4 Ways to Eat for Bipolar Disorder

1. Find a Powerful Multi-Vitamin

Bipolar disorder has been linked to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. While many nutrition experts recommend that you get these supplements from healthy organic food sources, the simple fact is that soil depletion may limit the amount of vitamins and minerals that you actually absorb from fruits and vegetables. Look for a multi-vitamin with a strong B complex that is roughly 10 times the amount of the FDA-recommended daily allowance, especially B-6 and B-12. Individuals with bipolar disorder should also ensure that they are taking supplements that offer the RDA of folic acid, zinc, calcium, chromium, iron, copper and magnesium.

2. Look for Potent Sources for Vitamin C in Your Diet

In recent studies, individuals suffering from bipolar disorder experienced less severe mood swings if at least 2 grams of vitamin C were taken daily. While it may be relatively easy to take a vitamin C supplement to match these levels, you should combine this approach with a diet comprised of foods that are extremely rich in vitamin C, such as spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, papaya, kiwifruit, mango, red peppers and even potatoes. Remember that while citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C, a cup of orange juice only contains 60 mg of the supplement. That's a long way from the 2,000 mg you'll eventually need to absorb in a single day.

3. Eat a Balanced Diet

Another recent study has shown a link between bipolar disorder and heavily processed foods, especially fast food. Whenever possible, stick to a healthy, balanced diet, including plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, lean meat (as a source of iron) and protein and other foods that are rich in antioxidants and Omega-3 oils.

4. Listen to Your Doctor

While a balanced diet and the right nutritional supplements may help to alleviate most of the symptoms of bipolar disorders, always check with your doctor before altering the doses of any prescription medications you may be taking. Many antidepressants used for the treatment of bipolar disorders may cause serious side effects and withdrawal symptoms if the dosages are altered without the close supervision of your doctor or health care professional. Whatever changes you make to your diet should be thoroughly discussed with your doctor as well.