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Schizophrenia: Nutritional ConsiderationsThe following factors are associated with a reduced risk of schizophrenia or its complications: - Avoidance of typical "Western" (i.e., high–fat, high–sugar) diets: Individuals with schizophrenia are at increased risk for heart disease. The greater risk results from several factors: patients' diets are often poor; smoking and physical inactivity are common; and antipsychotic medications may contribute to weight gain, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides (the chemical form of fat in the blood). As a result, patients can benefit from heart–healthy diets.
- Environmental factors: There is some evidence that exposure to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii may increase the risk for schizophrenia. Humans can become infected in a variety of ways, including ingestion of animal tissues and from contact with cat litter.
- Branched–chain amino acids: Although further study is needed, one group of investigators has consistently found that branched–chain amino acid formulas can reduce symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder that is a side effect of older antipsychotic medications.
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