Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B9 (folic acid/folate)
For the health condition: Schizophrenia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid or folate, is supported by some scientific evidence for adjunctive use in the treatment of schizophrenia, particularly among individuals with low baseline folate levels or specific genetic variations. Several studies have found that folate deficiency is more prevalent in people with schizophrenia compared to the general population. Folic acid is essential for one-carbon metabolism, DNA synthesis, and methylation, processes that are relevant to neurodevelopment and neurotransmitter synthesis.

A randomized controlled trial published in JAMA (2013) found that supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 improved negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, but the effect was most pronounced in those with low baseline folate and specific variants in the MTHFR and COMT genes affecting folate metabolism. Meta-analyses have shown small to moderate benefits, especially for negative symptoms, but results are inconsistent and not all patients benefit equally. The current scientific consensus is that folic acid supplementation may be beneficial for subgroups of patients, but it is not a primary or standalone treatment for schizophrenia.

Overall, scientific evidence justifies the use of folic acid as an adjunctive therapy in select patients with schizophrenia, particularly those with demonstrated folate deficiency or relevant genetic polymorphisms. However, the evidence is not strong enough to support universal supplementation for all individuals with the condition.

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