Psychotic disorders are serious neuropsychiatric disorders that result in significant levels of distress to the individual, their family and friends. The ongoing nature of the symptoms and behaviours in these conditions often result in long-term health challenges.

Psychotic disorders are considered a risk factor for many chronic physical health conditions, such as heart disease, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Indeed, people with schizophrenia have a 20-year shorter lifespan than the general population. This is believed to be due to lifestyle habits (unhealthy diet,  physical inactivity, sleep disturbances, smoking and substance use), and the negative side-effects of antipsychotic drugs. In particular, second-generation antipsychotics may lead to rapid weight gain, and disturbances in cardio-metabolic and glucose metabolism, possibly by modulation of the gut microbiota. The weight gain and other metabolic disturbances that arise from treatment is a substantial issue in psychiatry, with limited options existing to avoid these. Therefore, there is an urgent need for better understanding of the underlying pathways that give rise to psychotic illnesses and their associated health conditions and for improved treatment options for these disorders that also address physical health.

Risk factors for psychotic disorders

To date, we have some understanding of the factors that appear to increase the risk for psychotic disorders, such as susceptibility genes that play a role in brain development, and some environmental factors, such as maternal infections and malnutrition, as well as exposure to stress and early life trauma. Many of these factors are not readily amenable to preventive interventions, so it is critical that we now identify risk factors for psychotic illness that are modifiable. We think that diet and nutrition may be such a risk factor!

Possibilities of dietary interventions in psychotic individuals

Numerous interventions in those experiencing psychotic disorders, such as the Keeping the Body in Mind Program, have targeted the physical health of these individuals, focusing predominately on weight and metabolic markers as an outcome. However, such interventions have not focused on psychotic symptoms as outcomes. In contrast, there is good evidence from the new field of nutritional psychiatry to suggest that diet and nutrition play an important role in preventing and treating common mental disorders. The new evidence in this field has prompted a paradigm shift in psychiatry and is now giving rise to new treatments and preventive interventions. However, we lack an equivalent evidence base in psychotic disorders and this gap in research needs to be filled.

What are we doing?

An important research aim for members of the Food & Mood Centre is to investigate the dietary patterns, intake of nutrients and nutrient status, the presence of food allergies and sensitivities, and the gut microbiota of those experiencing a psychotic disorder. This will allow us to evaluate the possible role of each in the onset and progression of psychotic disorders. In addition, we are conducting dietary intervention studies in people with psychotic symptoms.

If you’re currently experiencing a psychotic disorder or know someone who is, keep an eye out on our current research trials for opportunities to participate in our research.