Once thought to be a disease that emerged in late adolescence or early adulthood, bipolar disorder is now known to affect even preschoolers, according to the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation. Bipolar disorder in children may lack the distinct mood states of depression and mania, and manifest instead as chronic irritability. Nutrition may help bipolar disorder, but it has not been shown to cure it. Ask a qualified health care provider if nutritional interventions are appropriate for your child.
Avoid Obesity
Children with bipolar disorder are at a higher risk for obesity than their non-bipolar peers, in part because the medicines frequently used for the condition cause weight gain. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis. It also is associated with more severe depressive symptoms in bipolar patients, according to a 2008 article in the "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry." Help your child by serving non-fattening nutrient-dense foods and offer plenty of opportunity to burn calories through physical activity. If your child is experiencing uncontrolled weight gain, a calorie-restricted diet may be appropriate. Ask your physician for advice if weight gain is a problem for your child.
Boost Vitamins and Minerals
An October 2010 article in "Bipolar Network News" describes some promising research by an Ohio State University researcher who examined a particular multivitamin and mineral supplement in bipolar children. In the small, open-label study, the children's depressive symptoms improved by 71 percent and symptoms of mania improved by 58 percent after treatment with the preparation. Psychiatrist Charles Popper, of Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital, says that the supplement could magnify both positive and negative effects of psychopharmacological medications, thus it should be used only under a physician's careful supervision.
Emphasize Antioxidants
Oxidative stress appears to play a role in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder, according to a 2010 article in the journal "Neurochemical Research." Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the burden of free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage DNA, and the body's ability to neutralize them. Dietary antioxidants can help bolster the body's defenses against free radicals. They are abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables. More research is necessary to determine whether increased dietary antioxidants can directly impact bipolar symptoms, but the health benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables are undisputed. Emphasize them in your child's diet to see if symptoms improve.
Serve Fish
The brain requires omega-3 fatty acids for its growth, development and normal functioning. These fatty acids are present in numerous foods, including flaxseed, walnuts and cold-water fish such as sardines, mackerel and salmon. According to PsychEducation.org, epidemiological studies have demonstrated that bipolar disorder occurs less frequently in countries where fish is a staple part of the diet. Research on whether omega-3 fatty acids can reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder has yielded mixed results. However, boosting fish consumption may be a reasonable strategy for your bipolar child, especially since fish is associated with other health benefits. The American Heart Association recommends that most people consume at least two servings weekly of omega-3 rich fish.
References
- Bipolar Network News: Vitamins for Treatment-Resistant Childhood Bipolar Disorder?
- Journal of Clinical Psychiatry: Preliminary Findings Regarding Overweight and Obesity in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
- PsychEducation.org: Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Including Fish Oil)
- American Heart Association: Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- "Neurochemical Research"; Role of Oxidative Stress in the Pathophysiology of Bipolar Disorder; A.V. Steckert, et al; September 2010
- Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation: About Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
