As nutritional science has developed, so have the clinical applications.

Compared to the massive research exploring the relationship between nutritional factors and the major killer diseases, considerable less research has been done to explore the relationship between nutritional factors and mental illness.

It is clear however that nutritional factors can powerfully influence cognition, emotion and behavior. It is also clear that the effect of classical nutritional dificiency diseases upon mental function constitutes only a small part of the  rapidly expanding list of interfaces between nutrition and the mind.

By summarizing the available data, it is hoped that the material presented in the book will enable the reader to better understand  the current state of the field.

The text consists of a series of chapters covering the major mental and behavioral illnesses for which a reasonable amount of nutritional literature excists. Basic dietary factors are discussed first, then vitamins, minerals, other nutritional factors and finally other related factors, with special attention to influences of toxic mineral exposures and food sensitivities. While the book provides information which can be used to make therapeutic decisions, it is meant to be used as a sourcebook, not as a treatment manual and therefore assumes that readers who wish to utilize nutritional therapy, either have appropriate professional backgrounds or are under guidance of a trained professional