Laupu W

ABSTRACT Barriers to better mental health outcomes are stigma and sub-optimal mental health literacy. Mental health outcomes are being suppressed by both the residual eugenics beliefs and Nazi propaganda, that continue to dominate global public perceptions. As health professionals we need to move past these Nazi atrocities to modernize the delivery of mental health services. Mental health literacy is an invaluable resource. Many mental disorders are known to arise from the brain adapting to a low energy environment. An integrative literary review of brain energy requirements was conducted, to extrapolate recommendations that can inform clinical practice and policy. The quality of life aspect of mental health should emphasize cognitive well-being. Stress depletes our brain’s iron and magnesium reserves. Smoking tobacco, heavy alcohol or marijuana use only worsens the damage that is occurring in the brain; from depleting levels of these important nutrients. Critically, do not fast for extended periods then eat ferociously or consistently skip meals. A variety of foods contain the recommended nutrients. Moreover, fish, seaweed or proteins possess higher levels of the nutrients required for thyroid hormone production to control energy expenditure. Eat iron, zinc and iodine rich foodstuffs and smaller portions of selenium, copper, magnesium and manganese to support your brain; especially if you have ever had a mild to severe hypoxic brain injury. Micronutrient preparations comprising of these nutrients may help to prevent mental disorders. See your doctor to have any gastro-intestinal or thyroid problems treated.

Two distinct schools of thought and two men have continued to dominate psychiatry over the past century. Despite both of these men supporting eugenics; Emil Kraepelin and Paul Eugen Bleuler also held very different views on how better outcomes could best be achieved. Progress in the delivery of better outcomes for schizophrenia has halted. Gaining an understanding of the neurobiology involved in schizophrenia may facilitate the delivery of better clinical outcomes. An extensive narrative review of the literature was undertaken to ascertain a neurobiological basis for schizophrenia. This review revealed a metabolic disorder that produces an adaptation to chronic nutrient or hypoxic stress. The formation of a stress memory will be explored. An evidence base will be presented to support rationale for relabeling psychiatric disorders as a stress memory with prominent symptoms. For instance, psychosis, mood disturbance, persistently low mood, anxiety or a delayed reaction in the case of post-traumatic stress disorder. Besides the argument for neurobiological and symptom accuracy, an appropriate name change may be prudent to reduce the burden of stigma that was derived from the eugenics movement and which continues to defame people today.

The incorporation of a polymer into the spray drying process may have enhanced the bioavailability of the mangosteen rind powder. To clarify the relationship between mangosteen rind powder and schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder the thesis describing the pilot study was revisited and interpreted. The health of the cell is compromised early in schizophrenia and affective disorder, evidenced by impaired antioxidant defences and oxidative stress. A neurobiological feature of schizophrenia is apoptosis (cell death). Higher levels of glutathione S-transferases are likely to promote cell viability instead of apoptosis and act as a biomarker for schizophrenia. Mangosteen rind powder is likely to improve the level of glutathione S-transferases; however an assay would potentially confirm this assumption. The pilot study confirms that mangosteen rind powder capsules show a positive signal of efficacy and effectiveness in schizophrenia and affective disorder for people without a co-morbid medical condition. The treatment was delivered safely and well tolerated amongst the cohort over a period of 180 days. These findings support the supplementation of mangosteen rind powder capsules at the dose of 1000mg/day for the augmented treatment of schizophrenia and affective disorders. The findings will also be discussed in terms of disability burden and the mental health system.

Gaining an understanding of the aetiology of schizophrenia may influence the growing number of children being prescribed antipsychotic drugs. Urbanization features foremost in the literature, however historical documents point to malnourishment. A unique set of data has been uncovered, with the potential to broadly answer this question. Goitre studies, preceding treatment with antipsychotic drugs, acted as a marker for schizophrenia. A review of these studies enabled environmental, public health and dietary variables to be compared between populations in mental hospitals (control) and the rest of New Zealand. Mineral deficiencies in soils enter the food chain through vegetables. In areas of depleted soil mineralization, inadequate diets were present amongst some New Zealanders; relative to those in mental hospitals. Dietary minerals are imperative for enabling the antioxidant defence system to counter stress and maintain neuronal health. The highest concentrations of these minerals, which are required for thyroid hormone production and antioxidant defences, are present in seafood, seaweed, proteins. Here we discuss the relevance of this finding to neuropathology at onset, first episode of psychosis, the prevalence and incidence of schizophrenia and affective disorders. Further work educating stakeholders of the need to eat for brain health would be beneficial for our children.