Natrual BiPolar Treatment?


 Hello Dr. Passero. Im a 53 yr old F, diagnosed with BiPolar Disorder in Jan. 02. I believe Ive been bipolar since I was a teen... Id been treated for depression since then, but I didnt know to tell of my highs, and no one asked, until 6 yrs ago. I have been on 21 different psych meds. They either make me sick, or stop working after a while 6 mos. 13 mos. Presently I am on Lamictal, Cymbalta, Lithium Carbonate & Klonepin. I want to get off all of them, hopefully, or at least the Lamictal. My husband and 900 others lost their Earthlink jobs on Dec. 21st. Im on Medicare due to disability. We have no insurance. I cant get Lamictal refilled, it costs $462.00 for 30 day supply at WalMart more at other places I checked. For some yrs I used St. Johns Wort with a special mix of vitamins & amino acids. It helped w/ the depression, but didnt stop the mood swings. Are there any natural supplements that help deal with bipolar? Thank you for your time. Joyce Kniss

 

Dear Joyce,

 

There are some very important things to consider when supporting your moods using natural strategies. 

St. John's Wort can be helpful for mild to moderate depression but has not shown been well researched for the manic phases associated with bi-polar.  In addition, you need to be very careful about taking St. John's Wort when you are on other medications that affect serotonin levels like the Cymbalta.  There is a rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome that occurs when serotonin levels become too high. 

Other natural supplements to consider for mood support include fish oil, b-complex vitamins, SAMe, vitamin D and amino acids like 5-HTP and tyrosine.

Very few other natural supplements have been better studied than fish oil particularly for mood disorders.  The omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil are very important for supporting the brain and neurological system.  Good old fashion Cod Liver Oil is often the best because it is very economical and naturally contains high amounts of both DHA and EPA.  Most studies suggest that a therapeutic dose should be somewhere around 2,000mg-5,000mg per day.  It is best taken on a full stomach and should be refrigerated after opening.  Remember to be patient because fish oil supplementation may take up to 8 months to make a difference due to the slow turnover of cells in the neurological system.  

B-Complex vitamins are very important for helping the body to produce energy and cope with stress.  Additionally, most of the enzymes our bodies use to produce brain neurotransmitters need b vitamins to work properly. 

SAMe is another nutrient that has a good tract record with addressing depression symptoms.  There are some concerns that like St. John’s Wort SAMe can also boost serotonin levels which can be dangerous if you are taking another medication that has the same action.  If you want to try it, discuss it with your doctor or someone qualified to monitor any potential negative interactions.

Vitamin D research has become very public in the past 2-3 years.  Scientists and doctors are realizing the dramatic effects it has on health and this is not just limited to bone health.  Vitamin D has been shown to be a significant contributor to regulating optimal moods.  What is even more remarkable about vitamin D is that it is estimated up to 85% of Americas have a serious deficiency.  Spending more time indoors and using sunscreen when we are outside drastically reduces the opportunities our body has to make this important nutrient.  My best advice is to ask your doctor to do a blood test to determine what your vitamin D3 levels are.  This is very helpful to determine the level of supplementation that will be necessary to correct any problems.  Another quick note to remember is that Vitamin D3 is the preferred form of supplementation and make sure that when you ask for the blood test you ask to have your Vitamin D3 levels checked.  Some supplements offer Vitamin D2 which does not have the same beneficial health effects.

5-HTP and tyrosine are supplements that support the body in producing important brain neurotransmitters such as serotonin and catacholamines including dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine.  Again, there is concern using 5-HTP with a serotonin boosting medication like Cymbalta so if you decide to try it, make sure you are doing it under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. 

Diet can also be an important factor.  Make sure you are eating plenty of protein at every meal because this will help to keep your blood sugar levels stable.  Sharp rises and falls in blood sugar levels can dramatically impact mood.  So eat regular meals at regular intervals and be sure to get plenty of good quality protein like fish, chicken and turkey.  Also avoid foods high in sugar and ones that are highly processed.       

  

 



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As a certified and fully trained Naturopathic Doctor, Passero has trained and preceptored with some of the nation's leading doctors in the field of natural medicine, working under the guidance of MD’s, Chiropractors, Naturopaths and Acupuncturists. Furthermore, he is currently the Vice President of the Maryland Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

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