Author: Jenny

I am a public health nutrition counselor with fifteen years experience in the field of prenatal and early child health and lactation education (breast feeding support). Autoimmune disease, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and genetic defects that can cause nutrient deficiencies are also research interests.
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“Quit stalling,” is also a handy phrase; or Olanzapine may be dangerous to individuals and others

The page of many quotes may have been a stalling tactic on my part. The childhood motto of mine, “One learns by trying,” had made me realize that sometimes you learn that it would have been a better idea not to have tried whatever it was that you tried.

A prescription medication was something that I hadn’t tried by choice however and I hadn’t been fully informed about how it functioned chemically. After trying it I learned that while it is effective in the short term over time negative side effects can get painful and reduce quality of life. What was worse though became obvious when trying to stop taking the medication — psychological withdrawal symptoms were very severe — worse than normal levels of bad mood that I had ever previously experienced and dangerously bad, risk of self injury or injury to others bad.

What I discovered about the medication’s chemical function within the body is that it prevents the breakdown of our natural cannabinoid, anandamide, our body’s equivalent of the euphoric cannabinoid found in marijuana, called THC. There are cannabinoid receptors in the prefrontal cortex that are involved in suicidal thoughts and which have been found in a research study to be overactive in some alcoholic and depressive patients. The medication Olanzapine/Zyprexa may be causing over-activity of this area of the brain in some patients and then if they try to stop taking the medication it is like the brain is suddenly having to withdraw after having gotten used to a constant over supply of THC/anandamide.

Several adverse medication reports have been provided to the FDA regarding this medication where a person killed a family member or acquaintance while the patient was either withdrawing from Olanzapine at the time, or had the prescription in their name but the exact timing of use was not known at the time of the adverse event.

I’ll have to keep looking for a different link that showed actual reports, but in the meantime here is a list of other adverse effects: [http://psychroachesadverseevent.blogspot.com/2009/03/zyprexa-adverse-reactions.html]

/Disclosure: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes./

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The voices that people with schizophrenia are hearing are probably their own inner thoughts

This is kind of breaking news — new news: A research scientist, with the aid of a powerful microphone, was able to record a patient with schizophrenia speaking to themselves in a sub-vocal voice. The patient was not aware that they were speaking at the time.

The research is very early, a first in its field perhaps, but the theory seems to suggest that the patient’s with schizophrenia symptoms may have some disconnect with the normal ability to identify internal thoughts and sub-vocal speech as being self generated and instead are interpreting the internal thoughts as coming from some external source of whatever type the person might think.

(Example of my interpretation of sub-vocal speech: the almost silent muttering under your breath that you don’t notice yourself doing, until suddenly you do notice that you’re talking to yourself, and then you stop because you don’t want anyone to notice. The brain of a someone with schizophrenia may no longer recognize the voices of self-talk, or those of voices in memories or in imagined conversations, as being internally self-generated and instead probably tend to make up some explanation for  whatever or whoever might be doing the talking that is being heard — hearing voices. Our internal chatter can get busy and sometimes pretty mean, it would be scary to not realize that it is just yourself. )

Read more, of the actual article:  [http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2016/03/schizophrenia_and_subvocal_speech_why_schizophrenics_hear_the_voices_of.html]

This seems like very important news — patients with schizophrenia may be able to be gently reminded that those voices are just brain mumbles, and to try to ignore them.

People with schizophrenia are generally not associated with violence unless there is also a history of violent behavior, alcohol or drug abuse, or more persecutory fantasies. [citation missing, I don’t remember where I read that recently, but I posted it in a comment somewhere.]

Mental health symptoms sometimes may be due to underlying issues that could be easily fixed, rather than considering the patient as being ‘mentally ill’ for the rest of their life and likely being placed on medications that tend to have severe side effects. Effective health care would seek for any underlying causes that can be returned to a state of normal function with the simplest solutions possible, “Let food be thy medicine,” the first part of the quote by Hippocrates may be the most important part.

There are several different nutrient deficiencies that can cause symptoms similar to schizophrenia or may be involved in an underlying cause for the condition, this information was from an older post of mine but it was not grouped together:

Summary update written for something else, (clearly this post could use editing): The balance of cannabinoids is a problem in Schizophrenia. (2-AG ~ noneuphoric CBD is decreased in ratio to anandamide ~ euphoric THC compared to normal health, (66)) Use of CBD as a treatment has showed promise for schizophrenia, particularly during early stages of the condition. (67) The genetic difference that might make someone more susceptible to developing schizophrenia may involve a deficiency in Cannabinoid Receptor type 2. (68) (*Additional Note for anyone interested – several nutrient deficiencies can also cause symptoms similar to schizophrenia – and would need to be treated with diet or supplements – and all or some of them might be involved and need to be treated with diet or supplement changes in order for the underlying symptom causing deficiencies to be resolved.

The nutrient deficiencies may include zinc or an excess of copper in ratio to zinc level; the methyl donor B vitamins folate and vitamin B12 – so if a genetic problem existed in methylation than standard supplements of folic acid and unmethylated B12 might make it worse instead of better as the non-bioactive forms would be competing with whatever bioactive dietary folate and methylated B12 were being consumed (wrong puzzle piece blocking a spot for the right puzzle piece); hypothyroidism and elevated bromide is associated with schizophrenia so iodine may be low and goitrogens in excess; Vitamin D and/or an underlying infection with Toxoplasma gondii may be present, and a genetic difference in the Vitamin D Receptor or vitamin D metabolism may increase risk for infection with T gondii (catbox litter of a young cat is a risk factor for T gondii infection).

Soapbox moment for patient advocacy – the prognosis/quality of life for patients with schizophrenia was better a hundred years ago then it is now. Prescription medications are never going to be able to resolve one or several nutrient deficiencies or metabolic differences.

Regarding trends seen around the world in rate of schizophrenia, it has been dropping in South Korea and increasing in Japan. North Korea has the highest rate for the region: http://global-disease-burden.healthgrove.com/l/58241/Schizophrenia-in-South-Korea

Malnutrition in North Korea is more likely involved in the increased rate for the nation than cat ownership due to the many years of sanctions against the country. B12, folate, zinc and vitamin D deficiencies and excess copper may be involved in risk of developing schizophrenia like symptoms. Folate and calcium are considered to be potentially deficient for the typical Korean diet. Fortified milk products aren’t typically consumed so extra vitamin D from that source wouldn’t be available. Iodine is also a nutrient that may be deficient in the diet. http://adoptionnutrition.org/nutrition-by-country/korea/

And low iodine levels can increase risk for hypothyroidism which has been found to be more common as a comorbid condition with patients with schizophrenia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30350120

Bromine excess can compete with iodine and may increase risk of hypothyroid or schizophrenia symptoms. http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/integrative-medicine/health-topics/iodine-supplementation.html

Low thyroid levels have been associated with schizophrenia in early treatment of the disease and has been used in more recent care of patients by an alternative physician. The following link includes excerpts from many older research articles and one mentions kryptopyrroles being elevated in some patients so a genetic cause may be involved for some patients that would cause low zinc and low B6 levels (pyroluria). http://www.orthomolecular.org/library/jom/2001/articles/2001-v16n04-p205.shtml

Schizophrenia treatment and other psychiatric care in Russia does not seem to be an ideal to follow anywhere else – or there: http://www.sras.org/snezhnevsky_schizophrenia_soviet_psychiatry However Russians on average do own a lot of cats, especially in comparison to residents of South Korea: https://www.statista.com/chart/10267/which-countries-have-the-most-cat-owners/?utm_content=buffer35f5b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer 

/Disclosure: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes./

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Fine art from around the world

The following list includes the fifteen posters seen in a recent post about the need for gender parity in the world of art. (First post, Second post in the series) The following includes works by world famous artists from many centuries as well as many countries and represents a variety of styles. The twentieth work on the list is a painting by Michelangelo. He presents another type of dangerous person that innocent young men might encounter — the con-man, in the shape of ‘cardsharps.’ So young men needed to be wary of con-women and con-men. The ‘evil seductress’ is just a phrase to convey a stereotype. Young women may also have needed to be wary of evil seducer types but this collection of art doesn’t include that theme.

Art may have been commissioned by men for displaying in areas where men or boys worked or relaxed. So topics about activities men found entertaining or were proud of might have been ordered in addition to topics about male cardsharps or female pick-pockets (see #11) which might have been useful for educating innocent young men. Portraits and fine art existed centuries ago because photography, television, and computers didn’t exist and people get bored and like to entertain and educate or impress each other.

Art may have been a “man’s” world in part because it is work which takes time and until more recent centuries, “A woman’s work is never done.” Caregiving for children and cooking and cleaning and taking care of any farm animal or gardening chores would have left women with little time for drawing or painting fine art.

Portrait painting took months. Artists would travel from job to job and live at the residence of the person who was hiring them. Whoever was getting their portrait painted would have to ‘sit’ for the artist and try to hold still while the artist worked. See number fifteen for a portrait of a portrait painter and the Las Meninas he is painting by Diego Velasquez.

  1. Thiebaud, Wayne Football Player, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Vi, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image Import of Canada (1963)
  2. Homer, Winslow, The Gulf Stream, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (1899)
  3. Franche’re, Joseph C. Le brasain de savon, (Kettle of Soap), Muse’e du Que’bec, Que’bec, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (1910)
  4. Cretan Bull Dance, (La danse du faureau), Archeological Museum, Heraklion, Crete, Muse’e archeologique He’raklion, Cre’te, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (~4000 years ago)
  5. Mantegna, Andrea, The Adoration of the Shepherds, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (1451-1453)
  6. Ensor, James, Masks Confronting Death, (La Mort et les Masques), The Museum of Modern Art, New York, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (1888)
  7. Lippi, Filippino, The Triumph of Mordecai’ (Le trumphe de Mardoche’e), National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Muse’e des beaux arts du Canada, Ottawa, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (Lippi, Filippino, 1406-1469)
  8. Goya, Francisco de, Don Manuel Osorio de Zuniga, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (1788)
  9. Tintoretto, Portrait d’ un de la familie Foscari, (Portrait of a Member of the Foscari Family), Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Muse’e des beaux arts de Montre’al, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (circa 1550)
  10. Shah-Nameh, Zahek is told his fate, (Zahek se fait pre’dire son destin.), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (ca. 1524)
  11. De La Tour, Georges, La diseuse de bonne aventure, (The Fortune Teller), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (1630)
  12. Kabotie, Fred, The Delight Makers, Courtesy of Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (The image, more info & different but similar piece: The Hopi tribe translates into “The Peaceful People)
  13. Colville, Alexander, Child and Dog (L’ enfant au chien) National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Muse’e des beaux arts du Canada, Ottawa, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (1952)
  14. Kreighoff, Cornelius, Familie indienne dans la fore’t, (Indian Family in the Forest), The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Muse’e des beaux arts de Montre’al, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (Corneius Kreighoff, 1815-1872, a very similar painting, but not exactly the same)
  15. Velasquez, Diego, Las Meninas, Museo Del Prado, Madrid, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (1656)
  16. Degas, Edgar, Chevaux de courses, (Race Horses),National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Muse’e des beaux arts du Canada, Ottawa, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (poor color representation)
  17. Tanobe, Miyuki, Monday, Washing-Day, Private Collection, Lundi, jour de lessive collection particulie’re, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (1972)
  18. Anshutz, Thomas, Cabbages, The Metropolitan Museum of art, New York, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (no date given)
  19. Ce’zanne, Paul, Les joueurs de cartes, (The Card Players), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (1890-92)
  20. Caravaggio, Michelangelo Merisi da, The Cardsharps, (Le tricheur), Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (1594)
  21. Bolduc, Blanche, Cornhusking, (l’ e’pluchette), Muse’e du Que’bec, Que’bec City, Image de l’art 1988 Art Image (no date given)

/Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use./

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Gender ratios in art

The art posters in the last post were all labeled Image de l’art 1988 Art Image and each included the artist and title of the work and its location. There was uneven representation of male and female artists and when I counted the figures in each painting I found that there was also more male adults than female adults portrayed.

There were 21 posters in total that I had found at a resale shop. They were individually priced and so I had picked out a few favorites one day. I liked them so much that I went back a few weeks later and bought the rest of the collection that remained.

Twenty of the twenty one posters had the artist’s name listed. One poster was of an ancient mural from Crete and it didn’t list an artist. Seventeen male artists and three female artists were included in the group of art from around the world.

Within the varied paintings there were 57 adult females and 81 adult males for a ratio of 70.37% females to males. There were slightly more female children included with roughly fifteen girls to nine boys – gender was sometimes more obvious than other times. Four babies were included within the group of 21 posters.

The roles that females were portrayed was largely domestic compared to the males who were portrayed in leadership or struggles against nature or fate. The themes support an idea that I had suggested in a previous post — gender bias may be in part due to a tendency to instinctually think of females as being either a mother or lover, or if not those then she must be an evil seductress.

That seems unkind and unreal but this collection of art supports the roles. Women are mainly seen as mothers or working in domestic roles. They are also seen as observers in the background or at a man’s side in the posters with a group. Except in one painting, however, where an older female fortuneteller is distracting a young man while three attractive young women are listening — and pick pocketing from him in various ways. Another painting has images of death, grim reaper like, and the focal characters are more female in appearance while the observing characters are the ones that are more male in appearance (skulls and masked faces but with more or less feminine looking hats and headscarves).

I could add a list of the paintings and see if I could find links on line but that seems like a lot more work than I have time for at the moment. I wrote the list on paper last night and tallied the figures on paper — old school but easier to carry up a ladder than a laptop. (Third post in the series, with list of the fine art from around the world.)

I hope everyone who planned to managed to get out to vote yesterday. I made it to vote, there was a library millage involved — and libraries are important  ;-)

Happy Wednesday.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use.