Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression, is a serious brain disorder that causes dramatic shifts in a person's moods, including serious "lows" called depression, and "highs" called mania. According to a 2003 article published in "Psychology Today," dietary therapies are growing increasingly popular among treatment programs for bipolar disorder. Though nutritional strategies may support other treatment forms, they are not meant to replace them. For best results, doctor's guidance is suggested.
Function
Diet therapy for bipolar disorder aims to support nutritional and emotional wellness. Certain foods and nutrients may also help improve brain function and prevent or reduce severity of certain symptoms such as mood swings. According to "The Bipolar Handbook for Children Teens and Familes," by Wes Burgess, M.D., Ph.d., bipolar children are more likely to carry excess body weight than children without the disorder. For this reason, a healthy, balanced diet may also support weight management.
Important Nutrients
Many of the nutrient guidelines for people with bipolar are similar to those recommended for most children and adults. Burgess recommends a varied, nutrient-rich diet that emphasizes sufficient intake of vitamin A and vitamin D. Complex carbohydrates are important for blood sugar balance and positive energy and suggested over refined carbohydrates most often. Burgess also suggests at least 25g of protein daily for children and at least 50g for most adults with the disorder. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, healthy fats known as omega-3 fatty acids may help support brain function, reduce mood swings and prevent relapses in people with bipolar disorder.
Healthy Foods
A variety of healthy foods is a staple of dietary therapy for bipolar disorder. Burgess suggests healthy foods over vitamin supplementation, unless a person struggles to consume appropriate amounts of healthy foods. Vitamin A-rich food sources include liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, mangoes, spinach, cantaloupe, dried apricots, milk, eggs and mozzarella cheese. Vitamin D is prevalent in vitamin-fortified milk, soy-milk and cereals and in cod liver oil, salmon, herring and tuna. Valuable sources of omega-3 fats include salmon, tuna, halibut, mackerel, sardines, ground flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts and fish oil supplements. The UMMC suggests coldwater fish at least twice per week and/or 1 to 3g of omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements for best results.
Nutritious complex carbohydrates options include 100 percent whole grain bread and cereals, long-grain brown or wild rice, old fashioned oats, barley and popcorn. Protein-rich foods should contain few, if any, saturated fats, which may increase risk for heart disease and obesity. Examples of lean protein foods include low-fat dairy products, white meat poultry, tofu, legumes and fish. Olive oil, canola oil, nuts and seeds provide healthy, unsaturated fat options.
Foods to Avoid
Refined carbohydrates and high-fat foods may exacerbate symptoms of bipolar disorder. According to Burgess, chocolate, sugar and caffeine may trigger or worsen mania episodes in some people by increasing adrenaline in the brain. Replacing enriched bread, cereals, pastas, white rice, candy, sugar and soft drinks with healthier alternatives may support dietary treatment of the disorder. Alcohol also affects moods and may interfere with medication and should be avoided. Modest amounts of healthy fats are recommended over deep-fried foods, fatty red meat, poultry fat, butter, whole milk and cream.
Emotional Factors
Emotional therapy may play an important role in dietary treatment for people with bipolar disorder. According to research published in Psychiatry Research in June 2005, bipolar disorder may disrupt hunger and appetite controls in the brain and increase risk for binge eating disorder, an illness characterized by bouts of excessive food intake during which a person feels lost for control. Thus, in additional to medications and nutritional counseling, emotional therapy that addresses a person's thoughts and behaviors pertaining to food, body image and dietary habits may prove helpful.
References
- Psychology Today: "Managing Bipolar Disorder," Hara Estroff Marano, Nov 2003
- "The Bipolar Handbook for Children, Teens and Familes"; Wes Burgess, M.D., Ph.d., 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Information
- Psychiatry Research; Relationship between bipolar illness and binge-eating disorders; June 2005
