Nutrition and Mental Illness: An Orthomolecular Approach to Balancing Body Chemistry Paperback – April 1, 1988

I've been studying Applied Neuroscience for 15 years. This books adds a new aspect to my knowledge in what I hadn't learned already. Granted, most people are unfamiliar with pyroluria, which he spent some time on, and might be confused. But not me! One day in 2013 I found that my pee turned pink! What???? That was the major symptom of pyroluria. The "cure" for it was using megadoses of certain vitamins and minerals (zinc, B-6. manganese especially) It took about 5 or 6 months to correct. I needed to find a practitioner who studied the topic. Not that many have, at least not yet... I didn't have weird, emotional "stuff", but a blood test also confirmed pyroluria. Referring to orthomolecular medicine is something I'm glad Pfieffer did, because it can reverse disease, as opposed to managing symptoms with drugs. The difference is that orthomolecular medicine takes a while, because the body cannot be rushed. But it works! I wish the author were still around...

This little book would be a life saver for many if they knew about it. The doctor/researcher that wrote it was well ahead of his time. When he was coming up through psychiatry, methods of treating mental illness were pretty barbaric and did not 'fix' anyone afflicted--they usually made them worse off. The author had a feeling there was something all of the psych docs and researchers were missing. His research and RESULTS from administering a nutrition-based treatment program were proof of a broken, failed mental health system. It is amazing how much we Americans are vitamin and mineral deficient. Millions here suffer unnecessarily. Our corporate-style agriculture has stripped our once fertile lands of life-sustaining vitamins and minerals. Many of us are walking around feeling like crap and our doctors just blow us off or prescribe a litany of pills. And to no avail. Few of these so-called 'medical practitioners' (yes, it is a practice, not a science) know how nutrition and mental health are so inextricably linked. Any of you with even the slightest issues with depression, anxiety, or mental health issues will tremendously benefit from owning this life-changing book. Recently, a simple mix of B-6, zinc and methionine recommended in this simple, yet sage book saved my life. And to think, allllll these years I pointlessly suffered due to doctors' ignorance, lousy agricultural practices and a lack of a vitamin, a minerals and one enzyme. Go science!!!!!!!!!Sincerely,Sir Feeling Great

Not a long book but full of facts and nutrition we all need to stay fit and mentally well. So much illness if all kinds can be avoided by reading this book!!

Carl Pfeiffer is great and has a strong message about using nutrition to help or hurt us. Most people want a quick fix and no one seems to realize how helpful or harmful our diets have become, mostly because we trust what's being sold. Everyone has to be in charge of their own lives and read label, do elimination diets and find out what works best. It definitely matters if you have mental health issues what you put in your mouth. Example:, someone who is ADD, NEEDS to have fish oil tablets (with the correct dosage); and we all need to stay away from SUGAR (enemy #1) and additives, preservatives, dyes, coloring, and all the nasty chemicals they put into our foods. Shop on the outside isles.

I know it is hard to believe for many that the right nutrition can improve your mental health. I learned this first hand through my daughter. She was able to get out of her depression state, "bipolar disorder" panic attacks and anxiety by applying nutrition principles and lifestyle changes. This book was one of multiple ones I read for guidance.

This wonderful book confirms there are better measuring yardstick is than those from western medicine. You are never going to be pharmaceutical deficient- but you could be nutritionally deficient!

Pfeiffer's work and conclusions provide some interesting starting points in approaching mental problems. As an adjunct approach the text and its information is of value. As a primary approach, I do not know if the data is really in yet.

This book is VERY helpful. It is an excellent resource for practitioners who work with clients or patients who have psychiatric disorders. It gives clear treatment plans that are supported by both clinical evidence and studies. The writing flows well and is accessible. I have used the information I've learned to help several patients with psychiatric imbalances gain more peace and stability through dietary changes and nutritional supplementation, which is especially helpful when working with people who are not interested in medication.