Are you feeding your brain the right nutrients? Folate, vitamins B12, C, E, and D are crucial for mental health

( Natural News ) Feeding your brain the right nutrients, such as folate, and vitamins B12, C, E, and D are crucial for mental health . In a review, it was found that patients with the chronic mental disorder schizophrenia have low levels of these nutrients. A team of researchers from the University of Manchester , Belgium’s KU Leuven University , and the University of Western Sydney analyzed 28 study articles with a total of 2,612 participants. The research team discovered that low levels of the nutrients appeared to be present from the beginning of the illness and were associated with worsening of the disease. They saw a significant reduction in folate, vitamin D, and vitamin C in people with first-episode psychosis in comparison to the controls. In addition, they found that the difference in vitamin D levels between first-episode psychosis and controls was the most striking of all nutrients. One notable study found that differences in folate levels were because of genetic difference in folate metabolism instead of dietary influences. Two studies with small sample sizes revealed large deficiency of vitamin C in first-episode psychosis. This is parallel with data indicating low fruit and vegetable consumption in this population. In addition, a single randomized control trial in patients experiencing first antipsychotic treatment has shown 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C each day significantly lessens psychiatric symptoms. Low levels of folate and vitamin B12 were also often seen in patients with schizophrenia, where worsening of symptom severity were also observed. Supplementation of B-vitamins may significantly reduce symptoms of schizophrenia and reverse some neurological deficits linked to the illness. Moreover, vitamins C and E – which are antioxidants – are also lacking in chronic schizophrenia. This potentially contributes to the increased oxidative stress seen in this population. Support our mission […]

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