Women’s health

Women’s health

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Use this as an aide to your own research and share with your doctor as appropriate

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Relationships

Read & reread (because relationships change over time) the books, alone or together with your partner:

Love by Leo Buscaglia

It can happen to you: the practical guide to romatic love  by Roger Callahan

The Romance Factor by Alan Loy McGuinness

7 Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman & Nan Silver

The Five Love Languages  by Gary Chapman

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus by John Gray

Read the online essay by Mandy Len Catron “To Fall in Love With Anyone, Do This,”

Sexual attraction & the birth control pill & pregnancy

Immune genes appear to play an important role in sexual attraction.  Heterosexual women & men are sexually attracted to the smell of the opposite gender that have three immune genes- major histocompatibility complex (MHC)- that are different than their own.  There is speculation that this makes a child’s immune system stronger, or that it increases the likelihood that one parent will survive a plague.

The birth control pill simulates pregnancy.  When women are on the birth control pill or pregnant they are more attracted to men with the same MHC genes.  This is suspected this is a throwback to when women who were pregnant prefer the company of male relatives, especially back when the men in the women’s family helped raise the child, not her sexual partner.

This can provide a problem when a woman dating a man she finds sexually attractive starts taking the pill, or when a woman has a partner she met when on the pill stops taking the pill to get pregnant or for health reasons.  In both situations she may find herself less physically attracted to her partner, which can lead to the relationship ending or her seeking other sexual partners.

In pregnancy this explains why women who have three different MHC genes than their partners may have little desire for sex during the pregnancy.  Knowing that the lack of sexual desire is purely biological and that it will likely come back in full may help partners to endure the temporary lack of chemistry.  The chemistry often comes back the day after delivery, even if the physical ability may take a few weeks.

This is all relative to strength of relationship and other factors.  But it may help the relationship to understand the biological basis for attraction.

When is it useful?

When a woman is in a relationship with someone whose abusive and it’s the physical relationship that is keeping her tied to the abusive partner (assuming they have two or three different immune factors), sometimes the abusive partner notices that his/her hold on the relationship starts to slip when the woman starts taking birth control & s/he throws them out.   Taking birth control surreptitiously may allow her to leave her partner earlier and before the abuse continues or gets worse because the physical attraction may lessen.  It would be a conscious decision by her to make it easier to leave.

Hormonal birth control may also lower levels of B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium & zinc.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/14/science-of-attraction-_n_6661522.html

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/birth-control-pills-affect-womens-taste/

MHC-correlated odour preferences in humans and the use of oral contraceptives

S. Craig Roberts et al. Proc. R. Soc. B (2008) 275, 2715–2722  doi:10.1098/rspb.2008.0825

Partner Choice, Relationship Satisfaction, and Oral Contraception   The Congruency Hypothesis S. Craig Roberts et al. Psychological Science Volume: 25 issue: 7, page(s): 1497-1503  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614532295

Maternal health

Maternal mortality in childbirth

In 2014 in the Netherlands, maternal mortality was 2.9 women per 100,000.  In the United States in 1987 maternal mortality in childhood was only 7.2 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.   In DC and all other states besides Texas and California, it rose to 23.8 in 2014, 300% higher.  In Texas, it rose to 35.8 in 2014- 500% higher than the US rate in 1987 and 1200% higher (12x) than in the Netherlands.  What has happened in the United States (and especially Texas) that has made maternal mortality so much higher than 25 years ago in the US, and so much higher currently than other industrialized nations?

One possibility is that women in the US are having children older, which increases maternal deaths, but so are women in other industrialized countries.

The rest of the industrialized world has universal healthcare which results in significantly more standardized prenatal and postnatal care, which have both been shown to improve maternal health and reduce maternal deaths.

Good prenatal care, skilled doctors/nurses/midwives, emergency care to deal with hemorrhage, sepsis, hypertensive disorders and obstructed labour, the availability of safe abortion, and postnatal care for the vulnerable new infant and the mothers’ postbirth bleeding, sepsis and hypertensive disorders have all been found to reduce maternal & infant deaths around the world.  Even safer is making birth physically, emotionally, & economically safe for women & babies.

Women on medicaid in the US get fewer prenatal services, are more likely to have health problems before pregnancy, and have greater maternal health problems.  Women without health insurance get far less care than even women on medicaid.  Women in almost all of the rest of the industrialized world get free or very inexpensive pre and postnatal services, medical care, and hospital care if needed during and after childbirth.

Caesarian sections

Doctors have been performing caesarian sections in record numbers, now 1/3rd of all births in the US, up from 1/5th twenty years ago.  Unnecessary surgery increases mortality risks for the mother & the baby.  Because total payouts to hospitals and doctors are 50% higher with cesarean than with vaginal birth, paying hospitals a set rate for all births & doctors a salary would stop the monetary incentive for more caesarian sections.

Medicalization of childbirth

A very delicate balance of hormones-estrogen and progesterone, oxytocin, vasosupressin,  beta-endorphins, prolactin, epinephrine/adrenaline, norepinephrine/noradrenaline identified so far-are used to send up to a 10lb infant out of the uterus, down the birth canal, & out the vagina where the baby breathes for the first time & is dependent on nonplacental nourishment for the rest of her/his life.  We are as far from understanding or replicating that sequence, timing, & levels of hormone & biological feedback as we are from intergalactic travel.  We also beginning to understand how medications given during childbirth adversely affect the levels of this delicate balance of hormones.

Natural Childbirth IV: The Hormones of Birth

Pitocin

The use of pitocin to induce labor increases risk of autism & infant injury, increases signs of brain damage by 500%, asphyxia by 300%, reduces breast feeding after labor, and doubles caesarean sections.  Giving pitocin to induce labor may signal the infant’s brain to stop the maturation of his/her own hormonal system and significantly reduce the infant’s own oxytocin levels throughout their lifetime.  Oxytocin (along with vasosuppressin) is an essential hormone for friendship, love, and basic social interactions.

Healthy Birth Practice #1: Let Labor Begin on Its Own

Amis, Debby

The Journal of Perinatal Education, Volume 23, Number 4, 2014, pp. 178-187(10)

Association of Autism With Induced or Augmented Childbirth in North Carolina Birth Record (1990-1998) and Education Research (1997-2007) Databases

Simon G. Gregory et al.

JAMA Pediatr. 2013;167(10):959-966. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.2904

Routine induction of labour at 41 weeks gestation: nonsensus consensus

Savas M. Menticoglou and Philip F. Hall

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 109, Issue 5, pages 485–491, May 2002

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2002.01004.x

Influence of maternal, obstetric and fetal risk factors on the prevalence of birth asphyxia at term in a Swedish urban population.

Milsom I et al.

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2002 Oct;81(10):909-17.

Risk factors for neonatal encephalopathy in Kathmandu, Nepal, a developing country: unmatched case-control study

Matthew Ellis et al.

BMJ. 2000 May 6; 320(7244): 1229–1236.

PMCID: PMC27363

http://www.sandiegohypnobirth.com/uploads/Pitocin___Autism.pdf

Epidurals (used for pain during childbirth)

Epidurals lower the levels of most of the birth hormones.

They lengthen labor.

They triple the risk of severe perineal tear.

They may increase the risk of cesarean section by 2.5 times.

They triple the occurrence of induction with synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin).

They quadruple the chances a baby will be persistently posterior (POP, face up) in the final stages of labor, which in turn decreases the chances of spontaneous vaginal birth (see below).

They decrease the chances of spontaneous vaginal delivery. In 6 of 9 studies reviewed in one analysis, less than half of women who received an epidural had a spontaneous vaginal delivery.

They increase the chances of complications from instrumental delivery. When women with an epidural had a forceps delivery, the amount of force used by the clinician was almost double that used when an epidural was not in place. This is significant because instrumental deliveries can increase the short-term risks of bruising, facial injuries, displacement of skull bones and blood clots in the scalp for babies, and of episiotomy and tears to the vagina and perineum in mothers.

They increase the risk of pelvic floor problems (urinary, anal and sexual disorders) in mothers after birth, which rarely resolve spontaneously

Epidurals travel to the infants bloodstream, where they can take three times longer to eliminate than in the mother.  They cause significant negative physical & mental effects, lasting for months afterwards.  Epidurals significantly lower both breastfeeding rates immediately & in the future & reduce the bond between the mother & infant.

Natural Childbirth V: Epidural Side Effects and Risks

The usage of pitocin and/or epidurals may increase the memory of pain

When giving birth, mothers experience what they say at the moment is the greatest pain in their lives.  But upon birth women experience a surge of hormones when they start to bond with their infants that stops their short term memory of the pain from being encoded into long term memory.  They instead remember the overwhelming feelings of love for their child (when things go right).  Pitocin & epidural usage can interfere with the bonding process (which can be traumatic for the mother) and can increase the memory of pain from the childbirth, causing PTSD in some women.  Having this enhanced memory of pain in childbirth and reduced feelings of bonding makes medical intervention much more likely in subsequent births like caesarian section, pitocin to induce labor, and epidural usage and their attendant complications.

Midwife births

The least complicated labor around the world is when the woman goes to a familiar safe place for her, alone, with someone available in the next room if she needs.  She often gives birth quickly & near effortlessly.  As this cuts down significantly on complications, labor time, & pain it should be the gold standard of labor & delivery everywhere.

Natural Childbirth III: Why Undisturbed Birth?

Natural Childbirth IV: The Hormones of Birth

Michael Odent, in his book “Do we need midwives?”, agrees.  He has studied what he believes improves all births that don’t need medical intervention at a hospital.  He believes that the woman needs to be familiar with the room, so it’s good if she’s used the room for quiet time at least once.  The midwife should be the only other person, sitting calmly in the corner (knitting is recommended, repetitive motion).  Once the birth starts, if a partner is to join they are to be there in touch only, no talking.  The room should be dark, with only red for lighting as melatonin levels may be important for birth, and all other color lights have blue in them which suppresses melatonin.  Quite frequently the pattern is for very fast and uncomplicated births this way.  It mimicks what women who give birth alone around the world do.

Eliminating epidurals & pitocin

The usage of a midwife and a quiet & dark room can speed up birthing times & reduce the experience of pain, reducing the usage of pitocin, epidurals, and caesarian sections.  Hypnosis used for relaxation & pain relief has been shown to reduce the experience of pain without affecting the delicate balance of hormones in pregnancy, and without the harmful effects of epidurals.  A posthypnotic suggestion can be used with just an unspoken signal from the midwife when the labor starts to reduce discomfort.

Baby formula

Unsafe at any Meal Renee Dufault

Genetically modified food

Americans, including American women have been getting heart disease (which used to be negligible in pregnant women), hypertension, obesity, and diabetes at record numbers, which are all implicated in increased maternal mortality.  They appear to be responsible for most of the deaths- cardiovascular diseases, 14.7%, infection and/or sepsis (worse in diabetes), 12.7%, hemorrhage, 11.3%, cardiomyopathy, 10.8%, thrombotic pulmonary embolism, 9.0%, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 7.6%, cerebrovascular accidents, 6.5%, and amniotic fluid embolism, 5.7%.

Seven years after GM foods were introduced, the CDC increased their estimate of the percentage of people who developed a chronic disease from the foods they eat from 7% to 14%.  Since GMO foods were introduced in the US, maternal mortality has tripled while it has gone down in all other industrialized countries around the world.  FDA scientists warned in the late 1980s & early 1990s that GM foods could cause serious chronic diseases, based on animal studies.  During the end of GHW Bush’s administration a Monsanto lawyer was brought into the FDA, declared that no human studies on GM foods were needed, and then left to become Monsanto’s vice president.  Now, the only studies required for the safety of new GM foods are done by the corporations.

GMOs vegetables appear to have greatly increased lectins that activate insulin receptors, perhaps causing significant weight gain & muscle loss, increased diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer.

Dr. Steven Gundry, Center for Restorative Medicine

https://www.pressreader.com/usa/first-for-women/20170927/282364039836065

Allergies to soy increased over 50% in Britain after GM soy was introduced.  Some GM foods appear to thin the lining of the gut, and drastically reduce digestive enzymes, allowing allergens & toxins to enter into the bloodstream in a manner called “leaky gut syndrome”.  Some GM foods are made immune to the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup), which is now used at 10,000% higher rates than before GMOs were introduced.  Glyphosate and the other ingredients in Roundup appear to kill the good bacteria in the gut.  This thinning of the gut lining, reduction of digestive enzymes, increased allergen & toxin levels in the bloodstream, and reduction in probiotic bacteria in the gut appears to trigger heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

The supposedly “inert” ingredients in Roundup that is used heavily in GMO corn & soy, whose main ingredient is glyphosate, appear to cause illness all by themselves.

Over 90% of corn, soy, canola (from Canada), and cotton is GM in the US.  Sugar beets, papaya, and yellow and zucchini squash can be GM.  80% of all foods in the US contain GM ingredients.  38 countries have banned the cultivation of GM crops, and most countries around the world require them to be labeled as genetically modified.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Article Co-Formulants in Glyphosate-Based Herbicides Disrupt Aromatase Activity in Human Cells below Toxic Levels

Nicolas Defarge et al.

26 February 2016

http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/13/3/264/pdf

New Evidence About the Dangers of Monsanto’s Roundup

https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.fooddemocracynow.org/images/FDN_Glyphosate_FoodTesting_Report_p2016.pdf

Glyphosate and infants

A preliminary study found the higher the glyphosate levels in women, the lower the birth weights in their children.  Food, not water, was found to by the primary source of high glyphosate blood levels, and caffeine levels had the greatest correlation with glyphosate, likely from coffee cultivation.  Pregnant women in rural areas had higher glyphosate levels.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) and Glyphosate Exposure in Pregnant Women and Their Association with Adverse Birth Outcomes

Shahid Parvez, Phd 3/9/17 as presented IU Bloomington Spea A201 IUB 4pm

Disinfection Byproducts

GM milk

Monsanto’s genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST) is injected into many dairy cows in the US.  This raises IGF-1 levels up to 1000% in the cow’s milk, a hormone considered to be a high risk factor for breast, prostate, colon, lung, and other cancers.

FDA scientist have been fired, pushed out, or reassigned for expressing their concerns about it’s safety.  Six Canadian scientists testified to their Senate that Monsanto bribed them to approve their genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone (Monsanto was subsequently fined for bribes in Indonesia over GM food approvals).

Genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone is suspected of causing more fraternal twin births which leads to and increase in premature, low birth weight, cerebral palsy, and stillbirths.

http://responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/gm-hormones-in-dairy-2/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_birth

Infants & GMO foods

Studies with mice and GMO corn & soy appear to show the greatest reductions in fertility, infant survival, and infant health.

http://responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/health-risks/

Childbirth and antidepressants

After controlling for other factors, antidepressant (over 80% of which are serotonin reuptake inhibitors SRIs) usage in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with a 30% increase in premature births.

Associations of Maternal Antidepressant Use During the First Trimester of Pregnancy With Preterm Birth, Small for Gestational Age, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Offspring

Ayesha C. Sujan, MA et al.

JAMA. 2017;317(15):1553-1562. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.3413

https://news.iu.edu/stories/2017/04/iub/releases/18-antidepressant-study.html

Other effects

Hundreds of thousands of farmers in India have committed suicide when their GM crops failed, and farmers growing GM crops have seen an increase in health problems, birth defects, and infant mortality in part from the up to 100X increase in herbides used in herbicide resistant GM crops.

Conclusion

Genetically modified foods appear to be responsible for a large increase in diabetes, obesity, and heart disease through thinning the lining of the gut, reducing digestive enzymes, reducing the good bacteria in the gut, & allowing allergens & toxins into the bloodstream, which has compromised maternal & infant mortality, especially in the US. Eating organic and taking a multiple (the more the better in some studies) probiotic & prebiotic mix may have a large positive effect in decreasing maternal mortality.

Foods that may have GM ingredients:

http://responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/gmos-in-food/

http://responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/health-risks/

http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pmss.html

GM Crops Now Banned in 39 Countries Worldwide – Sustainable Pulse Research

http://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/10-countries-that-consume-the-most-genetically-modified-foods-375186/

http://chrgj.org/documents/every-thirty-minutes-farmer-suicides-human-rights-and-the-agrarian-crisis-in-india/

http://www.law.nyu.edu/news/chrgj_report_every_thirty_minutes_india

Water filtration

Water in the USA is full of drug residues and poisonous chemicals like polyfluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFASs), lead, and/or perchlorate.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/10/01/global-water-pollution.aspx

Gravity filters

For gravity filters (not built into the water system), ZeroWater & Big Berkey are by far the best tested below.  The Big Berkey wins in price,  $250 up front then costing only $60 filters every year for flouride, and $110 filters every ten years, for 2 cents a gallon.  Zerowater is only $15 to start, but needs new filters every three weeks, dependent on how much debris in the water.   Zerowater may be easier for travel.

Consumer Reports (available at most libraries, including sometimes through their website with a library card) gives Clear2O CWS100A by far its best rating.

http://www.waterfilterlabs.com/

http://labs.naturalnews.com/Water-Filter-Test-Results.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/1-ZeroWater-water-filter-heavy-metals-lab-test-results-lead-arsenic-cesium.html

Countertop, undersink, reverse osmosis water filters

http://www.consumerreports.org/products/water-filter/ratings-overview/

Poverty

Reducing or eliminating poverty would stop 2/3rds of abortions.  Seven of ten women who have abortions already have children.  rnal mortaPresidents who follow policies that increase poverty (increase taxes on people who are poor, reduce them on people who are rich) see an increase in abortions- Reagan, GHW Bush- and presidents who decrease poverty (increase taxes on people who are rich, decrease taxes on people who are poor) see a decrease in abortions(Bill Clinton by 40%) lity and black women

Maternal mortality is currently and has been in the past 300% higher for black women, even as maternal mortality overall has gone up or down.  Preec

lampsia, eclampsia, obstetric hemorrhage, placental abruption and placenta previa account for more than 25% of all maternal deaths, yet black women don’t have a higher prevalence.  Instead, they are 200-300% more likely to die from these complications when they do get them than other women.

Treating these complications like life threatening illnesses for black women who are pregnant may help significantly.

Black men & women are less likely to get medical care, and are less likely to get aggressive intervention even when diagnosed with a chronic disease.  But even when black women & men get exactly equivalent aggressive care, they still die at higher rates than men & women of other ethnicities.

Pregabalin (Lyrica)

One study of 164 women who took pregabalin during their first trimester found their babies had a 600% higher rate of a major central nervous system birth defect.

Pregnancy outcome following maternal exposure to pregabalin may call for concern

Ursula Winterfeld et al.

doi: http:/​/​dx.​doi.​org/​10.​1212/​WNL.​0000000000002767

Neurology June 14, 2016 vol. 86 no. 24 2251-2257

What foods may be problematic in pregnancy?

Hydrogenated vegetable oils (HVOs)

HVOs appear to significantly increase miscarriage rates.

Caffeine

Caffeine intake appears to significantly increase miscarriage rates.

Liver

Liver has a lot of vitamin A.  Too much vitamin A has been associated with increased birth defects.

Raw eggs

Uncooked eggs may have salmonella, which could hurt the baby.

Alcohol

Any alcohol intake appears to reduce a baby’s eventual intelligence level, even moreso during periods of especially increased vulnerability.

Unripe papaya

Unripe/semiripe papaya contains latex, which can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage.  Papain, a papaya extract, should also be avoided during pregancy.

Fish (mercury)

The fish that have the most mercury in rough order are shark, king mackerel, swordfish, Spanish mackerel, walleye, marlin, Chilean bass, shrimp, catfish, tilapia, wild salmon, and tuna.

Soft cheeses

Soft cheeses like Mexican style cheese, feta, Gorgonzola, brie, Camembert and Roquefort may contain listeria which can cause miscarriage or severe illness in newborns.

Uncooked or cold meat

Uncooked meat can have toxoplasmosis, as can cat feces.  Toxoplasmosis can affect an unborn child.

Raw sprouts

Raw sprouts can have bacteria that unborn babies are vulnerable to.

10 Foods That Can Endanger Your Pregnancy

Vitamin D3

The darker the skin the less amount of vitamin D3 can be made from the sunlight.  For most of the US, black women cannot get enough sun exposure to bring vitamin D3 to health levels, even in the summer.  Heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes are all much higher in all women with low levels of vitamin D3 (less than 30mg/dl).  Getting levels between 50-70 ng/dl may reverse many of the diseases and the increased maternal deaths in black women by taking vitamin D3 daily with a meal (fat soluble).  Vitamin D3 & calcium supplementation may prevent gestational diabetes, and getting vitamin D3 to sufficient levels during pregnancy appears to help prevent type I diabetes during childhood.

Vitamin D3 in pregnancy

When women who are pregnant take 4000 IU they have half of the pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and infection as well as less c-sections.

https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/further-topics/vitamin-d-during-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/#

Holick MF, Binkley NC, Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Gordon CM, Hanley DA, Heaney RP, Murad MH, Weaver CM; Endocrine Society. Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jul;96(7):1911-30.

Women who are pregnant need blood levels above 40 ng/ml to protect against serious complications like premature delivery and preeclampsia.  And having high enough levels of vitamin D3 during pregnancy and then supplementing the children after birth (4000 IU per day in the winter taken with a meal) can help prevent allergies, asthma, colds and flu, dental cavities, diabetes, strokes and cardiovascular disease in children.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/01/06/vitamin-d-role-in-health-conditions.aspx

J Bone Miner Res. 2011 Oct; 26(10): 2341–2357.

doi:  10.1002/jbmr.463

Vitamin D Supplementation during Pregnancy: Double Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Safety and Effectiveness

Bruce W. Hollis et al.

Low Serum Vitamin D Levels Are Associated With Increased Arterial Stiffness in Youth With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Pranati Jha et al.

doi: 10.2337/dc15-0111

Diabetes Care May 26, 2015

Maternal vitamin D and E intakes during pregnancy are associated with asthma in children

Keith M. Allan, Nanda Prabhu, Leone C.A. Craig, Geraldine McNeill, Bradley Kirby, James McLay, Peter J. Helms, Jon G. Ayres, Anthony Seaton, Stephen W. Turner, Graham Devereux

European Respiratory Journal ol 45 Issue 4

Clinical & Experimental Allergy Volume 45, Issue 5 May 2015 Pages 920–927

Maternal vitamin D and E intakes during early pregnancy are associated with airway epithelial cell responses in neonates

D. R. Miller et al.

DOI: 10.1111/cea.12490

Vitamin D3 and viral infections

4000 IU of vitamin D3 taken with a meal or vegetable oil (fat soluble) reduces viral infections by 90%.  The reason we get most viral infections in the winter appears to be because of the antiviral effects of vitamin D3 in the summer made from our skin protects us, at least when we are young & spend enough time in the sun near enough to the equator.

Aloia JF, Li-Ng M. Re: epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect 2007;135:1095 – 6; author reply 1097-8

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/influenza/#ref15

In one study people who had vitamin D3 levels above 38ng/mL in their blood recovered from the flu in two days vs nine days for people under 38ng/mL.

Sabetta J, Depetrillo P, Cipriani R, et al.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and the Incidence of Acute Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in Healthy Adults.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/influenza/#

PLoS One 2010;5(6):e11088.

Vitamin D status has a linear association with seasonal infections and lung function in British adults.

Berry D, Hesketh K, Power C, et al.

British Journal of Nutrition 2011;106:1433-1440.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/influenza/#

Infants and vitamin D3

Infants with low vitamin D3 levels have double the number of hospitalizations for respiratory infections.

Camargo CA Jr, Ingham T, Wickens K, Thadhani R, Silvers KM, Epton MJ, Town GI, Pattemore PK, Espinola JA, Crane J; New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Cohort Study Group. Cord-blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of respiratory infection, wheezing, and asthma. Pediatrics. 2011 Jan;127(1):e180-7. doi: 10.1542/peds.2010-0442. Epub 2010 Dec 27.

Another benefit of vitamin D3 is to severe viral infections where our bodies can have a deadly overreaction, killing us with the side effects of an overactive cytokine response.  This can happen with pneumonia, as well as with the Ebola virus.  Vitamin D supplementation during a viral infection may reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may help improve survivability independent of vitamin D’s antiviral benefits.

Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, et al. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiolo Infect 2006;134:1129-1140.

Sundaram MA, Talbot HK, Zhu Y, et al. Vitamin D is not associated with serologic response to influenza vaccine in adults over 50 years old. Vaccine 2013;31:2057-61.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/influenza/

Vitamin D3 levels of 50-70ng/ml

When we are sick and the vitamin D3 is fighting off viral infections, we may need more than normal.  Doctors can test our blood to make sure we are over 50ng/mL.

Vitamin D3 increases lifespan

Vitamin D3 supplementation helps prevent all cause mortality and cancer deaths as well as the vast majority of viral infections.

Vitamin D Supplementation and Total Mortality: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials FREE

Philippe Autier, MD; Sara Gandini, PhD

Arch Intern Med. 2007;167(16):1730-1737. doi:10.1001/archinte.167.16.1730.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/278323.php

http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v08n02.shtml

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140429133456.htm

http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v10n03.shtml

http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v08n12.shtml

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470481/

Vitamin D3 is a hormone that affects multiple body systems

Vitamin D3 works like a hormone affecting systems throughout the body.  Taking 4000 IU of vitamin D3 lowers endometriosis, gestational diabetes (with calcium), childhood type I diabetes by at least 44%, breast cancer, hepatitus B&C viral load, cirrhosis by 65%, lung cancer by 63% in smokers (at just 800IU), and fatigue.

Vitamin D3 supplementation seems to help a large variety of disorders including phosphate deficiency, kidney disease (causing low phosphate levels), osteomalacia (bone softening in adults), psoriasis (disorder causing skin redness and irritation), rickets (bone weakening in children), thyroid conditions (causing low calcium levels), thyroid conditions (due to low vitamin D levels), dental cavities, fall prevention, muscle weakness/pain, osteoporosis (general), renal osteodystrophy (bone problems due to chronic kidney failure), and vitamin D deficiency which causes bone loss, kidney disease, lung disorders, diabetes, stomach and intestine problems, and heart disease.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/vitamin-d/evidence/hrb-20060400

People with vitamin D deficiency have been found to have an increased risk of Addison’s disease, ankylosing spondylitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, chronic active hepatitis, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes, pemphigoid, pernicious anemia, primary biliary cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and thyrotoxicosis.

https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/blog/in-hospital-setting-vitamin-d-deficiency-linked-to-an-assortment-of-immune-mediated-diseases/

Ramagopalan SV et al. Hospital admissions for vitamin D related conditions and subsequent immune-mediated disease: record-linkage studies. BMC Med, 2013.

“Adequate vitamin D status is necessary and beneficial for health, although deficiency plagues much of the world’s population. In addition to good levels of vitamin D3 reduces the risk for bone disease, falls, decreases pain, autoimmune diseases, cancer, heart disease, mortality, and improves cognitive function.”

Vitamin D: Bone and Beyond, Rationale and Recommendations for Supplementation

Sarah A. Stechschulte, Robert S. Kirsner, Daniel G. Federman

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.02.029

http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v10n03.shtml

http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v08n12.shtml

“We found that daily intakes of vitamin D by adults in the range of 4000-8000 IU are needed to maintain blood levels of vitamin D metabolites in the range needed to reduce by about half the risk of several diseases – breast cancer, colon cancer, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes,”

“Most scientists who are actively working with vitamin D now believe that 40 to 60 ng/mL is the appropriate target concentration of 25-vitamin D in the blood for preventing the major vitamin D-deficiency related diseases, and have joined in a letter on this topic,” said Garland.  “Unfortunately, according a recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, only 10 percent of the US population has levels in this range, mainly people who work outdoors.”

Interest in larger doses was spurred in December of last year, when a National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine committee identified 4000 IU/day of vitamin D as safe for every day use by adults and children nine years and older, with intakes in the range of 1000-3000 IU/day for infants and children through age eight years old.

While the IOM committee states that 4000 IU/day is a safe dosage, the recommended minimum daily intake is only 600 IU/day.

EPA/DHA fatty acids and pttp://www.iiar-anticancer.org/openAR/journals/index.php/anticancer/article/view/215

CEDRIC F. GARLAND, CHRISTINE B. FRENCH, LEO L. BAGGERLY, ROBERT P. HEANEY Vitamin D Supplement Doses and Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in the Range Associated with Cancer Prevention International Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment Vol 31, No 2 (2011)

http://health.ucsd.edu/news/2011/Pages/02-22-vitamin-D-cancer-risk.aspx

http://www.grassrootshealth.net/

Holick MF (2004) Vitamin D: Importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Am J Clin Nutr 79(3):362–371

B vitamins and pregnancy

Having low thiamine (B1), folate (B9), & B12 during pregnancy for the mother & after childbirth for the baby appears to cause significant physical, emotional, social, & mental health problems in children when they are older.  Supplementation of the mother & child appears to significantly improve physical and mental health above the health of a nonsupplemented child.  A B vitamin complex considered safe for pregancy & one later for infants may help.

Fertility & parasites

In one study of Tsimane women in Bolivi, women who were infected with a type of hookworm had three fewer children on average (in a norm of 10), but those infected with roundworm continually had two more children on average.

Helminth infection, fecundity, and age of first pregnancy in women

Aaron D. Blackwell et al.

Science  20 Nov 2015: Vol. 350, Issue 6263, pp. 970-972

DOI: 10.1126/science.aac7902

Spirulina- source of EPA & DHA fatty acids in fish oil

Spirulina is put into all baby formulas because its EPA & DHA omega3 fatty acids are believed to be a why children who are breastfed do better in cognitive & development tests, school, college, & lifetime achievement.  The benefits of fish oils are from spirulina & are only found in fish who eat spirulina or eat fish who eat spirulina. Organic spirulina is safest as with all supplements to avoid contamination with toxic metals or toxic mycrocystins.  Spirulina may need to be taken with a meal with a vegetable for the enzymes to use it more fully.

EPA/DHA fatty acids and asthma

In one investigation of EPA & DHA fatty acids taken by women who were pregnant, their children had 31% less asthma in their first five years studied.

Fish Oil–Derived Fatty Acids in Pregnancy and Wheeze and Asthma in Offspring

Hans Bisgaard et al.

N Engl J Med 2016; 375:2530-2539December 29, 2016DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1503734

EPA/DHA fatty acids and pregnancy health

EPA & DHA omega3 fatty acids appear to halve heart disease deaths by lowering corornary artery disease/hypertension/heart attacks/smoker’s blood vessel damage, reduce diabetes, lower the risk of preeclampsia, premature delivery.  They may reduce postpartum depression by 66%.

EPA/DHA fatty acids and infants

EPA & DHA omega3 fatty acids appear to help at risk babies, and improve babies eye hand coordination if the mother took them during pregnancy.

EPA/DHA fatty acids and breast milk

DHA is so essential for development the mother’s breast milk may contain 30 times more DHA than formula.

EPA/DHA fatty acids and children

higher IQ

less allergies

less behavior probs

better sleep

better social interaction

helps autism

w/vitE helps improve speech in child with autism

boys 27% less depression

10EPA/DHA fatty acids and i12lbs thinner

They appear reduce anxiety, depression, bipolar depression, ADHD, and schizophrenia (2x as well as antipsychotic prescription drugs).

Omega 3/6 fatty acids for reading in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 9-year-old mainstream schoolchildren in Sweden, Mats Johnson et al., The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12614, published online 22 August 2016,

b

Holman, Ralph T., Johnson, Susan, Ogburn, Paul, ÒDeficiency of essential fatty acids and membrane fluidity during pregnancy and lactation,Ó Biochemistry, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, Vol. 88: 4835-4839, June 1991.

Innis, Sheila M., and Kuhnlein, Harriet V., ÒLong-chain n-3 fatty adds in breast milk of Inuit women consuming traditional foods,Ó Early Human Development, Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd., 18: 185-189, 1988.

Simopoulos, Artemis, M.D., Nutrition Today, March/April 1988 & May/June 1988

Children from low income families who get the most DHA and the least omega6 fatty acids from corn & soybean oil had better academic achievement than even children of wealthy parents.

www.anth.ucsb.edu/sites/secure.lsit.ucsb.edu.anth.d7/files/sitefiles/people/gaulin/Lassek%20%26%20Gaulin%202013%20DHA%20PISA%20math.pdf

Lassek, W. D. & S. J. C. Gaulin (in press) “Breast milk DHA content predicts cognitive performance in a sample of 28 nations.”  Maternal & Child Nutrition:

Many of the disorders that EPA & DHA fatty acids treat appear to be from an inability to retain enough in the brain, making extra supplementation essential for people with mental illness.

www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1475-2891-7-8.pdf

http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1476-511X-3-25.pdfDoesYou

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2009/12/dha-omega.aspx

EPA/DHA fatty acids and memory

Alzheimers Dement. 2010 Nov;6(6):456-64. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2010.01.013.

Beneficial effects of docosahexaenoic acid on cognition in age-related cognitive decline.

Yurko-Mauro K, McCarthy D, Rom D, Nelson EB, Ryan AS, Blackwell A, Salem N Jr, Stedman M; MIDAS Investigators.

EPA/DHA fatty acids and depression

A meta-analysis of 15 different studies showed that EPA & DHA supplementaton reduces depression.

J Clin Psychiatry. 2011 Dec;72(12):1577-84. doi: 10.4088/JCP.10m06634. Epub 2011 Sep 6.

Meta-analysis of the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in clinical trials in depression.

Sublette ME, Ellis SP, Geant AL, Mann JJ.

Here’s a great study showing  EPA & DHA omega3 fatty acids improves mood:

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/oct2007_report_depression_01.htm

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/EPA-stands-alone-as-a-depression-fighter

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Augmentation of Citalopram Treatment for Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

Gertsik, Lev et al.

Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology:

February 2012 – Volume 32 – Issue 1 – p 61–64

doi: 10.1097/JCP.0b013e31823f3b5f

improves concentration & reduces ADHD:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1971271/

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/08/19/omega-3-fat-dha.aspx

EPA/DHA fatty acids and violence

lowered violence in prisoners:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201105/diet-and-violence

EPA/DHA fatty acids and bipolar depression (and mania)

reduces bipolar symptoms of depression and mania and increased mood:

http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/Omega-3.htm

http://www.mclean.harvard.edu/pdf/news/mitn/satevnpost.stoll0605.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18072818

http://www.gmhcn.org/files/Wellness/Omega-3forDepressionandBipolarDisorder.html

http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/Omega-3asaTreatmentforBipolarDisorder-PrintVersionofMainPresentation.pdf

http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/02/omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil-dha-epa.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2012/09/16/does-fish-oil-really-improve-mental-health/

EPA/DHA fatty acids and schizophrenia

reduces schizophrenic episodes more than twice as much as any of the prescription antipsychotic medicines:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920996400000839

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02637070

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/%28SICI%291099-1077%28199601%2911:1%3C39::AID-HUP742%3E3.0.CO;2-%23/abstract

http://journals.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=175765

http://www.raysahelian.com/schizophrenia.html

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920996400000839

EPA/DHA fatty acids and autism

Helps people with autism:

216.194.92.128/pdf3/Omega3s.pdf

http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223%2806%2900591-9/abstract G. Paul Ammingeremail, Gregor E. Berger, Miriam R. Schäfer, Claudia Klier, Max H. Friedrich, Martha Feuchtemail Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation in Children with Autism: A Double-blind Randomized, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study Biological Psychiatry Volume 61, Issue 4, Pages 551–553, February 15, 2007

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.05.007

http://www.autism.com/treatment_ratings_asd

http://www.autism.com/ratings_asperger

On last two references- look for “fatty acids” on the chart at a 31 to 1 and 28 to 1 favorable effect.

Spirulina has low/little/no side effects for most people. It is important to get it from a trusted source like Now Foods or Source Naturals.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-923-spirulina%20%28blue-green%20algae%29.aspx?activeingredientid=923&activeingredientname=spirulina%20%28blue-green%20algae%29

EPA/DHA fatty acids and flaxseed (ALA omega3 fatty acid)

Freshly ground organic flaxseed or organic flaxseed oil has the more ALA than any other food, which may improve milk production when low and help with breast engorgement.  ALA can be converted in small amounts to DHA & EPA when needed.

http://www.mercola.com/beef/omega3.htm

The Facts About Fats, by John Finnegan, published by Celestial Arts, 1993

Probiotics

Probiotics

Probiotics are the good bacteria in the gut that we evolved to have help us.  There are 10 times more bacterial cells in our bodies than are human cells.  Antibiotics often kill the good bacteria (probiotics) along with the bad.  So does eating a poor diet, refined sugar, chlorinated/flouridated water, obesity, liver problems, NSAID pain drugs, and steroids (including birth control pills).  Fermented foods on the other hand often have active probiotic cultures.

The bacteria in our body affects almost every disease system known.  Taking probiotics reportedly lowers viral/bacterial/fungal infections (sometimes killing them altogether), cancer, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, stress, IBS, IBD, gingivitis, tooth decay, diarrhea, colitis, eczema, skin, vaginal & other infections, triglycerides & LDL by 20%, post-operative complication, bood pressure, organ rejection, inflammation, cavities, radiation therapy, diverticulitis, Crohn’s, bowel diseases, acne, osteoporosis, ulcers, babies necrotizing enterocolitis, chronic pain, blood sugar and diabetes, obesity, heart disease, lower viral infections, cholesterol, anxiety, allergies, heavy levels, and improves mood, immune response & many more problems.

Infants who get antibiotics (especially two courses) before two years old in one nearly 40 year meta-analysis had 15-41% higher eczema and 14-56% higher hayfever, both autoimmune disorders, later in life.

Utrecht University, the Netherlands researchers presented at European Respiratory Society

Pregnant women have high concentrations of good probiotics in the birth canal right before delivery, unless they have taken certain antibiotics during their pregnancy.  These get imparted to the baby through her/his mouth and migrate to their gut.  During caesarian sections women have recently been transferring some of these good probiotics manually.  Mother’s milk has good probiotics as well that grow in diversity as the baby grows.

Babies born by cesarian section appear to have higher rates of asthma, celiac disease, allergic rhinitis, and Type I diabetes.

Cesarean versus Vaginal Delivery: Long term infant outcomes and the Hygiene Hypothesis

Josef Neu, MD and Jona Rushing, MD

Clin Perinatol. 2011 Jun; 38(2): 321–331.

doi:  10.1016/j.clp.2011.03.008

Maternal probiotics may be absolutely essential during and after taking antibiotics, for babies after caesarian section and/or when not breastfeed, and when eating foods treated with the herbicide glyphosate (most nonorganic foods).  They are contraindicated for people with pancreatitus or pancreatic cancer.  Research appears to show the largest number of multiple probiotics and probiotics used with prebiotic foods or supplements work best. Best to use a company that guarantees live cultures during the shipping process, and store the bottle in the freezer.  More expensive formulations may survive longer outside of the refridgerator after opening.

Biasucci G, Rubini M, Riboni S, et al (2010). Mode of delivery affects the bacterial community in the newborn gut. Early Human Development 86:S13-S15

Penders J, Tjhijs C, Vink C, et al (2006). Factors influencing the composition of the intestinal microbiota in early infancy. Pediatrics 118(2):511-521.

Salimen S, Gibson GR, McCartney AL (2004). Influence of mode of delivery on gut microbiota in seven year old children. Gut 53:1388-1389.

Huurre A, et al (2008). Mode of delivery: Effects on gut microbiota and humoral immunity.Neonatology 93:236-240.

Johnson C, Versalovic J (2012). The human microbiome and its potential importance to pediatrics. Pediatrics (published online April 2, 2012; DOI: 10.1542/peds2011-2736).

Vael C, Desager, K (2009). The importance of the development of the intestinal microbiota in infancy. Current Opinion in Pediatrics 21(6):794-800

https://www.scienceandsensibility.org/p/bl/et/blogid=2&blogaid=487

Fewer types of good gut bacteria have been associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and anorexia.  Supplementing with multiple strains of probiotics may help mood.  The probiotics bifidobacterium longum, lactobacillus helveticus, lactobacillus reuteri and lactobacillus rhamnosus reduce anxiety, stress, and depression and improve cognition in animal and human studies, as well as having very beneficial health effects.

Probiotics should be taken daily an hour after a meal & 2 hours before the next.  The best way may be two hours after the last meal of the day with a full glass of water then no food until morning.  The longer the probiotics have to grow in number the more effective they appear to be.

file:///home/chronos/u-38c166bfdb01341d4473fff8520b869c12cad7db/Downloads/ijms-09-00854.pdf

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/73/2/451s.short

http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/9924288

Dr. Richard Becker and Cindy Becker, Your Health television program

Psychosom Med. 2015 Nov-Dec;77(9):969-81. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000247.

The Intestinal Microbiota in Acute Anorexia Nervosa and During Renourishment: Relationship to Depression, Anxiety, and Eating Disorder Psychopathology.

Kleiman SC1, Watson HJ, Bulik-Sullivan EC, Huh EY, Tarantino LM, Bulik CM, Carroll IM.

Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2011 Dec;23(12):1132-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2011.01796.x. Epub 2011 Oct 11.

The anxiolytic effect of Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001 involves vagal pathways for gut-brain communication.

Bercik P. et al.

Michaël Messaoudi, Robert Lalonde, Nicolas Violle, Hervé Javelot, Didier Desor, Amine Nejdi, Jean-François Bisson, Catherine Rougeot, Matthieu Pichelin, Murielle Cazaubiel and Jean-Marc Cazaubiel (2011).

Assessment of psychotropic-like properties of a probiotic formulation (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175) in rats and human subjects.

British Journal of Nutrition, 105, pp 755-764. doi:10.1017/S0007114510004319.

Jessica Arseneault-Bréard, Isabelle Rondeau, Kim Gilbert, Stéphanie-Anne Girard, Thomas A. Tompkins, Roger Godbout and Guy Rousseau (2012).

Combination of Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 reduces post-myocardial infarction depression symptoms and restores intestinal permeability in a rat model.

British Journal of Nutrition, 107, pp 1793-1799. doi:10.1017/S0007114511005137.

A comprehensive post-market review of studies on a probiotic product containing Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011

L. Foster et al.

Beneficial Microbes, 2011, 2(4) Pages: 319 – 334

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3920/BM2011.0032

Science China Life Sciences

March 2014, Volume 57, Issue 3, pp 327-335

Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain reduces anxiety and improves cognitive function in the hyperammonemia rat

Jia Luo, Tao Wang, Shan Liang, Xu Hu, Wei Li, Feng Jin

Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2013 Jul;25(7):e478-84. doi: 10.1111/nmo.12147. Epub 2013 May 12.

Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001 inhibits AH neuron excitability.

Khoshdel A, Verdu EF, Kunze W, McLean P, Bergonzelli G, Huizinga JD.

Gut Microbes

Volume 2, Issue 4, 2011

Beneficial psychological effects of a probiotic formulation (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175) in healthy human volunteers

DOI: 10.4161/gmic.2.4.16108

The microbiome-gut-brain axis: from bowel to behavior

J. F. Cryan and S. M. O’Mahony

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2010.01664.x

Neurogastroenterology & Motility Volume 23, Issue 3, pages 187–192, March 2011

Microbes and the gut-brain axis

P.  BERCIK et al.

Neurogastroenterol Motil (2012) 24, 405–413 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2012.01906.x

Melancholic microbes: a link between gut microbiota and depression?

T. G. Dinan and J. F. Cryan

DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12198

Neurogastroenterology & Motility Volume 25, Issue 9, pages 713–719, September 2013

Probiotics in the Treatment of Depression: Science or Science Fiction?

Timothy G. Dinan and Eamonn M. Quigley

doi: 10.3109/00048674.2011.613766

Aust N Z J Psychiatry December 2011 vol. 45 no. 12 1023-1025

Zinc & vitamin B6 and postpartum depression

Lab testing for low plasma zinc & subsequent zinc supplementation as well as eating a diet low in copper may normalize behavior in people prone to ADHD & postpartum depression.  A transaminase stimulation blood test can be done, or first an inexpensive urine test for pyrroles may be preferrable.

High dose vitamin B6 supplementation (both PH & PLP together) may help people with clinical depression and with memory if levels are low to bring them up to normal.  If levels are low high supplementation is often needed to bring levels up upon retesting.

William J. Walsh, Nutrient Power, 2012

Taking a vitamin B100 complex (methyl or coenzyme may be most effective) may increase concentration and mood.