schizophrenia

[Guest guest]

hi matt

 

as schizophrenia is essentially a vattika disorder, this should be

the underlying focus of the treatment

my concern is be that a detox diet actually increases vata, so you

should be careful in this regard

 

in particular, kitchari is NOT an optimal or balanced nutritional

approach for schizophrenia - good for detox yes but 3 months on

kitchari is probably much too long, and puts you at risk for several

nutrient deficiencies that may play a role your condition

 

while somebody made reference to dr. hoffer, little mention was made

of his approach to schizophrenia:

 

1. allergies and food sensitivities: common culprits are gluten

(wheat/kamut/spelt, rye, oat, barley), casein (dairy) and corn, but

others may also be found including artificial sweeteners like

aspartame, MSG, and methylxanthines like chocolate and coffee

2. vitamin B3 and B6 deficiencies, or more broadly, all of the Bs

incl folic acid and B12 since they work synergistically

3. other vitamin deficiencies: vit C, vit E

4. essential fatty acid deficiencies: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and

esp docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as well as accessory nutrients to

phospholipid synthesis including phosphatidyl choline/serine

5. mineral deficiencies: selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, calcium,

magnesium, lithium

6. miscellaneous nutrients: CoQ10, glutathione, carotenoids/

flavonoids, D-cycloserine, glycine, tryptophan

7. adverse drug reactions: for e.g. amisulpride has a profound effect

on the endocrine system and the thyroid in particular, and can

promote psychosis in a vicious cycle

8. heavy metal accumulations, e.g. lead, mercury, etc.

9. chronic infections: Hoffer mentions rheumatic fever, syphilis, but

consider candidiasis (gastrointestinal yeast)

10. psychosis-inducing drugs: LSD, cannabis, etc.

 

if you don't have it, i strongly recommend Abram Hoffer's book

" Orthomolecular Treatment for Schizophrenia " , Keats Publishing

you can also find a good entry on schizophrenia in Werbach's

" Nutritional Influences on Mental Illness " , Third Line press

 

orthomolecular doses are typically large, esp. the Bs, which for a B

complex might start at 400mg upwards, but really you should be

supervised in this process

 

minerals are best taken as part of a broad-spectrum multimineral chelate

 

there are also some other key things to consider, including proper

support to the liver to assist in detoxification - many herbs are

useful for this, such as barberry, dandelion, turmeric, buplerum,

burdock, chiretta etc., or using antifungals to address chronic

candidiasus

 

another factor not mentioned by Hoffer is reactive hypoglycemia, so

certainly avoid all rapidly digesting carbs and emphasize fats/

proteins esp in the morning

 

useful herbs would include ashwagandha, reishi, milky oat seed,

american ginseng and the brahmis

 

for psychosis specifically, helpful herbal approaches might include

valerian, mistletoe, lobelia, kava, lime blossom, skullcap, st johns

wort, vervain, calamus, kapikachu and jatamamsi

 

abhyanga is obviously indicated, the oil chosen on the basis of your

symptoms, but formulae like balaashwagandhadi (vata type) or

chandanadi taila (pita type) are likely to be helpful, but also just

plain unrefined oil fortified with essential oils such as lavendar,

vetivert, clary sage and other oils with antispasmodic and relaxing

properties

 

i would also strongly encourage you to pick up Holger Kalweit's book

" Dreamtime and Inner Space " which offers some insight between

psychosis, spirituality and shamanism

 

best wishes...

Caldecott, Dip. Cl.H, RH(AHG)

Ayurvedic practitioner, Medical Herbalist

203 - 1750 East 10th Ave

Vancouver, BC V5N 5K4 CANADA

web: http//:www.toddcaldecott.com

email: todd

tel: (1)778.896.8894

fax: (1)866.703.2792

____________________________

Hi

 

So far, I have mostly been trying to follow an ayurvedic detox diet

seriously. So, I have been eating Khichari only for last 3 months.

Taking triphala and cow-urine in the mornings.