Complementary Remedies For The Treatment Of Schizophrenia
The use of supplements for schizophrenia is aimed to use some resources to improve the state of mind, or decrease the symptoms that accompany this disease.
The use of these supplements can be an aid to conventional therapy, given the significance of the performance of this treatment, requires approval by the specialist.
Among the main there are:
Is Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency A Biologically Plausible Risk Factor For Schizophrenia
DVD deficiency retards brain development in animal models
The effect of DVD-deficiency on differentiation in rat brain may also be due in part to its known regulation of certain neurotrophic factors critical for neuron maturation . DVD deficiency reduces nerve growth factor , glial-derived neurotrophic factor , and the nonselective neurotrophic receptor p75NTR in neonatal rat brains . Brain-derived neurotrophic factor was also reduced in another study but the direction of this finding was dependent on embryonic age . As these trophic factors are well-known to increase neurite outgrowth and dendritic arbor formation , it is highly likely their reduction in a DVD-deficient brain may impair early brain connectivity.
DVD deficiency alters DA ontogeny
Vitamin D deficiency interacts with well-known epidemiologically validated risk factors for schizophrenia
Epidemiological and translational studies show that prenatal infection increases the risk of developing schizophrenia . Vitamin D is an immune regulator . Therefore, it is interesting to note that placentas from DVD-deficient rat dams produce greater amounts of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1 in response to viral stimulation .
DVD deficiency alters postnatal and adult brain function and behavior
Fig. 1: Timelines of vitamin D deficiency in preclinical studies is depicted along with reported alterations.
DVD deficiency, genomic, and epigenetic mechanisms
Non-genomic mechanisms of vitamin D on the developing brain?
Natural Remedies For Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a sort of persistent mental illness in which one has difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is not. Some of the more well-known symptoms that are linked to Schizophrenia are hallucinations, delusions, and incoherent speech. Some of the proposed causes behind Schizophrenia are anxiety while pregnant, genetics, prenatal viral infections, environmental factors, and chemical imbalance in the brain.
This chronic illness could be controlled and managed with appropriate treatment and assistance from friends and loved ones. However, with some simple home treatments, it is simple to cut down on the amount of schizophrenic episodes that are currently being experienced.
Read Also: How To Get Vitamin D To Absorb Better
Vitamin D And Bone Mineral Density
Osteoporosis is 2.5 times more common in schizophrenia than in controls, with 52% having low bone mass and significantly reduced bone mineral density at the lumbar spine .
Only three studies to date have assessed associations between vitamin D and BMD in schizophrenia . In a cross-sectional study , 15 individuals with chronic schizophrenia, living in a long-stay residential unit, had BMD measures recorded by dual-energy X-ray absorption scan. There were no significant correlations between vitamin D levels ) and BMD. A casecontrol study measured BMD using quantitative ultrasound in 73 people with schizophrenia , who were all being treated with antipsychotics. There was no significant correlation between 25D levels males: mean 15.1 ng/mL ) and phalangeal BMD values. However, a significant negative correlation between the parathyroid hormone and lower bone mass was identified in males and females . In another casecontrol study , 72 premenopausal women with schizophrenia , range 20.545.3 years) were compared with 71 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Those with schizophrenia had no significant difference in BMD compared with the controls. Those with schizophrenia had a significantly reduced mean 25D concentration of 16.3 ng/mL compared with the controls P < 0.001), although no significant correlation between serum 25D levels and BMD were reported in the schizophrenia group.
Diet Plan For Schizophrenia
Following is a sample daily diet plan, which can be followed or adapted for those who suffer from schizophrenia:
- Early morning: Warm water + almonds + walnuts
- Breakfast: Paneer or egg sandwich + strawberry smoothie
- Mid-morning: Any seasonal fruit
- Lunch: Millet chapati + chana curry + any seasonal green vegetable + salad
- Evening tea: Herbal tea + sprout bhel
- Dinner: Chapati + soya/ fish curry + mixed vegetable
Don’t Miss: Can Vitamin C Boost Immune System
The Vitamins That Help To Treat Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia can cause delusions, hallucinations, confused thinking and dramatic changes in behaviour.
High doses of B vitamins can help reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia, new research finds.
B vitamins, including B6, B8 and B12 were added to the normal treatment of people with schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is one of the most serious types of mental illness.
It can cause delusions, hallucinations, confused thinking and dramatic changes in behaviour.
Dr Joseph Firth, the studys lead author, said:
Looking at all of the data from clinical trials of vitamin and mineral supplements for schizophrenia to date, we can see that B vitamins effectively improve outcomes for some patients.
This could be an important advance, given that new treatments for this condition are so desperately needed.
Schizophrenia which affects around 1% of people is normally treated with antipsychotic drugs.
These can be effective, but unfortunately around 80% of people relapse within five years.
The study reviewed 18 different clinical trials including 832 patients.
They found that high doses of B vitamins helped reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia.
The vitamins were particularly effective if used early on in treatment.
Dr Firth said:
Professor Jerome Sarris, study co-author, said:
The study was published in the journal Psychological Medicine .
Antioxidants: Vitamins E And C Melatonin Alpha Lipoic Acid
It has been found that taking vitamins E and C with omega-3 fatty acids show the best overall benefit among individuals with schizophrenia. Vitamins E/C being supplemented for a 4 month period along with omega-3 fatty acids showed a major reduction in both positive and negative schizophrenic symptoms. Essential PUFAs were the most effective at preventing symptoms
Vitamin E and other antioxidants help target tardive dyskinesia a neurological syndrom caused by antipsychotic medications. Although there is not significant evidence showing that it is effective at reducing and/or preventing tardive dyskinesia, some research has suggested that there may be a slight benefit. Other antioxidants such as Alpha Lipoic Acid or neuroprotective supplements such as melatonin
After a 4 month supplement washout phase, most patients returned to their normal set of symptoms. Obviously the easiest way to stop tardive dyskinesia is to discontinue usage of a certain medication and consider another. If you are having symptoms of TD or want to take extra precaution, some of these antioxidants may be smart to consider.
Some also think that oxidative stress may play a role in development of schizophrenia as well as symptoms. This suggests that antioxidants may reduce free radical activity and oxidative stress in the brain. Foods that are high in antioxidants and supplementation of high antioxidant vitamins may have benefit in schizophrenia.
You May Like: Do Vitamin D Gummies Work
What Vitamins Are Good For Schizophrenia
In mental health, schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a long-term brain disorder thats defined by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, difficulty with thoughts, and a lack of motivation. While there is no cure for schizophrenia, you can overcome symptoms with the proper treatment.
Still, many patients have found treatment to be either ineffective or simply not for them. With that, theyve sought after all-natural alternatives as a means of curbing schizophrenia symptoms. The difficulty with this is theres only so much research backing up these alternatives and much of the data we have comes from self-reports.
However, some data is finding that those with schizophrenia often lack important vitamins. For this reason, weve looked into some of the best vitamin supplements people with schizophrenia can take. At the end, we invite you to ask further questions.
What Types Of Cookies Are There
There are 2 types of cookies depending on their management:
- Own cookies: those that are sent to the browser or device and are managed exclusively by us for the best functioning of the Website.
- Third-party cookies: those that are sent to the browser or device and are managed by third parties. They are established by a different domain than ours. We do not have access to stored data , which are those established by a different domain of our Website. We cannot access the data stored in the cookies of other websites when you browse the aforementioned websites.
Also Check: How Early Should I Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins
A New Study Has Said That Consuming B
A new study has looked at the role of vitamin B supplements in helping maintain the concentration skills in patients susceptible to schizophrenia or patients who have suffered the first episode of psychosis. The study by researchers from Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, said that consuming B-group vitamins, particularly vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and vitamin B9 may be beneficial for retaining concentration in those who are suffering from the first episode of psychosis. The results of the study were published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, and looked at 100 young people, who were attending the Orygen Youth Health’s Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre .
Epidemiology Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is a global problem more than a billion people worldwide are believed to have suboptimal levels . A recent systematic review of 195 studies including 168 000 people from 44 countries identified that only 11% had 25D levels > 75 nmol/L, the level classed as sufficient. A summary of results is given in Table 1.
TABLE 1 Vitamin D status in populations worldwide
25D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Source: Hilger et al .
Don’t Miss: Does Vitamin C Help Migraines
What Is The Best Cure For Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia cant be cured but it can be successfully treated with medications, treatments, and lifestyle changes. If you have schizophrenia youll always have it, but proper treatment means youll experience fewer symptoms. A psychiatrist is the best person to ask for advice on how to treat schizophrenia.
The Impact Of Adult Vitamin D Deficiency On Brain Function
In contrast to DVD deficiency models where the existing data indicate the development and function of DA systems is primarily affected, AVD deficiency interrupts excitatory and inhibitory neurocircuits and may alter cognitive function. Like DVD deficiency, the impact of AVD deficiency on brain chemistry or behaviors differs across species .
AVD deficiency and neurocircuits
AVD deficiency and cognitive function
AVD deficiency induces cognitive impairment in rodent models, though the behavioral outcomes differ between species or strains. AVD deficiency in Sprague Dawley rats increases impulsivity on the 5-choice serial reaction task . AVD-deficient Wistar or Fischer rats also have impairments in hippocampal-dependent memory . AVD-deficient BALB/c mice also have impairments in attention and hippocampal-dependent learning .
Also Check: Is There A Vitamin D
Natural Remedies For Schizophrenia To Help Reduce Symptoms
In cases of schizophrenia, a severe mental illness characterized by delusions, hallucinations, lack of emotion, and social isolation, most individuals are treated by a psychiatrist with an atypical antipsychotic medication. Without getting too technical, these medications are thought to block receptors in the brains dopamine pathways to help reduce symptoms. Atypical antipsychotics were created with the intention of providing a more effective treatment option with fewer side effects compared to older, typical antipsychotic medications.
Although many would argue that these newer medications are superior in reducing motor control disabilities and involuntary tremors, most research suggests otherwise. Many atypical antipsychotics come with severe side effects including tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, major weight gain, blood clots, diabetes, and increased risk of stroke. For most people, these side effects can make life a living hell.
People with schizophrenia may question whether it may be a better idea to pursue natural remedies as opposed to expose their bodies to a highly potent antipsychotic medication. After all, even antipsychotic medications arent perfect because researchers still arent sure what causes schizophrenia in the first place. Even though natural remedies may not be as potent as an antipsychotic medication, it is important to highlight the fact that some people have successfully managed their symptoms with these remedies.
Folate And Vitamin B12 Reduce Disabling Schizophrenia Symptoms In Some Patients
- Date:
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Summary:
- Adding the dietary supplements folate and vitamin B12 to treatment with antipsychotic medication improved a core symptom component of schizophrenia in a study of more than 100 patients. The study focused on negative symptoms of schizophrenia — which include apathy, social withdrawal, and a lack of emotional expressiveness. While the level of improvement across all participants was modest, results were more significant in individuals carrying specific variants in genes involved with folate metabolism.
Adding the dietary supplements folate and vitamin B12 to treatment with antipsychotic medication improved a core symptom component of schizophrenia in a study of more than 100 patients. The study focused on negative symptoms of schizophrenia — which include apathy, social withdrawal, and a lack of emotional expressiveness. While the level of improvement across all participants was modest, results were more significant in individuals carrying specific variants in genes involved with folate metabolism. The report from a team based at Massachusetts General Hospital will appear in the journal JAMA Psychiatry and has been issued online.
Story Source:
Read Also: What Vitamins Should I Take For Healthy Skin
Vitamin D And Physical Health In Psychotic Disorders
Vitamin D and cardiometabolic risk
Higher vitamin D levels have been associated with improved longer-term clinical outcomes in medical conditions, with observational studies showing inverse associations between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and risks of death due to cardiovascular disease and cancer . However, there is as yet no consistent evidence for routine supplementation.
What Has The Last 20 Years Research Produced
The last 20 years has seen neonatal vitamin D deficiency emerge as a plausible candidate risk factor for schizophrenia. Earlier studies examining environmental phenomena such as season of birth as proxy markers for DVD deficiency have given way to direct analytical epidemiological studies . Such studies now await replication in other tissue repositories. The last 20 years have produced substantial preclinical work establishing vitamin D as an essential neurodevelopmental steroid. Preclinical studies have provided robust evidence that DVD deficiency adversely affects brain structure, delays brain cell maturation, and produces neurochemical and behavioral phenotypes of relevance to schizophrenia. In particular, there has been a concerted effort in preclinical studies suggesting that alterations in vitamin D status affect the ontogeny and survival of DA neurons. Altered DA neuron ontogeny is emerging as a plausible convergent mechanism in broader risk factor epidemiology in schizophrenia . Of relevance here are recent studies showing a systemic injection of 1,252D in pregnant animals at early developmental stages not only blocked maternal inflammation induced behavioral phenotypes related to subcortical hyperdopaminergia but also normalized early aspects of DA neuron gene expression and early DA neuron migration .
Read Also: How To Get Vitamin D Levels Up
The Vitamin D Receptor And Vitamin D Metabolic Enzymes Are Present In The Brain
Vitamin D3 is produced from 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin upon ultraviolet B radiation . Cholecalciferol is also present in a small number of foods and can be obtained by supplementation. Cholecalciferol is hydroxylated to 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 , the major circulating form in the blood, which is then converted into the active hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 2D). 25OHD and 1,252D can both cross the blood brain barrier . Early immunohistochemistry studies first demonstrated the cellular and subcellular localization of the vitamin D receptor and vitamin D metabolizing enzymes in human and rodent brain .
The Allen brain atlas largely confirms that the abundance of VDR and vitamin D-related enzymes is low in human and adult mouse brain and even lower in developing mouse brain . CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 data in the developing mouse brain were not reported in Allen brain atlas.
Vitamin D3 Augmentation In Schizophrenia
The only randomised trial to date investigating vitamin D3 augmentation in schizophrenia was conducted in a population of individuals receiving clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia . At 8 weeks, there was no significant difference in psychotic symptoms between those receiving 14 000 IU per week of vitamin D3 compared with placebo , although a trend towards improved cognitive performance relating to attention and recall was detected .
Recommended Reading: Does Vitamin B Help Neuropathy
Vitamin D And Psychotic Disorders
Vitamin D insufficiency is highly prevalent in people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders . In a cross-sectional study of 324 community-based people with established psychosis, 86% had suboptimal vitamin D levels . In a systematic review , 63% met criteria for vitamin D deficiency .
We found that vitamin D levels were lower on presentation with a first episode of psychosis than in matched healthy controls and that 80% of individuals with a first episode had suboptimal vitamin D levels at time of first contact with services . Lifestyle and physical health factors associated with an increased risk of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, such as smoking, increased BMI, social withdrawal and inactivity resulting in decreased sunlight exposure, are all more common in people with psychotic disorders.
What Cookies Are Used On This Website
When browsing Botanical-online, own and third-party cookies will be generated. They are used to store and manage navigation configuration information, web analytics and ad personalization. The stored data are technical and, in no case, personal information to identify the navigator.
Below is a table with identification of the most relevant cookies used on this website and their purpose:
You May Like: Where Can I Get Vitamin B Injections
