Leading a healthy life might sometimes seem harder. Underlying medical conditions and complications have often been known to add to the complexity. However, the link between food and health has been often proven. Poor diet and lifestyle choices prove counterproductive at maintaining the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of the patient. Therefore, here are five dietary tips for schizophrenia patients to help with their condition and maintain their health

1. Healthy heart-diet
Schizophrenia patients face an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Patients are often found to have poor nutrition, and their lifestyle habits seem to add to the risk. Consuming a heart-healthy diet helps maintain their cardiac wellness and also helps manage their symptoms better. Adding high fiber, low-cholesterol foods to the diet will help keep their weight in check, and in turn, keep their heart-healthy. Include regular servings of fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates in your daily diet.

2. Healthy body weight
Weight gain is a cause of concern in schizophrenia patients. Lifestyle-related factors, namely, lack of exercise, poor dietary habits, and psychotic drugs add to the concern. Studies suggest that patients with high visceral fat levels have a difficult time managing their symptoms. To manage things, patients are advised to make changes that allow for physical as well as mental wellbeing. Maintaining an ideal weight becomes crucial for these patients as excessive weight can increase their chances of cardiovascular diseases.

3. Vitamin supplementation
Studies have proven that patients with psychosis have low levels of vitamin B12. It is common knowledge that B-complex vitamins play an important role in brain function. The lack of a proper amount of riboflavin can lead to an increase in the frequency of the symptoms. It is, therefore, necessary to include foods and supplements rich in Vitamin B in the patients’ diet to help them manage their symptoms better.

4. Go without gluten
Instances of celiac disease have been increasing rapidly. The genetically modified gluten-containing foods no longer sit well with the modern slow and sedentary lifestyle, leading to an increase in gluten sensitivity. It is one of the key contributing diet factors that lead to problems for schizophrenia patients. To avoid problems arising due to the sensitivity of the gut lining to gluten, it is important to eliminate it from the patients’ diet. You can try substituting it with gluten-free grains.

5. Polyunsaturated fatty acids
Polyunsaturated fatty acids have been known to have many health benefits. They have also been proven good to be included in the diet of schizophrenia patients. Polyunsaturated fatty acids like Omega-3 help with the mental functioning of people. Therefore, it has been proven beneficial in addition to the diet of schizophrenia patients via natural as well as artificial sources.

Before making any changes to your diet, consult with your doctor to ensure that you are not allergic to anything.