WGNNews.org  Posted 2:26 P.M. February 9, 2004

By Kenneth Martin

I have found this information on the internet, and I found it interesting reading. You form your own opinion to it's validity, and importance to you.

Patrick Holford, Mental Health Project Director

What is schizophrenia?

There is no such single disease as schizophrenia, rather it is more accurate to talk about the schizophrenias, because a person labelled schizophrenic may have any or all of a group of symptoms including depression, anxiety, disperceptions and thought disorders, illusions and delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations and anti social behaviour. About 1 in 100 people develop so called schizophrenia, which affects men and women equally and there are many ways to end up with the symptoms and behaviours that will give you this label.

The symptoms that characterise people with schizophrenia can be separated into two classes: those that bother them, and those that bother the people around them. The two may not be the same, and there is often considerable friction between the patient and those around them.

What causes schizophrenia?

One theory about the origin of schizophrenia is that it has a genetic origin that began before humanity migrated out of Africa. It also occurs far more commonly in genius families.

Although there are likely to be cases where people go crazy for purely psychological reasons, there is now overwhelming evidence that in most people so diagnosed that something isn't right in the brain. Researchers from the London Institute of Psychiatry have confirmed that the frontal cortex of the brain is involved in schizophrenia. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), they have also been able to show that the deterioration in brain function in schizophrenia is not irreversible.

While schizophrenia isn't caused purely by nutritional deficiency, providing the right intake of nutrients for a particular person can minimse and in many cases completely correct symptoms . These nutrients tune up aspects of our brain and it is likely that drugs currently used employ similar mechanisms, but with much more undesirable side effects. Although drugs are useful in the short-term they are best avoided in the long-term.

What you can do to improve the symptoms of schizophrenia

• Balance your blood sugar

The most important nutrient for the brain is glucose- the fuel it runs on and in order for our brains to work effectively we need a steady supply of glucose. Any imbalance in the supply of glucose to the brain results in a range of symptoms including fatigue, irritability, dizziness, insomnia, excessive sweating (especially at night), poor concentration and forgetfulness, excessive thirst, depression and crying spells, digestive disturbances and blurred vision.

We predominantly produce glucose by breaking down carbohydrate foods and in order to ensure that our brain gets a steady supply of glucose it is important to avoid sugar and sugar containing foods as these cause a sudden surge in blood sugar level and surge in energy followed by a drop as the body attempts to rebalance . For optimal blood sugar levels eat wholefoods such as wholegrains, lentils, nuts, seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables and combine protein foods with carbohydrates by eating cereals and fruit with nuts and seeds and ensuring you eat starch foods (potato, bread, pasta or rice) with fish, lentils, beans or tofu

• Check for, and correct essential fat imbalances

We build the brain from specialised essential fats and this is a constant process as we are always building membranes, then breaking them down, and building new ones. The breaking down or stripping of essential fats from brain membranes, is done by an enzyme called phospholipase A2 (PLA2). This is often overactive in schizophrenia and this leads to a greater need for these fats, which are quickly lost from the brain. To date the evidence does suggest that some people diagnosed with schizophrenia do need and respond well to, increased amounts of both omega-6 fats, such as evening primrose oil or starflower oil, and omega-3 fats, together with the co-factor nutrients (zinc, B6, B3 and vitamin C) that help convert them into vital brain fats.

• Up your intake of antioxidants (vitamins A, C and E) and especially Vitamin C to 3g per day

Since there is evidence of more oxidation in the frontal cortex of the brains of those with schizophrenia, it makes sense to minimise oxidants from fried or burnt food and maximise antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin C is also an anti-stress vitamin and may counter too much adrenalin, which is often found in those with schizophrenia

• Consider high dose niacin (vitamin B3), 1-6g per day, plus B12 and Folic acid supplements

There are many ways in which niacin affects brain function. Firstly niacin stops the brain from producing adrenochrome from adrenalin, a chemical known to induce hallucinations. Working together with vitamin B12 and folic acid, niacin helps keep adrenalin and noradrenalin levels in balance and prevents the abnormal production of adrenochrome in the brain. Niacin, vitamin B12 and folic acid also help to raise abnormally low histamine levels, an imbalance which is associated with hallucinations. Niacin helps to detoxify copper and other toxic elements which are associated with mental illness and improves oxygen supply to the brain and is also needed for the brain to make use of essential fats. In addition the 'happy' neurotransmitter serotonin also needs niacin

• Get checked for pyroluria and if so, supplement zinc and B6

Many mentally ill people are deficient in zinc and B6 due to the abnormal production of a group of chemicals called 'pyroles'. A person with high levels of 'pyroles' in the urine needs more B6 and zinc than usual since they rob the body of these essential nutrients, increasing a person's requirements to stay healthy. More than 50 percent of people diagnosed with schizophrenia have 'pyroluria' which is a stress related condition with symptoms often beginning in the teenage years after a stressful event such as exams or the split-up of a relationship. Those with pyroluria often have weak immune systems and may suffer from frequent ear infections as a child, colds fevers and chills.The pyroluric patient can have bad breath and a strange body odour, a poor tolerance of alcohol or drugs, may wake up with nausea have cold hands, feet ,abdominal pain and skin problems such as acne or eczema. Other tell-tale signs include pale skin, white marks on the nails and in extreme cases, poor hair growth and loss of hair colour. Not all of these symptoms are present in all pyrolurics, but if you are experiencing a number of them, it is well worth testing for

• Check yourself for wheat and other allergies

Many people with mental health problems are sensitive to foods, especially wheat gluten, which can bring on all sorts of symptoms of mental illness. However, wheat gluten is not the only allergy implicated in schizophrenia.The expert Dr William Philpott discovered in the 80s that 50% of schizophrenics tested adversely to cow's milk, 75% to tobacco and 30% to petrochemical hydrocarbons

• Check your histamine status. If low, try high-dose niacin, B12 and folic acid. If high don't take large amounts of folic acid or B12

Histamine imbalances are another biochemical twist in the tale of schizophrenia. We all make histamine, but some more than others. Some people produce excessively large amounts of histamine and are called 'histadelics'. High histamine levels in these people can lead to compulsive and obsessive behaviour and pits of depression. The other side of the coin is that low levels of histamine are associated with anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations. Since Folic acid and B12 stimulate the production of histamine, these supplements may be helpful for individuals who are low histamine, but should be avoided by those with a high histamine status.

Further Reading

Holford, P., Optimum Nutrition for the Mind, Piatkus, 2003

Holford, P., The Optimum Nutrition Bible, Piatkus, 1997

Hoffer, A., Vitamin B-3, Schizophrenia, Discovery, Recovery and Controversy, Quarry Health Books, 2000

Horrobin, D., The Madness of Adam and Eve – How Schizophrenia Shaped Humanity, Bantam Press, 2001

Holford, P., Schizophrenia Can be Cured (feature article)

Finding Help

The Brain Bio Centre

The Brain Bio Centre is a London-based treatment centre, set up by the Mental Health Project, putting the optimum nutrition approach into practice for those with mental health problems, including depression, learning difficulties, dyslexia, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, dementia and Alzheimer¹s. Click here to find out more

Find a Nutritionist

Useful Organisations

National Schizophrenia Fellowship is the largest UK charity helping those diagnosed with Schizophrenia with more than 25 years of experience and over 1,200 staff. They provide a wide range of community services including employment projects, supported housing, day services, helplines, residential care and respite centres. With over 300 services, they support around 7,500 people every day. Contact NSF at 30 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4DD or call their national UK advice line 020 8974 6814 (10am-3pm, Monday to Friday), or visit www.nsf.org.uk

Schizophrenia Association of Great Britain was formed in 1970 in the belief that mental illnesses are physical illnesses in which the chemistry of the body, including the brain, is altered by the disease process. They provide excellent information for sufferers, carers and doctors to help promote awareness about vital contributory factors such as nutrition. Contact SAGB at Bryn Hyfryd, The Crescent, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2AG. Or call 01248 354 048, or visit www.sagb.co.uk

 

Home page of This Web Site