Fitness

Through the years I have been consulted by persons so depressed that they were panicky; sometimes they could think of little except a desire to destroy themselves. On their records I have often written, “Problem definitely psychological.” Later they came in so cheerful that I was amazed and puzzled, wondering what had brought about such a change. Since biotin deficiencies have been produced in volunteers, I ask panicky persons if they ever wished to commit suicide. The stories I have been told are so incredible that I hesitate to write them. A minister’s wife cried heartbrokenly, repeating again and again, “I’m a Christian, Miss Davis. I would never take my life,” but her words showed her underlying fear. One young girl had a compulsion to commit suicide so great that she felt safe only around people; since she was ashamed to discuss her problem with her family or friends, she spent most of her time in a cafeteria sitting at tables with strangers. Another was a father who sobbed out his fear that he would lull not only himself but his three children. Still another was a wealthy woman who kept crying, “Why? Why? Why?” Between sobs she explained that she had a marvelous husband, wonderful children, and everything to live for.

Each of these persons and several not unlike them I have known for at least three years. Although most had suffered from depression for months, in no case did the depression return after their nutrition was improved. Their histories, however, show several interesting facts. In most cases they had been given antibiotics which had destroyed valuable intestinal bacteria, perhaps their only source of biotin. Several were taking mixed vitamin preparations; the other B vitamins may have increased their need for biotin, which was not supplied. Some were taking raw eggs beaten into orange juice, thus preventing biotin from being absorbed. Multiple nutritional deficiencies they certainly had, but panic was their outstanding symptom. Improved nutrition apparently gave them strength to cope with their psychological problems. It is said that there are no biotin deficiencies in America; I wonder every time I read of a suicide in the newspaper.

Inositol is another B vitamin about which too little is known. The assumption is that we get all of this vitamin we need from food. In addition to liver, yeast, and wheat germ, its sources are whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, and corn. The richest source is blacks trap molasses. This vitamin is a byproduct of cornstarch manufacture; tons of it are added to the gray paint used by our Navy. Since inositol is not cheap, this paint may account for part of our high taxes.

When animals are put on a diet lacking inositol, their hair falls out. If the vitamin is then added to the diet, their hair grows in again. Male animals lose their hair twice as quickly as do females, indicating that the male requirement is higher than that of the female. A deficiency also causes constipation, eczema (dermatitis) and abnormalities of the eyes. Inositol is particularly concentrated in the lens of the human eye and in the heart muscles, perhaps indicating that it plays some role in normal vision and in heart action. A hundred times more inositol than any other vitamin except niacin is found in the human body.

Dr. Gustav Martin and co-workers at the Warner Institute of Therapeutic Research studied the effects of different B vitamins on the intestinal tract. Separate vitamins were given with barium, and contractions of the stomach and intestines were studied by fluoroscope. Only inositol caused a marked increase in the movements; poor appetites became normal, and previously existing constipation was relieved. Greater activity in the intestine is known to increase absorption. Blackstrap molasses is certainly more laxative than any other food. The millions of dollars spent annually on cathartics in America may result from inositol deficiency.

A few years ago I became interested in the possibility that a lack of inositol might be one cause of baldness in men. For a time I recommended inositol together with other sources of B vitamins to all the bald men who consulted me. In almost every case they soon reported that their hair was no longer falling out. Wives or mothers particularly mentioned that, whereas loose hair had formerly covered pillows and washbasins, they now had no loose hair to clean up. In some cases new hair growth was obvious in a month. One man of forty-eight, who had been bald for years, grew hair so thick that it looked like rabbit fur; surprisingly enough, he was extremely proud of it. One white-haired man of sixty-five had a bald spot far back on his head; the entire spot filled in with black hair, and a distinguished streak of black hair in the white appeared above his forehead. One man, who had been bald since he was twenty, grew so much hair that no bald spot remained. Some of the men, however, grew not one encouraging wisp.

Loss of hair often occurs in animals deficient in anyone of several B vitamins or certain amino acids. Since I recommended for baldness a teaspoon of pure inositol daily added to a quart of tiger’s milk (p. 114) unusually rich in all these vitamins and proteins, new hair growth may have been brought about by increased amounts of nutrients other than inositol. At each meeting of the American Academy of Nutrition I am impressed that most of the doctors who have been active in the organization for years have healthy luxuriant hair, in marked contrast to the sparse strands of younger men whose diets are less adequate. Hereditary tendencies and other causes of baldness undoubtedly exist. Family albums showing our elderly forefathers with luxuriant hair growth makes me suspect, however, that baldness is becoming more common and is developing at a younger age than it did a hundred years ago.