However , mechanistic studies found significant improvements in hippocampal neuronal health and brain glutathione .
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 .
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 aim ed to review all studies examining efficacy , tolerability and the biological mechanisms of action , of nutrient supplementation in FEP .
A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the ‘SMILES’ trial)
Background The possible therapeutic impact of dietary changes on existing mental illness is largely unknown . Using a r and omised controlled trial design , we aim ed to investigate the efficacy of a dietary improvement program for the treatment of  major depressive episodes .  Methods ‘ SMILES ’ was a 12-week , parallel-group , single blind , r and omised controlled trial of an adjunctive dietary intervention in the treatment of moderate to severe depression . The intervention consisted of seven individual nutritional consulting sessions delivered by a clinical dietician . The control condition comprised a social support protocol to the same visit schedule and length . Depression symptomatology was the primary endpoint , assessed using the Montgomery – Åsberg Depression Rating Scale ( MADRS ) at 12 weeks . Secondary outcomes included remission and change of symptoms , mood and anxiety . Analyses utilised a likelihood-based mixed-effects model repeated measures ( MMRM ) approach . The robustness of estimates was investigated through sensitivity analyses . Results We assessed 166 individuals for eligibility , of whom 67 were enrolled ( diet intervention , n = 33 ; control , n = 34 ) . Of these , 55 were utilising some form of therapy : 21 were using psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy combined ; 9 were using exclusively psychotherapy ;  and 25 were using only pharmacotherapy . There were 31 in the diet support group and 25 in the social support control group who had complete data at 12 weeks . The dietary support group demonstrated significantly greater improvement between baseline and 12 weeks on the MADRS than the social support control group , t(60.7 ) = 4.38 , p < 0.001 , Cohen ’s d = –1.16 . Remission , defined as a MADRS score < 10 , was achieved for 32.3 % ( n = 10 ) and 8.0 % ( n = 2 ) of the intervention and control groups , respectively ( χ2 ( 1 ) = 4.84 , p = 0.028 ) ; number needed to treat ( NNT ) based on remission scores was 4.1 ( 95 % CI of NNT 2.3–27.8 ) . A sensitivity analysis , testing departures from the missing at r and om ( MAR ) assumption for dropouts , indicated that the impact of the intervention was robust to violations of MAR assumptions . Conclusions These results indicate that dietary improvement may provide an efficacious and accessible treatment strategy for the management of this highly prevalent mental disorder , the benefits of which could extend to the management of common co-morbidities . Trial registration Australia and New Zeal and Clinical Trials Register ( ANZCTR ) : ACTRN12612000251820 . Registered on 29 February 2012
However , mechanistic studies found significant improvements in hippocampal neuronal health and brain glutathione .
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 .
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 aim ed to review all studies examining efficacy , tolerability and the biological mechanisms of action , of nutrient supplementation in FEP .