Videos: Histadelia: Depression, OCD, SAMe and Serotonin

Some great histadelia (neurotransmitter undermethylation) videos by Dr. William J. Walsh, a pioneering researcher of the effects of brain methylation imbalances on mental symptoms:

Dr. Walsh explains symptoms  of undermethylation (histadelia) including OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and depression, the relevance of SAMe and serotonin and other vitamin therapies, and the prevalence of histadelia in people of high accomplishment and drive (athletes, scientists, CEOs). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ7ZakljZu8



Dr Walsh on histamine tests, brain methylation, histapenia and histadelia symptoms and vitamins, and epigenetics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CRTL0-kDmI


For more info, see my book, Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Vitamins: Histadelia and Folic Acid

Folic acid is a critical vitamin for both mood and neurological health in general.

So why should histadelics restrict it?

1 They are already overloaded in folic acid.
2 Histadelics do not readily turn folic acid into methyl folate, which is needed to support  neurotransmitter methylation. Instead folic acid accumulates, worsening histadelic depression.


So the focus of therapy becomes: restrict folate, and support brain methylation (see previous posts).

Note: We are talking here only of histadelics, that is, people with undermethylation of brain neurotransmitters, and already elevated folate. For almost everyone else with mood problems, folic acid tends to be essential.

For more information, see my book, Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder.

Reminder: This information is presented for educational purposes only, and should not be construed as treatment recommendations. If you need treatment for histadelia, bipolar, or any other medical condition, please consult a knowledgeable physician.

Bipolar Depression: Histadelia Vitamins II

Nutrients commonly used for histadelic bipolars include:
SAMe, methionine, vitamin B6, magnesium and TMG, as per individual requirements. See:  the sample histadelia page from Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder (as per my previous post).

Further histadelia nutrients can include:

Calcium — often depleted. Calcium decreases histamine and supports release of antidepressant neurotransmitters.
Inositol — may reduce anxiety, promote sleep. Critical to signalling. Counterbalances choline and supports folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, betaine and methionine.  Too much may promote anxiety or panic in some bipolars, but not usually histadelics.
Methyl  B12 — Needed to turn homocysteine to methionine. Especially critical if oxidative stress is prevalent.
Omega 3 — supports methylation.
Niacinamide — modest amounts, introduced gradually, with attention to reactions. If voices occur,  B3 tends to be crucial. Anxiety may also signal greater need.
Zinc — Counters overstimulation. Supports homocysteine metabolism to cysteine or methionine.

Antioxidant support. With undermethylation, oxidative stress increases, and further compromises methylation pathways and depletes neurotransmitter precursors. Consider the following antioxidants:
Glutathione — of prime importantce. Needed to support formation of methyl B12.
Selenium and E — works with glutathione.
Vitamin C — decreases histamine; moderates stimulation; antidepressant.
Vitamin A — helps counter the seasonal allergies.
Vitamin D — supports calcium absorption and helps counter depression. 
Acetyl-L-carnitine — a great mitochondrial antioxidant; need may be suggested by low mental energy. However, may overstimulated.
Other antioxidants, as relevant.

Other nutrients, sometimes indicated 
Serotonin support (e.g, St Johnswort, tryptophan, 5HTP) — modest intake may help balance mood, especially if depleted.
Kava — calms limbic activation, but overstimulating for some.
Tyrosine — may  temporarily help counter the depression, especially if depleted, at least until methylation increases.
Copper — supports dopamine and norepinephrine formation, decreases histamine. In histadelics, metal metabolism disorders tends toward overactivity, decreasing copper. If so, small doses,  in some cases, may become useful (but not if it worsens oxidative stress).

Diet

Plentiful quality animal proteins (preferably fish from mercury-free waters; organic meats, free-range poultry) provide methionine. A good whole foods diet is recommended, with lots of complex carbohydrates and vegetables (though intake of greens, in some cases where folate is too high, needs to be moderated), healthy fats, and some fresh fruit. Minimize/avoid immunoreactive foods. Dairy provides calcium, which the histadelic needs, but is commonly an allergen (if so, consider goat milk products and a possible need for more zinc). Avoid sugar, white flour, fried and hydrogenated fat.

Restrictions 
Folic acid, is typically excessive relative to methylation status, so often must be significantly restricted.
Choline (which counterbalances norepinephrine) may worsen histadelic depression, so may need to be limited. DMAE, especially, tends to be detrimental,
GABA often is less than helpful during low-catecholamine histadelic depression.

This material reflects approaches developed by Doctors: Walsh, Hoffer, Pfeiffer, Jaffe, Kruesi, Bibus, and others.  See Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder for further info, including contraindications and references

Reminder: These are general summaries presented to educate the public and are not treatment recommendations. Treatment depends on the individual's unique biochemistry and response pattern. Attention to contraindications is essential.  If you need treatment for histadelia, bipolar, or any other medical condition, please consult a knowledgeable physician.

Bipolar Depression: Histadelia Nutrients

Additional histadelia nutrients next post. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, for a more complete overview, see my site and my book Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar depression: Histadelia treatment

Again, histadelia can look like bipolar, bipolar depression, psychotic depression, obsessive compulsive, schizoaffective, dual diagnosis, or (especially if also pyroluric) conduct disorders.

For an overview of symptoms and therapeutic nutrients, see these concise descriptions of the biotypes by Dr. William Walsh. Histadelia is first:
http://alternativementalhealth.com/articles/commoncauses.htm

For histadelia subgroups and more details on the approach of Dr. Walsh,
see this page from Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder.

Note: Histadelics do better if isolation and loneliness can be reduced, and if they can be effectively supported in continuing to take vitamins and avoid addictions.

For more info, see boragebooks.com

Reminder: These are general summaries presented to educate the public and are not treatment recommendations. Treatment depends on the individual's unique biochemistry and response pattern. Attention to contraindications is essential.  If you need treatment for histadelia, bipolar, or any other medical condition, please consult a knowledgeable physician.

Bipolar Depression and Histadelia Symptoms

Histadelia signs and symptoms can be generally broken down as follows:

Effects on the mind: Chronic profound depression, suicidality, episodes of blank mind, obsessions, compulsions (e.g., gambling, shopping, pulling out hair), delusions and phobias. Strong will, perfectionism, perhaps hypomania.

May have been diagnosed with: Psychotic depression, bipolar, unipolar, mixed state, schizoaffective, dual diagnosis, OCD, delusional or oppositional defiant disorder.

High metabolism effects: Elevated body temperature, insomnia, lean body, good appetite, severe inner tension.
Elevated body fluids: Mucous, saliva, semen, digestive fluids, sweat.

Prone to: Seasonal allergies,  frequent colds, asthma, osteoporosis, arthritis, headaches, body pain, automimmune disorders, addictions. 

Lab: High blood histamine remains the clearest indication. 

For more, see my book, Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder. 



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