nutrient power natural healing for mental disorders april 26, 2014 william j. walsh, ph.d. walsh...
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NUTRIENT POWERNATURAL HEALING FOR MENTAL
DISORDERS
APRIL 26, 2014
William J. Walsh, Ph.D.
Walsh Research Institute
Naperville, IL
Walsh Research Institute
Nonprofit organization
Expertise in behavior disorders, ADHD, autism, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimers
International physician training
Research
Clinical ExperienceWilliam J. Walsh, Ph.D.
10,000 Behavior 5,600 ADHD 3,500 Schizophrenia & Bipolar 3,200 Depression 6,500 Autism
Massive Chemistry Database
Laboratory testing of 30,000 mental health patients and controls.
More than 3 million chemical test results for patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, depression, ADHD, depression, autism, etc.
More than 2 million medical history factors for these populations.
Database Findings
Striking blood/urine chemistry
differences between mental illness
populations and the rest of society.
Walsh WJ (2012). Nutrient Power. Skyhorse Publishing, New York, NY.
Crayton JW, Walsh WJ (2007). J Trace Elements Med Biol.21:17-21.
High-Incidence Imbalances in Mental Disorders
Methylation Disorder
Zinc Deficiency
Copper Overload
Folate Deficiency or Overload
Pyrrole Disorder
Toxic-Metal Overload
EPA, DHA, and/or AA Deficiency
These factors have a powerful impact on synthesis of neurotransmitters and regulation of receptor activity.
Frequent Questions From Mainstream Medicine
1. How could vitamins & minerals possibly help a patient with a serious mental illness?
2. Don’t you really need a powerful drug to get the job done?
The Power of Nutrients
1. Neurotransmitter synthesis
2. Epigenetic regulation of gene
expression
3. Reuptake processes at synapses
4. Antioxidant Protection
The Brain Is a Chemical Factory
Serotonin, dopamine, and other NT’s are synthesized in the brain.
The raw materials for NT synthesis are nutrients: vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
A genetic or epigenetic imbalance in a nutrient needed for NT synthesis or regulation can result in serious mental problems.
Serotonin Synthesis
Norepinephrine Synthesis
Dopamine Synthesis
GABA Synthesis
Pyrrole Disorder
Double deficiency of B-6 and Zinc
Reduced Serotonin, Dopamine, GABA
Depletion of GSH, MT, Cys, SOD, Catalase
Supplements of B-6 and zinc can normalize pyrrole levels, often resulting in elimination of symptoms and the need for psychiatric medication.
The Three Musketeers of Antioxidant Protection in the Brain
Glutathione: First line of defense,
Metallothionein: Nature’s back-up system,
Selenium: Speeds up the process.
Methylation and Mental Health
Methyl is a dominant factor in epigenetic processes,
The methyl/folate ratio has a powerful impact on neurotransmitter activity at synapses,
More than 60% of anxiety, depression and psychosis patients exhibit a serious methylation imbalance.
Epigenetics
>20,000 genes in every cell’s DNA, each capable of producing a specific protein,
Liver, skin, brain, and other tissues require a unique combination of proteins,
During gestation, methyl “bookmarks” attach to DNA to regulate gene expression in each tissue,
Environmental insults at any age can alter gene bookmarks and produce mental disorders and other disease conditions.
Histones – Support Structures for the Fragile DNA
Composed of 8 linear proteins twisted together like a ball of yarn,
Originally believed to serve only as structural support for DNA packaging,
Later found to inhibit or promote gene expression, depending on chemical reactions at histone tails.
Gene Expression Requires Uncoiling of DNA
Gene expression involves direct interaction of RNA polymerase and transcription factors with DNA. These large molecules cannot gain access to DNA/histone regions that are densely compacted,
The gentle attachment of DNA to histones involves electrostatic attraction – DNA is a weak acid and histones are mild bases (pH above 7.0),
Acetylation decreases histone pH, causing uncoiling of DNA; methylation increases histone pH, increasing DNA/Histone compaction.
Methyl-Acetyl Competition
Competition between acetyl and methyl groups often determines whether genes are expressed or silenced,
Acetyl bookmarks promote gene expression,
Methyl bookmarks inhibit expression,
Nutrient therapy can change methyl/acetyl ratios and adjust production of enzymes that control serotonin and dopamine neurotransmission rates.
Reuptake Transport Proteins
Primary determinant of neurotransmitter activity at serotonin & dopamine receptors – concentrations of serotonin and dopamine are less important,
Transmembrane proteins that remove neurotransmitters from the synapse (reuptake) like a vacuum cleaner inhaling dust particles,
Formed by gene expression: the number depends on methyl/acetyl competition at specific DNA regions.
Enzymes Dominate the Methyl-Acetyl Competition
Acetyl-Coenzyme A and SAMe are the donors of acetyl and methyl, respectively – but their concentrations in brain cells are relatively unimportant.
Acetylases, deacetylases, methylases and demethylases dominate attachment or removal of acetyl or methyl groups.
Epigenetic nutrient therapy for adjustment of serotonin or dopamine activity concentrates on the enzymes.
Example: B-3 inhibits a major deacetylase inhibitor, thus increasing expression of SERT, DAT transporters and reducing serotonin and dopamine neurotransmission.
Epigenetic Insights Into Nutrient Therapy
Niacin, niacinamide, and SAH act as dopamine reuptake promoters,
Methionine and SAMe are serotonin reuptake inhibitors,
Folates reduce synaptic activity at serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine receptors,
Zinc and glutathione increase NMDA activity, Many nutrients influence neurotransmitter activity
and brain function.
Folate Considerations
Folic Acid, folinic acid, and/or L-methylfolate elevate SAMe/SAH in undermethylated persons.
However, folates also increase gene expression of SERT transport proteins, resulting in reduced serotonin neurotransmission.
Most undermethylated depressives with low-serotonin activity are intolerant to folates.
.
Epigenetic Disorders Triggered by an Environmental Insult
Abnormal methylation and oxidative overload
Environmental insult
Cases of sudden onset after normalcy
Persistence of condition after onset
A multitude of characteristic symptoms
.
Epigenetic Model of Autism
In-utero undermethylation results in weak protection against oxidative stress.
Autism Onset: Environmental insults cause collapse of oxidative protection, resulting in deviant gene regulation marks (epigenetics).
After onset, autism can persist a lifetime since DNA bookmarks survive cell division.
Walsh Theory of Schizophrenia
Methyl imbalances or oxidative stress produce deviant bookmarks during gestation, resulting in weakened protection against oxidative insults,
Mental Breakdown – Triggered by emotional or physical stresses that overwhelm oxidative protectors & produce deviant DNA bookmarks,
SZ disorder doesn’t “go away” since the deviant marks survive cell divisions.
Mounting Evidence of an Epigenetic Gene-Regulation Disorder
Schizophrenia Bipolar Disorder Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Antisocial Personality Disorder Paraphilias Autism OCD
WRI Bipolar ResearchW. Walsh and R. DeVito
Manic phase involves excessive neuron firing throughout the brain,
Assumption: High neuron firing caused by reduced ion gradients and threshold voltages throughout the brain,
Leading suspects: (a) Low ATP production at mitochondria; (b) poor glial cell regulation of ion gradients and cell voltages.
Mainstream PsychiatryMisconceptions
Depression regarded as a single entity with variations along a central theme. Treatment of choice -- SSRI antidepressants to elevate serotonin activity at synapses.
Schizophrenia regarded as a single entity, with variations along a central theme. Treatment of choice -- Atypical antipsychotic medications.
Chemical Classification of Depression
My large depression database has identified
five high-incidence biotypes,
The biotypes represent very different disorders,
each with unique neurotransmitter imbalances
and symptoms,
Separate treatment approach needed for each biotype.
SSRI Antidepressants
Increase serotonin activity in brain -- Generally effective for undermethylated and pyrrole-disorder depressives (53%),
Can cause suicidal & homicidal ideation in low- folate depressives, especially young males.
Inexpensive blood tests can identify persons who must avoid SSRI antidepressants.
Nutrient Therapy Outcomes
- Separate nutrient therapies developed
for each depression biotype,
- Outcome studies reveal 80% of patients report treatment effectiveness & ability to reduce or eliminate medication.
Porphyria
Homocysteinuria
Drug Induced Schizophrenia
Cerebral Allergy
Thyroid Deficiency
Other Forms of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia Biotypes
Overmethyation: Classic paranoid schizophrenia; Auditory hallucinations, paranoia, high anxiety.
Undermethylation: Delusional beliefs, catatonic tendencies, OCD behaviors.
Pyrrole Disorder: Combination of hallucinations and delusions; severe anxiety and mood swings.
NOTE: All biotypes involve oxidative overload.
Biochemical Treatment of Schizophrenia
Therapy using vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other chemicals that are natural to the body (drug-free),
Separate treatment approach for each biotype.
85% of families report major improvements, reduced dependence on medication, and lessened side effects.
Advanced Treatments for Addictions and OCD
Focus on increasing glutamate activity at NMDA receptors, without increasing glutamate activity at other receptors:
D-Serine D-Cycloserine N-Methylglycine (Sarcosine) Glycine
Biochemical Individuality
Humans exhibit great diversity in blood and brain chemistry.
Because of genetics and epigenetics, most people are deficient in several nutrients and overloaded in others.
Nutrient Deficiencies that Impair Brain Function
Zinc Methionine Folic Acid Vitamins B-6 and B-12 Niacin/Niacinamide DHA, EPA, AA (essential fatty acids) Antioxidants: Se, GSH, Vitamins C & E, etc. Magnesium
Nutrient Overloads that Impair Brain Function
Copper Folic Acid Iron Methionine, SAMe Toxics: Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, etc.
NOTE: Multiple vitamin-mineral supplements are usually ineffective and can cause harm.
Individualized Nutrient Therapy
Medical history and review of symptoms,
Special blood/urine lab tests,
Diagnosis of chemical imbalances,
Prescribed nutrient program aimed at
normalizing brain chemistry.
Key Laboratory Tests for Mental Health Populations
Plasma Zinc Serum Copper Serum Ceruloplasmin Whole-Blood Histamine Serum Folate Urine Pyrroles Serum Homocysteine Vitamin D SAMe/SAH Ratio
Nutrient Therapy Examples
Undermethylation: SAMe, methionine, zinc, calcium, inositol, serine, magnesium, vitamins A, B-6, C, D, and E.
Excess Dopamine Activity: Folic acid, B-12, niacinamide, zinc, manganese, DMAE, vitamins A, C, and E.
Copper Overload: Zinc, molybdenum, vitamins B-6, C and E, MT-Promotion formulation.
Pyrrole Disorder: Vitamin B-6, zinc, biotin
Treatment Outcomes:Compliant Assaultive Subjects
58%
33%
8%1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Symptom-Free PartialImprovement
No Change Worse
High-Incidence Chemical Imbalances in ADHD
Elevated Cu (68%) Insufficient ceruloplasmin (92%) Zinc depletion (96%) Methylation disorder (55%) Pyrrole Disorder (30%) Malabsorption (11%)
Summary
Biochemical imbalances are exhibited by most persons with a mental disorder.
These imbalances can adversely impact neurotransmitter synthesis & regulation.
Most families report improvement, following nutrient therapy to normalize chemistry.
The emerging science of epigenetics is leading to vastly improved natural therapies.
Pfeiffer’s Law
“For every drug that benefits a patient, there are natural substances that can produce the same effect”.
Carl C. Pfeiffer, MD, PhD
THANK YOU!
Bill Walsh, PhD
Walsh Research Institute
www.walshinstitute.org