Vitamins as treatment

Jules A, MSN · May 21, 2009

I thought it was more universal but yes at my facility we are very aware of the nutritional aspects of our patients overall health and address thoes issues in addition to treating their mental illness with medications.

tconlgirl · May 21, 2009

Furthermore, if you wanted to follow the line of thinking we started with regard to the Vitamin D supplementation; when the patients are stabilized why not do some patient teaching with regard to diet, exercise, FRESH AIR ( that they may miss being on an inpatient basis or if they are in colder climates) and sleep schedules. I feel that these factors are at least as important; if not more important than the medication regimen. Minor improvements in these areas could lead to great improvements in mood and coping ability and yes perhaps help relieve symptomology of their mental illness.

morte, LPN, LVN · May 21, 2009

Well to me the "follow the money" mantra smacks of yet another conspiracy theory with little data to back it up. Sadly it isn't uncommon in many diseases. For example 'Multiple Sclerosis hasn't been cured because the big pharm companies are making so much money on the disease modifying medications they sell'.
This is an insult to all the practitioners that have devoted their life's work to trying to find answers for this nasty disease. I'm sure this and the other diseases have touched the families of pharm companies as well so to intimate that there are simple cures out there that the health profession won't acknowledge based on money isn't one I am comfortable buying into. BTW vitamin D has also been touted as a preventative for MS also.

not at all, investigation 101, who benefits by the action being studied...... and you can check out peer reviewed articles on pubmed r/t vit D and ms....and apparently the Hoffers are still at it, there was a review by a person with that last name from magill in canada....

tconlgirl · May 21, 2009

I hate to spout "quasi -science" but there is a whole movement going on that adressess these sorts of things. This is so controversial that the mods may even take this post down, but in the interest of education I will share anyway. In my opinion these "nutritional" types of treatments should only be an adjunct treatment to traditional psychological treatments ( meds and therapy). >www. truehope.com

this you tube clip has more info

Jules A, MSN · May 21, 2009

not at all, investigation 101, who benefits by the action being studied...... and you can check out peer reviewed articles on pubmed r/t vit D and ms....and apparently the Hoffers are still at it, there was a review by a person with that last name from magill in canada....

I'll stand by my thoughts that there aren't always conspiracies going on and that a majority of researchers are doing honest work without any huge payoff. As for MS and vitamin D I know how to google and am well aware of the current research none of which is conclusive or even impressive in terms of either preventing or treating MS.

oramar · May 21, 2009

Just recently I read that MS is a genetic disease which is activated by a Vitamin D deficiency. A person could have the genetic predisposition but never get the disease because they got enough sunlight all their lives. You know what is scary about that. Kids don't go outside anymore. They sit inside and play computer games. We could be sitting on a MS time bomb.

blueheaven · May 22, 2009

I've been out of the loop for a year or so and just heard about recent use of Vitamin D for mood disorders and Niacin for schizophrenia. Apparently they are effective!
What's your experience with these or other vitamins? Seems to me if vitamins would work, we could do away with expensive drugs that have icky side effects!
Your thoughts?

They are finding out that good nutrition and vitamin supplimentation are effective in regulating many of the symptoms of mental disorders. I don't think that will do away with those meds with the nasty side effects...but I certainly think it could help. Fish oil is also effective in bipolar disorder and with depression. My PD suggested I use it and a friend of mine-her PD also suggested it...so there has to be something to it! (I already take Vit. D at a humongous dose for osteopenia-so don't know if that did my depression any good )

Jules A, MSN · May 22, 2009

Just recently I read that MS is a genetic disease which is activated by a Vitamin D deficiency. A person could have the genetic predisposition but never get the disease because they got enough sunlight all their lives. You know what is scary about that. Kids don't go outside anymore. They sit inside and play computer games. We could be sitting on a MS time bomb.

I'd say that is definitely a possibility in some people and think with the sedentary lifestyles many kids live today there will be a whole host of issues. My thoughts are though that until recent years most people were outside more and rarely used sun screen so for the majority I don't think this theory will hold up across the board but it sure won't hurt to be aware of the vitamin D component especially for people with AI diseases in their family. As for MS I'm just thankful that they are finally admitting that there is a familial component to that miserable disease.

oramar · May 22, 2009

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09142/972021-100.stm

rachelgeorgina · May 26, 2009

I havent read the whole thread because its late and I'm lazy but there's some early and promising research that began at the Pfieffer Clinic in the US and has been duplicated internationally suggesting that certain abnormalities in blood chemistry that can be corrected by supplements are linked to symptoms of mental illness.

For example the combination of low zinc and high copper have been tentatively called "pyroluria" when combined with symptoms such as anxiety and depression. When the abnormalities in serum zinc and copper and correct, the symptoms, apparently dissipate.

rachelgeorgina · May 26, 2009

Also... apparently there is new research suggesting that fish oil is a marvelous adjunct treatment for eating disorders.

morte, LPN, LVN · May 26, 2009

I'll stand by my thoughts that there aren't always conspiracies going on and that a majority of researchers are doing honest work without any huge payoff. As for MS and vitamin D I know how to google and am well aware of the current research none of which is conclusive or even impressive in terms of either preventing or treating MS.

and i am not talking about simple googling, i am talking about mainstream, peer reviewed journals......20 article from this year alone, only one appeared to be neg, and that was by the title, no abstract available....and 2/3 seemed to come up tangentially.....so, go right ahead...