Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Schizophrenia - References
Hallucinations and delusions are two telltale signs of schizophrenia. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Go for the glycine
With a healthcare professional’s supervision, help improve symptoms such as depression with daily use of this nutritional supplement; take 0.8 grams for every 2.2 pounds (1 kg) of body weight
- Rest easy with melatonin
Improve sleep quality and duration with this natural hormone; take 2 mg of a controlled-release preparation before bedtime
- Try megadose vitamin therapy
Work with a healthcare professional knowledgeable in nutritional treatment of schizophrenia to find out whether large amounts of vitamin B3, B6, or C improves symptoms
- Find a fix for low folic acid levels
Visit your doctor to determine if your blood is low in folic acid, and if 10 to 20 mg a day of this vitamin might help improve symptoms
Also indexed as:
- schizophrenia
About this treatment
1. Hoffman RE, Boutros NN, Hu S, et al. Transcranial magnetic stimulation and auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. Lancet 2000;355:1073–5.
2. Hall K. Allergy of the nervous system: a review. Ann Allergy 1976;36:49–64 [review].
3. Kety SS. Editorial: Dietary factors and schizophrenia. Ann Intern Med 1976;84:745 [editorial].
4. Ross-Smith P, Jenner FA. Diet (gluten) and schizophrenia. J Hum Nutr 1980;34:107–12 [review].
5. Dohan FC. Genetic hypothesis of idiopathic schizophrenia: its exorphin connection. Schizophr Bull 1988;14:489–94.
6. Reichelt KL, Landmark J. Specific IgA antibody increases in schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 1995;37:410–3.
7. Dohan FC, Grasberger JC. Relapsed schizophrenics: earlier discharge from the hospital after cereal-free, milk-free diet. Am J Psychiatry 1973;130:685–8.
8. Singh MM, Kay SR. Wheat gluten as a pathogenic factor in schizophrenia. Science 1976;191:401–2.
9. Vlissides DN, Venulet A, Jenner FA. A double-blind gluten-free/gluten-load controlled trial in a secure ward population. Br J Psychiatry 1986;148:447–52.
10. Davis C. Dietary pathogenesis of schizophrenia: an investigation into the effects of gluten. Nurs Times 1978;74:2020–1.
11. Potkin SG, Weinberger D, Kleinman J, et al. Wheat gluten challenge in schizophrenic patients. Am J Psychiatry 1981;138:1208–11.
12. Storms LH, Clopton JM, Wright C. Effects of gluten on schizophrenics. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1982;39:323–7.
13. Herran A, Garcia-Unzueta MT, Amado JA, et al. Folate levels in psychiatric outpatients. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 1999;53:531–3.
14. Carney MW, Sheffield BF. Associations of subnormal serum folate and vitamin B12 values and effects of replacement therapy. J Nerv Ment Dis 1970;150:404–12.
15. Procter A. Enhancement of recovery from psychiatric illness by methylfolate. Br J Psychiatry 1991;159:271–2.
16. Freeman JM, Finkelstein JD, Mudd SH. Folate-responsive homocystinuria and “schizophrenia.” A defect in methylation due to deficient 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase activity. N Engl J Med 1975;292:491–6.
17. Folate-responsive homocystinuria and “schizophrenia.”Nutr Rev 1982;40:242–5.
18. Folate-responsive homocystinuria and “schizophrenia.”Nutr Rev 1982;40:242–5.
19. Levine J, Stahl Z, Sela BA, et al. Homocysteine-reducing strategies improve symptoms in chronic schizophrenic patients with hyperhomocysteinemia. Biol Psychiatry 2006;60:265–9.
20. Waziri R. Glycine therapy of schizophrenia: Some caveats. Biol Psychiatry 1996;39:155–6.
21. Heresco-Levy U, Javitt DC, Ermilov M, et al. Efficacy of high-dose glycine in the treatment of enduring negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999;56:29–36.
22. Evins AE, Fitzgerald SM, Wine L, et al. Placebo-controlled trial of glycine added to clozapine in schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry 2000;157:826–8.
23. Potkin SG, Jin Y, Bunney BG, et al. Effect of clozapine and adjunctive high-dose glycine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry 1999;156:145–7.
24. Heresco-Levy U, Javitt DC, Ermilov M, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of glycine adjuvant therapy for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Br J Psychiatry 1996;169:610–7.
25. Javitt DC, Zylberman I, Zukin SR, et al. Amelioration of negative symptoms in schizophrenia by glycine. Am J Psychiatry 1994;151:1234–6.
26. Semba J. [Glycine therapy of schizophrenia; its rationale and a review of clinical trials]. Nihon Shinkei Seishin Yakurigaku Zasshi 1998;18:71–80 [review] [in Japanese].
27. Rosse RB, Theut SK, Banay-Schwartz M, et al. Glycine adjuvant therapy to conventional neuroleptic treatment in schizophrenia: an open-label, pilot study. Clin Neuropharmacol 1989;12:416–24.
28. Horrobin DF. The relationship between schizophrenia and essential fatty acid and eicosanoid metabolism. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1992;46:71–7 [review].
29. Horrobin DF. Schizophrenia as a membrane lipid disorder which is expressed throughout the body. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1996;55:3–7 [review].
30. Warner R, Laugharne J, Peet M, et al. Retinal function as a marker for cell membrane omega-3 fatty acid depletion in schizophrenia: a pilot study. Biol Psychiatry 1999;45:1138–42.
31. Mahadik SP, Mukherjee S, Horrobin DF, et al. Plasma membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition of cultured skin fibroblasts from schizophrenic patients: comparison with bipolar patients and normal subjects. Psychiatry Res 1996;63:133–42.
32. Vaddadi KS, Gilleard CJ, Soosai E, et al. Schizophrenia, tardive dyskinesia and essential fatty acids. Schizophr Res 1996;20:287–94.
33. Peet M, Laugharne J, Rangarajan N, et al. Depleted red cell membrane essential fatty acids in drug-treated schizophrenic patients. J Psychiatr Res 1995;29:227–32.
34. Rudin DO. The major psychoses and neuroses as omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome: substrate pellagra. Biol Psychiatry 1981;16:837–50.
35. Puri BK, Richardson AJ, Horrobin DF, et al. Eicosapentaenoic acid treatment in schizophrenia associated with symptom remission, normalisation of blood fatty acids, reduced neuronal membrane phospholipid turnover and structural brain changes. Int J Clin Pract 2000;54:57–63.
36. Peet M, Laugharne JD, Mellor J, Ramchand CN. Essential fatty acid deficiency in erythrocyte membranes from chronic schizophrenic patients, and the clinical effects of dietary supplementation. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1996;55:71–5.
37. Laugharne JD, Mellor JE, Peet M. Fatty acids and schizophrenia. Lipids 1996;31 Suppl:S163–5.
38. Laugharne JD, Mellor JE, Peet M. Fatty acids and schizophrenia. Lipids 1996;31 Suppl:S163–5.
39. Amminger GP, Schafer MR, Papageorgiou K, et al. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids for indicated prevention of psychotic disorders: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010;67:146–54.
40. Fenton WS, Dickerson F, Boronow J, et al. A placebo-controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acid (ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid) supplementation for residual symptoms and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry 2001;158:2071–4.
41. Vaddadi KS, Courtney P, Gilleard CJ, et al. A double-blind trial of essential fatty acid supplementation in patients with tardive dyskinesia. Psychiatry Res 1989;27:313–23.
42. Mellor JE, Laugharne JDE, Peet M. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in schizophrenic patients. Hum Psychopharmacol 1996;11:39–46.
43. Shah S, Ramchand CN, Peet M. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as an adjunct to neuroleptic therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia. Presented at the 9th Schizophrenia Winter Workshop, Davos, Switzerland, February 7–13, 1998.
44. Mellor JE, Peet M. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, trial of omega-3 fatty acids as an adjunct to the treatment of schizophrenia. Presented at the 9th Schizophrenia Winter Workshop, Davos, Switzerland, February 7–13, 1998.
45. Fenton WS, Hibbeln J, Knable M. Essential fatty acids, lipid membrane abnormalities, and the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2000;47:8–21 [review].
46. Herran A, Garcia-Unzueta MT, Amado JA, et al. Folate levels in psychiatric outpatients. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 1999;53:531–3.
47. Carney MW, Sheffield BF. Associations of subnormal serum folate and vitamin B12 values and effects of replacement therapy. J Nerv Ment Dis 1970;150:404–12.
48. Procter A. Enhancement of recovery from psychiatric illness by methylfolate. Br J Psychiatry 1991;159:271–2.
49. Freeman JM, Finkelstein JD, Mudd SH. Folate-responsive homocystinuria and “schizophrenia.” A defect in methylation due to deficient 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase activity. N Engl J Med 1975;292:491–6.
50. Folate-responsive homocystinuria and “schizophrenia.”Nutr Rev 1982;40:242–5.
51. Folate-responsive homocystinuria and “schizophrenia.”Nutr Rev 1982;40:242–5.
52. Levine J, Stahl Z, Sela BA, et al. Homocysteine-reducing strategies improve symptoms in chronic schizophrenic patients with hyperhomocysteinemia. Biol Psychiatry 2006;60:265–9.
53. Payne IR, Walsh EM, Whittenburg EJ. Relationship of dietary tryptophan and niacin to tryptophan metabolism in schizophrenics and nonschizophrenics. Am J Clin Nutr 1974;27:565-71.
54. Gilmour DG, Manowitz P, Frosch WA, Shopsin B. Association of plasma tryptophan levels with clinical change in female schizophrenic patients. Biol Psychiatry 1973;6:119-28.
55. Morand C, Young SN, Ervin FR. Clinical response of aggressive schizophrenics to oral tryptophan. Biol Psychiatry 1983;18:575-8.
56. Levkovitz Y, Ophir-Shaham O, Bloch Y, et al. Effect of L-tryptophan on memory in patients with schizophrenia. J Nerv Ment Dis 2003;191:568-73.
57. Brewerton TD, Reus VI. Lithium carbonate and L-tryptophan in the treatment of bipolar and schizoaffective disorders. Am J Psychiatry 1983;140:757-60.
58. Levkovitz Y, Ophir-Shaham O, Bloch Y, et al. Effect of L-tryptophan on memory in patients with schizophrenia. J Nerv Ment Dis 2003;191:568-73.
59. Gillin JC, Kaplan JA, Wyatt RJ. Clinical effects of tryptophan in chronic schizophrenic patients. Biol Psychiatry 1976;11:635-9.
60. Rosse RB, Schwartz BL, Zlotolow S, et al. Effect of a low-tryptophan diet as an adjuvant to conventional neuroleptic therapy in schizophrenia. Clin Neuropharmacol 1992;15:129-41.
61. Shamir E, Laudon M, Barak Y, et al. Melatonin improves sleep quality of patients with chronic schizophrenia. J Clin Psychiatry 2000;61:373–7.
62. Hawkins DR, Bortin AW, Runyon RP. Orthomolecular psychiatry: niacin and megavitamin therapy. Psychosomatics 1970;11:517–21 [review].
63. Hawkins DR, Bortin AW, Runyon RP. Orthomolecular psychiatry: niacin and megavitamin therapy. Psychosomatics 1970;11:517–21 [review].
64. Autry JH. Workshop on orthomolecular treatment of schizophrenia: a report. Schizophr Bull 1975:94–103.
65. Petrie WM, Ban TA. Vitamins in psychiatry. Do they have a role? Drugs 1985;30:58–65 [review].
66. Hoffer A. Megavitamin B-3 therapy for schizophrenia. Can Psychiatr Assoc J 1971;16:499–504.
67. Wittenborn JR, Weber ES, Brown M. Niacin in the long-term treatment of schizophrenia. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1973;28:308–15.
68. Newbold HL, Mosher LR. Niacin and the schizophrenic patient. Am J Psychiatry 1970;127:535–6.
69. Petrie WM, Ban TA, Ananth JV. The use of nicotinic acid and pyridoxine in the treatment of schizophrenia. Int Pharmacopsychiatry 1981;16:245–50.
70. Ananth JV, Ban TA, Lehmann HE. Potentiation of therapeutic effects of nicotinic acid by pyridoxine in chronic schizophrenics. Can Psychiatr Assoc J 1973;18:377–83.
71. Vaughan K, McConaghy N. Megavitamin and dietary treatment in schizophrenia: a randomised, controlled trial. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 1999;33:84–8.
72. Sandyk R, Pardeshi R. Pyridoxine improves drug-induced parkinsonism and psychosis in a schizophrenic patient. Int J Neurosci 1990;52:225–32.
73. Yamauchi M. Effects of L-dopa and vitamin B6 on electroencephalograms of schizophrenic patients: a preliminary report. Folia Psychiatr Neurol Jpn 1976;30:121–51.
74. Bucci L. Pyridoxine and schizophrenia. Br J Psychiatry 1973;122:240 [letter].
75. Hawkins DR, Bortin AW, Runyon RP. Orthomolecular psychiatry: niacin and megavitamin therapy. Psychosomatics 1970;11:517–21 [review].
76. Hawkins DR, Bortin AW, Runyon RP. Orthomolecular psychiatry: niacin and megavitamin therapy. Psychosomatics 1970;11:517–21 [review].
77. Autry JH. Workshop on orthomolecular treatment of schizophrenia: a report. Schizophr Bull 1975:94–103.
78. Petrie WM, Ban TA. Vitamins in psychiatry. Do they have a role? Drugs 1985;30:58–65 [review].
79. Hoffer A. Megavitamin B-3 therapy for schizophrenia. Can Psychiatr Assoc J 1971;16:499–504.
80. Wittenborn JR, Weber ES, Brown M. Niacin in the long-term treatment of schizophrenia. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1973;28:308–15.
81. Newbold HL, Mosher LR. Niacin and the schizophrenic patient. Am J Psychiatry 1970;127:535–6.
82. Petrie WM, Ban TA, Ananth JV. The use of nicotinic acid and pyridoxine in the treatment of schizophrenia. Int Pharmacopsychiatry 1981;16:245–50.
83. Ananth JV, Ban TA, Lehmann HE. Potentiation of therapeutic effects of nicotinic acid by pyridoxine in chronic schizophrenics. Can Psychiatr Assoc J 1973;18:377–83.
84. Vaughan K, McConaghy N. Megavitamin and dietary treatment in schizophrenia: a randomised, controlled trial. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 1999;33:84–8.
85. Sandyk R, Pardeshi R. Pyridoxine improves drug-induced parkinsonism and psychosis in a schizophrenic patient. Int J Neurosci 1990;52:225–32.
86. Yamauchi M. Effects of L-dopa and vitamin B6 on electroencephalograms of schizophrenic patients: a preliminary report. Folia Psychiatr Neurol Jpn 1976;30:121–51.
87. Bucci L. Pyridoxine and schizophrenia. Br J Psychiatry 1973;122:240 [letter].
88. Manowitz P, Gilmour DG, Racevskis J. Low plasma tryptophan levels in recently hospitalized schizophrenics. Biol Psychiatry 1973;6:109–18.
89. Payne IR, Walsh EM, Whittenburg EJ. Relationship of dietary tryptophan and niacin to tryptophan metabolism in schizophrenics and nonschizophrenics. Am J Clin Nutr 1974;27:565–71.
90. Gilka L. Schizophrenia, a disorder of tryptophan metabolism. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl 1975;258:1–83.
91. Bowers MB Jr. Cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoles and behavior after L-tryptophan and pyridoxine administration to psychiatric patients. Neuropharmacology 1970;9:599–604.
92. Sandyk R, Kanofsky JD. Vitamin C in the treatment of schizophrenia. Int J Neurosci 1993;68:67–71.
93. Kanofsky JD, Sandyk R. Antioxidants in the treatment of schizophrenia. Int J Neurosci 1992;62:97–100 [letter].
94. Kanofsky JD, Sandyk R. Antioxidants in the treatment of schizophrenia. Int J Neurosci 1992;62:97–100 [letter].
95. Beauclair L, Vinogradov S, Riney SJ, et al. An adjunctive role for ascorbic acid in the treatment of schizophrenia? J Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;7:282–3 [letter].
96. Pitt B, Pollitt N. Ascorbic acid and chronic schizophrenia. Br J Psychiatry 1971;118:227–8.
97. Grant FW, Cowen MA, Ozerengin MF, Bigelow N. Nutritional requirements in mental illness. I. Ascorbic acid retention in schizophrenia. A reexamination. Biol Psychiatry 1973;5:289–94.
98. Pitt B. Vitamin C and schizophrenia. Lancet 1974;2:1153–4 [letter].
99. Suboticanec K, Folnegovic-Smalc V, Turcin R, et al. Plasma levels and urinary vitamin C excretion in schizophrenic patients. Hum Nutr Clin Nutr 1986;40:421–8.
100. Suboticanec K, Folnegovic-Smalc V, Korbar M, et al. Vitamin C status in chronic schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 1990;28:959–66.
101. Ko SM, Liu TC. Psychiatric syndromes in pernicious anaemia—a case report. Singapore Med J 1992;33:92–4.
102. Ko SM, Liu TC. Psychiatric syndromes in pernicious anaemia—a case report. Singapore Med J 1992;33:92–4.
103. Majumdar SK, Kakad PP. Serum vitamin B12 status in chronic schizophrenic patients. J Hum Nutr 1981;35:3 [letter].
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
Welcome to Care Circle, an exclusive tool to help you take care of yourself and your loved ones. Here's how it works:
- Create profiles for yourself and your loved ones.
- Select the topics and conditions that interest each of you.
- Get customized news updates, original content, tools, and expert advice for each Care Circle member delivered directly to your personalized homepage.
The information you input is strictly private; you choose who has access to your Care Circle.
How do I add myself or someone else to my care circle?
Click on "Add someone." Fill out the short profile. Choose an avatar. Select the topics and conditions that interest this person from the pulldown menu. You can select as many as you want, but you must choose at least one. Click on "Add Someone" again. You should start getting updates immediately.
How do I save content to my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab of the person for whom you're saving content. Put your cursor over the piece of content that you want to save; a disk icon will appear in the righthand corner. Click on the disk and the piece of content will be moved to a save folder.
How do I add additional topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Add More to Follow," select additional topics and conditions.
How do I delete topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Follows," scroll over the topic or condition you want to delete. An "X" should appear on the righthand side. Click on the "X" and the topic or condition will be deleted from the list.
To manage your Care Circle, Please
Sign In.
