Schizophrenia

Improve mental health, decrease symptoms, improve baseline mood with restricted sugar and fat diet

Recommended For

Catatonic schizophrenia, Dissociative identity disorder, Schizoaffective disorder, Paranoid schizophrenia, Schizophrenia, Undifferentiated schizophrenia.

Diet Goals

Low sugar, low fat diet

  • Restrict sugar and saturated fats
  • Specific nutrients can reduce symptoms
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol
Diets high in added sugar suppress growth hormone in the brain which is linked to depression and schizophrenia.

Food Recommendations

Foods to Eat

Fish 2 x week: Salmon, bass, cod, crab, scallops, shrimp
Fruits, Vegetables: Berries, avocado, leafy greens, carrots
Lean proteins: Poultry, white fish, low fat yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, tofu, beans
Niacin: Tuna, meat, brown rice, peanuts, avocados, potatoes
Omega-3s: Salmon, seafood, flax & chia seeds, walnuts, nuts
Fermented foods: Yogurt, miso, kimchi, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut

Foods to Avoid

High carbs: White foods: Rice, potatoes, pasta, bread, crackers
Saturated fats: Beef, lamb, pork, full fat dairy, butter, pastry, pie, biscuits
High sugar: Fruit yogurt, granola, energy bars; raisins, ketchup, pasta sauce
Excess caffeine: Coffee, tea, energy drinks, sodas, chocolate
Gluten free: Labeled gluten free, rice crackers, popcorn
Sugary drinks: Soda, coffee drinks, energy drinks, fruit juice, smoothies

Diet Rules

Additional Information

Research

Recent studies show associations between psychiatric conditions and proinflammatory bacteria in the gut microbiome.
Studies have found a strong link between high sugar consumption and the risk of both depression and schizophrenia.
Diet can decrease associated risk and improve health; DOES NOT replace treatment with antipsychotic medications.

Caveats

Mental illness linked to twice the risk of heart disease than general public; heart healthy diet.
Low sugar diet decreases inflammation, can decrease schizophrenia symptoms; 0-14 g/d.
Intermittent fasting found to be effective in > 70% of cases.
Small study of schizophrenics who achieved remission with Ketogenic diet; discuss with MD before attempting.

References

Bremner, B., & Madden, J. (2014). Diet Manuel for Long-Term Care Residents. Maryland Dept. of Health. http://dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq/docs/diet_manual_4-3-14.pdf
Cha, H., & Yang, S. (2020). Anti-Inflammatory Diets and Schizophrenia. NIH, National Library of Medicine; Clinical Nutrition Research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7644368/
DE HERT, M., SCHREURS, V., VANCAMPFORT, D., & VAN WINKEL, R. (2011). Metabolic syndrome in people with schizophrenia: a review. World Psychiatry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2656262/
What is Schizophrenia. (n.d.). Food for the Brain Foundation. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://www.foodforthebrain.org/nutrition-solutions/schizophrenia-and-psychosis/about-schizophrenia-and-psychosis.aspx
Schizophrenia and Psychosis. (n.d.). Food For The Brain Foundation. https://foodforthebrain.org/condition/schizophrenia-and-psychosis/
Kucukgoncu, S. (2019). Antipsychotic Exposure in Pregnancy and the Risk of Gestational Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Bulletin, Volume 46, Issue 2. https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article-abstract/46/2/311/5511697?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Respiratory illness and schizophrenia. (2015). Questioning Answers. https://questioning-answers.blogspot.com/2015/05/respiratory-illness-and-schizophrenia.html
Strassnig MD, M., Brar MBBS, J., MPH, & Ganguli MD, R. (2005). Dietary Intake of Patients with Schizophrenia. NIH, National Library of Medicine, Psychiatry (Edgmont). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3004718/
Whiteley, P. (2015). Respiratory illness and schizophrenia. Questioning Answers. https://questioning-answers.blogspot.com/2015/05/respiratory-illness-and-schizophrenia.html