NUTRIENTS AND NERVOUS SYSTEM

NUTRIENTS NUTRIENTS FOR NERVOUS FOR NERVOUS SYSTEMSYSTEM

Nutrients proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins,

and minerals provided by food and necessary for growth and the maintenance of life

Nervous system an organ system that coordinates the

activities of muscles, monitors organs, constructs and processes data received from the senses, and initiates actions

Nutrients are needed by nervous system such as oil needed by car engine

Factors affecting nervous Factors affecting nervous systemsystemDaily Stress Factor

nervous system uses up the available nutrients in the blood stream and when they are depleted, a person may begin to feel stress

Deficiency Factorimportant because a person can actually begin to feel "stressed out" when the system has depleted the nutrients necessary to maintain the nervous system

Nerve NutrientsNerve NutrientsNutrients needed by nerves to

maintain its activity and function

Nerve nutrients

Vitamins•B complex

Minerals•Calcium •Magnesium

Others

Vitamin B1 ( Thiamin)Vitamin B1 ( Thiamin)One of the most vital nutrients for

nervesTaking too much straight B1 or any one

type of B vitamin may destroy the balance of other vitamins and minerals

Maintain your energy supplies, Coordinate the activity of nerves and muscles, Support proper heart function

Depleted by: Many substances, such as alcohol, caffeine and medications

Nervous system supportNervous system support

1. permits healthy development of the fat-like coverings which surround most nerves (called myelin sheaths)

degenerate or become damaged Pain, prickly sensations, and nerve

deadening

2. production of the messaging molecule acetylcholine

neurotransmitter, is used by the nervous system to relay messages between the nerves and muscles

acetylcholine is used by the nervous system to ensure proper muscle tone in the heart, deficiency of B1 can also result in compromised heart function

Source of vit. B1Source of vit. B1

Inability of the nervous system to ensure proper muscle tone in the GI tract can lead to indigestion or constipation, and muscle tenderness, particularly in the calf muscles.

asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, sunflower seeds, tuna, green peas, tomatoes, eggplant

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)helps in the formation of the nerve

cells themselves, the most basic of the nervous system structures

peripheral neuropathy related to B12 deficiency :

Symptom- leg and foot pains experienced by many (include "pins and needles" sensations)

irreversible spinal cord degeneration

Vitamin B9 (folate/folic Vitamin B9 (folate/folic acid)acid)involved in the production of

neurotransmitters

degeneration of peripheral nervescause both carpal tunnel

syndrome (with symptoms of numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and wrists)

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B8 (Biotin)Vitamin B8 (Biotin)useful in treating:1.peripheral and autonomic

neuropathies in diabetes 2.HIV-related neuropathiesimprovement in nerve conduction

and relief of pain4-8 weeks of therapy

Deficiency/inactivity causes disordered activity of the biotin-dependent enzyme, pyruvate carboxylase, leading to an accumulation of pyruvate and/or a depletion of aspartate, either of which could adversely affect nervous system metabolism

Inositol Inositol decreased level of myo-inositol is

believed to cause a decrease in the activity of the sodium-potassium pump and, thus, to change the sodium permeability of nerves

treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine can help raise nerve myo-inositol content

peripheral nerve function linked to nerve myo-inositol content and that acetyl-l-carnitine can raise the levels of myo-inositol in the nerves

It also apparently protects the nerve membranes from free-radical damage, as evidenced by reduced malondialdehyde

Gamma Linolenic AcidGamma Linolenic Acidhelp to rebuild the myelin sheath

around the nerves, thus restoring proper nerve conduction

Minerals: CalciumMinerals: Calciumhas a role in keeping the nerves

healthy as well as to ensure their ability to communicate effectively

Minerals: MagnesiumMinerals: Magnesiumvery important role in the upkeep

of the nervous systemhelp the body make use of

calcium most efficientlyDeficiency: nervousness and confusionlack of potassium can lead to

nervous disorders

Nutrient RDA AffectsFood sources (highest first)

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

2 mg energy levels, amino acid absorption, formation of brain, nerves and blood, anti-allergy, anti-depressant, protein and carbohydrate absorption, preventing skin conditions and nerve problems

yeast, wheat bran, wheatgerm, oatflakes, soya flour, bananas, wholewheat, nuts, chicken, pork, fatty fish, brown rice, potatoes, vegetables, eggs, whole grains, dried beans

Vitamin B12 (Colbalamin)

1 mcg DNA metabolism, making red blood cells, formation of the nerves, detoxifies cyanide in smoke

fatty fish, pork, beef, lamb, white fish, eggs, cheese, milk (only found in foods of animal origin)

Nutrient RDA AffectsFood sources (highest first)

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

60 mg anti-oxidant, assists iron absorption, activates folic acid, anti-stress, brain and nerves, immune system, protection against viruses and bacteria, healing wounds, reducing cholesterol, cell lifespan, preventing scurvy. Also a natural laxative.

acerola cherry juice, camu pulp, rosehip syrup, blackcurrants, guavas, parsley, kale, horseradish, broccoli tops, green peppers, citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, berries, tomatoes, cauliflower, potatoes, green leafy vegetables

Biotin (formerly known as B8)

150 mcg energy levels, maintaining healthy skin, hair, sweat glands, nerves, bone marrow and sex glands

yeast, eggs, wholegrains, wheat bran, wheatgerm, wholemeal bread, maize (corn), fish, meats, rice, vegetables

Nutrient RDA AffectsFood sources (highest first)

Folate, folacin, folic acid (formerly known as B9)

200 mcg RNA and DNA metabolism, production of red blood cells, preventing birth defects and promoting disease resistance in young babies. A deficiency during pregnancy can result in spina bifida in the newborn infant.

yeast, soya flour, wheatgerm, wheat bran, nuts, green leafy vegetables, rye and whole wheat, pulses (beans), wholemeal bread, citrus fruit, egg yolks, brown rice, carrots, melon, apricots, pumpkin, avocado

Inositol 500-1,000mg

controls blood cholesterol levels, anti-anxiety, maintains healthy hair

lecithin granules, beef heart, desiccated liver, wheatgerm, lecithin oil. liver, brown rice, cereals, beef steak, citrus fruits, nuts, molasses, pulses, green vegetables, wholemeal bread, soya flour

Nutrient RDA AffectsFood sources (highest first)

Niacin (formerly known as B3)

18 mg converting food into energy, building red blood cells, maintains healthy skin, nerves, brain, tongue and digestion

yeast, wheat bran, nuts, chicken, soya flour, meat, fatty fish, whole grains, cheese, dried fruit, wholemeal bread, brown rice, wheatgerm, eggs, avocado, peanuts

Pantothenic acid (formerly known as B5)

6 mg energy levels, anti-stress remedy, controls fat metabolism, antibody formation, maintains healthy nerves, detoxifies drugs, fatigue, allergies, asthma, psoriasis

yeast, peanuts, pecans and hazelnuts, wheat bran, wheatgerm, soya flour, eggs, chicken, meats, whole grains, dried beans and peas, wholemeal bread, mushrooms, cauliflower, potatoes, avocado, oranges, bananas, milk, fresh fish, cheese

Nutrient RDA AffectsFood sources (highest first)

Calcium 800mg bones and teeth hard cheeses, soft cheeses, tinned fish, nuts, pulses (beans), cow's milk, root vegetables, eggs, cereals, fruit, wholemeal bread, fresh fish, human milk

Magnesium 300mg bones, nerves and muscles, energy production

soya beans, nuts, yeast, wholewheat flour, brown rice, dried peas, shrimps, wholemeal bread, rye flour, seafood, dried fruit, vegetables, meats, bananas, green leafy vegetables

Manganese 2.5-5mggrowth, joints and bones, nervous system, energy production, female sex hormones

cereals, wholemeal bread, nuts, pulses (beans), fruit, green leafy vegetables, liver, root vegetables, meats, fish, black tea

Nutrient RDA AffectsFood sources (highest first)

Potassium - maintains body water balance, catalyst for enzymes involved in energy production, stabilising body cell structure, protein synthesis, control of nerve impulse transmission, acid/alkali balance, intestinal tract

dried fruits, soya flour, molasses, wheat bran, raw salad vegetables, chips, nuts, breakfast cereal, muesli, drinking chocolate, savoury biscuits, fresh fruit, boiled vegetables, fish, meats, fruit juices, eggs, cheese, brown rice, white rice

CURRENT RESEARCHESCURRENT RESEARCHESPositively Well: Living With HIV

As A Chronic, Manageable Survival Disease

therapies which have proven useful for diabetics may also work for at least some people living with HIV who develop neuropathy.

University of Athensregular, long-term use of biotin in

diabetics was very effective both for improvement in nerve conduction and relief of pain

In this study, biotin was given via daily intramuscular injection (10 mg/day) for 6 weeks; then 3 times per week (10 mg), intramuscularly, for 6 weeks; then 5 mg/day taken orally for up to two years.

University of Alabamafound a statistically significant

improvement in nerve function in diabetics placed on a diet high in inositol

doses of 2-6 grams per day has resulted in improvements in neuropathy

Robert Atkins, M.D., has reported his successful use of 2-6 grams per day for reversing diabetic neuropathy, and physicians at St. James Hospital in Leeds, England, have reported good results with even smaller dosages

Stanley Mirski, M.D.a large percentage of his diabetic

patients who suffer from neuropathy have achieved improvements with daily thiamine supplementation in doses of 50-100 mg

ConclusionConclusionDeficiency of nutrients could lead

to many nerve related diseases.The only way to treat the nerve

damaged that are caused by nutrients, is to take the correct nutrients; vitamins and minerals in adequate amount.