Alternative Medicine

                                                                      In the NY Yimes today is a story about a  schizophrenic patient, William Bigley in Alaska who does not want to take his medication, Zyprexa. Now in Alaska, the court does not force the patient to take his/her medication. Additionally, it has been discovered that the pharmaceutical industry, Lilly, which manufactures this drug, has kept its side effects secretive: it actually causes weight gain and diabetes. Now. many in the Alternative Health field many researchers believe that diet actually is the major cause of schizophrenia. According to Mental Help, indigenous cultures do not display this disease amongst their population. However, when they assume a Western diet, the population studies show an increase in therates of schizophrenia. It has been suggested that wheat and dairy products are the mainculprit in causing an allergic response. so possibly a vegan, gluten  free diet is the answer. Noted author, Abram Hoffer, MD,PhD, a psychiatrist with a PhD in biochemistry, wrote much about  orthomolecular medicine. In fact, on one occasion, he joined with Nobel prize winner, Linus Pauling, in citing that there are certain Vitamin deficiencies that may be responsible: Vitamin C, B-6, B-3, B-12, tryptophan, niacin are amongst the list. Additionally omega 3 fatty acid oils, and as I have mentioned many times, this is available in walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, and avocados. Also mineral deficiency has been cited as well, namely, zinc,copper, manganese. Gingko biloba, which has a special extract called EGb 761, is also being used. by the way, Dr. Hoffer is 100 yrs old.