Curcumin
Managing Metabolic Side Effects
Metabolic issues are quite common in individuals with schizophrenia, even before they start taking any medications. However, when they are treated with certain newer antipsychotic drugs, these metabolic problems can become more severe, particularly affecting their lipid (fat) levels in the blood and increasing the risk of heart-related problems.
Clozapine is considered a last-resort treatment for cases of schizophrenia that do not respond well to other medications. However, it has its own set of challenges. While factors like increased appetite, higher food intake, and a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to unhealthy lipid levels, clozapine may also affect how the body handles lipids through other mechanisms.
One of these mechanisms involves a molecule called adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which plays a crucial role in regulating energy and lipid metabolism in the liver. Medications like clozapine, as well as some other antipsychotic drugs, can reduce the activity of AMPK, leading to disturbances in lipid metabolism, or dyslipidemia.
On the contrary, there's a natural compound called curcumin, found in turmeric, which has been shown to enhance AMPK activity. Recent animal studies have suggested that curcumin could counteract the negative effects of clozapine on lipid levels by activating AMPK. It has also demonstrated potential in reducing weight gain and lipid issues caused by another antipsychotic drug called olanzapine.
The idea here is that by adding curcumin to the treatment plan alongside antipsychotic medications, it might help individuals with schizophrenia better manage their lipid abnormalities and promote overall health. Researchers are continuing to investigate this promising approach to improve the well-being of individuals with schizophrenia.
Source: