As far back as 1956, Adelle Davis wrote about how deficiencies in the various
B vitamins and specially Niacin can cause/contribute to depression.  It'll be
interesting to see what these folks have beyond that.

janet paterson wrote:
>
> Hog supplement helps humans
>
> Friday April 14, 2000 - Researchers are studying whether a combination of
> 36 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can affect a wide range of disorders.
>
> When Tony Stephan's wife killed herself in 1994 after many years of
> suffering manic depression, and two of his children were diagnosed with the
> same devastating illness, he turned to his friend David Hardy, who ran an
> animal-feed business.
>
> What Mr. Hardy knew about keeping animals sane led to a non-drug
> nutritional supplement for psychiatric illness that is now the subject of
> scientific scrutiny by researchers.
>
> "You take care of all the deficiencies to maximize the performance of
> animals," said Mr. Hardy, who is in Ottawa this week with Mr. Stephan.
>
> "I have seen people who appear startlingly well," said Dr. Steve Simpson,
> one of the researchers at the University of Calgary and a psychiatrist.
>
> "I'm quite prepared to believe that it's possible some of them benefited
> from this supplement."
>
> The Alberta Science and Research Authority has just awarded a $554,000
> grant for a study of manic depression treated with the supplement.
> Researchers will study 120 patients over the next two years.
>
> A $70,000 double-blind study at the University of Calgary is under way to
> study its effectiveness on chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia in 96
> patients.
>
> And about 650 people have tried the product in non-scientific trials
> through Mr. Hardy and Mr. Stephan's non-profit company, Synergy Group of
> Canada.
>
> The two men claim the supplement, which contains 36 different vitamins,
> minerals and antioxidants, has helped adults and children suffering from a
> wide range of central nervous system disorders, including manic depression,
> schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity
> disorder (ADHD), fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.
>
> Mr. Hardy says nervous system disorders are a result of nutrient deficiency
> or nutrient imbalance.
>
> People who get mentally ill likely have problems metabolizing food, he
> said. Furthermore, soil around the world is depleted of natural minerals
> because of years of cultivation.
>
> Modern farming, with fertilizers and lots of water, contributes to nutrient
> deficiency in foods, added Mr. Hardy.
>
> Previous studies have shown low levels of zinc in people with mood and
> behaviour disorders. This is the first research to look at multiple
> elements and their balance in the body.
>
> Mr. Stephan's wife Debbie struggled with manic depression for years before
> committing suicide in 1994. Her father had also killed himself.
>
> In 1995, his 21-year-old daughter Autumn was admitted to hospital with
> hallucinations and delusions. His 15-year-old son Joseph had been diagnosed
> with manic depression a year earlier, and was so violent that Mr. Stephan
> feared for the safety of the other children.
>
> "I knew if I didn't do something, I would soon have another suicide in my
> family," recalled Mr. Stephan.
>
> Mr. Hardy knew that aggressive behaviour in hogs could be treated with
> mineral supplements.
>
> The two men developed a supplement, which they gave to the Stephan children
> in 1996. After 60 days, they were symptom-free. Within a few weeks, they
> were off their psychiatric drugs.
>
> Mr. Hardy and Mr. Stephan approached physicians in private practice, but
> were turned away. They went to Bryan Kolb, a University of Lethbridge
> expert in neuropsychology. Mr. Kolb helped with a trial of 13 children and
> adults with attention deficit disorder. The success of that trial has led
> to further research.
>
> Two nutraceutical companies in the United States have invested $400,000
> U.S. in the product.
>
> Rick Carriere, 46, of Ottawa, is among 25 people in Ottawa testing the
> supplement. The property manager was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in
> 1998, after falling into a suicidal depression.
>
> Although anti-depressants helped him cope, he didn't like the idea of
> taking drugs. He began the supplement program last summer and takes 40
> capsules a day. "I've never felt as good as this," he said. "It's like manna."
>
> Joy Statham, a 45-year-old air quality consultant, suffered anxiety attacks
> for 20 years. "I no longer feel like I'm hanging on to life by my
> fingernails."
>
> Ottawa family doctor Libuse Gilka will supervise a study of the supplement
> in children with autism.
>
> "Vitamins are like sparks which are needed for the biochemical processes in
> the body," she said.
>
> About five per cent of people do not seem to benefit from the supplement,
> said Mr. Stephan. The supplement is safe, Dr. Simpson added, but women who
> are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should not use it.
>
> Synergy supplements are expected to be on the market in a couple of years.
> More information is available at www.truehope.com.
>
> Mr. Stephan and Mr. Hardy will hold a public lecture today at St. Paul
> University at 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. They will also speak on
> Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
>
> They will have a booth at the Health Show at the Ottawa Congress Centre
> this weekend.
>
> by Maria Cook
> The Ottawa Citizen
> http://www.ottawacitizen.com/city/000413/3924753.html
>
> janet paterson
> 53 now / 41 dx / 37 onset
> a new voice: http://www.geocities.com/janet313/
> 613 256 8340 PO Box 171 Almonte Ontario Canada K0A 1A0

--
Frans van Duinen
     (416) 652-8580
     Toronto, Ontario