“Previously referred to as manic depression, bipolar disorder is a serious and often debilitating mental illness. There are two types of the disorder, I and II. Bipolar disorder I features periods of euphoria (elation) and mania (overexcitement) that alternate with periods of depression. In some cases, the mania is accompanied by psychosis, an impaired view of reality. Bipolar disorder II features alternating periods of depression and hypomania (a milder form of mania). Bipolar disorder affects about 2.3 million adults in the United States, negatively influencing health, careers, and relationships. Bipolar disorder has been reported in children as young as 6 years old.” (”Bipolar disorder,” Vol118,No6, Dec2005, POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE, postgradmed.com) There is no known cause and modern medicine has no cure. However, specific nutrients may address the condition and alter it favorably.

“Preliminary findings in people with manic depression (bipolar disorder) link fish oil supplementation to fewer mood swings. Some experts even contend that the rising tide of depression in the United States can be traced to the increasingly fish-poor diet people tend to follow.” (wholehealthmd.com,citing Fish Oils May Benefit Manic Depression; Andrew L. Stoll, W. Emanuel Severus, Marlene P. Freeman, Stephanie Rueter, Holly A. Zboyan, Eli Diamond, Kimberly K. Cress, Lauren B. Marangell, which states: Previous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids possess the ability to dampen the signaling between the nerve cells, which can be hyperactive in bipolar patients. How fatty acids do this is not clear. Scientists speculate that as the omega-3s get incorporated into cell membranes they can alter the physical and chemical properties of the membranes, including those of nerve cells. According to the researchers: “Omega-3 fatty acids may prove to be efficacious, well-tolerated, inexpensive, and desirable mood stabilizing compounds.”

“Additional Findings
The fish oil group had a significantly longer period of remission from symptoms than the placebo group did. In addition, the patients taking fish oil supplements did better on various psychological tests concerning both depression and mania.“
“In a preliminary study, manic-depressive patients given omega-3 fatty acid had significantly longer remissions and performed better on four symptom-severity scales than the placebo group, according to an article in this month’s issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
The researchers studied 30 patients with manic depressive illness in a four-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids (obtained from plant or marine sources, such as fish oil) versus placebo (olive oil) for treatment of manic depressive-illness.
According to lead author Andrew Stoll, M.D., and colleagues, manic-depressive illness is a common neuropsychiatic illness with a high morbidity and mortality.
“If further studies confirm their efficacy in bipolar disorder, omega-3 fatty acids may represent a new class of membrane-active psychotropic compounds and may herald the advent of a new class of rationally designed, mood-stabilising drugs,” the researchers conclude. ”
(“Researchers Look To Omega-3 Fatty Acid For Manic Depression Treatment, CHICAGO, IL – May 13, 1999)
“In numerous studies, the elongated omega-3 fats found in cod liver oil have been shown to improve brain function, memory, stress response, immune response, allergies, asthma, learning and behavioral disorders, including bipolar syndrome and manic-depression.”
(http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/codliveroil.html:
Cod Liver Oil, the Number One Superfood, By Krispin Sullivan, CN)
“Researchers at Harvard Medical School have successfully used fish oil supplementation to treat bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) and British researchers report encouraging results in the treatment of schizophrenia.” (mercola.com, citing: 1. Edwards, R., et al. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in the diet and in red blood cell membranes of depressed patients. Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 48, March 1998, pp. 149-55; 2. Hibbeln, Joseph R. Fish consumption and major depression. The Lancet, Vol. 351, April 18, 1998, p. 1213 (correspondence); 3. Hibbeln, Joseph R. and Salem, Norman. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and depression: when cholesterol does not satisfy. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 62, July 1995, pp. 1-9; 4. Stoll, Andrew L., et al. Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, Vol. 56, May 1999, pp. 407-12 and pp. 415-16 (commentary); 5. Calabrese, Joseph R., et al. Fish oils and bipolar disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, Vol. 56, May 1999, pp. 413-14 (commentary); 6. Laugharne, J.D.E., et al. Fatty acids and schizophrenia. Lipids, Vol. 31 (suppl), 1996, pp. S163-S65)

In addition to fish oils, other nutrients that benefit brain activity and address mood swings include vitamin B complex in food form (BFood Complex, NutriPlex Formulas), minerals, and perhaps detoxification.

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