Schizophrenia is a lifelong illness which is usually treated with prescribed medication and sometimes complementary therapies or nutritional supplements. The relationships between nutrition and schizophrenia are uncertain. There is evidence that fetal malnutrition during pregnancy -- especially in the first and second trimesters -- increases that child's risk of developing schizophrenia. If you have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, nutritional supplements may be used as a complement to your medication. Any and all treatment for schizophrenia -- including nutritional supplements -- should only be carried out with your doctor's advice and supervision.
Considerations
There are certain nutrients best avoided if you have schizophrenia. It is believed that the symptoms and outcome of schizophrenia are worsened if you eat a generally high fat and high sugar diet. This is because of changes in the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF. Foods with high saturated fat content or a high glycemic index are also believed to worsen schizophrenia symptoms.
Nutritional Therapy: Essential Fatty Acids
In the 2003 issue of the journal CNS Drugs, a research team from the South African University of Stellenbosch states that patients with schizophrenia sometimes have abnormal metabolism of the essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. In countries where the average diet is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, the prevalence of schizophrenia tends to be lower. Controlled trials have found that nutritional supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may help a patient with schizophrenia. Additionally, EPA supplementation appears useful as a complementary therapy with anti-psychotic medication.
Vitamins and Minerals
It is believed that if you are deficient in certain vitamins, the symptoms of your schizophrenia may be relatively more severe. There is no indication that vitamin deficiencies actually cause schizophrenia, just that these deficiencies may worsen existing symptoms. A 2003 study carried out by a research team at the Indian National Chemical Laboratory's Division of Biochemical Sciences found that vitamins C and E, in addition to essential fatty acid supplementation, reduced some patients' schizophrenic symptoms and increased overall quality of life.
Nutrition and Schizophrenia Medication
The anti-psychotic and anti-seizure medications most commonly used to control schizophrenia may have an oxidizing effect on your body over time. Antioxidant supplements may be used to combat this oxidizing effect while you are taking prescribed medication for your schizophrenia. Long-term medication use may, in itself, predispose you to certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which may be countered with supplements. MayoClinic.com indicates it is important to check with your doctor before taking any kind of vitamin or dietary supplements together with medication for schizophrenia, as it is possible they may interact negatively.
References
- PubMed.gov: Nutrition and Schizophrenia: Beyond Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- PubMed.gov: Clinical Potential of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Schizophrenia
- PubMed.gov: Supplementation with a Combination of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Antioxidants (vitamins E and C) Improves the Outcome of Schizophrenia
- Mayo Clinic: Schizophrenia
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