Bipolar Disorder

Mania and Stabilization

Treat histapenia, pyroluria, metal metabolism disorder, etc., as relevant.
Minerals: magnesium, zinc, trace-mineral-dose lithium orotate, etc., as relevant. May need to restrict copper and/or iron.
Inhibitory aminos: taurine, GABA (especially with histapenia or pyroluria), glycine (pyroluria). In some cases, serotonin precursors.
B1, B3, B6, perhaps folate or other B vitamins, as relevant.
Vitamin C, selenium. Other antioxidants, as relevant.
Omega 3 and/or GLA. Perhaps phosphatidyl choline.
Kava (especially with histadelia), valerian (histapenia), theanine, skullcap, Bach Rescue Remedy, time-release melatonin, as relevant.
Treat any thyroid overactivity; support blood sugar and adrenal balance; as relevant.
Attend to Candida, allergies, addictions, toxicity, malabsorption, immune, neurological, and other health issues.
Calming lifestyle (e.g., regular meals and sleep, a quiet dark retreat space, etc.).
Increase support with seasonal change and other stressors.

Depression

Treat any histadelia, pyroluria, histapenia. as relevant. Consider sulfur metabolism issues.
Omega 3 and/or GLA. Phosphatidyl inositol. Perhaps, p-serine.
Tryptophan or tyrosine. As relevant.
Support for cellular energetics: carnitine, NADH, CoQ10, perhaps creatine.
Vitamin D3, morning sun.
B6, B12, folate, B5, B3, or other B vitamins, as relevant.
Vitamin C, selenium. Other antioxidants, as relevant.
Calcium/magnesium balance. Sodium/potassium balance. Manganese, boron, chromium, trace-mineral dose lithium, perhaps cesium or rubidium, as indicated. For some, mainly if deficient, copper or iron. Avoid vanadium.
St Johnswort (histadelia, pyroluria). Gotu kola, Siberian or American ginseng, ginkgo, noni, goji, acai, green tea if indicated and not over-stimulating.
Continue stabilizing aminos and minerals (GABA, zinc, magnesium, etc.), especially with anxiety. Adjust dosage to maintain mood.
Thyroid, perhaps adrenal or other hormonal support, as indicated. Balance blood sugar.
Address: Candida, allergies, toxicity, malabsorption, immune, neurological, and other health issues.
Exercise, fresh air, nature. Optimal diet. Social interaction and support. Creative outlets.
Injection therapies, if incicated, e.g., Myers (Gaby/Wright); B6, Mg, B1, B3, B5, B12, GSH, trace, etc. Contraindications are critical.

Mixed State

Treat pyroluria, histadelia, histapenia, MT issues.
EPA plus DHA. Inositol/choline balance.
Zinc. Magnesium/calcium balance. Potassium/sodium balance.
With anxiety, perhaps GABA, taurine or theanine.
B1, B3, B6, C. Other relevant B vitamins and antioxidants.
Correct: thyroid, adrenal, blood sugar, other hormonal imbalance.
Address allergies, Candida, toxicity, malabsorption, neurological, immune and other health issues, as relevant.
Reduce stress.

Bipolar Psychosis

Treat histadelia or other biotypes, as relevant.
B3, B6, B1, zinc, magnesium.
C, E, selenium. Other relevant antioxidants.
Relevant EFAs.
Stabilizing aminos.
Address: allergies, Candida, blood sugar, seizural issues, metal accumulation, immune issues, thyroid or adrenal imbalances, and other health issues.

Ongoing Mood Stability

Address biotype requirements.
Stabilizing minerals, aminos, B vitamins, antioxidants, EFAs, etc. as relevant to individual biochemistry. (See Mania, above.)
Look for any physical illness or toxicity influencing symptoms.

Biotypes

Most bipolars fit into one or more of these biotypes. If so, biotype becomes a critical consideration in determining nutrient choices.

Histadelia - (brain undermethylation, high folate) -- B6, C, glutathione, methyl-B12, SAMe or methionine, perhaps TMG. Calcium, magnesium, niacinamide, omega 3, inositol. Vitamin E, A, selenium, other antioxidants. Serotonin support. Perhaps kava. AVOID: folate, DMAE.

Pyroluria - Zinc, B6, manganese, magnesium, GLA. Vitamin C, selenium, antioxidants. Vitamin B3, B5, biotin, boron, glycine. Serotonin support. Inositol and/or choline. AVOID: toxins.

Histapenia - (brain overmethylation, low folate) -- B3, C, zinc, B6, folate, B12, B5, B complex, perhaps NAD. Magnesium, manganese, selenium, perhaps molybdenum. Omega 3, E, antioxidants. GABA, choline, valerian, eventually, NAC. AVOID: Copper, methionine, SAMe, phenylalanine, TMG, DMG, 5HTP.

Limit Toxicity

Sugar, Junk food.
Recreational drugs, such as, tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, street drugs. Also, look at medication effects.
Exposure to pesticides, herbicides, organic solvents, or other environmental or industrial toxins.
Excitotoxicity. Prevention is the most effective approach. Avoid MSG, aspartame, and other excitotoxins. May be partly counteracted by: Magnesium, zinc, theanine, resveratrol, taurine, GABA, antioxidants (C, E, selenium, CoQ10, lipoic acid, anthocyanidins, glutathione).
Toxic metals. Excess copper in histapenia, is typically due to metal enzyme dysfunction. In bipolars, high copper is mainly associated with high estrogen in women. Check also, toxic metal accumulation (e.g., mercury, vanadium, lead, aluminum). Therapy may include: zinc, B6, C, E, selenium, glutathione, manganese, molybdenum, antioxidants; eventually, NAC.

Health Considerations

Neurological: Subconvulsive limbic seizures. Receptors (EFAs and phospholipids). Synaptic activity. Mitochondrial issues.
Endocrine dysregulation or imbalance. Hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, pineal, pancreas, sex hormones.
Allergies (wheat, dairy, environmental, etc.).
Digestive function, malabsorption, leaky gut, Candida.
Autoimmune: rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune thyroid, diabetes II, MS, lupus, etc.
Liver, kidneys, immune issues, cardiovascular, organic brain disorders, etc.

Warning: Therapy must be tailored to individual biochemical requirements, including contraindications. If you need treatment for bipolar disorder, or any other medical condition, consult a knowledgable physician. In some cases, this will be an orthomolecular or other nutritionally-oriented physician. For further information, including indications and contraindications for each nutrient, and extensive studies, see: "Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder," available from boragebooks.com