Genesa Living

Am J Psychiatry 161:11, November 2004 2005

Article

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org

Malnutrition at Age 3 Years and Externalizing Behavior

Problems at Ages 8, 11, and 17 Years

Jianghong Liu, Ph.D.

Adrian Raine, D.Phil.

Peter H. Venables, Ph.D., D.Sc.

Sarnoff A. Mednick, Ph.D.,

Objective: Poor nutrition is thought to predispose to externalizing behavior problems, but to date there appear to have been no prospective longitudinal studies testing this hypothesis. This study assessed whether 1) poor nutrition at age 3 years predisposes to antisocial behavior at ages 8, 11, and 17 years, 2) such relationships are independent of psychosocial adversity, and 3) IQ mediates the relationship between nutrition and externalizing behavior problems.

Method: The participants were drawn from a birth cohort (N=1,795) in whom signs of malnutrition were assessed at age 3 years, cognitive measures were assessed at ages 3 and 11 years, and antisocial, aggressive, and hyperactive behavior was assessed at ages 8, 11, and 17 years.

Results: In relation to comparison subjects (N=1,206), the children with malnutrition signs at age 3 years (N=353) were more aggressive or hyperactive at age 8 years, had more externalizing problems at age 11, and had greater conduct disorder and excessive motor activity at age 17. The results were independent of psychosocial adversity and were not moderated by gender. There was a dose-response relationship between degree of malnutrition and degree of externalizing behavior at ages 8 and 17. Low IQ mediated the link between malnutrition and externalizing behavior at ages 8 and 11.

Conclusions: These results indicate that malnutrition predisposes to neurocognitive deficits, which in turn predispose to persistent externalizing behavior problems throughout childhood and adolescence.  The findings [...]

Dan Erwine explores the role of micronutrients and dietary supplements in sustaining mental health. There will be a conference later this month in Truckee. On the program: Dr. Dan Smith, a chiropractor and nutritional counselor, and Dr. Kaplan, research psycologist at the University of Calgary.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kunr/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1647855/Nevada.Newsline/Dietary.SupplementsBonnie

Neurotransmitters (NTs) are essential chemical messengers that regulate brain, muscle, nerve and organ function. The most common NTs are serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. 

Low levels of these important chemicals are extremely common in the general public and is due to innumerable lifestyle, environmental, and dietary factors.  People with low levels may suffer from one or more of the following conditions: obesity, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, insomnia, attention deficit, learning disorders, panic attacks, migraines, pms, menopausal symptoms, digestive complaints and many more. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other drugs working on the neurotransmitter biochemistry such as Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Celexa, Wellbutrin, etc. are currently some of the most commonly prescribed drugs. 

They work by artificially increasing the amount of serotonin in the synapse of the nerve which allows a temporary improvement in the chemical messaging system. The problem with this approach is that these drugs DO NOT increase serotonin levels and in fact deplete reserves of the NT.  

It is also common for people to experience only temporary improvement due to this effect. 

One effective treatment for optimizing the neurotransmitter levels is to provide the basic amino acid precursors or building blocks so the body can replenish the inadequate levels.