Nutrients found in Brussels sprouts, shellfish and oranges could help fight the early stages of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, a study says.
The study, from the University of Manchester and Western Sydney University, showed certain supplements could improve classic treatments for psychotic illnesses, as long as they were taken early.
That means supplements like the amino acid taurine, found in many common foods, could improve mental health – although the reasons why are still unclear.
A researcher from the study is now launching a clinical trial to test the hypothesis.
A balanced diet
The team used data from eight independent clinical studies, which looked at nutrient supplementation in 457 young people in the early stages of a psychotic illness.
They found that certain supplements, taken at the same time as classic treatments, helped improve patients’ mental health, for instance, the amino acid Taurine, found in various foods.
The antioxidants n-acetyl cysteine and vitamin C were also effective. Researchers believe this is because they help resolve ‘oxidative stress’, which occurs when the body cannot process oxygen regularly.
| NUTRIENT | POSSIBLE EFFECT |
|---|---|
| Omega 3 | Some studies suggested it made a difference, but others did not |
| Taurine | Reduced total symptoms |
| N-Acetyl Cysteine | ‘Significantly’ reduced total symptoms |
| Vitamin C | One trial found it reduced symptoms, but a second did not |
| Vitamin E | No significant differences |
However, omega-3 – often touted as an important brain supplement – was not conclusively linked with reducing the psychosis symptoms.
Dr Joseph Firth, honorary research fellow at The University of Manchester and research fellow at NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, said they conducted the study to see whether nutrient supplements lived up to the ‘hype’.
‘Nutrient supplementation in the treatment of mental illness is something which can be surrounded by both cynicism and “hype”,’ Firth said.
‘We conducted this review just to see if there is any ‘real evidence’ if such nutrients can actually help young people with psychosis.
‘Certainly, there is early indication that certain nutrients may be beneficial, not to replace standard treatment, but as an ‘add-on’ treatment for some patients.’
Future studies needed
The researchers do not think their study is conclusive and are looking at better ways to confirm or disprove their initial results.
‘We have to be careful to replicate the results of these initial studies before jumping to firm conclusions’ Dr Firth said.
His team are launching a clinical trial using a supplement containing all the nutrients they found were effective in the early stages of psychosis.
‘Certain individual nutrients, like taurine, do appear to be beneficial for young people with psychosis.
‘We are now particularly interested in examining if we can combine multiple beneficial nutrients into a single supplement, and give this to young people with psychosis, alongside their regular medications and therapies.
‘We believe this may further support their recovery, and will be testing this approach later in the year.
‘We will be testing this in Sydney, Australia in 2018, to learn more about the potential role of nutrition in mental health for the future,’ Dr Firth told MailOnline.
