Todays PsychCentral report that mothers who are sensitive to gluten
have a higher incidence of children born with schizophrenia is not
surprising.

For many years, holistic therapists, physicians, and others have
noticed correlations between gluten, milk and sugar consumption (and
allergies and/or intolerance) and schizophrenia and other brain
conditions, including autism.

In this study from a 1988 issue of Schizophrenia Bulletin, Dr. F.
Curtis Dohan noticed that a large number (over 50 times the norm) of
schizophrenics had celiac disease.

He also noticed that there was a lower incidence of schizophrenia
where consumption of dairy and wheat and other gluten-containing
grains, was low. Both gluten (grain protein) and casein (milk protein)
are thought by some to be responsible for the disease. As scientists
learn more and more about the brain-gut connection, they are better
able to understand the link between whats going on in our digestive
tract and how it affects our brain function.

Aside from gluten and casein, sugar is believed to be problematic. In
at least?one study, cited in an article by?Stephen Ilardi, Ph.D at
Psychology Today, a?high-sugar diet is implicated in mental illness.

Other scientists have found an imbalance in Omega fatty acids (most
specifically, a dearth of Omega 3s) in patients with schizophrenia as
well as other mental illnesses. Even personality-types or personality
disorders might be related to digestive functions and Omega fatty
acids.

And although its anecdotal, most mental health professionals will
tell you that diabetes seems to be a bigger problem in people with
schizophrenia. Studies attribute this to medication-induced insulin
resistance, but in our experience, diabetes and especially pre-
diabetes (hypoglycemia)?seems to affect newly-diagnosed, un-medicated
patients often as well.

An imbalance or lack of ability to metabolize or simply a shortage of
other nutrients are also implicated in mental illness. Lower {*filter*}
levels of ?folate (B9) in schizophrenic patients appear to suggest
that vitamin B metabolism also plays a role in the disease. And a
study showed that schizophrenia patients have a higher need for
vitamin C.

There are some studies (and a lot of conjecture), on the brain-gut
link. Not only schizophrenia but anxiety, depression, bi-polar
disorder, even some personality disorders are said to be associated
with digestive and nutrition issues.

The majority of programs that treat patients with serious mental
illnesses like schizophrenia are not holistic. They simply ignore the
fact that diet is important to brain functioning in general, let alone
to someone with a mental illness. Some doctors, such as Martha
Herbert,?an autism expert who well be blogging about shortly, notice
that autism symptoms and schizophrenia symptoms often coincide, and
notice that improvements can be attained in some cases where diet is
addressed.

The picture seems complicated but when you put the puzzle pieces
together, diet is important. Here are some thoughts (not to be
construed as medical advice):

1. ?Fermented foods containing probiotics (friendly bacteria)?and
possibly probiotic supplementation are suggested to be consumed daily
in small amounts. Homemade, naturally fermented pickles and
sauerkraut, for instance, are excellent sources of probiotics and
vitamin C. But theyre salty, so dont eat too much. And packaged
pickles and sauerkraut? Forget it, most of the stuff you can buy in
the store is cooked or pasteurized, which kills the friendly gut
bacteria.

2. Limit sugar (its hard, sugars in everything; ketchup, sauces,
salad dressings, bread, luncheon meats, crackers, pasta sauce, etc.).
Sugar causes inflammation and an acidic condition in the gut. It also
causes an extreme insulin response. Some say it puts wear and tear on
the adrenal glands. And there are studies that suggest that sugar
substitutes arent much better!

3. ?Skip gluten-containing grains, such as wheat, spelt, barley, etc.
Most oats today contain gluten, thought there are some gluten-free
brands such as Bobs Red Mill. Quinoa is one grain that doesnt
contain gluten. There is some discussion about fermented grains (such
as sour-dough bread) being a better choice. Some believe these pre-
digested grains do not damage the brain-gut system. Also, some people
can tolerate sprouted grains. If you buy gluten-free packaged foods
like crackers and breads, read the labels-these are usually loaded
with sugar and aluminum-based baking powder.

4. Avoid dairy. Sometimes cutting out dairy altogether relieves a
whole host of symptoms, such as congestion, low-grade fevers, mental
fogginess, and so on. However, there is some evidence that fermented
dairy foods which also contain probiotics and are made from non-
homogenized whole milk (natural, unsweetened, whole-milk, non-
homogenzied yogurt, for example), are not as irritating to the system.
They are, in essence, pre-digested for you.

5. Try fish or supplement with fish oil to up your Omega 3 levels.
Dont take fish oil if you are taking {*filter*} thinners. Also note, it
might irritate the gut, some people are sensitive to it. If so, try a
vegetable source of Omega 3s like flax oil, borage oil, or chia seeds
soaked in water might be helpful. Also, keep in mind that there are
different types of Omega 3s and that the ratio of Omega 3s to Omega 6s
and Omega 9s is important.

6. Fill up on vegetables, good quality protein like organic quinoa,
amaranth, non-soy beans, fish, poultry or grass-fed beef, and add some
fruit, as well as almonds and pumpkin seeds.

7. Speak to your doctor about adding individual supplements (or at
least a good quality multi-vitaminavoid vitamin-mineral combinations,
they should be taken at different times).

If the above suggestions sound overwhelming, but you feel you want to
make changes, speak to a holistic/natural nutritionist or your doctor.
Ask you family and friends for help. And start slow-eliminating one
suspect cooking.net">food for a month to see if it has any effect on how you feel
is a good beginning.

Please remember:?none of the above suggestions is to be considered
medical advice.

Richard Zwolinski, LMHC, CASAC is the author of Therapy Revolution:
Find Help, Get Better, and Move On Without Wasting Time or Money and
is an internationally licensed psychotherapist and {*filter*}ion
specialist with over 25 years experience as well as a consultant to
organizations and companies in the fields of mental health and
{*filter*}ion. Learn more about Richard here.

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http://www.***.com/

"In this study from a 1988 issue of =93Schizophrenia Bulletin,=94 Dr. F."

Ancient history.  There could be some connection but the info given here
which does not rise much above professional gossip is at very best
suggestive.

There is a demonstrated genetic link.  There is a link to young {*filter*}hood.  
Any other link that involves diet has yet to be demonstrated.