A few years ago I described the basic symptoms of PPD to a group of physicians but altered one important fact: I said that the sufferer was male. The response was a relatively bored and quite immediate: “protein deficiency.” I would respectfully suggest that in at least some cases of PPD, simple dietary modification to include higher levels of quality protein would moderate many of the symptoms.

Given the protein price paid by the mother for construction and maintenance of a growing baby, anything more than a short-term deficit in protein intake must result in a clinical deficiency.

I have applied this knowledge to my own practice and have observed, among those who have responded (approximately 30 to 35 percent of sufferers), an excellent resolution of their “PPD” symptoms. Those who failed to respond to dietary protein also reported a great many co-factors, and they required pharmaceutical or psychological support (or a combination of both).
“Ashmore Health Centre”
adapted from a comment atwww.ScientificAmerican.com/Mind-and-Brain

Mind Control
Regarding “Building around the Mind,” by Emily Anthes, I had a good firsthand brush with this topic a couple of years back. My wife and I were on a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater” home in Pennsylvania. Upon reaching the master bedroom, half of the group headed straight to the balcony without looking to either side or paying any attention to the room. They stopped and apologized to the tour guide, who laughed and said, “That happens on every tour, and there’s a reason for that. This room is specifically designed to draw you out to the balcony. You did exactly as you were supposed to do.”

Throughout the rest of the tour, I learned that Wright had built even more such behavior-influencing “tricks” into the building. I left even more in awe of his talents than I had been before arriving.
“SpoonmanWoS”
adapted from a comment at www.ScientificAmerican.com/Mind-and-Brain

Note: This article was originally printed with the title, "Letters."

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