What Foods May Help Schizophrenia Patients?

Schizophrenia seems to be a common and intense psychiatric disorder. This condition appears to shift how patients perceive reality and other parts of their cognitive function. Affected individuals may deal with both positive and negative symptoms. The former appear to be those that add or are new, such as hallucinations, delusions, and repetitive movement. Negative symptoms seem to take away from patients. Examples may include a reduced attachment to reality and the ability to emote. Patients may also see lower energy.

Treatment for schizophrenia may be fairly intense for most patients. Psychotherapy and medication appear to be the most common schizophrenia remedies. Doctors seem to say that the best medicine for schizophrenia are antipsychotics. However, some patients may want to try supplements for schizophrenia. Although patients may want to talk about schizo[phrenia treatment with their doctor, they should benefit from following a diet designed for their condition. These foods may help with symptom control.

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish may be a healthy choice for schizophrenia patients. This type of fish appears to contain many omega-3 fatty acids. Thus, individuals should be able to get the necessary amount for healthy development. These fatty acids seem to help the structural and biochemical development of the brain. They also appear to influence the same neurotransmitters as this disorder. They may be more unregulated. Thus, some patients who do not have enough omega-3 fatty acids may experience worsened symptoms.

Research seems to indicate that these fatty acids may prevent this disorder from developing. They may have protective effects on the brain due to antioxidants and how they can help stop cell death. High-risk individuals may benefit from omega-3 supplements, including fish oil supplements, in preventing this condition. Of course, they seem to also benefit from eating fatty fish regularly. Individuals should avoid eating too much, which may be more than five portions in one week. This appears to be because psychosis has been connected to eating both too much and too little fish.

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Flax Seeds

Flax seeds seem to contain a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, it may be as much as 1,597 milligrams per tablespoon. Thus, they may also have the same effects as fatty fish for patients with this disorder. Flax seeds appear to be a superfood. They seem to contain many other beneficial nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, and folate. The seeds may have significant amounts of calcium, iron, phosphorous, magnesium, and potassium as well.

These seeds may help lower a patient's blood pressure. The proteins that they contain seems to have several amino acids. Thus, these seeds may also lower cholesterol and boost immune system function. The seeds appear to provide improved blood sugar control. This can be quite helpful for schizophrenia patients, as they seem to be at high risk for diabetes.

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Blueberries

Blueberries seem to be another common superfood. They may have benefits for patients with schizophrenia as well. A major reason for this appears to be that they have high antioxidants. This may be vital as the body makes oxidative molecules as cells function and break down. Unfortunately, these molecules seem to increase negative symptoms in this disorder. However, antioxidants may stop the effects of them. Thus, they may also make negative symptoms less severe. Some patients seem to eliminate them.

Studies appear to show that free radicals may trigger cell damage that causes resistance to schizophrenia treatment. This should make antioxidants in blueberries more important. These berries may also contain many other healthy nutrients for patients, such as fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, and manganese.

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Beans And Lentils

The brain seems to need methylation to keep its neurochemistry. This process, however, may be faulty in patients with this disorder. The result may be increased homocysteine, an amino acid, in the blood. However, patients may benefit from eating beans and lentils. The reason seems to be that they contain folic acid and B-vitamins. These nutrients appear to decrease homocysteine, thus helping schizophrenia patients.

However, some patients may struggle with obtaining the benefits of folic acid. Research indicates that this seems to be due to genetics. Thus, patients may want to consume more of this nutrient than others. This should mean more beans and lentils. Thankfully, beans and lentils appear to contain more beneficial vitamins for these individuals, such as vitamin B6, fiber, vitamin B12, and protein.

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Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes seem to be another food that patients with this disorder should consider eating. Part of the reason appears to be that they contain beta-carotene. This may be one of the antioxidants that can help stop free radicals from triggering brain damage. Patients may wish to consume purple or orange sweet potatoes for the antioxidant benefits. This type of potato seems to have many other nutrients that benefit patients with this condition. Examples may include vitamin A, fiber, protein, vitamin B6, and potassium. In fact, they may have up to 750 percent of the recommended daily vitamin A per cup. Other vitamins and minerals that sweet potatoes appear to contain are manganese, vitamin C, niacin, copper, and pantothenic acid. All of these nutrients seem to benefit an individual's overall health, including their gut, which can benefit schizophrenia as a result.