Diet Link To Bipolar Disorder
Main Category: Bipolar
Also Included In: Mental Health; Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 06 May 2011 - 3:00 PDT
Also Included In: Mental Health; Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 06 May 2011 - 3:00 PDT
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Diet Link To Bipolar Disorder
Diet Link To Bipolar Disorder
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New research reveals that there is a link between diet and bi-polar disorder, with sugar, caffeine and a poor diet having a negative effect and increasing the mood swings of sufferers. This comes at a time when there have been reports in the media of a strong increase in the number of people becoming affected by bipolar disorder.
These conclusions are drawn by Evanne Constantine and Wesley Freeman-Smith of Lewisham Counselling and Counsellor Associates, who will present their findings today, Friday 6 May, at the 17th Annual BACP Research Conference. The event, which is co-hosted by the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR) UK, takes place at the Liverpool Marriott Hotel City Centre, Liverpool, on 6-7 May 2011.
The study suggests that a strong link exists between nutritional intake and bipolar disorder. A good balanced diet, taking vitamins - specifically Omega 3, Magnesium, Vitamin B - and reducing caffeine and sugar all appear to help in minimising the intensity and frequency of mood swings for bipolar sufferers.
The research also highlighted that there are notable differences in sufferers' eating patterns at the onset of bipolar disorder; a sudden increase/decrease in appetite and/or erratic eating behaviour may occur. It is also suggested that nutritional intake changes in direct correlation with the constraints that the phases of bipolar disorder impose on sufferers.
Evanne Constantine said: "Overall it appears highly apparent that erratic eating patterns/diet and nutritional intake are intrinsically linked to bipolar disorder. Yet, its treatment seldom appears to consider the diets of sufferers. There also appears to be some practitioner stigma attached to assessing the impact this has on the condition because of its perceived association with alternative medicine.
"We suggest that further research is required but that treatment of this disorder may need to be revaluated, because our findings imply that bipolar disordered clients would benefit from nutritional intake awareness and knowledge of the valuable role diet can play in alleviating the condition's symptoms."
Source:
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Visitor Opinions (latest shown first)
Wheat :( Bipolar
posted by Josephine on 4 Jan 2013 at 10:28 am After slowly getting to know my bipolar brain, I realised it wasn't enough to only find the right meds (hurrah), stop drinking alcohol completely and cut out coffee (tea seems ok in moderation) and sugar binges (switching to dark chocolate is a good idea, almost impossible to binge on a bar of 80%)...and then, yes, white bread. I realised another thing was making me sick, wheat! My partner, bless him, has started making bread, pancakes and quiches with rye or kamut flour. There are so many different flours to experiment with, wheat just isn't necessary. Kamut pasta is great too. It's so easy to make the switch, oh and I have lost 5kg without even trying, nice bonus :)| post followup | alert a moderator |
relation between ms, porphyria, cancer,ccvi and bipolar
posted by Lali on 16 Mar 2012 at 12:10 pm I have all the symptoms and have been tested and diagnosed with porphyria(variegate), ms(rrm) and have cancer cell in my abdomen (not been diagnosed) I now have all the symptoms of ccvi. Would like to know if anyone else are in the same position and what i can do to increase my blood flow without an operation.| post followup | alert a moderator |
bad for bipolar
posted by timmy on 12 Sep 2011 at 1:18 am Anti depressents bring on mania then psychosis in bipolar i have heard and seen first hand. Look at diet and happy life for cure. Stay away from the drugs| post followup | alert a moderator |
Mental Food
posted by Godhelp Nyashanu on 11 May 2011 at 9:05 pm I stand to be corrected, but I was made to understand by some 'expert' that Linseed/Flaxseed can also help.| post followup | alert a moderator |
Interesting
posted by Brandon on 8 May 2011 at 4:58 am My fiancee suffers from level 2 bipolar disorder and is currently in a down cycle. I was always curious what types of diet changes could help her to be more comfortable, I will definitly suggest to her and try to encourage the omega 3 and vitamin B into her diet. Does anyone know if this will have any side effects when mixed with her lithium and prozac?| post followup | alert a moderator |
Mental Food
posted by Tom Hennessy on 6 May 2011 at 11:05 am One might wonder whether porphyria and bi-polar are linked because porphyria is ALSO 'brought on' by a lack of eating / fasting. Porphyria is accompanied in many cases with mental disturbance.| post followup | alert a moderator |
Bipolar disorder
posted by kathryn on 6 May 2011 at 7:01 am A good diet plus brewers yeast which is brilliant for depression as it contains all the b vitamins. Medics are not likely to take much notice though as there is not much money to be made from alternatives!| post followup | alert a moderator |
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