Disorders of Eating and Nutrients in Treatment of Brain Diseases

Book excerpt: ABSTRACT: The brain controls and is controlled by the individual's nutritional state. The processes through which 1) the brain controls nutritional state and 2) nutrients mediate the control of brain functions are discussed. Specific topics covered in a series of articles include: 1) the abnormalities associated with obesity and anorexia nervosa affecting appetite control; 2) the administration of large doses of tryptophan, tyrosine, and chaline elevating levels of nutrients and their neurotransmitter products to amplify neurotransmission especially in disease states where it has been inadequate; 3) the possible affects of nutritional factors upon the syntheses of monoamine neurotransmitters (copper, iron, oxygen, some vitamins; and 4) schizophrenia and other nervous disorders resulting from vitamin deficiency which can be treated by megadoses of vitamins.