The benefits of the Mediterranean diet in first episode psychosis patients taking antipsychotics.

Background: The side effects of antipsychotics (APs), related to weight gain and metabolic disturbances, can contribute to the health burden of psychotic people.

Objective: To explore a) the level of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and consumption of fermented foods by first episode of psychosis (FEPs) patients taking APs, in comparison to matched -for age and BMI- healthy controls (HCs), and b) the effect of this dietary pattern on the biochemical and metabolic profile of FEPs.

Method: The study population consisted of 33 FEPs treated with APs for less than 5 years, with no history of other chronic diseases, and an equal number of HCs.