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ACV: Can This Fermented Product Boost the Brain?
Some sources, such as an article titled Schizophrenia & Natural Remedies on the website Jung Circle, list cider vinegar as an ingredient that can be used in a formula to soothe the body when you’re coming off psychiatric medications. Other online articles, such as one on Psycom, highlight evidence suggesting that what happens in the gut may be connected to what happens in the brain. An investigation published in February 2019 in Science Advances suggests that the gut microbiome (the ecosystem of bacteria and microbes that live in the digestive tract) may be linked to schizophrenia (a chronic and severe neurological brain disorder). Based on stool samples, the researchers observed that people with schizophrenia have less-diverse microbiomes that people without schizophrenia. RELATED: Mental Illness Signs, Symptoms, Treatment, and More Some alternative health advocates hold that apple cider vinegar may improve overall gut health, and if the gut-mind connection is true, then this acidic natural fermented liquid has the potential to help ease the symptoms of schizophrenia.
A Lack of Scientific Evidence on Benefits of ACV
Drew Ramsey, MD, a nutritional psychiatrist who incorporates evidence-based nutrition into his treatments, believes that what we eat can affect mental health. He makes dietary recommendations designed to help individuals with depression, anxiety, and emotional wellness concerns. “What we really look for is how do we help people eat a more nutrient-dense diet with foods and nutrients linked to brain health,” says Dr. Ramsey, who is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.
What to Eat for a Brain-Boosting Diet
His eating plans include leafy greens, colorful vegetables, B vitamins, minerals like zinc and magnesium, and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Ramsey bases his dietary guidance on studies such as one published in October 2019 in the journal PLoS One, which demonstrated a drop in depression among young adults who followed a Mediterranean-style diet for three weeks. When it comes to apple cider vinegar and the brain, however, the proof of a relationship is just not there, according to Ramsey. RELATED: The Truth About Apple Cider Vinegar and Hepatitis C
Evidence Does Not Support ACV as a ‘Brain Food’
“Apple cider vinegar really has no role in nutritional psychiatry and mental health disorders and to suggest such is to really be speaking without any evidence,” he says. “I probably prescribe more food to mental health patients than anyone else in America, and I have never prescribed apple cider vinegar.”
Debunking the Healing Properties of Apple Cider Vinegar for Mental Health
Ramsey is concerned that some people think cider vinegar is a “magic-bullet” solution. “There is an idea behind it that drinking apple cider vinegar is going to enhance microbiome diversity, but there is not science behind it yet,” he says. “We want to guide people with evidence and not hype on the internet.” Ken Duckworth, MD, the medical director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), also warns against apple cider vinegar as a treatment for schizophrenia. “There is no evidence that it is helpful,” he says. “No rational person would recommend it.”
Some Natural, Complementary Remedies May Offer Mental Health Benefits
That said, Dr. Duckworth does not discount the value of some natural remedies that may improve aspects of mental health. He points to research demonstrating a brain benefit from omega-3s, cranberries, and the spice turmeric. For comprehensive information on evidence-based natural health solutions, Duckworth directs individuals to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the federal government’s lead agency for investigating complementary and alternative medicine. “I remain open to research that would help [establish] that there is an alternative remedy that demonstrates efficacy for schizophrenia,” he says. “Absence of proof is not proof of absence, but you need meaningful proof before you can make assertions." When it comes to schizophrenia specifically, Dr. Ramsey highlights research published in the journal Nature Communications finding that long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in fatty fish such as salmon reduce the risk of psychotic disorders. “The study showed a significant decrease in the progression to schizophrenia in individuals who received omega-3s,” he says. RELATED: Early Treatment Programs for Schizophrenia Multiply
Proven Treatments for Schizophrenia
About 1.1 percent of the population in 2014 or about 2.6 million Americans age 18 and older live with schizophrenia, according to the Treatment Advocacy Center. An estimated 40 percent of individuals with the condition go untreated in any given year. Common symptoms include delusions and hallucinations; alterations of the senses; an inability to sort and interpret incoming sensations, and an inability therefore to respond appropriately; an altered sense of self; and changes in emotions, movements, and behavior. The American Psychiatric Association publishes guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia, which features information on antipsychotic medications and therapy. Duckworth notes that these schizophrenia medications include Clozaril (clozapine), which is the only FDA-approved medication for suicide risk reduction in patients with schizophrenia. Ramsey stresses that treatments need to be multimodal, with a combination of responsible medication management, a supportive care team (involving a peer counselor, a psychiatrist, and a case manager), and employment. “Working is good for mental health,” he says. “For people with psychotic disorders, it provides self-esteem, structure, and an income.”
The Real Essentials for Managing Mental Illness
“For people with schizophrenia, getting access to appropriate psychiatric and mental health care and supportive employment is much more important than apple cider vinegar,” Ramsey adds. To find resources and help for schizophrenia treatment, Duckworth recommends contacting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
