One of the most distressing side effects of antipsychotics is a syndrome called "tardive dyskinesia," in which a person develops involuntary movements and tics throughout the face and body.
Researchers in India report that rutin, an antioxidant, may actually help lessen the degree of these involuntary movements. In this particular study, the effect of rutin on vacuous chewing movements, tongue protrusions and facial jerking was studied in a population of rats who developed these behaviors after being given the drug Haldol. Rutin significantly inhibited all of these movements.
The researchers hypothesize that in the process of doing the work that it is supposed to do to help the schizophrenia, oxidative damage occurs which degrades the nervous system and induces involuntary movements. Rutin is a powerful antioxidant which appears to directly reduce this particular type of oxidation.
What is rutin? It is a flavonoid that is primarily found in buckwheat, citrus fruits, noni, black tea and apple peel. It is also available as a supplement, though until researchers pursue this relationship more thoroughly, it is probably best to include more of these listed foods in the diet. Sometimes adding too much of a "good thing" can disrupt the therapeutic potential of medications.
An additional note, rutin is also used in some cultures as an emergency contraceptive. So if you are of child bearing age and are on Haldol, it is important to use this information with caution.
Bishnoi M, Chopra K, Kulkarni SK. Protective effect of rutin, a polyphenolic flavonoid against haloperidol-induced orofacial dyskinesia and associated behavioural, biochemical and neurochemical changes. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2007 Oct;21(5):521-9.
http://www.phytochemicals.info/phytochemicals/rutin.php
The New ETLNTA
9 years ago
1 comment:
There are two older studies that show successful supplementation with vitamins to prevent tardive dyskinesia.
Hawkins DR. The prevention of tardive dyskinesia with high dosage vitamins: A study of 58,000 patients. J Orthomol Med 1(1):24-26, 1986). Another sstudy showed the success in preventing tardive dyskinesia altogher - not a single case occured. Tkacz C. A preventive measure for tardive dyskinesia. J Int Acad of Preventive Med 8:5-8, 1984).
You have to ask yourself why mainstream psychiatry still ignores these findings. Psychiatrists swear the Hippocratic oath the same as other medical doctors do, but obviously they are not held accountable. One might be inclined that they confuse hippocratic and hypocritical.
Here the relevant part: "I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone."
Post a Comment