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In contrast, while absolute nutritional deficiencies
are uncommon in the developed countries, marginal deficiencies
are widespread. At normal levels of activity and function,
even with marginal nutritional deficiencies, nutrient levels
are generally sufficient to support basal brain function.
However, when marginal deficiencies are coupled with stress,
the brain just does not have enough nutrients to handle these
"peak" demands and therefore loses integration.
At some critical level of mental activity or intensity of
function, the brain simply runs out of enough of the "fuel"
required to maintain optimal function.
For most of the major neurotransmitters, receptors
and transporters there are key essential nutrients that come
only from your diet, these being essential amino and fatty
acids. Lack of one or more of these key nutrients unfortunately
turns off production of the key signalling molecules just
when you need them most, causing loss of brain integration
and thus reducing your capacity for effective memory and thinking.
Likewise, critical ancillary nutrients such
as iron and zinc are often not present in adequate levels
in many people's diets to satisfy "peak" demands.
This can also result in the loss of brain integration and
optimal mental performance even with the presence of sufficient
essential amino and fatty acids.
This can be hugely significant in children
that have learning difficulties, not because there is some
inherent physical problem with the brain but because for some
reason they do not absorb a particular nutrient properly and
thus the relevant part of their brain simply cannot function.
Supplementing the nutrient(s) for such children can often
produce remarkable results.
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