While eating well won’t cure tardive dyskinesia, choosing the right foods may help ease symptoms and support brain health.
What you eat can’t cure tardive dyskinesia, but research shows that specific nutrients may support brain and nerve health, possibly easing some of the movement symptoms linked to this condition.
Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary, repetitive movements — often of the face, lips, tongue, neck, trunk, or limbs — according to Cleveland Clinic. It’s typically a side effect of taking certain antipsychotic medications for a long time.
For some, tardive dyskinesia symptoms are mild. For others, they can disrupt daily functioning, confidence, and overall quality of life.
While tardive dyskinesia can be challenging, some lifestyle approaches — including supportive nutrition — can give you a greater sense of control and strengthen your overall well-being.
Let’s look at some foods that may help nourish your brain and body, and what you might want to limit.
1. Salmon
Salmon is a rich source of vitamin B6, a water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin B6 may improve tardive dyskinesia symptoms by neutralizing free radicals and creating and processing neurotransmitters such as dopamine, GABA, and serotonin, suggests a research review published in Therapeutic Advances in Pharmacology.
Not a fan of fish? According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), you can also find lots of vitamin B6 in:
- Chickpeas
- Beef liver
- Tuna
- Chicken breast
- Fortified breakfast cereals
- Boiled potatoes
- Turkey
- Bananas
- Spaghetti sauce
However, a dietary supplement might be required to reach vitamin B6 levels high enough to affect tardive dyskinesia. Doses from 300 milligrams (mg) to 1,200 mg per day of vitamin B6 have helped reduce the severity of symptoms in a few small, short-term studies reviewed in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. More research is needed to determine whether vitamin B6 supplements are safe and effective treatments for tardive dyskinesia.
Always speak to your doctor before starting any new supplements. So far, studies of vitamin B6 supplements in tardive dyskinesia have found that people taking the vitamins had a risk of side effects similar to people who took placebos. However, taking more than 1,000 mg of vitamin B6 per day can cause nerve damage, according to the review in Therapeutic Advances in Pharmacology.
2. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a good source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the health of cells in your brain and beyond. According to the NIH, you can also find vitamin E in:
- Sunflower seeds
- Almonds
- Hazelnuts
- Spinach
For nearly four decades, scientists have suspected that vitamin E’s antioxidant properties might lessen oxidative damage in tardive dyskinesia, per the NIH. While more large-scale studies are needed, recent evidence looks promising.
For example, a meta-analysis found that people taking vitamin E supplements reduced their scores on the Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale (AIMS), a measure of tardive dyskinesia symptoms, by an average of 2.36 points. That’s a large enough decrease to be considered clinically important, according to research published in the journal Movement Disorders.
In a case report published in Cureus, a man with persistent tardive dyskinesia decreased his AIMS score from 24 to zero by taking vitamin E supplements, starting at 400 international units (IU) per day and gradually increasing to 1,200 IU daily.
More research is needed to determine vitamin E’s effectiveness, safety, and ideal dosing in tardive dyskinesia. As with any supplement, vitamin E comes with risks, so it’s important to talk to a doctor before trying it. Because vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, it can build up in the body if too much is taken, leading to toxicity. High-dose vitamin E has been linked to an increased risk of excessive bleeding, stroke, and, in men, a higher risk of prostate cancer, according to the NIH.
4. Ginkgo Biloba Tea
Ginkgo biloba has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, and modern research suggests its leaves have a range of health benefits, including protecting brain cells.
In one study, people taking ginkgo had lower scores on the AIMs test in tardive dyskinesia and higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) — a chemical that might play a role in the condition. Scientists believe the antioxidants in ginkgo might protect neurons by increasing BDNF. Also, a review of three clinical trials found that ginkgo biloba safely reduced symptoms of tardive dyskinesia in people with schizophrenia.
Still, more evidence is needed to determine how well ginkgo biloba works in tardive dyskinesia, or what the optimal dosage should be. You can find the compound in supplements and tea made from ginkgo biloba leaves. If you’re thinking of trying ginkgo biloba supplements, check with your doctor first, as possible side effects include allergic reactions and heart rhythm problems.
One important caution: Studies show raw or roasted ginkgo seeds can be poisonous because they contain a toxin called ginkgotoxin (MPN). Reported symptoms of poisoning include seizures, vomiting, vitamin B6 deficiency, and even loss of consciousness.
4. Oranges
Oranges and other citrus fruits — such as grapefruits, key limes, and pomelos — contain naringin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, according to a recent review.
Naringin is neuroprotective, and studies in animal models suggest promising benefits in tardive dyskinesia. In a study published in Neurotoxicity Research, a naringin supplement reduced symptoms and neuroinflammation in a rat model of tardive dyskinesia.
Studies in humans are necessary to confirm the findings.
5. Soybeans
Soybeans contain isoflavones, compounds with neuroprotective effects. Preliminary studies suggest that by protecting cells from oxidative damage and acting on cell signaling pathways, isoflavones might benefit a wide range of brain diseases.
According to a study published in Nutrients, top sources of isoflavones include:
- Soy beans
- Soy flour
- Soy flakes
- Soy beverages
- Miso
- Tempeh
However, you can also find isoflavones in:
- Alfalfa
- Beans
- Chickpeas
- Nuts
- Fruits and vegetables
Early evidence in animal models suggests that the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of isoflavones might extend to tardive dyskinesia. A rodent study found that isoflavones reduced tardive dyskinesia–like symptoms (such as involuntary movements) in rats, as well as inflammatory markers.
More research is necessary to determine whether isoflavones influence tardive dyskinesia in humans.
Foods to Avoid With Tardive Dyskinesia
Some foods and ingredients can worsen tardive dyskinesia symptoms. These foods include:
Foods Rich in Phenylalanine
This amino acid is one of the body’s natural building blocks of protein. An older landmark study found that when people with tardive dyskinesia consumed very high amounts of phenylalanine (about 100 mg per kilogram of body weight), their involuntary movements worsened.
One theory is that people with tardive dyskinesia process phenylalanine differently. Too much of it in the brain may interfere with dopamine — a brain chemical involved in movement — which could contribute to symptoms.
Protein-rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts, seeds, quinoa, wheat, oats, rye, and barley are high in phenylalanine, according to the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. Fruits and vegetables contain less, and you can generally eat them without restriction.
Caffeine
Skip energy drinks and pots of strong coffee. At high doses, such as 1,000 mg per day, caffeine can make tardive dyskinesia symptoms worse, suggests research. Caffeine does not appear to exacerbate dyskinesia at lower doses, such as 100 mg per day (about a cup of coffee).
Tyrosine
Add this one to the list of reasons to skip energy drinks. The amino acid tyrosine, a building block of phenylalanine, is often found in energy drinks containing phenylalanine, according to the National Organization for Tardive Dyskinesia.
Aspartame
This sugar-free sweetener contains phenylalanine, which might worsen tardive dyskinesia, suggests the National Organization for Tardive Dyskinesia. Other sugar substitutes, such as sucralose and xylitol, are fine to have on a low-phenylalanine diet, reports the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases.
Key Takeaways
Tardive dyskinesia can be challenging to live with, but the right nutrition may help support brain health and ease your symptoms.
Some of the best foods for tardive dyskinesia include salmon, peanut butter, citrus fruits, soy, and ginkgo biloba. These are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and neuroprotective compounds. Also, limiting phenylalanine, excess caffeine, and aspartame may help prevent symptom flare-ups.
Always speak with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements or making significant changes to your diet.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
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- Adelufosi AO et al. Pyridoxal 5 Phosphate for Neuroleptic‐Induced Tardive Dyskinesia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. April 13, 2015.
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