How to Treat Bipolar Disorder Naturally

Nutritional supplements are sometimes used to treat bipolar disorder, though it is important to discuss any changes to your treatment with your doctor. These nutritional methods are not meant to replace your medication or therapy sessions and are generally used to naturally complement these traditional approaches.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Treat Bipolar Disorder Through Nutrition

1. Add more amino acids to your diet. Amino acids keep the body healthy by building protein everywhere from our muscles to our bones and skin. They are also involved in managing our brain function and fighting off depression. The body produces some of its own amino acids, but the others must be found through the things you eat and drink.

2. Take nutritional supplements of taurine, an amino acid, in dosages as recommended by your doctor. Taurine helps relieve anxiety and curb excessive energy, which can be especially helpful in treating bipolar disorder. Taurine has a sedating effect so it is important to monitor the amount that you take, as too high a dosage could actually cause symptoms of depression.

3. Incorporate tyrosine nutritional supplements into your diet. Tyrosine is another amino acid that may help treat depression and improve alertness and memory retention in the brain. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about using tyrosine, as it raises the body's blood pressure and may not be appropriate for you to use in treating your bipolar disorder.

4. Use lecithin, a nutrient found in fatty foods, to help stabilize your mood and support the development of your brain, especially if you are a young person. Lecithin is sold in pill or grain form, which can be mixed into other foods or liquids, such as smoothies. Lecithin must be refrigerated to stay fresh and safe for use.

5. Consider taking a gaba amino butyric acid supplement if you suffer from insomnia, especially if your lack of sleep is due to anxiety or nervous energy. This nutritional supplement may help naturally relieve stress and allow you to get consistent and continuous amounts of sleep. Gaba amino butyric acid should not be taken without consulting your doctor first, and you should stop taking it if you experience a numb sensation in your feet or hands or have trouble catching your breath.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit your local health food store or supermarket to purchase nutritional supplements. Though many necessary vitamins and minerals are likely to be found naturally in the food you eat each day, it is often helpful to use dietary supplements to ensure your body gets a specific quantity of nutrients each day. Nutritional supplements are sold in many different forms, such as pill tablets and capsules, powder and liquid.