Malnourishment is often associated with mental illness. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies may be a particular problem as they are used by the brain as essential co-factors of neurochemicals like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Functional medicine approaches the treatment of mental illness with the idea that symptoms exist due to an interaction between biological factors, lifestyle, diet and environmental influences. Use of vitamin and mineral supplements in combination with other therapies has had some promising results in treating symptoms of bipolar. Always talk to your health care provider before taking any dietary supplementation.
B Vitamins
Folate, vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-12 have shown some beneficial effect against bipolar disorder symptoms. B vitamins can increase energy and improve immune function. Vitamin B-12 shots may improve symptoms of depression but should be avoided by individuals who are manic. B vitamins also improves circulation problems, anxiety, irritability, listlessness and night terrors. These vitamins work best when taken as a complex, but talk to your doctor first.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C deficiency is associated with personality changes, hysteria, depression and fatigue. Symptoms were noted to subside as repletion of vitamin C levels occurred. Personality changes occurred at ascorbic acid blood levels of 1.21 to 1.17 mg/ 100 ml, while physical signs did not appear until levels were much lower. Thus, individuals may experience emotional changes without the normal physical signs of deficiency, says registered dietitian Ruth Leyse-Wallace, Ph.D., author of the book "Linking Nutrition to Mental Health: A Scientific Exploration."
Magnesium
Dr. James Lake, a certified psychiatrist in private practice in Monterey, California, reports in the text "Integrative Mental Health Care: A Therapist's Handbook" that magnesium supplementation may be beneficial in correcting the cyclical mania experienced by bipolar patients. A study published in "Psychiatry Research" in 1999 involved 10 patients with severe manic agitation who were treated with a combination of magnesium sulfate and psychiatric medications. Seven patients showed improvement. Magnesium salts have also been found to be effective in treating delirium and neuromuscular hyper-excitability.
Micronutrient Formulas
Formulas containing a mixture of vitamins and minerals and amino acids have been developed and advertised as treatments for mental illness. An analysis study of children and adolescents consuming these formulas was published in the September 2010 edition of "BMC Psychiatry." Data from 120 children, reported by parents, were analyzed after three and six months of formula use. Severity of bipolar symptoms was reported to be 46 percent lower than baseline. Results were similar for younger and older children for both sexes. While limited by self-report and no control, it does suggest a potential benefit.
References
- "Integrative Mental Health Care: A Therapist's Handbook"; James Lake; 2009
- "Linking Nutrition to Mental Health: A Scientific Exploration"; Ruth Leyse-Wallace; 2008
- "Pediatric Clinics of North America"; Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies to Promote Health Moods"; Kathi J Kemper, et al.; December 2007
- "Psychiatry Research"; Treatment of Severe Mania With Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate as a Supplementary Therapy"; Angela Heiden, et al.; 1999
- "BMC Psychiatry"; Database Analysis of Children and Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder Consuming a Micronutrient Formula; Julia J. Rucklidge; September 2010
