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| Schizophrenia |
Last updated: Jun 30, 2009 |
Conditions that suggest it | Contributing risk factors | Other conditions that may be present | Recommendations
 Conditions that suggest Schizophrenia: | |  | | | | Organ Health |  Kidney Failure | Patients who undergo dialysis regularly may be exposed to high levels of aluminum in dialysis fluids and medicines. A reaction called dialysis encephalopathy can occur. What follows is a progressive mental degeneration manifested by tremors, convulsions, psychosis and other changes in speech and behavior. Reduction of aluminum levels significantly reduces the incidence of this problem. |
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Uro-Genital |
Motherhood Issues| | A study released from Finland shows that baby boys given vitamin D supplements had a reduced risk of schizophrenia. This same benefit was not observed in the girls. The boys were given 2,000 units of vitamin D. Perhaps all children need vitamin D supplements if they are not exposed to sunshine, especially breast fed babies (there is little usable vitamin D in breast milk). [Schizophrenia Research April, 2004;67(2-3): pp.237-45] |
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Risk factors for Schizophrenia: | | | | | | Allergy | Allergy / Intolerance to Foods (Hidden)| | An allergy is a negative sensitivity, usually to a substance, which causes a physical reaction. Classical responses include creation of blood antibodies, histamine release, swelling, itching, runny nose, and others. However, substances can cause many negative reactions commonly not associated with allergies.
In the case of cerebral (brain) allergies reactions include brain inflammation, irritability, fear, depression, aggression, extreme mood swings in a single day, hyperactivity, and psychosis.
A study of "schizophrenics" by Dr. William Philpott showed allergic responses as follows: wheat (64%), mature corn (51%), pasteurized whole cow milk (50%), tobacco (75% with 10% becoming grossly psychotic with delusions, hallucinations and particularly paranoia), and hydrocarbons (30% with weakness being common and some participants reacting with delusions or suicidal inclinations). Ninety-two percent of the patients showed allergic responses with an average of ten items per person causing reactions. |
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Autoimmune |
Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease| | Studies have shown celiac disease to be inordinately high in schizophrenic populations. Research removing gluten and dairy products (which often seems to add to the problem) from the diet of a locked ward resulted in a significant improvement of patient behavior. See also the Philpott study mentioned under Hidden Food Allergy.
Symptoms include mood swings (down after eating and up after avoidance), severe depression, anxiety, irritability, compulsive behavior, schizophrenia symptoms, and other mental disorders.
Schizophrenics maintained on a cereal grain-free and milk-free diet and receiving optimal treatment with neuropleptics showed an interruption or reversal of their therapeutic progress during a period of "blind" wheat gluten challenge. The exacerbation of the disease process was not due to variations in neuroleptic doses. After termination of the gluten challenge, the course of improvement was reinstated. The observed effects seemed to be due to a primary schizophrenia-promoting effect of wheat gluten. [Science 1976 Jan 30;191(4225): pp.401-2] |
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Circulation |
Anemia, Megaloblastic| | Mental symptoms of B12 or folic acid deficiency includes confusion, fatigue, poor memory, difficulty concentrating or learning, and mental lethargy. It can be mistaken for Alzheimer’s in older patients. Additional mental disturbances include: loss of alertness, drive, self-confidence, and independence, social withdrawal, nervous irritability, headaches, insomnia, moodiness, severe agitation, lack of coordination, anxiety, delusions of persecution, and mania. Deficiency may also induce auditory hallucinations, psychosis, and paranoia. |
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Drug Side Effects |
Prescription Drug Side-Effects| | A number of non-psychotropic drugs can create psychosis. An estimated 1-2% of interferon users manifest psychosis or suicidal behavior.
Amantadine, a drug for Parkinson’s Disease, can cause hallucinations, depression, jitteriness, and confusion. In anyone experiencing a psychotic episode, recent drug ingestion must be considered as a cause. |
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Environment / Toxicity |
Heavy Metal Toxicity| | Lead toxicity mental symptoms include restlessness, insomnia, irritability, confusion, excitement, anxiety, delusions, and disturbing dreams. Arsenic mental symptoms include apathy, dementia, and anorexia. |
Mercury Toxicity / Amalgam Illness| | Mercury toxicity can cause mental symptoms like shyness, irritability, apathy and depression, psychosis, mental deterioration, and anorexia. |
Manganese toxicity |
Habits |
Lack of Sleep| | Sleep deprivation symptoms include irritability, fatigue, blurred vision, slurring of speech, memory lapses, and inability to concentrate. In extreme stages bizarre behavior and hallucinations can occur. |
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Hormones |
 Histapenia (Histamine Low)| | Histapenia is a shortage of histamine in the body. Histamine is an important brain chemical involved in many reactions. Elevated copper decreases blood histamine. Excess copper is linked with psychosis.
Dopamine appears to be a factor in producing hallucinations, voices and other symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Those with histapenia may have elevated dopamine levels. |
Histadelia (Histamine High)| | Histadelia, prominent in males, means too much histamine in the blood. Estimated to affect 15-20% of patients classified as schizophrenic. Symptoms include hyperactivity, compulsions, obsessions, inner tensions, blank mind episodes, phobias, chronic depression, and strong suicidal tendencies. Physical signs can include little tolerance for pain, rapid metabolism, lean build, profuse sweating, seasonal allergies, and frequent colds. |
Wilson's Disease| | In Wilson's disease the small intestine absorbs too much copper and the liver excretes too little of it, resulting in a copper buildup in the liver and brain. Onset is slow and begins between 11 and 25 years of age. A wide array of symptoms occur, fitting a number of psychiatric diagnoses, including major depression, schizophrenia, and hysteria. Children with Wilson’s disease can appear to be mentally retarded. Appetite loss and weight loss can appear along with hallucinations and delusions. The physical manifestations of Wilson’s disease do not appear until the late stages, thus it is easily misdiagnosed as psychiatric illness. |
Hypothyroidism| | Extreme mental symptoms of hypothyroidism can include terrifying dreams, obsessions, frightening hallucinations, paranoia, suicidal ruminations, psychosis, depression, emotional instability, delusions, fear, suspiciousness, resentment, auditory or visual hallucinations, paranoia and psychosis. Hypothyroidism often first manifests as a result of severe stress. The book Natural Healing for Schizophrenia reports that 10% of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia have been found to have thyroid imbalances. |
Low Serotonin Level| | Too much or too little serotonin has been associated with depression, psychosis, and other problems. |
Hyperprolactinemia| | Excessive prolactin levels has been connected with PMS and a host of extreme mental states can occur with it. In some people tranquilizers can increase prolactin levels. |
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Infections |
STD Syphilis| | This is a form of syphilis which generally affects patients in their 40s or 50s. Increased behavioral deterioration occurs and the person may be believed to have a psychiatric illness or Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms can include convulsions, irritability, difficulty in concentrating, deterioration of memory, defective judgment, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, lethargy, deteriorated hygiene emotional instability, depression, and delusions of grandeur with lack of insight. The patient gradually progresses toward dementia and paralysis. |
Yeast / Candida| | Although psychosis is not a common manifestation of candida, it has occurred. Symptoms have included fatigue, inability to concentrate, depression, mood swings, anxiety, hyperactivity, delusions, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and suicidal or violent tendencies. |
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Lab Values |
Elevated Homocysteine Levels| | Extreme homocysteinuria can result in mental retardation and seizures. |
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Metabolic |
Pyroluria| | Approximately 20% of all schizophrenics have pyroluria as their primary imbalance. Symptoms are many including a sweet, fruity breath and body odor. The affected person has a tendency to have insight (understand they have mental problems). |
Acute, Intermittent Porphoria| | A review of 2500 psychiatric patients showed a 1.5% occurrence of porphyria. Porphyria is identified by port-colored urine and feces which darken on exposure to light. Additional symptoms can be loss of vision, sensitivity to light, aches and pains, acne, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abnormal fat metabolism. Mental and neurological symptoms include irritability, confusion, delirium, psychosis, depression, hallucinations, seizures, altered consciousness, mood swings, and paralysis. Genetic carriers can experience mood swings and body pain while exhibiting no other signs of the illness. |
Hypoglycemia |
Nervous System |
Huntington's Disease| | Huntington’s chorea, a rare, inherited illness is commonly labeled as schizophrenia because of its progression of mental decline. Even when involuntary movements appear, they may be mistaken for drug side effects. |
Seizure Disorder| | In psychomotor (mind-motion) epilepsy the seizures are manifested in personality, emotional, thinking, and behavioral changes. This condition is very likely to be misdiagnosed as a mental disorder. People with psychomotor epilepsy have been given schizophrenia, manic depressive, depression, attention-deficit disorder, and other diagnoses. |
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Nutrients |
Vitamin B3 Requirement| | Pellagra is caused by a lack of Vitamin B3 (niacin) in the diet or poor absorption of the vitamin. It is common throughout the world but infrequent in the U.S. It primarily strikes those lacking protein in their diets or who have a high corn diet or are unable to assimilate the vitamin. Symptoms often begin with weakness, listlessness, insomnia, and weight loss. Exposed skin becomes red and scaly. Loss of appetite, indigestion, and diarrhea occur. As the disease progresses the nervous system is impacted, manifesting symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, aches, muscle tremors and mental disturbances. |
Selenium Requirement| | It’s been observed that geographical regions with low selenium levels in the soil and less sunshine have higher rates of schizophrenia. Since some prostaglandins require selenium for their synthesis, it’s believed prostaglandin deficiency may be a contributing factor in schizophrenia diagnoses. |
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Symptoms - Mind - General |
History of/possible schizophrenia |
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Schizophrenia suggests the following may be present: | | | | | | Allergy | Allergy / Intolerance to Foods (Hidden)| | An allergy is a negative sensitivity, usually to a substance, which causes a physical reaction. Classical responses include creation of blood antibodies, histamine release, swelling, itching, runny nose, and others. However, substances can cause many negative reactions commonly not associated with allergies.
In the case of cerebral (brain) allergies reactions include brain inflammation, irritability, fear, depression, aggression, extreme mood swings in a single day, hyperactivity, and psychosis.
A study of "schizophrenics" by Dr. William Philpott showed allergic responses as follows: wheat (64%), mature corn (51%), pasteurized whole cow milk (50%), tobacco (75% with 10% becoming grossly psychotic with delusions, hallucinations and particularly paranoia), and hydrocarbons (30% with weakness being common and some participants reacting with delusions or suicidal inclinations). Ninety-two percent of the patients showed allergic responses with an average of ten items per person causing reactions. |
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Autoimmune |
Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease| | Studies have shown celiac disease to be inordinately high in schizophrenic populations. Research removing gluten and dairy products (which often seems to add to the problem) from the diet of a locked ward resulted in a significant improvement of patient behavior. See also the Philpott study mentioned under Hidden Food Allergy.
Symptoms include mood swings (down after eating and up after avoidance), severe depression, anxiety, irritability, compulsive behavior, schizophrenia symptoms, and other mental disorders.
Schizophrenics maintained on a cereal grain-free and milk-free diet and receiving optimal treatment with neuropleptics showed an interruption or reversal of their therapeutic progress during a period of "blind" wheat gluten challenge. The exacerbation of the disease process was not due to variations in neuroleptic doses. After termination of the gluten challenge, the course of improvement was reinstated. The observed effects seemed to be due to a primary schizophrenia-promoting effect of wheat gluten. [Science 1976 Jan 30;191(4225): pp.401-2] |
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Hormones |
Wilson's Disease| | In Wilson's disease the small intestine absorbs too much copper and the liver excretes too little of it, resulting in a copper buildup in the liver and brain. Onset is slow and begins between 11 and 25 years of age. A wide array of symptoms occur, fitting a number of psychiatric diagnoses, including major depression, schizophrenia, and hysteria. Children with Wilson’s disease can appear to be mentally retarded. Appetite loss and weight loss can appear along with hallucinations and delusions. The physical manifestations of Wilson’s disease do not appear until the late stages, thus it is easily misdiagnosed as psychiatric illness. |
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Infections |
Yeast / Candida| | Although psychosis is not a common manifestation of candida, it has occurred. Symptoms have included fatigue, inability to concentrate, depression, mood swings, anxiety, hyperactivity, delusions, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and suicidal or violent tendencies. |
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Nervous System |
Huntington's Disease| | Huntington’s chorea, a rare, inherited illness is commonly labeled as schizophrenia because of its progression of mental decline. Even when involuntary movements appear, they may be mistaken for drug side effects. |
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Nutrients |
EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 6 Requirement| | There is now convincing evidence that membrane phospholipid metabolism is abnormal in schizophrenic patients. There is a marked depletion of essential fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid and docosahexanoic acid, in red blood cell membranes from schizophrenic patients relative to healthy control subjects. Schizophrenic patients who eat more (n-3) fatty acids in their normal diet have less severe symptoms. In a pilot study of (n-3) fatty acid supplementation, the authors observed significant improvement in both schizophrenic symptoms and tardive dyskinesia over a 6 week period. [Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1996 Aug;55(1-2): pp.71-5] However, those with pyroluria may need to avoid n-3 fatty acids, pointing to the importance of red blood cell essential fatty acid testing. |
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Recommendations for Schizophrenia: | | | | | | Amino Acid / Protein | Not recommended:
 Serine| | In numerous studies the plasma levels of serine have been found to be significantly higher in schizophrenics than in control groups. There is also evidence that serine metabolism is abnormal in psychotics. In one study a limited sector of psychiatric patients who responded to a carbohydrate-rich, low-protein diet became psychotic again after oral intake of serine. |
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Botanical |
Not recommended:
Marijuana| | Having ever using marijuana was associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia in a study of 50,087 Swedish men 18 to 20 years old. Using marijuana greater than 50 times was associated with a nearly 7-fold increased risk for developing schizophrenia. [BMJ 2002;325(7374): pp.1199-2001]
Similar results were obtained in New Zealand subjects. [BMJ 2002;325(7374): pp.1212-3] |
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Diet |
 Gluten-free Diet| | In the 1960's, F. Curtis Dohan MD came to believe that in regions where gluten consumption is common, the rate not only of celiac syndrome but also schizophrenia is substantially higher than in places where gluten consumption is absent.
Subsequent research, including experiments by others involving biopsies, led Dohan to conclude that people diagnosed as schizophrenic did not typically have the same reaction to gluten as people with celiac syndrome. They did not have the same type of damage to the villi of the small intestine. He eventually came to believe that a gluten-sensitive subset of schizophrenics were processing gluten and the casein in dairy foods in a way that exposed their brains to certain very potent psychoactive substances that are now known to exist in those foods.
Dohan tried removing gluten and dairy from the diets of people diagnosed as schizophrenic while they were on a locked admitting ward. They went back on a regular gluten-containing diet once they moved to the open wards. Of those on the gluten-free diet on the locked ward, 80% were on that ward and the gluten-free diet for 10 days or less.
Other people diagnosed as schizophrenic who went through the same wards were kept on a high-gluten diet while on the locked ward instead of a gluten- and dairy-free diet.
The people at the V.A. hospital who were on the gluten-free diet while on the locked ward were discharged almost twice as quickly as those who were on the high-gluten diet. "The average time until discharge for the discharged gluten-free, milk-free patients (77 days) was 55% of that of the discharged high gluten patients (139 days) ." [ Am J Psychiatry 130:6 June 1973] |
Dairy Products Avoidance| | It has been shown that drugs which artificially stimulate and suppress the endorphin receptors can produce symptoms bordering on psychosis. Gluten molecules are molecularly similar in shape to endorphins and thus can create the same stimulatory/suppression activity. Certain dairy proteins have been shown to have similar qualities. |
 High Carbohydrate Diet| | See the link between Schizophrenia and Serine. |
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Drug |
GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate)| | GHB has been reported to reduce schizophrenia symptoms, but also must not be used with some psychotropic drugs, such as Valium, Thorazine, Dilantin and Phenobarbital. |
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Hormone |
DHEA| | Treatment with DHEA can relieve some of the symptoms of schizophrenia. 30 schizophrenic inpatients in a state hospital were randomly assigned to receive DHEA or a placebo in addition to their usual medication for six weeks. The initial dose of DHEA was 25mg per day; this was increased to 25mg twice a day after two weeks, and then to 50mg twice a day for the final two weeks of the study. The improvement in negative symptoms was significantly greater in the group receiving DHEA than in the placebo group; the beneficial effect of DHEA was noticeable by the third week and persisted until the end of the study. In addition, participants receiving DHEA experienced significant improvements in depression and anxiety. In contrast, DHEA had no effect on positive symptoms (delusions and hallucinations). No side effects of DHEA were reported.
It is not known how DHEA improves the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Although DHEA has previously been shown to be beneficial in some cases of depression, the results in the new study cannot be attributed solely to an antidepressant effect, since the improvement in negative symptoms was independent of any improvement in depression. [Archives of General Psychiatry 2003;60: pp.133-41] |
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Lab Tests/Rule-Outs |
Test Essential Fatty Acid Profile
Test Copper Levels
Test Zinc Levels
Test for Manganese Levels |
Miscellaneous |
 Reading List| | The following books by Dr. Hoffer and by Dr. Pfeiffer are important reading for anyone with mental illness.
* How to Live with Schizophrenia. Abram Hoffer, M.D., PhD. & Humphrey Osmund, M.D. rev.l992
* Smart Nutrients, A Guide to Nutrition that can reverse and prevent senility. Abram Hoffer, M.D., PhD., cl994
* Putting It All Together. Abram Hoffer, M.D., PhD. cl996
* The Schizophrenias Ours to Conquer. Carl Pfeiffer, M.D., PhD. Rev. 1988
* Nutrition and Mental Illness. Balancing Body Chemistry. Carl Pfeiffer, M.D., PhD., cl987 |
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Nutrient |
EPA (eicosapentanoic acid)| | Treatment with ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (ethyl-EPA) for 3 months, along with conventional antipsychotic drugs improved evaluation scores in a study of 40 schizophrenia patients with persistent symptoms after at least six months of stable antipsychotic drug treatment. [Am J Psychiatry 2002;159(9): pp.1596-1598]
EPA is one of the downline metabolites of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3(n-3)), an Omega3 acid available in the diet. Schizophrenic patients who eat more (n-3) fatty acids in their normal diet have less severe symptoms. As those with pyroluria may worsen with n-3 fatty acids, red blood cell essential fatty acid testing could be important to determine which oils to use for treatment. |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link | | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended | | | Reasonably likely to cause problems |
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