Hospitalization cost of conventional psychiatric care compared to broad-spectrum micronutrient treatment: literature review and case study of adult psychosis

Abstract

BackgroundHealthcare costs are skyrocketing, with mental health treatment amongst the most expensive, especially when hospitalization is involved. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, one in five Canadians is living with a mental disorder in any given year, at an annual cost of $50 billion. In light of this societal burden, alternative approaches are being evaluated, such as brief psychotherapy by phone, peer support, and, as part of the emerging field of nutritional mental health, treatment with micronutrients (minerals and vitamins). Effectiveness of micronutrients has been demonstrated for many types of psychiatric symptoms, in about 45 studies of formulas that are either multinutrient (e.g., several B vitamins) or broad-spectrum (usually over 20 minerals and vitamins). Although this literature demonstrates therapeutic benefits, the potential economic impact of micronutrient treatment has been evaluated in only one case study of childhood psychosis.MethodsThe current case study was initiated to evaluate mental health-related hospitalization costs from 1997 to 2003 for a female adult diagnosed with various mood and psychotic symptoms. She was treated for the first 5 years with conventional methods and then subsequently with a broad-spectrum micronutrient formula.ResultsThe patient’s annual mental health hospitalization costs during conventional treatment averaged $59,864 across 5 years (1997–2001), with a peak annual cost of about $140,000. Since transitioning to broad-spectrum micronutrients, she has incurred no provincial hospitalization costs for mental health care, though her self-funded costs are currently $720/year for the micronutrients.ConclusionFurther exploration of the treatment of mental health problems with broad-spectrum micronutrient formulas has the potential to make two significant contributions: improved mental health, and decreased costs for governments.

Nutrition Provides the Essential Foundation for Optimizing Mental Health

“…Other than two case studies, one in a child and one in an adult successfully treated with multinutrients (Kaplan et al, 2017;Rodway et al, 2012), the only research that has been conducted specifically on micronutrients and psychosis involved 19 patients with psychosis who gradually reduced their medications as they added a broad-spectrum multinutrient formula (Mehl-Madrona & Mainguy, 2017). The study started as an RCT with a one month lead-in, when everyone received the nutrients.…”

“…Funding for multinutrient supplements is currently an issue that may be resolved if insurance companies and the public health care system cover the cost. Research from two case studies demonstrate the nutrient treatment cost less than 10% of conventional care (Kaplan et al, 2017;Rodway et al, 2012), which may interest governments with tight budgets. Further studies on cost savings and the efficacy of the multinutrient supplementation are needed to increase the likelihood of insurance or public health reimbursement.…”

PROTOCOL: The efficacy of nutritional interventions in reducing childhood/youth aggressive and antisocial behavior: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Among the interventions that have the potential to decrease aggression in children and youth, many are relatively difficult to access (e.g., require highly trained professionals for whom the demand highly exceeds supply) or punitively expensive either to service users directly or society as a whole. In contrast, nutritional interventions cost less [e.g., nutritional supplements versus psychiatric medications (Kaplan, Isaranuwatchai, & Hoch, 2017)] or nothing (e.g., elimination diets) and so are generally more accessible. If the synthesis of the evidence can confirm the effectiveness of (certain) nutritional interventions in reducing aggression/violence in children and youth, stakeholders and policy makers will have tools, which are readily employable potentially even on larger scales given current Western societies' high level of interest in healthy nutrition.…”

Nutrition availability for those incarcerated in jail: Implications for mental health

“…A micronutrient formula consisting of vitamins (i.e. B, D and C), minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, herbs and botanicals can improve an unstable mood (Adan et al, 2019;Dome et al, 2019;Gately and Kaplan, 2009;Kaplan et al, 2017;Rucklidge et al, 2010;Parker et al, 2017). Additionally, incorporating omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium into the diet can improve impulse dysfunction and decrease aggressive behaviors (Bozzatello et al, 2020;Patrick and Ames, 2015;Rucklidge et al, 2011).…”

“…Finally, epidemiological studies suggest that anxiety symptoms may be reduced with high-quality diets that contain micronutrients (i.e. B Vitamins, Vitamin C, magnesium and zinc), fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, nuts, legumes, low added sugars and a micronutrient formula consisting of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, herbs and botanicals (Adan et al , 2019; Dome et al , 2019; Gately and Kaplan, 2009; Kaplan et al , 2017; Kris-Etherton et al , 2021; Rucklidge et al , 2010; Parker et al , 2017). Diets with higher consumption of meats, sugar and saturated fats are associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety symptoms (Adan et al , 2019; Del-Ponte et al , 2019; Firth et al , 2020; Kris-Etherton et al , 2021; Masana et al , 2019).…”