There are a number of lifestyle improvements that can benefit anyone, but some can also positively contribute to the management of bipolar disorder. One such change is a healthy, nutrient-rich diet.
How Nutrition
Bipolar disorder requires a comprehensive treatment plan to keep its mood swings in check. The basis of this plan is usually medication and psychotherapy, but there are a number of things that a person with bipolar disorder can do to help make this core treatment more effective. A healthy diet gives a person's body, including his or her brain, adequate amounts of the materials it needs to function properly.
Nutrition and Bipolar Disorder
About two million Americans struggle with bipolar disorder, also called manic depression. People suffering from this serious illness experience extreme mood swings ranging from periods of intense mania and high energy to low episodes of exhaustion and deep depression. Although there's no miracle diet or pill for treating bipolar disorder, eating nutritionally does improves the overall health and mental condition of a person with bipolar disorder.
Antioxidants
Because antioxidants fight damaging molecules, called free radicals, they're helpful in treating depression. Antioxidants are found in vitamins C and E, as well as the nutrient beta-carotene. Good sources of vitamin C include fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, broccoli, peppers and potatoes. Nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, wheat germ and margarine contain vitamin E. For beta-carotene eat fruits and vegetables including apricots, cantaloupe, carrots, pumpkin and spinach.
Proteins and Carbohydrates
Protein foods such as tuna, chicken and turkey are rich in tyrosine, an amino acid that increases dopamine and norepinephrine, which are brain chemicals that help fight depression. Don't shun carbohydrates, but try to avoid white flour, sugary and fatty foods, opting for good carbs such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.
Fatty Acids and Fish Oil
Finding that diets rich in fish oil and fatty acids contributed to healthier dispositions. For example, one experiment was done on English prisoners that showed a decrease in prison assaults among inmates who were fed seafood containing omega-3 fatty acids. Foods with significant amounts of fatty acids include herring, salmon, mackerel, walnuts, olive and flaxseed oil, whole grain foods, lean meats, eggs and dark green leafy vegetables.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is a B vitamin crucial for the body making new healthy cells. Increased levels of folic acid in the blood are thought to be linked to improved moods so it's considered helpful for treating bipolar people. A safe substance, folic acid has no specific side effects and doesn't interfere with lithium treatments for depression. Examples of foods rich in folic acid are peas, lentils, oranges, whole-wheat products, beets, spinach, asparagus, brussels sprouts and dried beans. Many breakfast cereals contain folic acid such as Total and Product 19.
The B Vitamins
The B vitamins are important in regulating mood in that they energize people. Vitamin B-1(Thiamin) is often recommended for bipolar people with anxiety, irritability and other problems. Calves liver and snapper are good sources of B-2 Vitamin. B-6 (Pyridoxine) is also effective for helping bipolar patients with irritability and other depression symptoms. Foods containing vitamin B-6 include spinach, turnip greens and bell peppers.
How Nutrition
Bipolar disorder requires a comprehensive treatment plan to keep its mood swings in check. The basis of this plan is usually medication and psychotherapy, but there are a number of things that a person with bipolar disorder can do to help make this core treatment more effective. A healthy diet gives a person's body, including his or her brain, adequate amounts of the materials it needs to function properly.
Nutrition and Bipolar Disorder
About two million Americans struggle with bipolar disorder, also called manic depression. People suffering from this serious illness experience extreme mood swings ranging from periods of intense mania and high energy to low episodes of exhaustion and deep depression. Although there's no miracle diet or pill for treating bipolar disorder, eating nutritionally does improves the overall health and mental condition of a person with bipolar disorder.
Antioxidants
Because antioxidants fight damaging molecules, called free radicals, they're helpful in treating depression. Antioxidants are found in vitamins C and E, as well as the nutrient beta-carotene. Good sources of vitamin C include fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, broccoli, peppers and potatoes. Nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, wheat germ and margarine contain vitamin E. For beta-carotene eat fruits and vegetables including apricots, cantaloupe, carrots, pumpkin and spinach.
Proteins and Carbohydrates
Protein foods such as tuna, chicken and turkey are rich in tyrosine, an amino acid that increases dopamine and norepinephrine, which are brain chemicals that help fight depression. Don't shun carbohydrates, but try to avoid white flour, sugary and fatty foods, opting for good carbs such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.
Fatty Acids and Fish Oil
Finding that diets rich in fish oil and fatty acids contributed to healthier dispositions. For example, one experiment was done on English prisoners that showed a decrease in prison assaults among inmates who were fed seafood containing omega-3 fatty acids. Foods with significant amounts of fatty acids include herring, salmon, mackerel, walnuts, olive and flaxseed oil, whole grain foods, lean meats, eggs and dark green leafy vegetables.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is a B vitamin crucial for the body making new healthy cells. Increased levels of folic acid in the blood are thought to be linked to improved moods so it's considered helpful for treating bipolar people. A safe substance, folic acid has no specific side effects and doesn't interfere with lithium treatments for depression. Examples of foods rich in folic acid are peas, lentils, oranges, whole-wheat products, beets, spinach, asparagus, brussels sprouts and dried beans. Many breakfast cereals contain folic acid such as Total and Product 19.
The B Vitamins
The B vitamins are important in regulating mood in that they energize people. Vitamin B-1(Thiamin) is often recommended for bipolar people with anxiety, irritability and other problems. Calves liver and snapper are good sources of B-2 Vitamin. B-6 (Pyridoxine) is also effective for helping bipolar patients with irritability and other depression symptoms. Foods containing vitamin B-6 include spinach, turnip greens and bell peppers.
No comments:
Post a Comment