Bipolar illness is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in your moods, energy and behaviors. During manic episodes you may feel jittery, "high," or irritable, talk rapidly and sleep little. Depressive episodes involve sadness, worry, reduced interest in pleasurable activities and difficulty concentrating and making decisions. Bipolar is treatable, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, typically through medications and psychotherapy. Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, may also help.
Function
A healthy dietary lifestyle can help promote positive nutritional wellness and blood sugar balance -- a factor important for stabilizing moods and energy. While various dietary regimes and supplements claim to treat or "cure" bipolar disorder, most lack scientific evidence of effectiveness, according to psychiatrist and author of "The Bipolar Handbook" Dr. Wes Burgess, a nutritious, balanced diet may help improve the severity or frequency of your symptoms. An appropriate diet can also help you reach or maintain a healthy body weight. This attribute is important since weight gain and obesity are potential complications of bipolar disorder and its medications.
Basic Guidelines
While people's specific dietary needs and preferences vary, a bipolar disorder-friendly diet typically involves eating three meals and/or snacks at regular time intervals each day. In other words, do your best to avoid skipping meals or scheduling your meals far apart to prevent excessive hunger and blood sugar or energy decline. Burgess also recommends incorporating high-quality protein sources into your meals and limiting processed snack foods. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains strengthens your nutritional wellness and provides ample fiber -- a non-digestible form of carbohydrate that enhances appetite control and digestive function.
Helpful Foods
Valuable sources of high-quality protein include lean meats, skinless white-meat poultry, fish, legumes and low-fat dairy products. The amino acids, or building blocks of lean tissue, and zinc present in protein-rich foods promote positive brain function and blood sugar balance. Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, halibut, flounder and sardines are prime sources of omega-3 fatty acids -- essential fats that play an important role in brain function and may help manage bipolar disorder symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Walnuts, flaxseed and canola oil also contain omega-3 fats. Examples of nutritious whole grain foods include 100 percent whole grain cereals and breads, brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, pearled barley and popcorn. Consume a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, leafy greens, bell peppers, broccoli and squash, routinely. Choose whole varieties over juices and fruit with added sweeteners for heightened energy, blood sugar and weight control benefits.
Foods to Avoid
You can consume most any food in proper amounts and proportion while managing bipolar disorder. Certain foods, however, may worsen your symptoms or increase your risk for complications. Burgess suggests limiting fast food, fried foods and added sugars -- ingredients that add sweet flavor and calories, but few nutritional benefits, to foods and beverages. Common sources of added sugars include regular soft drinks, candy, milk chocolate, pancake syrup, jelly, frosting, frozen desserts, sugary cereals and commercially-prepared cookies, cakes, pies and pastries. These foods may offset blood sugar levels, contribute to weight gain and leave less room in your diet for healthier foods. When you do consume sugary foods or refined starches, such as white bread or instant rice, incorporating protein and fiber-rich foods into the same meal may help prevent adverse consequences.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: Bipolar Disorder
- "The Bipolar Handbook for Children, Teens and Families"; Wes Burgess; 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
