Natural Remedies For Bipolar Disorder
Mood disorders are common place in society. Often unwanted byproducts of a stressful lifestyle with sedentary behavior and a diet high in caffeine and sugar, mood disorders can be found in over twenty five percent of the adult population. This article will explore some natural remedies for bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is different from the normal ups and downs most people experience. Extreme fluctuations in mood from elaborate ideas with wild, racing thoughts of ecstasy to the deepest pit of depression with thoughts and actions of agonizing despair including suicide characterize bipolar disorder. There are prescription medications for this condition but cost and side effects often prohibit their use. Thankfully there are natural remedies that are safer and less costly alternatives for those who suffer from bipolar disorder.
Lithium, the now well known treatment for bipolar disorder, began as a natural remedy. Around the turn of the nineteenth century researchers noticed that the incidence of manic behavior was less in certain areas where natural lithium levels were higher in the water supply. Lithium is now used pharmacologically to treat bipolar disorder.
Today other natural remedies are often used. One such remedy is omega 3 fatty acids. In patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids decrease the incidence of manic episodes and prolong the disease free intervals giving the bipolar patient a more normal life. Omega 3 fatty acids are abundant in fish or in over the counter supplements that are available.
L-tyrosine, a nonessential amino acid lessens the symptoms. L-tyrosine is used in the body for the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Low levels of L-tyrosine will reduce levels of serotonin causing a depressed mood. Eating more dairy products, fish, meats, wheat, and oats will naturally increase levels of L-tyrosine in turn increasing serotonin levels and resulting in an improved mood.
Processed foods today are much lower in vitamins than foods a century ago. This fact has given rise to a theory stating increasing numbers of people experience this condition due to deficiencies in multiple vitamins. B vitamins, folic acid, Vitamin C along with trace elements such as zinc and copper added to the diet can alleviate symptoms.
An important part treating bipolar disorder is to remove substances that aggravate the symptoms. Stimulants such as caffeine, sugar, fatty foods and sugar substitutes can cause or aggrevate symptoms of irritability and insomnia making a manic episode more likely. Depressants such as alcohol will lower the mood of a person. Removing these substances from the diet of a person with bipolar disorder improve and even eliminate many of the symptoms.
Several treatments for bipolar disorder are effective. Increasing omega 3 fatty acids, L-tyrosine, B vitamins, folic acid and Vitamin C in the form of nutritional supplements have been shown to improve or eliminate the symptoms of bipolar disorder. The addition of these nutritional supplements along with discarding foods that act as stimulants and depressants from the diet are natural remedies for bipolar disorder.
Reyna Flor Nadera
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