Supplements For Bipolar Disorder: What Will Help You Out!
Supplements for bipolar disorder are helpful when we look at the benefits of using vitamins along with the medication. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that can affect a person’s ability to conduct day-to-day tasks.
Supplements for bipolar disorder are useful when we consider the symptoms such as low energy levels among others. Supplements can help take care of these as they can take care of these.
It is imperative that you consult your healthcare professional before you start consuming anything else other than the prescribed medicines. This will help you avoid any side effects of the supplements as well.
Let’s explore what it is and the supplements that are useful for this mental health condition.
Contents
Are Supplements for Bipolar Disorder Good?
Supplements in general are a great way to sustain one’s health. Vitamins and minerals are essential parts of our nutrition that help in maintaining our health. Supplements are mainly of three types:
⁃ Vitamins
⁃ Minerals
⁃ Herbs and botanicals
There are other supplement types as well, but these do not support mental health better than these major types. For example, probiotics can help improve gut health which has connections with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. However, bipolar disorder does not have connections to it.
As per a recent study, supplements can help improve the experience of bipolar disorder symptoms in patients. Nearly 50% of the participants in the study with bipolar disorder were shown to have an improvement in their symptoms with the help of vitamin B12 supplements.
There are supplements for ADHD that work wonderfully well for the patients, which is the similar observation in cases of bipolar disorder.
The following sections will explore the supplements that can benefit a person with bipolar disorder.
Specific Supplements for bipolar disorder
If your doctor observes that your condition does not get better with prescribed medication, they can take a combination approach. This combination therapy will help you control your symptoms that can hinder your ability to perform day-to-day activities.
The following list includes common, effective and frequently prescribed supplements for bipolar disorder:
1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are one of the most common mental health supplements, can also benefit people with bipolar disorder. Why is omega-3 beneficial for mental health is a natural question that follows this piece of information.
Well, omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in maintaining brain health. As mental health issues also impact brain chemistry, it is important that one considers brain health in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
There are different effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Firstly, omega-3 fatty acids for bipolar disorder can help control the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the blood.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines can have a significant impact on the inflammatory response in the body. When its concentrations are elevated in the blood, it is obvious that the nervous system is trying to get rid of irritants or triggers.
In the case of bipolar disorder, there is neuroinflammation that can affect the patient’s mood. It is one of those physiological changes that can elevate the chances of a mood disorder in such cases.
Most importantly, people with bipolar disorder are prone to develop mood disorders such as bipolar depression.
You can find a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil and flaxseed oil. Both are natural sources too, which you can find easily. If you do not wish to choose synthetic supplements available in capsule or other forms.
2. B Vitamins
These vitamins are another one of those supplements for bipolar disorder that are helpful. B vitamins play an important role in maintaining the function of nerve cells. It is also an important vitamin that can help in combating fatigue.
People with bipolar disorder experience fatigue as a symptom which can hinder their daily activity. A deficiency in vitamin B can cause mood disorders such as anxiety, stress and depression.
Thus, supplementing this vitamin will help you combat the signs of such mood disorders which overlap with bipolar disorder symptoms.
For example, vitamin B12 can help reduce depressive moods through its action on serotonin. You can find a rich source of B vitamins in food items such as fruits, vegetables and other sources.
Alternatively, your healthcare professional can also suggest supplements that can help you meet the daily requirements.
3. CoQ10
CoQ10 or Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that is naturally produced by our bodies. This helps boost the growth of cells, while also maintaining their functioning.
The levels of CoQ10 in the body can decrease with age which is why the various physiological changes are visible. So, this one from the supplements for bipolar disorder can help an individual if they are older in age and have bipolar disorder.
There are different influences of CoQ10 on the body, firstly it helps in controlling inflammation and the biomarkers of oxidative stress. This is helpful during episodes when the patient is going through depressive episodes.
This one of the supplements for bipolar disorder are available in nuts, fish, meat and some oils. These are the richest sources of CoQ10 that can help with controlling inflammation in the patient.
4. L-Tyrosine
L-tyrosine is an exclusive from the supplements for bipolar disorder that can help patients by enhancing the chemicals that control mood and energy.
This amino acid can have anti-depressant effects when it is present in nanoparticle form. The supplement achieves its mood enhancing and energy improving effects through balancing norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain.
There are also behavioral and cognitive effects that this supplement can bring about in healthy humans.
Natural sources of this amino acid include soybean, meat, poultry such as chicken and eggs, and whole grain.
5. Tryptophan
Another amino acid that is important to produce enzymes and neurotransmitters. This one from the supplements for bipolar disorder are greatly beneficial for people with bipolar disorder who experience sleep issues.
It is available abundantly in food items such as Turkey.
Recommendations
Things to consider in case of bipolar disorder and managing the conditions using supplements include the following:
- If your symptoms worsen with time, then you should immediately inform your physician. It implies that your treatment may not be working properly.
- Do not replace your medications with supplements
- There are different ways the supplement can interact with the medications. Thus, only consume the supplement that your doctor recommends.
- Do not self-medicate in such cases as your condition may deteriorate further. Thus, it is best to consult your doctor.
Why We Recommend Consuming Supplements Through Natural Sources Than Synthetic Sources
Natural resources are always a good option for people to get their nutrients, that’s because there’s the least to no amount of harmful additives in them. Nature has always provided us with a cure for everything that can ever happen to us. There’s a natural cure to heal wounds, there’s a cure to fight pimples even!
Similarly, there is a cure for mental health ailments as well. These remedies for bipolar disorder is shared in this article.
Conclusion
Thus, before you go and consume supplements for bipolar disorder, you must remember to consult your doctor. It is also important that you keep your doctor’s recommendation as your top priority as they know your condition best.
This article suggests the popular choices of mental health professionals based on independent research. It is for one’s information and not a substitute for professional recommendation.
Consult your doctor for a personalized supplement list that will be effective for you.
