Poverty also plays a role. While Assistance programs are crucial, a loving family can a major factor in the quality of nutrition and life for our elderly. The brain uses neurotransmitters to transmit messages. It also needs ions, minerals, vitamins, lipids and water. It maintains all of these in the proper balance by the blood-brain barrier, which regulates the entry and exit of materials into the brains inner environment.
Serotonin affects mood and sensations, and is made from the amino acid tryptophan.
Carbohydrates eaten with meals aids the tryptophan to enter the brain, by sending the other amino acids into body cells, leaving the tryptophan to enter brain cells without competition. A variety of nutrient deficiencies are accompanied by mental symptoms. Sometimes Dr. Wolfe gets a little crabby. Maybe it's your diet. At least that's what some researchers would like you to believe.