Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that causes significant impairment to your quality of life and your ability to function. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder affects around 2.6 percent of the general US adult population, with 82.9 percent of these cases classified as "severe." With these numbers in mind, it's no surprise that researchers are busy trying to figure out newer, improved treatments for this debilitating illness. While medication and other treatments can help, some people believe that supplementation with vitamin B-6 can also improve bipolar symptoms.
About Vitamin B6
Vitamin B-6, also known as pyridoxine, is a member of the family of B-complex vitamins. The B-complex vitamins all play a crucial role in energy metabolism and helping to maintain proper nervous system functioning. Vitamin B-6 also plays an important role in the production of the mood-regulating neurotransmitter known as serotonin. As with all B vitamins, vitamin B-6 is water-soluble, which means that your body cannot store it and it must be replenished on a daily basis. It occurs naturally in foods such as avocado, banana, beans, meats, poultry and nuts. According to Medline Plus, vitamin B-6 deficiencies are unusual in the US but can cause serious mental symptoms such as depression, confusion and irritability.
Bipolar Disorder Facts
As the name implies, bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression or manic depressive disorder, results in mood swings alternating between depression and mania. Symptoms of a manic episode include sleep disturbances, feelings of extreme "highs" or invincibility, being easily distracted, having very high levels of energy, impulsive behavior and being overly happy or joyful. During depressive episodes, you may experience feelings of extreme "lows," a depressed mood, a lack of energy, fatigue, appetite changes, irritability and a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. Additionally, some people experience suicidal thoughts or make suicidal gestures during depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder does not have a cure but symptoms are usually treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication, such as mood-stabilizers like lithium, antidepressants and anti-psychotics. Researchers have found that certain nutritional supplements, such as vitamin B-6, can also have a beneficial impact on bipolar symptoms.
Clinical Evidence
Imbalances of serotonin levels in the brain may be a contributing factor to bipolar disorder and may trigger depressive episodes. A paper published in 2003 in the journal "Primary Care Mental Health" points out that vitamin B-6 is a necessity for serotonin production, and that supplementation with vitamin B-6 and other B vitamins may help alleviate certain depressive symptoms. Some bipolar patients experience tremors as a side effect of treatment with lithium. One study, published in 2002 in the "International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine," showed that vitamin B-6 supplementation helped to alleviate lithium-induced tremors in bipolar study participants. Although these results are promising, further studies are needed to fully evaluate the benefits of vitamin B-6 on symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Considerations
While vitamin B-6 supplementation may help improve certain symptoms associated with bipolar disorder, you should not attempt to self-diagnose or treat any symptoms you may be experiencing. Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that can become worse if not properly treated. Consult your doctor to discuss your symptoms and possible treatments. Do not use dietary supplements as a replacement for conventional medical advice. Do not stop taking any prescribed medications if you choose to use a vitamin B-6 supplement. Always inform your doctor about any nutritional supplements you are taking.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: Statistics: Bipolar Disorder
- Medline Plus: Vitamin B6
- "International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine"; Lithium-Induced Tremor Treated with Vitamin B6: A Preliminary Case Study; C. Miodownik, et al; 2002
- "Primary Care Mental Health"; Depression: The Nutrition Connection; P. Holford; 2003
