. Richard Kunin, Mega-Nutrition (New York-NY: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1980, 50.
3. John D Kirschman with Lavon J. Dunne, Nutrition Almanac (New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1984), 1180.

Vitamin B to Bye Bipolar - Hello Wellness