Schizophrenia is one of the leading mental disorders that affect basic mental activities of a person. Being diagnosed with schizophrenia can be very scary, but it does not have to be. With the help of the right treatments and lifestyle changes, the individual can avoid the symptoms and side effects of this mental illness from spilling into the rest of their lives.

To this end, here are some dietary tips that should help individuals who suffer from schizophrenia.

What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental condition that affects not only the individual suffering from the condition as well as those around them. There is no cure for this condition as the actual reason behind why an individual develops it is unknown. Though, doctors seem to have a shortlist of all the possibilities that could lead to the individual developing this mental health condition. Despite its lack of treatment, schizophrenia can be managed with the right combination of medication, psychotherapy, and a healthy lifestyle.

Can a diet affect schizophrenia?
Many individuals who suffer from schizophrenia tend to develop poor eating habits. This leads to nutritional deficiency, therefore causing an array of health problems. These include cardiovascular diseases and even conditions like diabetes.

This is why it is important to ensure that the individual is following a healthy diet. Here are some dietary tips that can help schizophrenia patients:

Tip #1: Fruits for the win
Fruits are high in fiber. Fibers help reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body, which helps reduce the individual’s risk of developing heart diseases and conditions. Foods that are high in fiber also help keep obesity at bay and have tons of vitamins that will keep the person healthy.

Tip #2: Maintain a well-balanced diet
An essential part of leading a healthy lifestyle is following a well-balanced diet. This means, you will receive all the important nutrients and minerals without having to worry about weight gain, heart diseases, and more. Research has proved that individuals who suffer from schizophrenia tend to put on a lot of weight and suffer from obesity.

Tip #3: Eat some fish
One of the biggest sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids is fish, such as mackerel, trout, herring, and even pilchards. All of these will keep the heart strong and protect individuals from other diseases.

Tips #4: Keep an eye on the gluten
Research has shown a relationship between coeliac disease and schizophrenia. Since long, schizophrenia has been found in families that suffer and inherit the coeliac disease. Coeliac disease is a chronic condition where the small intestine of an individual becomes uber-sensitive to gluten. Unsurprisingly, this condition can be avoided if the individual stops consuming gluten in their foods. Coeliac disease can lead to different symptoms, including anemia and weight loss, among others.