Summary: Researchers report antioxidant supplements and amino acids, such as Taurine, can help to reduce symptoms of psychosis.
Source: University of Manchester.
A scientific paper has revealed that some nutrients found in food may help reduce the symptoms of psychotic illness, when used in the early stages of treatment.
The systematic review, led by Dr Firth, honorary Research Fellow at The University of Manchester and Research Fellow at NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University an examined if nutrient supplementation could provide effective ‘add on’ treatment for young people with psychosis.
The team brought together data from eight independent clinical trials of nutrient supplementation in 457 young people in the early stages of psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia.
The review is published in Early Intervention in Psychiatry.
Researchers found that certain nutrient supplements, used alongside standard treatment, may improve mental health in young people with psychosis more than standard treatment alone.
The study by Firth and colleagues is the first evaluation of nutrient supplementation trials in ‘first-episode psychosis’ (FEP).
Dr Firth said “Nutrient supplementation in the treatment of mental illness is something which can be surrounded by both cynicism and ‘hype’.
“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”
One nutrient reviewed was Taurine, an amino-acid found in foods such as shellfish and turkey.
A clinical trial conducted in Melbourne in 121 young patients with psychosis found that 4 grams of Taurine per day reduced psychotic symptoms within just 12 weeks.
Certain antioxidant supplements, such as n-acetyl cysteine and vitamin C, may also be effective – particularly for patients with high levels of ‘oxidative stress’.
Studies on omega-3 supplements showed that although these appear to improve brain health in young people with psychosis, the evidence for actually reducing psychotic symptoms is conflicting.
“We have to be careful to replicate the results of these initial studies before jumping to firm conclusions” Dr Firth said.
Now, the team are aiming to do just that: launching a new clinical trial in which all of the potentially beneficial nutrients are combined within a single supplement, and provided to young people with psychosis.
He added: “Individual nutrients appear to have moderate effects on mental health, at best.
“A combined nutrient intervention, explicitly designed from the evidence-base in psychosis, may therefore confer larger and more beneficial effects for young people with this condition.
“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.”
Source: University of Manchester
Publisher: Organized by NeuroscienceNews.com.
Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.
Original Research: Open access research in Early Intervention in Psychiatry.
doi:10.1111/eip.12544
[cbtabs][cbtab title=”MLA”]University of Manchester “Antioxidants and Amino Acids Could Play Role in Psychosis Treatment.” NeuroscienceNews. NeuroscienceNews, 22 March 2018.
<https://neurosciencenews.com/psychosis-antioxidants-8687/>.[/cbtab][cbtab title=”APA”]University of Manchester (2018, March 22). Antioxidants and Amino Acids Could Play Role in Psychosis Treatment. NeuroscienceNews. Retrieved March 22, 2018 from https://neurosciencenews.com/psychosis-antioxidants-8687/[/cbtab][cbtab title=”Chicago”]University of Manchester “Antioxidants and Amino Acids Could Play Role in Psychosis Treatment.” https://neurosciencenews.com/psychosis-antioxidants-8687/ (accessed March 22, 2018).[/cbtab][/cbtabs]
Abstract
Adjunctive nutrients in first‐episode psychosis: A systematic review of efficacy, tolerability and neurobiological mechanisms
Aim
The effects of nutrient‐based treatments, including adjunctive vitamin or antioxidant supplementation, have been explored extensively in long‐term schizophrenia. However, no systematic evaluation of trials in “first‐episode psychosis” (FEP) has been conducted, despite the potential benefits of using these treatments during the early stages of illness. Therefore, we aimed to review all studies examining efficacy, tolerability and the biological mechanisms of action, of nutrient supplementation in FEP.
Methods
A systematic review of electronic databases was conducted from inception to July 2017. All information on feasibility, clinical outcomes and mechanistic findings from nutrient supplementation clinical trials was extracted and systematically synthesized.
Results
Eleven studies with a total of 451 patients with FEP (from 8 independent randomized controlled trials) were eligible for inclusion. Six studies examined omega‐3 fatty acids, with inconsistent effects on psychiatric symptoms. However, mechanistic studies found significant improvements in hippocampal neuronal health and brain glutathione. Antioxidants “n‐acetyl cysteine” (n = 1) and vitamin C (n = 2) also improved oxidative status in FEP, which was associated with reduced psychiatric symptoms. No benefits were found for vitamin E (n = 1). Finally, one study trialling the amino acid taurine, showed significant improvements in positive symptoms and psychosocial functioning.
Conclusion
There is preliminary evidence that taurine improves outcomes in FEP, whereas effects of omega‐3 and antioxidant vitamins/amino‐acids are inconsistent; perhaps mainly benefitting patients with high levels of oxidative stress. Future studies should evaluate multifaceted dietary and supplementation interventions in FEP; targeting‐specific nutritional deficits and the range of aberrant biological processes implicated in the disorder.
