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