The Best Vitamins For Schizophrenics

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it difficult for you to be able to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to have normal emotional responses, to think logically, and to behave normally. The exact cause of schizophrenia remains unknown, however genetics appear to play a role. Anti-psychotic medications are the primary long-term treatment for this disease because they can change the balance of chemicals in your brain, which may help control symptoms of schizophrenia. Some vitamins have been found to benefit individuals suffering from schizophrenia, including vitamin B-3, vitamin C and vitamin E. Mega-dosing vitamins may also play a role in the treatment of the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Vitamin B-3

Vitamin B-3, or niacin, is one of the B-complex vitamins that has been linked to schizophrenia treatment. A deficiency in vitamin B-3 may be related to an increase in the symptoms of schizophrenia, including headaches, sleep disturbance, hallucinations and anxiety. Taking a daily multivitamin with at least 11 mg of niacin, or consuming foods that are high in niacin, can help maintain a normal chemical balance in your brain if you suffer from schizophrenia. Foods that are naturally high in niacin are lean meat, fish and poultry.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant that may be beneficial in the treatment of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Research indicates that vitamin C deficiency is more common in individuals with mental health problems, mainly due to poor nutritional habits, notes Schizophrenia.com. A deficiency in vitamin C can lead to weakness, irritability and decreased healing. As an antioxidant, vitamin C can help protect your body against free radicals and oxidative stress, which may contribute to some of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Foods that are high in vitamin C include most citrus fruits, especially oranges.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E, like vitamin C, is a powerful antioxidant that may improve your immune system function. Vitamin E may also help protect your brain from infections and diseases, including brain inflammation. Vitamin E may also help improve your mood by balancing the chemicals in your brain, including dopamine, which affects mood. Foods that contain the highest amounts of vitamin E are nuts, spinach and tomatoes.

Mega-Dosing Vitamins

Mega-dosing vitamins involves supplementing with vitamins in large amounts, often as much as 200 percent of the recommended dietary allowance. Mega-dosing vitamins should only be done under the direction of your physician because some fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamin E, may cause side effects such as nausea or digestive tract disorders. If the demand for a certain vitamin is high, as in many individuals suffering from schizophrenia, consuming the recommended dietary allowance of a vitamin may not be enough to have any noticeable effect because there is not enough of the vitamin to go around. By consuming more than the recommended dietary allowance, your body may be able to use more of the vitamin to treat schizophrenia, and in the case of water-soluble vitamins, what your body does not need it will excrete.