The Connection Between Healthy Foods and Schizophrenia

The Connection Between Healthy Foods and Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that distorts language, perception, thoughts, emotions and overall behaviour. What we consume in our daily diet has an impact on our health, both mental and physical. Patients living with schizophrenia work closely with their healthcare team to find therapies and medications that work. Diet and lifestyle may also play a huge role in mood stabilization and management of schizophrenia symptoms.

Some of the nutrition-packed foods that can help manage schizophrenia symptoms:

1. Fresh fruits and berries

Studies indicate that people with schizophrenia tend to consume less fibre. Most of their diet involves the consumption of fatty foods that are unhealthy. The fibre in fruits and berries absorbs the excess sugars and reduces the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), considered “bad” cholesterol. Low cholesterol and sugars keep diseases common to people with schizophrenia away, like heart failure, obesity and diabetes. A variety of fruits and berries rich in fibre include apples, bananas, raspberries, oranges and strawberries.

2. Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are considered mood-boosting foods because they contain beta-carotene, which reduces free radicals damaging brain cells. They help reduce stress levels which is a common symptom in people with schizophrenia. It being a carbohydrate, plays a part in the release of serotonin, a happy hormone.

3. Fatty Fish

Based on research, omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish products are useful in lowering some of the symptoms experienced by people with schizophrenia. Omega-3s cannot be produced by the body, which means adding fatty fish to your diet is the way to acquire the nutrient. For those who are not fish lovers, you can consult your physician on getting omega-3 supplements.

4. Shellfish

Making a norm of consuming seafood like shellfish, oysters, crabs, or lobsters helps reduce bodily levels of inflammation, which may be an issue for patients with schizophrenia. Shellfish also contains high levels of zinc, which experts have found to be low among people with schizophrenia.

5. Spinach

Spinach is the leafiest of the green vegetables available at the grocery store. It contains folic acid or rather has a rich source of folate. Folate is useful in synthesising DNA and neurotransmitters, which play a key role in brain activity. You can add it to your diet by making juices or steaming on low heat.

Research has shown that adding healthy foods to your diet like vegetables, salmon, chicken marinara, clams and cod liver oil alongside medication helps improve schizophrenia symptoms. Diet cannot replace doctor-prescribed medications, like Caplyta and Inveg Sustena, to treat schizophrenia, but having a healthy diet may help improve overall mood and physical health.