Research suggests probiotics plus vitamin D supplements may benefit people with schizophrenia

Medical Xpress / Wiley / Neuropsychopharmacology Reports ^ | April 10, 2024 | Gita Sadighi, MD et al

[ConservativeMind]

Previous studies have questioned whether gut microbe imbalances and vitamin D deficiency may be linked to schizophrenia.

New research published in Neuropsychopharmacology Reports now indicates that taking probiotics plus vitamin D supplements may improve cognitive function in individuals with the disease.

For the study, 70 adults with schizophrenia were randomized to take a placebo or probiotic supplements plus 400 IU vitamin D daily for 12 weeks. Severity of the disease and cognitive function were evaluated by tests called the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the 30-point Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), respectively.

A total of 69 patients completed the study. The MoCA score increased by 1.96 units in the probiotic-containing supplement group compared with the placebo group. Also, the percentage of patients with MoCA scores of 26 or higher (indicating normal cognition) rose significantly in the intervention group. Between-group differences in PANSS scores were not significant.

"Probiotics may be a novel way to treat mental disorders by regulating gut microbiota," said corresponding author Gita Sadighi, MD.

[ConservativeMind]

The supplement was this (from the study):

“Probiotic/vitamin D supplement (BioZenD) was containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus paracasei Bifidobacterium longum, Bacillus coagulans (2 × 109 CFU), and 400 IU vitamin D per one capsule.”

It helped patients, and you can recreate this with available probiotic supplements and a small amount of Vitamin D, on your own.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Flaming Conservative]

Amazing! I am convinced that God has put everything into the earth to provide for normal health, but that, of course, not everything has been discovered.

[steve86]

You don’t make schizophrenics into “normal health” with probiotics and vitamins but it appears you can help them.

[metmom]

What is being learned about the brain-gut connections is amazing. My dr told me that the same neural tissue in the brain is also in your gut and they communicate constantly. AN example is the butterflies in your stomach feeling with anxious.

My problem is the way my body reacts when I take almost any supplements. including probiotics and vitamin D. I’m looking forward to summer where I can get that from the sun, but the pro-biotics, I just don’t know what to do about.

[trebb]

I guess even the schizophrenic can benefit from stronger bones and regular movements...

[Red Badger]

I don’t know about this.

Part of me thinks it’s a good thing but another part thinks it’s dangerous and to stay away....................

[NWFree]

If only it was that easy

[wjcsux]

Maybe this will help democrats from being such nut cases.