At the second Food for the Brain Conference this month, Captain Joe Hibbeln from the US Public Health Service presented undeniable evidence for the link between low intakes of omega 3 and seafood with poor mental health as the basis for establishing a long overdue RDA (recommended daily allowance) – linking low levels of DHA, a type of omega 3 fat, with depression, addiction, aggression, homicide and suicide.
The conference also focused on the mental health of children with Dr Madeleine Portwood from Durham LEA and Dr Natalie Sinn from Australia reviewing the substantial body of evidence that now exists for vitamins, minerals and essential fats in helping children with learning difficulties and challenging behaviour. Professor Jill James presented her research showing a deficit in sulphation pathways in autistic children, indicating the potential reason for increased oxidation – and the potential benefit for certain antioxidants.
RDAs were also under attack by nutritional therapist Deborah Colson who stated that the current RDA for vitamin D is totally inadequate on the basis of current research, linking the pandemic of vitamin D deficiency to mental decline.
Professor David Smith from Oxford University presented evidence strongly linking Alzheimer’s risk strongly to lifestyle factors, with only one in 100 cases being caused by genes, and made recommendations to prevent age-related memory decline including regular exercise, stimulating activities and hobbies such as knitting or gardening, engaging in social activities, stopping smoking, eating plenty of fish, following a Mediterranean diet and preventing diabetes type 2. The strongest evidence related to lowering homocysteine with B vitamins.
The second Food for the Brain conference was sold out and attended by nutritionists, dieticians, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and teachers from around the world. “I had no idea there was so much evidence for the nutritional approach. They don’t teach you any of this in medical school.” said one recently qualified doctor. “I would not hesitate to recommend this to colleagues and fellow psychiatrists” said a Consultant Psychiatrist.
The Food for the Brain Conference is now available on audio (£49.99, www.foodforthebrain.org). 12 hours of cutting-edge information with presentation notes.The CDs contain MP3 files for each session, these can be downloaded onto a computer or ipod via itunes, or alternatively burnt onto CDs. All proceeds go to the Food for the Brain Foundation.
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For more information contact Stephanie Fox on Stephanie@patrickholford.com
To find out more about Food for the Brain please visit www.foodforthebrain.org
