Schizophrenia is a type of chronic brain disorder. It leads to symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, and difficulty in expressing emotions. It is vital to take medications to manage the condition, and since there is no proper cure, the treatment is lifelong. The food a patient eats also matters as it can help them control the symptoms. This article talks about some essential nutrients from foods that can help manage schizophrenia.

Foods and Nutrients for Schizophrenia

1. Fiber
People with schizophrenia must increase their intake of fiber-rich foods. Therefore, the best foods for schizophrenia are different varieties of fruits such as apples, raspberries, and pears, among others. The fiber present in these fruits helps to control cholesterol, which in turn helps control diabetes, heart diseases, and obesity, which are diseases related to schizophrenia. There are beneficial vitamins in these fruits too. Further, vegetables are also rich in fiber and vitamins. One of the vital ingredients in vegetables is potassium, which is beneficial in regulating sugar levels.

2. Omega-3 fatty acids
Inflammation is one of the major symptoms of mental disorders like schizophrenia. Fish oil has a healthy dose of omega -3 fatty acids, which are useful in helping cure inflammation. One of the other benefits of fish oil supplements is that they can help improve heart health. People with schizophrenia are at a high risk of getting metabolic syndrome, so their heart health is likely to be poor. Items rich in fish oil are, thus, a must-have for them.

3. Niacin
Chicken marinara contains the vitamin niacin, which is highly useful for people who are facing the early symptoms of schizophrenia. It can also help in fighting issues that come with this brain disorder.

4. Folate acid
Spinach is extremely popular among leafy green vegetables because of its nutrient density. But, it is not common knowledge that it is one of the superfoods for schizophrenia. This is because spinach contains folate acid, which helps manage the condition’s symptoms.

5. Probiotics
The gut microbiome is a type of bacteria present in the stomach. Some studies have associated bad gut bacteria with schizophrenia. So non-dairy yogurt should be added to meals as it has plenty of prebiotics and can assist in fighting schizophrenia symptoms. It is important to note that non-dairy yogurt is different from ordinary yogurt as the latter has casein antibodies.

6. Melatonin
One of the major problems of schizophrenia is insomnia. Melatonin is a hormone in the brain that helps in regulating the sleep cycle. Additionally, it helps curb the side effects of schizophrenia medications. So, having supplements with melatonin can aid patients in getting a good night’s sleep.