Natural Solutions for Mental Health

The first recorded study on Magnesium and Mental health that I found was recorded in 1921.

It was helpful to assist patients to relax and sleep. Injections of magnesium sulfate resulted in helping 220 patients out of 250 treatments. This study was conducted by Dr. Paul G Weston and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

It appears that since that time, psychiatrists have avoided the studies of magnesium and avoided any information on the benefit of this wondrous mineral. Because of this, we have suffered, and if you check the statistics on psychiatrists and suicide rates, you will see that they have suffered also.

It is a very sad commentary on serving the needs of all of us.

Image by Google: Lab Study - Magnesium

Dr. Carolyn Dean author of "The Magnesium Miracle, listed these Mental Health issues in her book:

* anxiety

* depression

* muscle weakness

* fatigue

* eye twitches

* PMS

* insomnia

* anorexia

* apathy

* apprehension

* poor memory

* confusion

* anger

* nervousness

* rapid pulse / palpitations
* pain

From Carolyn Dean's research, wouldn't you think that Magnesium is essential in mental health?

Google Image: Both Dr. Dean and Dr. Whitaker work with Nutritional Mental Health

Magnesium and calcium in blood plasma were noted as being altered in human depression as early as 1967 in about a dozen instances, and some of the writers suggested that magnesium deficiency was the cause of major depression.

Several scientists reported in 1968 that magnesium deficiency could cause numerous neuromuscular symptoms including hyper-excitability, anxiety, depression, behavior disturbances, tetany, headaches, generalized tonic-clonic as well as focal seizures, ataxia, vertigo, muscular weakness, tremors, irritability (irritability induced-violence?), and psychotic behavior, each of which were reversible by magnesium repletion.

Adults are not the only ones who can get anxious because of magnesium-deficient diets. Our children are also at risk.

The cause of their magnesium deficiency is because of their diet, just the same as our deficiency is caused by our diet. Consider the fact that their diets contain high amounts of sugar, processed foods, hot dogs, pizza and sodas. These junk type foods contain almost no magnesium, and yet this is what many children live on.

The statistical data tell us that more and more children are being diagnosed with psychiatric illnesses than ever before.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that today, one in ten children and adolescents in the United States 'suffers from mental illness severe enough to result in an actual, significant functional impairment.'

During this same time frame, psychotropic drugs have become the treatment of first choice rather than the treatment of last resort. ( This is totally backwards.)

Over 10 million children and adolescents are currently taking antidepressants, and about 5 million children are on meds such as Ritalin. (An outrageous number)

So what type of diet should we all be on to avoid these mental health issues?

Lithium is of value in the treatment of manic-depressive disease because it substitutes for magnesium in neurons, even though it causes both mental and physical side effects. On the other hand, magnesium works better and is side-effect free when properly administered.

Lithium is considered very helpful, yet typically, the high-doses of lithium that are normally prescribed causes side effects that include: a dulled personality, reduced emotions, memory loss, tremors, or weight gain These side effects can be so severe and unpleasant that many patients become non-compliant and, in cases of severe drug toxicity, the situation can become life threatening.

Mr. George Eby had depression, and many other mental issues, he took Lithium, but it only made him more magnesium deficient. He talks about his very rapid recovery - using magnesium. He now promotes using the extremely inexpensive mineral-as something that cured him completely. Be sure to view his slides on Magnesium on this page.

Image: from George Eby - Magnesium deficiencies

Unfortunately, only 15 to 30% of patients find any relief from depression using these expensive drug treatments, which the American Psychological Association calls a 'placebo effect'.

The remaining 70 to 85 % are often considered "treatment resistant" depression - showing that there is something very seriously missing in our treatment of depression.

Just what is missing?

That 'something' seems to be - magnesium.

This magnesium treatment is a very closely guarded secret of psychiatric treatment. Of course magnesium is dirt cheap when compared to the expensive drugs of choice in this field, and of course, the very expensive and super specialized doctors who prescribe them. Therefore, most of the time they avoid magnesium or just don't even mention it.

Nearly all modern countries are now seeing depression as a serious disorder that is increasing and affecting more of their population each year.

Guess what?

People do not have depression, anxiety, panic attacks or any other neurological issues because of a deficiency of Valium or Prozac or any other drug. There are no deficiencies of drugs.

Our bodies do not require these drugs to operate smoothly and optimally. And anyone who has been on these drugs will tell you that they do not solve their problems.

This returns to the question of - do you choose to treat the symptoms or the root cause?

Another point is: Does it make sense to merely switch our addictions from sugar, alcohol, and cigarettes to prescription medication without looking at the possible metabolic causes?

Anxiety and depression are often nutrient-deficiency diseases and chemical sensitivities; they certainly are not drug-deficiency diseases.

A wonderful study of almost 500 depressed people by Drs. Cox and Shealy found that the majority of sufferers were magnesium-deficient.

Google Image: Shows Magnesium Deficient Mental Issues - from George Eby's excellent site

Magnesium is the anti-stress mineral and is known to alleviate stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia something we all need in these tough and stressful economic times. One of the most absorb-able forms of nutritional magnesium is magnesium citrate powder which can be taken with hot or cold water. Try different magnesium supplements, different types and doses to make sure you are taking what works for you.

Besides Minerals such as Magnesium, it is important to get a good night's sleep, as sleep patterns are important, going to bed at a sensible regular hour such as 10 PM. (10 PM for adults-earlier for children, depending on age)

Eat regular and healthy meals.

Get regular exposure to sunlight.

Avoid food additives, artificial sweeteners, sugar and wheat.

Drink plenty of good clean pure water.

Eat whole foods, organic when possible.

Move, activity is so important, and also vital for blood flow moving in the brain.

Make sure that you have the entire balanced B complex- including B6, folic acid and B 12.

Make sure you have all the nutrients covered!

These are a Few of the Healthy Natural Solutions through Lifestyle.