Assessment of dietary intake and blood fatty acid composition in patients with schizophrenia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary intake and blood fatty acid composition of patients with schizophrenia. A dietary assessment and blood fatty acids analysis of medicated day care schizophrenic patients (n = 20) were measured and compared with a healthy control group (n = 20). The results showed that BMI and calorie intake of patients were significantly higher than those of control subjects (p < 0.05). For the adjusted nutrient intake, there were no significant differences in protein, fats and carbohydrate intakes between patients and control subjects. Oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and total unsaturated fatty acid intake of patients were significant higher (p < 0.05). However, intake of other unsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), were lower in patients than in control subjects. Percentage of plasma DHA and erythrocytic arachidonic acid (AA) in patients were significant lower than control subjects (p < 0.05). A lower composition of both EPA and DHA in erythrocytes was also found in schizophrenic patients (p = 0.064 and p = 0.197), unfortunately, there were no significant difference. We concluded that the difference in dietary intake of patients could affect blood fatty acid composition. Since the specific polyunsaturated fatty acids as AA, EPA or DHA might play an important role in the psychopathology of schizophrenia in some studies; the symptoms of schizophrenia may be improved by education and nutritional intervention in the future.