11 - Healing Foods For The Mind And A Sharper Memory
Because the body and the mind are so dependent upon food for health, it is essential to provide nourishing and natural foods. Yet the problem of nutritional deficiency is widespread, and such deficiency can lead to emotional disorders.
A good rule of thumb is to reduce the intake of unnatural or refined foods such as sugar, bleached flour, cakes, pastries, candies, coffee with caffeine, cola, commercial teas, prepared, processed, frozen and dehydrated foods. Replace these with wholesome, all-natural, complete foods.
The noted physician, Lester M. Morrison, M.D., in The Lew Fat Way to Health and Longer Life, has this to say:
"Health authorities, nutritional experts and practicing physicians are agreed that although Americans can afford to buy more and better food than any other people in the world, their diet is sadly deficient in certain important nutritional elements. We are a nation that is overfed but undernourished."
Dr. Morrison then asks: "What is wrong with our diet and our eating habits? Many things are wrong with our diet and eating habits. Nowhere in the world is food treated so badly before it is eaten as in the United States. Here it is raised by the use of artificial chemicals. In an all-out effort aimed at quantity, rather than quality, we do everything humanly possible to destroy the original character ... Moreover, by the time most of our food reaches the consumer, it is too highly processed, refined and improperly preserved.
"To add to this inadequacy, we destroy what nutrient value remains by flame, fire, by watering it down with tap water and by overloading it with salt, sugar or seasoning. Then we sit down during hurried and harried business hours and bolt it down.
"And the result? Some 60 million or more Americans, adults and children, suffer from constipation, bad teeth, skin troubles, digestive disorders, fatigue, nervousness and a multitude of other complaints. Most of them are caused directly by poor nutrition and sub-clinical vitamin deficiencies."
Dr. Morrison has devised a "five-step program" that has reportedly helped improve the body-mind health of his patients. Here is his plan:
(1) Daily, as a food supplement at breakfast, two to four table spoons of lecithin made from soya beans. (Available at health food stores.)
(2) Each day, add to your diet, Vitamin Bcomplex in a goodly amount. (Author: Consult your physician on the amount.)
(3) Add daily to your diet at least 150 milligrams of Vitamin C and a doctor-prescribed amount of Vitamin A.
(4) Take two table spoons of soya bean oil, com oil or safflower oil (cold-pressed) daily for essential fatty acids. These oils may be used in salads, taken straight, or in some kind of juice — as you like.
(5) Include in your diet each day from two to four table spoons of whole wheat germ. This may be eaten as a cereal for breakfast with fruit or any way desired. The emphasis upon lecithin, Dr. Morrison explains, is to help ease the problem of hardening of the arteries which often impairs brain-mental function, among other problems.
Dr. Roger Williams, biochemist-author of Nutrition in a Nutshell suggests a body-mind eating program including plenty of seeds and nuts, meat, poultry, fish and other freshwater and saltwater fish (avoid shellfish because of pollution problems) leafy vegetables, root and tuber vegetables, carrots, potatoes, fruits of all kinds, melons and tomatoes, yeast, dairy products and eggs. Wholesome, natural unprocessed foods.
Some natural foods are specifically reported to promote a feeling of emotional well-being and to revitalize thinking and memory power:
(1) Millet.
A tiny grain — not much larger than the head of a pin — resembling a bean, but it is a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, protein and lecithin. It contains all 10 of the essential amino acids. It is often 25% complete protein. It is easily digested, non-acid forming, non-mucus forming, does not ferment in the stomach. Cooked, it looks much like cream of wheat. Available whole grain and ground. About four parts water to one part millet is satisfactory. Add honey and milk to heat up before you take the millet out of the pan so it stays piping hot. Millet is available at many grocery stores as well as health stores.
(2) Sunflower Seeds.
Another powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids. They are a special treasure of niacin and have more of this brain-food nutrient than wheat germ, soya beans or even peanut meal. In addition, sunflower seeds have 55 plus percent of high-quality brain-nourishing protein.
(3) Raw Sesame Seeds.
A good source of protein, unsaturated fatty acids and also calcium. Sprinkle raw sesame seeds on salads. Add them to hot millet cereal. Try cold-pressed sesame seed oil for a big boost of valuable nutrients. Munch on sesame seeds. They're chewy, delicious and healthful. TIP: Roll natural peanut butter, honey and sesame seeds into little balls for a tasty healthful confection.
(4) Pumpkin Seeds.
As nourishing as sunflower seeds and rich in protein, minerals and unsaturated fatty acids. These seeds are the "germ" of the plant and may be called "brain food".
(5) Soya Beans.
Almost a perfect food, listing more protein than beef, more calcium than milk, more lecithin than eggs, as well as amino acids, vitamins, minerals. Lecithin, mentioned earlier, is made from soya beans. Try soya bean flour too, a potent combination of the Bcomplex vitamins, protein, minerals, etc. fa cook soya beans soak overnight in cold water. Then cook, bake, roast like any other bean.
(6) Yogurt.
Sour or clabbered milk, it has a soothing effect on the digestive tract. It facilitates metabolism, the key to good mental as well as physical health.
(7) Yeast.
We refer to brewer's yeast, the most potent natural source of the Bcomplex. Combine with desiccated liver and give yourself a powerful dose of the nutrients needed to feed a healthy body and build a healthy mind. SUGGESTION: For a good "mind-boosting" tonic, mix one tea-spoonful of brewer's yeast in a glass of fresh juice. Drink once or twice a day.
(8) Desiccated Liver.
This is the entire liver, selected from healthy cattle, dried and defatted at a temperature low enough to conserve as much of the nutritional value as possible. It is available at health stores in tablet and powder form. Desiccated liver is a liver concentrate, the final product weight about one-fourth as much as the fresh liver. It's loaded with a potent supply of the Bcomplex vitamins as well as valuable protein, and other vitamins and minerals.
(9) Kelp.
Also known as sea salt, kelp is a product of the ocean, taken from seaweed. It is a powerful source of iodine needed to stimulate the thyroid gland which influences mental health.
(10) Pure Peanut Butter.
A good supply of valuable protein as well as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2) and niacin, plus calcium and phosphorus. All these are considered mind nourishers.
(11) Raw Wheat Germ.
This tiny germ is the life of the wheat germ, the seed inside the grain. It is the heart of the grain, rich in protein, the Bcomplex vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids. Use as a cereal or bake your own bread with it.
(12) Fresh Raw Vegetable Juices.
Also fresh raw fruit juices. These are rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes. For emotional-healthbuilding amino acids, minerals, and other nutrients, try fresh juices. These concentrated sources of Nature's goodness help promote a feeling of abundant health.
In general your foods should be wholesome, as natural as possible, unadulterated by chemicals, preservatives or artificial flavouring or colouring.
From A Drug Culture To A Nature Culture.
Our current "drug culture" may have arisen from the "life style" of giving narcotics and chemotherapy for a wide variety of emotional illnesses ranging from the "Nervous housewife" to institutional confinement. Originally, chemotherapy was valuable for treating serious illnesses under a doctor's close supervision. But when prescription pills began being dispensed for just about every sort of complaint, the "drug culture" threatened the health of the nation.
For this reason, many doctors are urging a return to a "Nature culture" in which all-Nature products are used to help correct the cause of the emotional upset, and thereby help ease the symptoms. Undeniably, some chemotherapy is of importance in more severe cases under hospital situations. Examples are:
Schizophrenia.
Characterised by general withdrawal and disintegration of personality. When it involves regression to childishness, it is called hebephrenia. Sometimes, a total physical flaccidity or stiffness occurs and this is called catatonia. In severe cases, chemotherapy is often used at the start and then a "nature culture" program is introduced to help nourish the organs affecting emotional health.
Paranoia.
Characterised by delusions and hallucinations, commonly of power or persecution. The paranoid is often violently aggressive and dangerous. In extreme cases, chemotherapy is needed to help control criminal behaviour. As with schizophrenia, many modern physician-nutritionists start by administering drugs, introduce natural methods later.
ManicDepressive.
The victim of this psychosis suffers from extreme states of joy or depression. He may suffer from one or the other, or they may alternate in a recurring cycle. In many reported situations, the manicdepressive can be helped with all-natural methods from the start — under a doctor-prescribed program.
Anxiety.
The anxiety-sufferer is nervous, has vague, generalized fears; physical symptoms include heart palpitations, irregular breathing, profuse perspiration. Natural therapy is often used from the start.
Phobias.
Some two dozen phobias exist. In this situation, analysis helps ease the mind and natural foods help the body promote emotional health so the entire person is being treated.
Hysteria.
Prolonged stress is often responsible. Paralysis and anaesthesia (loss of sensitivity to touch) are common. Again, a combination of analysis and proper nutrition is often most helpful.
Neurasthenia.
Emotional upsets often cause the chronic tiredness, strange pains, ringing in the ears symptomatic of neurasthenia. The need is for improvement of the neurological system through proper nutrition and analysis.
The earlier treatment is begun, the better the chances for recovery. The best course is to obtain proper medical care as soon as possible. Emotional disturbance may be reflected in a wide variety of symptoms. All do not occur at the same time, or with the same intensity in the emotionally upset. Any suspicion of erratic behaviour should be reported to your doctor.
The Limitations Of Drugs In Treating Emotional Upsets.
As stated previously, drugs or chemotherapy may be valuable in certain extreme situations when the patient is hospitalised or violent. But pills too easily and casually dispensed can have adverse effects upon the mind-body system.
The two most widely used — and misused — forms of drugs are the amphetamines, the so-called pep pills, and the barbiturates. First, we'll examine the amphetamines.
A medically supervised dose of amphetamine does four things to the human body:
(1) It shuts off the fatigue signals built into the physical system as a defense mechanism.
(2) It cuts down the hunger signals which normally tell the brain that the body craves nourishment.
(3) It stimulates the nervous system with an unnatural sense of renewed energy and euphoria (sense of well-being).
(4) Because the amphetamine provides no new source of energy or food, the physical system is stimulated to tap its reserve resources.
Because the amphetamines were found to be non-addictive, in a physical sense, they quickly gained the reputation of being a "harmless, non habit-forming stimulant". It was soon discovered, however, that they are psychological dynamite. For too many users they became a crutch for daily living. Failure to take the regular dose leaves the user terribly depressed, sleepy or listless. Result: emotional dependence upon the drug.
Self-medication with amphetamines has become widespread among truck drivers, pilots, bus drivers and trainmen — where the safety of many may depend upon the alertness of one or two persons. Among students, most often at exam time when amphetamines are used over several days of intensive cramming. Among sports participants. Among musicians, actors, businessmen and lawyers, and others under prolonged physical and / or mental tension.
What happens with prolonged use of these drug stimulants? Users gradually find it necessary to increase the dosage to overcome the tolerance level built up by the body. There is a gradual deterioration in the individual's normal capacity for reliability and responsibility. Eventually, he is unable to compete on the same level of efficiency. There is also emotional deterioration reflected in marked irritability and temper outbursts. Personal confidence and self-respect are impaired. Sloppy, slovenly appearance often characterises the chronic amphetamine user.
The penalty for dependency on these "pep pills" is the same as the penalty for any faulty living habits — emotional upset. It becomes a vicious cycle — a strong argument for a return to a "Nature Culture".
Where amphetamines "pep up" the user, barbiturates "calm him down". A medically-supervised dose of the barbiturates — also known as sedatives — does the following to body and mind:
(1) It mildly depresses the action of the nerves, skeletal muscles and the heart muscle.
(2) It slows down the heart rate and breathing, and lowers the blood pressure.
(3) It induces sleep and eases tension.
(4) Speech and movements may be uncoordinated (among those who have built up a tolerance and can stay awake). Skilled tasks are performed sluggishly and without precision. Judgment and perception are impaired. Confusion, slurred speech, irritability and an unsteady gait are often noted in chronic users. An overdose may cause the person to fall into a coma.
Barbiturates are physically addictive. Tolerance develops and withdrawal symptoms occur when the user stops taking the drug. Barbiturates also distort how people see things and slow down reaction time and response. They are a dangerous cause of automobile accidents, especially when taken together with alcohol. Barbiturates tend to heighten the effects of alcohol.
The illicit manufacture and dispensing of barbiturates has put them in the hands of many who should not use them. But some who do have these problems:
People who suffer from anxiety or insomnia and are dependent upon the drug culture for relief.
Persons under excessive stress, or those who cannot tolerate ordinary emotional stress, are vulnerable to this "easy" way to cope with challenges and responsibilities. People who know they will have to face a certain difficult situation will use the drug to enable them to meet it.
Users may become so dependent that a heavy dose could cause a temporary toxic psychosis (mental derangement) requiring hospitalization. This is usually accompanied by auditory and visual hallucinations. Prolonged or habitual users sometimes develop suicidal tendencies and risk accidental death from barbiturate poisoning. Another vicious cycle: barbiturates, used incorrectly can cause the same emotional-nervous upsets they are meant to control. Surveys show that of all the prescriptions doctors write for mind-affecting drugs, about 1 in 4 is for a barbiturate.
From Drug Culture To Nature Culture?
The switch is possible because scientists have discovered that many pep pills — or "barbies" — work by releasing norepinephrine, a substance stored in nerve endings, and concentrating it in the higher centres of the brain. This speeds up the heart action and metabolism, the body's way of converting food into the nutrients it needs. Therefore, some doctors now suggest releasing the norepinephrine through the use of certain natural food programs and special dietary supplements. This program is working — and we may yet go from a drug culture to a nature culture.