[Jan 12, 97 - 06:09] Jane Kelley of 1:138/255 wrote to All:
JK> Since vitamins and minerals are needed for the manufacture of
JK> neurochemicals, a diet deficient in these compounds will slow down the
JK> formation of neurochemicals.  A deficiency in amino acids, vitamins, or
JK> minerals would decrease the amount of neurochemicals releases by neurons
JK> and would cause slowing of nerve signal transmission.
JK> Cerain chemicals, such as alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription
JK> pharmaceuticals, also can increase or decrease the supply of
JK> neurochemicals.  In fact, the underlying usefulness of trycyclic
JK> antidepressant medications, such as Elavil, is that they normalizw the
JK> supply of neurochemicals.
Fine: dietary deficiencies can disrupt neural metabolism.  So can various 
drugs and medications.  This is both common sense and old news.  That doesn't 
prove that the mechanism is the same.  It also doesn't prove that stuffing a 
person full of amino acids will cause them to discard an addiction.
Humans and other animals seek out alcohol because its effects are 
pleasurable, not because they have a dietary deficiency.  The same is true, 
in humans at least, of tobacco, cocaine, heroin, and fudge.
Jerry Schwartz
--- Msged/386 4.00
---------------