Sources: Dr James Greenblatt MD Dr Gabriel Cousens MD Dr Abram Hoffer MD PhD Dr Jonathan Prousky ND

1. Intro to Orthomolecular
Medicine
“An amazing number of people with anxiety-
depression lose their chronic fatigue, inertia
and depression when given proper nutritional
treatment.”
Dr Abram Hoffer MD PhD

2. Disclaimer
• We’re not trying to convince you to stop taking your
prescription medications
• That decision lies with you and your physician
• We must always take responsibility for our own
health

3. Bioindividuality
• One person is not the same as the other
• No one size fits all
• There is a connection between the physiology of the
body and the chemistry of the brain

4. What is Orthomolecular?
• Orthomolecular medicine, as conceptualized
by double-Nobel laureate Linus Pauling,
aims to restore the optimum environment of
the body by correcting imbalances or
deficiencies based on individual
biochemistry, using substances natural to the
body such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids,
trace elements and fatty acids.

5. Dr Abram Hoffer MD PhD
• Canadian Physician, Psychiatrist, Biochemist
• Discovered that nutrients and vitamins help heal
Schizophrenia
• Treated 10,000 schizophrenics in his life and 75% of
them recovered

6. “a single red smartie”

7. Placebo or Not?
• Young adult prisoners who were given 1
multivitamin pill and 2 EFA supplements
were less violent
• 25mg of Zinc given to people on
antidepressants helped reduce their
depression moreso than antidepressants
alone
• “Nutritional deficiencies affect brain
function in every developmental stage of
life,” Dr Fernando Gomez-Pinilla

8. Myth of taking too much
vitamins
• In past 4 decades, handful of alleged deaths
from vitamins vs. hundreds of thousands of
deaths from prescription drugs – Src: The
Toxic Exposure Surveillance System
• “For decades, I have asked my students to
provide me with scientific evidence of a
confirmed death from any vitamin. I have
seen none to date.” Dr Abram Hoffer

9. What causes depression?
• Stress
• Death of a loved one / Divorce
• Disability
• Lack of social support
• Accident
• Loss of job
• Loss of personal dreams or goals
• Etc…

10. What causes depression?
• Biochemical factors
• Imbalances in neurotransmitters: serotonin,
norepinephrine, dopamine
• Can be due to deficiencies in amino acids/
vitamins/minerals/cofactors
• Physical factors%
• Co-occurring disorder (cancer, heart attack, pain,
stroke, Parkinson’s…)

11. Medications that can cause
depression as a side effect
• Alcohol
• Mercury
• Amphotericin B (fungizone) • Methyldopa
• Methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline)
• Antipsychotic drugs • Metoclopramide (reglan)
• Metronidazole
• Beta-blockers (betaxolol, nadolol, • Nifedipine
propranolol, timolol) • Organic nitrates
• Phenytoin
• Bismuth nitrate • Psychostimulants (fenfluraimen,
methylphenidate, pemoline,
phenylpropanolamine0
• Carbamazepine • Reserpine
• Sedative-hypnotics (barbiturates,
• Cis-retinoid acid benzodiazepines, methaqualone)
• Thallium
• Oral contraceptives • Thiazide diuretics
• Vinblastine
• Corticosteroids • Vincristine
• Cycloserine *Seromycin)

12. Causes of depression: Overactive
immune system
• During prolonged infection or injury, chemicals called
proinflammatory cytokines, produced during the
inflammation process, can contribute to depression by causing
changes in neurotransmitters.
• Cytokines can also lead to deficiencies in neurotransmitters by
continually stimulating their release
• Several studies show high levels of proinflammatory cytokines
and low levels of anti inflammatory cytokines in people with
depression
• This and several other studies support the idea that depression
may be in some cases due to an overactive immune system

13. Genetic Factors
• Depression occurs at higher rates
in families where either a
grandparent or parent had
depression
• Personality traits such as anxiety
and neuroticism strongly correlate
with depression

14. Other links/causes
• Toxic metal buildup
• Hormonal imbalances
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Amino acid and fatty acid imbalances
• Low or high levels of minerals
• Parasites
• Food allergies (gluten, dairy, food dyes, etc)
• Imbalanced levels of digestive enzymes
• “Bad” bacteria, yeast or other flora in your intestines

15. Did you know…
• It’s illegal for drug companies to advertise
directly to consumers except in USA and NZ
• Nondepressed individuals accounted for
94% of new antidepressant use due to
direct-to-consumer advertising (Src Adam
Block, economist in U.S. Congress)

16. Side effects: risk of suicide and
worsening of depression
• In March 2004, FDA told manufacturers to add a warning
label to following drugs:
• Wellbutrin (bupropion)
• Prozac (fluoxetine) • Effexor (venlafaxine)
• Zoloft (sertraline) • Serzone (nefazodone)
• Remeron (mirtazapine)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Luvox (fluvoxamine)
• Celexa (citalopram)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)

17. Sugar
• Overconsumption of sugars and processed foods
exasperate depression
• White bread, pastries, breakfast cereal, crackers,
cakes, cookies, etc
• Downsides:
• Leech nutrients from the body
• Removes protein from the body
• Leads to negative moods, thoughts and nightmares

18. Dr Russell Blaylock
4:21

19. Vitamin A
• indirect impact on depression
• cofactor in the metabolism of essential fatty acids
• dark greens, cantaloupe, carrots, squash, sweet
potato, spirulina, blue green algae, wheatgrass,
barley grass
• highly rich in beta carotene and other cartenoids

20. B Vitamins
• Many of the Bs are critical for both mood and
energy regulation
• B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9
(folate), B12 (cobalamin), Inositol
• Folic acid and B12 strongly linked to depression
• Refined sugar and carbs, alcohol, and prescriptions
deplete vitamin B stores
• Found in raw vegetables, greens, sprouted grains

21. B-Vitamins
• Young women who regularly take birth control pills
often deficient in Bs
• B6 increases mood of women on the pill
• Correcting a deficiency wards off sadness,
irritability, fatigue

22. • B-vitamins crucial for
• hormone secretion
• neurotransmitter production
• nerve transmission
• cellular metabolism
• preventing damage from cortisol

23. Dr Gabriel Cousens MD
• “in my experience, the B-complex vitamins have
more dramatic mood elevating effects than most
other nutrients”
• “various B-Vitamins are crucial for proper nerve
function and nerve cell metabolism, which produces
optimal neurotransmitter levels”

24. thiamine B1
• psychiatric patients admitted to hospitals have
abnormally low thiamine levels in blood
• vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes

25. riboflavin B2
• necessary for essential fatty acid metabolism
• improves energy production in brain ells
• whole grains, legumes, green leafy vegetables, beans

26. niacin B3
• regulates blood sugar
• crucial component of another B-complex vitamin,
NADH, which has prominent antidepressant effects
• indirect effect on serotonin
• body uses tryptophan to produce niacin
• long term deficiency = psychosis and dementia.
• sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, jungle peanuts,
brown rice, whole grains, barley, almonds

27. pantothenic acid B5
• forms coenzymes necessary for proper functioning
of essential fatty acids
• helps production of adrenal hormones
• thus, vital for anyone subject to extreme stress
• avocado, mushrooms, collard greens, sunflower
seeds, lentils, broccoli, brown rice

28. pyridoxine
• most dramatic mood elevating effects of all Bs
• correct brain metabolism dysfunctions that cause
depression
• heightens serotonin function through its ability to
slow the destruction of tryptophan in the brain
• acts as a cofactor for enzymes that convert
tryptophan to serotonin
• spinach, walnuts

29. Folate
• Journal of Clinical Psychiatry reported on a Harvard
study. 28 weeks of Prozac treatment, 40mg/day
• Relapse rate for patients with low folate levels were
42.9% (less than 2.5ng/mL)
• Relapse rate for patients with normal levels was
3.2%
• Hundreds of studies since 1970s reporting
relationship b/w folate and depression

30. Folate
• Folic acid is synthetic
• Serum folate is not an accurate measure
• Folate is the real one needed from food
• Destroyed through cooking & processing
• Synthetic supplements get stuck in the receptors
and block natural supplements from getting in

31. B12
• How much is too little?
• “I aggressively treat people with B12 levels of under
500pg.” Dr James Greenblatt MD
• Take methylcobalamin subcutaneously
• Deficiency more of an absorption issue
• Necessary for myelin sheath that insulates nerve
fibers
• Allows for the free flow of neurotransmitters

32. • Signs of B12 Deficiency
• Apathy
• Depression
• Memory loss
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Clumsiness, Confusion
• Weakness
• Tremors
• GI Problems
• OCD
• Paranoid psychotic depression is sometimes
confused with a B12 deficiency

33. B12
• sea vegetables
• green and blue-green algae: spirulina, Klamath Lake
algae, chlorella
• bee pollen
• mushrooms

34. Inositol
• studies show beneficial effects for treating
depression, panic disorder, ADD, OCD
• “I see inositol lift depression in 5% of my patients”
Dr Cousens MD
• protects cell membranes from damage
• act as precursor for compounds that carry messages
in nervous system and brain
• citrus fruits, cantaloupe, nuts, beans, whole grains

35. Choline
• involved in the synthesis or release of certain
neurotransmitters
• when neurons are deprived of it, result may be
memory loss or mood disorders
• elevates mood, improves memory
• improves alertness and mental energy
• leafy greens, jungle peanuts, bee pollen

37. Vitamin C
• Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory
agent
• Ascorbic acid is a pro-oxidant
• Must get a natural supplement derived from food
source, not one with synthetic ascorbic acid
• An important cofactor of serotonin, dopamine and
noradrenaline synthesis
• Strengthens adrenals and endocrine glands
Chronic treatment with ascorbic acid enhances cortical spreading depression in developing well-nourished and malnourished rats.
Department of Nutrition, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50670901, Recife, PE, Brazil. rc.guedes@terra.com.br

38. Vitamin C
• “95% of my clients with depression require
additional vitamin C.” Dr Gabriel Cousens MD
• green and red peppers, strawberries, broccoli,
brussels sprouts, cauliflower, greens, camu camu
berry, sauerkraut, sprouted chickpeas

39. Vitamin C
• Highly linked to depression
• Every medical textbook until a few years ago indicated that
one of the most common effects of inadequate vitamin C is
depression (Src Dr Hugh Riordan MD)
• Dr Riordan had a patient who was profoundly depressed
• 3 years psychotherapy
• Fatigue, barely able to function
• Blood test showed no detectible vitamin C
• Given 500mg of C per day (not much!)
• After couple weeks, she thought a miracle occurred
• 30% of new admissions to health centres with a diagnosis
of depression has low plasma vitamin C levels

40. Vitamin D
• Patients suffering from SAD (seasonal affective
disorder) have been found to be low in Vit D
• Mood stabilizer
• Vitamin D3 is synthesized in skin from its precursor
• UV-dependent
• More needed in the winter

41. Vitamin D
• Influences the growth and regulation of every cell in
the body
• 41% to 57% of the population are deficient
• Minimum 30 mins of sunshine needed - ideally
avoiding the noon hours.

42. Vitamin E
• protects neurons from free radical damage
• low levels of vitamin E can quickly limit serotonin
activity
• major protect of brain cell membranes
• helps slow Alzheimer’s
• vegetable oils, dark leafy greens, whole grains, nuts,
seeds, legumes

43. EFAs
Essential Fatty Acids

44. • Low bloodwith depressionhave been
associated
levels of EFAs
• The brainand glucoseand uses 20% of body’s
nutrients
is 60% fat
supply
• Brain is most metabolically active organ in
body
• Omega 3s: DHA, EPA, Linolenic acid
• Flaxseed (linseed) oil
• Green leafy vegetables
• Walnuts, sprouted chia seeds, sprouted flax
• Linolenic acid slowly converted into DHA and
EPA in the body
• Needed for growth, integrity ofin the body
membranes, in many reactions
cell

45. EFAs
• Made in cold-climate plants: more resistant to
freezing
• Lower melting point – liquid at room temp
• Highly reactive
• Must be in balance with Omega 6s in body
• Omega 3 highly lacking in an average diet
• Modern diet contains barely 20% of omega 3s
needed

46. EFAs
• 81 adolescents with sub-threshold psychosis (lost
touch with reality, schizotypical)
• Supplemented with 1.2g omega 3 fatty acids or
placebo daily for 12 weeks
• After 40 weeks
• 5% in omega 3 group developed psychosis
• 28% in placebo group developed psychosis
Src: Archives of General Psychiatry

47. EFAs
• Takes about 10 weeks with Omega
3 fatty acid supplementation to see
an effect on the brain

48. E3Live
• 100% AFA, an edible blue-green algae
• Wild harvested from Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
• Highest concentration of chlorophyll and protein
• 22 amino acids including 8 essential
• Easily digested, rapid absorption

49. E3Live
• Contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which enhances
concentration and attention.
• PEA is a natural mood elevator and anti-depressant.

50. E3Live
• Contains a complete balance of vitamins
except for vitamins D and E
• Contains almost every mineral in trace
amounts
• Chlorophyll Content per 10 grams
AFA Algae 300 mg
Spirulina 115 mg
Chlorella 280 mg
Barley Grass 149 mg
Wheat Grass 55mg

51. Why is Chlorophyll
Important?

52. E3Live
•“Within an hour of taking
E3Live, my suicidal
thoughts went away for
the first time in months.”
34, Female, Toronto

53. • "I personally consume fresh-frozen, liquid E3Live
daily and consider it to be one of nature's most
beneficial superfoods.
• It provides 64 easily absorbed vitamins, minerals
and enzymes, as well as providing antioxidants and
valuable protein.
• If you think of your body's constitution like the
foundation of a house, with all its cracks and
crevices, you can think of E3Live as being able to fill
in those nutritional cracks and crevices to give you
superior health.
• We here at Hippocrates consider it the most vital
wild-grown foundational food on Earth.”
• Src Dr. Brian Clement ND PhD

54. E3Live
• "I take it myself daily.
• E3Live and E3 BrainON® offer specific benefits to
the nervous system and brain function.
• I've had people who have been depressed for years
and years, and literally, within a few days after
receiving E3 BrainON®, their depression lifts.
• This is because E3Live® gets to the root of helping
heal the addictive brain chemistry that underlies a
lot of depression.” Dr. Gabriel Cousens, MD,
MD(H)

55. • “My staff and I noticed a leap in
our stamina during our workouts,
an incredible boost in our mental
clarity and ability to stay focused,
and a decrease in our appetite.
• Our patients have commented
that they are losing cravings for
"the bad foods" as they continue
to drink E3Live®.” Dr. Baxter D.
Montgomery, MD

56. E3Live
• Study: Favorable Effects of Blue-Green AlgaeAphanizomenon flos-aquae on Rat
Plasma Lipids
Kushak RI, Drapeau C, Van Cott EM. JANA. 2000;2(3):59-65.
• ABSTRACT
• Background:
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are essential for human health. There are indications
that the lipid fraction of blue-green algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquaecontains
about 50% of PUFA and may be a good dietary source of PUFA. The purpose of
this study was to investigate the effect of diets fooded with algae on blood plasma lipids.
• Methods:
Rats were fed with four different semisynthetic diets: i) standard, with 5% soybean oil; ii)
PUFA-free with 5% coconut oil; iii) PUFA-free with 10% algae; iv) PUFA-free with 15%
algae. After 32 days the levels of plasma fatty acids, triglycerides and cholesterol were
studied.
• Results:
Rats fed the PUFA-free diet demonstrated an absence of linolenic acid (LNA) in plasma;
however, supplementation with algae resulted in the same level of LNA as controls, an

57. E3Live
• "I was taking 7 different medications for bi-polar
disorder. As a result of these anti-depressants, I
went from a size 10 to a size 18 in six months. I tried
for 2 years to get the weight off. Nothing happened.
After just a few days of taking E3Live®, I went from
being seriously depressed to the world suddenly
being a wonderful place.
Two weeks later, I had lost 13 pounds, with a total of
40 pounds in 3 months. I haven't been on any
medication for depression since.” Debra Belton-
Harkley

58. E3Live
• Fantastic for depressive symptoms and various other
psychological disorders. If my clients are not on
E3live, then I recommend Brain On."
• — Dr. Cinzia Genuardi, N.D., BSc.

59. Rancidity of oils
• When oils are heated or exposed to high amounts of
light and oxygen, they turn rancid
• Healthy “cis” shaped fat molecules turn into
extremely unhealthy “trans” shared fat molecules
(trans fat)
• Anything in a package has trans fat...hydrogenated
oils or a fat that was heated in processing

60. Rancidity of oils
• Products with 0.0g of trans fat actually probably
contain under 500mg of trans fat per label laws
• Keep liquid oils away from heat
• Never heat a liquid oil in cooking
• Use only coconut oil in cooking - it’s solid at room
temp, liquid at cooking temp
• Rancid oils damage organs, proliferate disease,
prevent weight loss

61. Zinc
• “Zinc is the new prozac” Dr James Greenblatt
MD
• Majority of enzymes in the brain are zinc dependant
• You need zinc to help serotonin convert to
melatonin
• Best zinc supplements are liquid form
• Too much zinc supplementation  copper
deficiency

62. Zinc
• Keeps immune system strong
• Keeps memory sharp
• Important role in production of
neurotransmitters
• Involved in at least 100 enzyme systems in the
brain alone
• Low levels have been linked to major depression
• Supplemental zinc has antidepressant effect
• Zinc supplementation significantly reduces
depression in people who had not been helped
by antidepressants in the past
• Every depressed patient should be tested for
zinc deficiency

63. Copper
• You need copper to make dopamine into
noradrenaline
• However, high copper can make someone with
anxiety more irritable, aggressive, or hyper
• Low copper can lead to depression
• Get a lot of copper from every day sources
(pollution)

64. Magnesium
• Humans are most likely to be deficient in
magnesium
• Magnesium deficiency can trigger mental health
problems (depression, insomnia, anxiety, apathy,
irritability, nervousness, migraines)
• “In my own practice, magnesium
supplementation has been invaluable in
relieving the insomnia and anxiety often
associated with depression.” Dr James
Greenblatt MD

65. Magnesium
• whole grains, nuts, seeds, kelp and other sea veg
• almonds, black eyed peas, avocados, oatmeal
• apples, beets, figs, lentils, grapefruit
• spirulina, chlorella
• processed foods have lower magnesium contents

66. Calcium
• necessary for smooth functioning of nervous system
• sufficient serotonin activity
• prevention of irritability and depression
• kelp, almonds, kale, collards, sesame seeds, beans
• pasteurization reduces calcium absorption
• soft drinks, meat, and other acid foods reduces
bodily levels of calcium

67. Iron
• dairy foods inhibit iron absorption
• vitamin C supplements enhance absorption
• anemia an lead to fatigue, lethargy and other
depression symptoms
• cofactor in process by which tyrosine is metabolized
into L-dopa and dopamine
• kelp, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds,
almonds, cashews, raisins
• whole grains, legumes, dark greens

68. Selenium
• elevates mood
• decreases anxiety
• low levels linked to symptoms of depression/anxiety
• seafoods most reliable source because don’t know if
it’s in the soil

69. Chromium
• controls hunger and weight
• reduces body fat
• high amounts can reverse atypical depression
• allows glucose to enter cells when insulin is present
• whole grains
• rare in foods: must supplement 100mcg to 500mcg

70. Acne
• Both skin and nervous from a common tissue during
structures (originating
system are ectodermal
embryonic development)
• Have similar nutritional needs
• Many psychiatric patients have skin problems
• Patients who recover on orthomolecular see their
skin issues go away
• “Severe to moderate acne and psychiatric
symptoms are both the result of malnutrition.
Orthomolecular treatment removed both the acne
and the depression.” Dr Hoffer.

71. Amino Acids
• Amino acids are necessary for synthesis
of all major neurotransmitters
• Tryptophan --> Serotonin
• Phenylalanine --> Dopamine
• Noradrenaline
• GABA
• SAMe
• Glutamate
• Need strongdown to digest protein,&
this is worn
HCl
due to poor diet
but
antacids

72. Neurotransmitters
• Essential for good mood
• Serotonin
• Dopamine
• Adrenaline
• Noradrenaline
• Messengers between nerve cells (neurons)
• Chemicals that cross the gap (synapse) between 2
ends of nerve fibres or between neurons and muscle
cells
• At the targetacell, the neurotransmitter is received
and binds to protein receptor

73. Neurotransmitters
• When neurotransmitter molecules activate a critical
mass of receptors, the receiving nerve initiates an
electrical impulse
• Those that aren’t destroyed by enzymes or blocked
(ex. By drugs) can be reabsorbed at the original
neuron.
• They can then be sent back across the synapse to
help initiate another impulse
• Messages are transferred

74. Neurotransmitters
• Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin and
melatonin
• In any normal diet, tryptophan is the least available.
9:1 other aminos to tryptophan.
• Tryptophan depletion in studies has a mood
lowering effect

75. Serotonin
• Diverse & complex effects on the heart, intestines,
blood vessels, other organs
• 95% of serotonin is synthesized in the gut. 5% is
synthesized and stored in the brain.
• You have 100 million neurons in your gut! Small
intestine. “Trust your gut feeling.”
• Src: Dr Patrick Holford MD
• In the November 26, 2008 issue of "Cell," Dr. Gerard Karsenty of
the Columbia University research group discovered that a gene in
the gut, Lrp5, controlled serotonin synthesis.

76. Serotonin
• Extra serotonin in the brain may help to alleviate
pain
• Primary activator of pleasure in the brain
• Feelings of:
• emotional stability
• well-being
• personal security
• relaxation
• calmness
• tranquility
• confidence

77. Serotonin
• Low serotonin linked to
• depression and anxiety
• appetite (cravings for sweets & carbs)
• OCD (part of brain that controls voluntary
movements)
• Dietary sources of serotonin not as important as
serotonin manufactured in the body
• Tryptophan --> 5HTP --> Serotonin

78. Serotonin
• B3 is a cofactor of 5HTP synthesis
• B6 is most critical cofactor of serotonin synthesis
• Vitamin C a cofactor of serotonin synthesis
• Doesn’t matter how much 5HTP you supplement
with -- if there’s not enough B6, it won’t convert

79. Neurotransmitter Deficiencies
• Genes
• Diet
• Stress
Amino acids
• Neurotoxins
are lost in
• Inflammation
cooking

80. Dopamine
• Signs of deficiency
• anxiety
• low self esteem
• lack of libido
• fatigue
• eating disorders
• cravings for carbs and sugar
• impatience and impulsiveness
• Crucial role in elevating the mood

81. Dopamine
• Generates feelings of pleasure & euphoria
• Encourages assertiveness
• Vital for short-term memory, concentration and
learning
• Boosts secretion of growth hormone and promotes
the body’s ability to repair damaged cells
• Phenylalanine --> Tyrosine --> Dopa --> Dopamine

82. What causes a dopamine
deficiency?
• Use of alcohol or recreational drugs
• Caffeine, sugar
• Nicotine
• Amphetamines, Opiates, Cocaine
• Addiction partly due to repeated use of a substance,
causing a decrease in the # of dopamine receptors
• Research found that recovering cocaine addicts
much less able to process glucose in brain (glucose is
brain’s main fuel)

83. Dopamine
• Studies show it’s possible to repair dopamine
pathways that have been harmed by drugs, poor
diet, stress
• Can reactivate brain’s pleasure centers
• Brain can rebuild with proper nutrition

84. Noradrenaline
• Controls heart rate and blood pressure
• Factor in how quickly glucose is converted to energy
• Factor in how body responds to stress and anxiety
• Phenylalanine --> Tyrosine --> Dopa --> Dopamine
--> Noradrenaline
• Can be further metabolized into adrenaline

85. Noradrenaline
• Noradrenaline may be more of a factor when
depression is melancholic rather than manic
• Too much noradrenaline activity:
• nervousness
• restlessness
• difficulty falling asleep
• weight loss
• (similar to pattern of mania)

86. Signs of Noradrenaline
Deficiency
• Lack of energy
• Reduced libido
• Sluggish thinking
• Lack of enthusiasm

87. Glutamine: Brain Fuel
• Cabbage juice especially rich in glutamine
• Important in protein metabolism
• Crucial for optimal brain function
• Stimulating or “excitatory” neurotransmitter
• Beneficial effect on mood and energy
• Although brain’s main fuel is glucose, it doesn’t store
glucose in large quantities.
• Without sufficient glutamine, the brain can only
shuffle along at a fraction of its capacity

88. Glutamine Deficiency
• Craving for sweets
• Tendency toward alcoholism
• Low sex drive

89. GABA
• Nonessential amino acid (neurotransmitter)
• Opposite effects as glutamine
• Prevents nerve cells from firing too quickly
• Slows things down, inhibits message transmission,
leads to you feeling calmer
• Reduces anxiety

90. GABA
• Formed in body from amino acid glutamate
• ...With help(Vitamin B6) such as Vitamin C and
pyridoxine
of cofactors
• Too much GABA
• sluggish thinking
• extreme sleepiness
• memory problems
• GABA overactivity more likely to cause anxiety
depression than GABA deficiency

91. GABA Deficiency
• frequently nervous and anxious
• panic attacks
• exhaustion from stress
• excessive stress reactions from normal situations

92. Antacid Use
• Pepto bismol, milk of magnesia, Alka-seltzer,
Maalox, Tums, Mylanta
• Depletes HCl in the stomach
• Leads to low levels of amino acids
• Aminoto depression
linked
acids are precursors to neurotransmitters
• Sometimes depression is a chronic digestion issue
first and foremost
• Probiotics, digestive enzymes, and fermented foods
are therefore essential

93. Amino Acids
• 10 females with a history of bulimia vs 12 healthy
controls
• 7 hours following administration of an amino acid
mixture, study subjects with a history of bulimia had
more increased ratings of their body image concern.
• Subjective loss of control of eating following
drinking a tryptophan-free mixture.

94. Digestion
• For your body to make HCl, you need zinc and B-
vitamins
• Stress interferes with HCl production
• Green smoothies help body to create HCl
• HCl supplements available
• Fermented foods
• Kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, natto, miso,
tempeh, pickles
• Probiotics
• Digestive Enzymes

95. Digestion
• “Sciencebrain’ producing neurotransmitters, such acts like a
‘second
is discovering that the digestive system
as
serotonin, hormones and immune-transmitters, called
cytokines, that literally cross-talk with the brain.”
• Our gut bacteria affect our mood.
• We have more bacteria in the vitalthan proper immunity.
body, and they are absolutely
gut
for
cells in our entire
• Probiotics help signal to the brain to calm down, reducing
stress reactions.
• Research hasto improve mood in those who are prone to
been shown
found that supplementing probiotics has
depression.
• Src Dr Patrick Holford MD

96. Cholesterol
• Cholesterol is essential for good mental
health
• Low levels associated with heightenedbeingof
developing major depressive disorder,
risk
hospitalized and an increased death from
suicide
• Depressed than 165mg/dL) were 7x more
levels (less
men with low total cholesterol
likely to die prematurely from unnatural
causes such as suicide & accidents

97. Cholesterol
• Low cholesterol decreases the # of serotonin
receptors in the brain
• Decreasing the number of serotonin receptors may
lead to decreases in serotonin levels

98. Statins
• Statins are #1 prescribed med in U.S.
• Antidepressants are #2
• Significant link between low cholesterol and depression,
anxiety, mood and memory
• “Statins can cause depression” Dr James Greenblatt MD
• Post mortems on suicide cases: dissect brain and find much
lower cholesterol levels than average

99. Dr Duane Graveline MD
• Astronaut with NASA
• Doctor of Aerospace Medicine
• Flight surgeon
• When put on statins, he
developed transient global
amnesia and couldn’t recognize
his family
• Recovered after stopping his
medication
• NASA physicians prescribed half
the dose, but amnesia returned
• Now completely off statins

100. SSRIs
• 1/3 of the negative trials submitted to the FDA were
never published
• Actual number of positive studies are 50%
• Half of antidepressant trials failed to show a benefit
that exceeded that of a placebo
• If someone goes to a doctor, and the doctor gives
them a Tic Tac and says “this’ll help your
depression,” 50% of the time, it’ll work!

101. Short term fix
• Why are depression and suicide a side effect of
SSRIs?
• Chronic SSRI use  chronic down-regulating 
your body learns not to produce your own
neurotransmitters anymore. No need.

102. Withdrawal
• Can’t just stop antidepressants cold
• Withdrawal effects
• Taper off slowly by introducing nutrients and
amino acids gradually
• Never literature but it’s serotonin syndrome
in the
been a report of
theoretical
• Serotonin syndrome happens in hospitals
with multiple or psychiatric drugs – not with
natural supplements like 5HTP mixing with
just one antidepressant.