The UltraMind Solution (39 page)

Norah, a fifty-two-year-old woman, worked and lived in Boston. She spent her time as a software programmer in the basement of an old building. Every winter she would sink into a deep, dark slump. She dreaded the shortening of the days.

Like most women, she kept out of the sun to prevent skin cancer and wrinkles and always wore sunblock and a hat when out in the sun.

She also found her muscles ached worse in the winter, and her doctor told her that she had osteoporosis. She was told she had seasonal affective disorder—which just meant she was getting depressed in the winter!

We found she had extremely low vitamin D levels. By giving her high doses over a few months we were able to get her vitamin D up to normal—and with that her depression lifted and her achy muscles resolved.

More than eighteen minerals are essential for human nutrition. They work in similar ways to vitamins, as helpers for the body’s enzymes. They are needed to make our bones (calcium) and our blood cells (iron) and for our nervous system. While all are important, there are a few that are key players in optimal brain function: magnesium, zinc, and selenium.

Are you missing this MAGnificent mineral? Take the following quiz to find out.

In the box on the right, place a check for each positive answer. Then find out how severe your problem is using the scoring key below.