Nutritional Objectives For Patients With Psychosis

Eating healthy can present a problem for people with psychosis, a mental condition marked by hallucinations or other breaks with reality. Good nutritional intake is vital to warding off symptoms and managing the disease. The Rethink Mental Illness website indicates that your medications might interfere with the foods you eat, and you might experience feelings of suspicion toward food that make it difficult to consume a balanced diet. It suggests constant supervision, which makes it critical for you and your health care providers to understand your nutritional objectives.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy type of fat, play an important role in brain function. In addition to this fat's influence on memory and brain performance, it might also help cognitive function relating to psychosis. A study published in the November 2004 issue of "Lipids in Health and Disease" indicates that the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids has significantly decreased in the U.S. over the last century, which skews the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids available to your brain. This might explain why approximately 25 percent of Americans -- a statistic given by the University of Michigan Center for Global Health -- have mental problems during their lifetimes. The "Lipids in Health and Disease Study" concludes that omega-3 fatty acids need to be studied more, but that mental health care providers should include these fats in their patients' diets. These fats can come from supplements or foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish.

Folate

Folate has a reputation for preventing birth defects, but it might also help your brain when you have psychosis. Research in the March 2011 issue of the "Schizophrenia Bulletin" correlates the inadequate intake of folate with an increased risk of schizophrenia, and psychosis can be a part of schizophrenia. You can get folate from spinach, broccoli, beans, mushrooms and organ meats, as well as enriched cereals.

Vitamin A

An animal study reported in the December 2010 issue of the "Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry" suggests that a lack of vitamin A might trigger symptoms associated with psychosis. Although research on humans is needed, ensuring you take in enough vitamin A each day might have a bearing on your brain function. Look to eggs, cheese, meat, and brightly colored fruits and vegetables to introduce more vitamin A in your diet.

Vitamin B-12

Not getting enough vitamin B-12 in your diet might contribute to episodes of psychosis, according to a study published in the January 2010 edition of "Psychiatry Research." You can get this vitamin, also known as cobalamin, in foods such as dairy products, eggs, fish, shellfish, and meats such as beef, port and organ meats.