Some vitamins and supplements have more evidence of their effectiveness for bipolar disorder than others. Here are seven options that can be considered, according to experts. Be sure to talk to your doctor before adding a supplement to your treatment plan.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that your body should work at its best. They are beneficial for the health of the heart and the brain.
Foods or supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids seem to improve bipolar symptoms in people who consume them, according to a systematic review of 33 studies related to nutrition and bipolar disorder.
“This review highlights encouraging data,” explains Khan. “However, many of the tests mentioned suffer from small sample sizes, short durations and lack of replication.”
Current research suggests that people with bipolar depression (instead of mania) and those with low omega-3 levels could benefit the most from supplementation, Khan explains. But the differences in the dosage and the variety of populations of patients studied (such as bipolar i vs bipolar II, two different subtypes of the disorder) make it difficult to determine exactly who would benefit most from omega-3 supplements.
“Until more conclusive research is available, omega-3s can be considered in complete safety as a complementary treatment, especially in those who have a low food intake or depressive symptoms, but must not completely replace standard psychiatric care,” explains Khan.
2. Folic (vitamin B9)
Folate (vitamin B9) helps your cells grow and stay healthy. The synthetic form of the folate, called folic acid, is used in supplements.
Overall, there is limited research linked to B vitamins such as folate and bipolar disorder. A study revealed an association between low levels of folic acid and bipolar disorder.
In a journal, investigators reported that 3 Folate supplements of 3 milligrams (MG) were effective and safe when used with drugs to treat mania among people with bipolar I disorder, which is a subtype of bipolar disorder that involves manic episodes and sometimes depressed episodes.
Additional research with longer monitoring is necessary to confirm these results, notes the review. Khan agrees, quoting the need for studies with more important sizes and durations of samples.
A recent randomized controlled trial also supported the short -term use of the Folate as a beneficial additional medication in the treatment of acute manic episodes in bipolar I disorder, noting that additional research is necessary. Khan also highlights the importance of studying more people over longer periods to obtain clearer and more reliable results.
In addition, taking folate supplements in addition to the traditional treatment of bipolar disorder seems to be significantly better than taking a placebo for depressive symptoms in people with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder (TDM), according to a systematic review of Folate Studies for mental health.
In the end, for people with bipolar disorder, confirmed a folate deficiency or variations in genes, supplementation can be considered, ideally under close surveillance of an experienced health care provider, explains Khan. “However, more targeted research is necessary before the use of routine is notified,” he explains.
3. N-acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant that can help prevent cancer and is often used to treat the poisoning of acetaminophen.
Some studies have not shown no advantage of NAC supplements for bipolar disorder. But an examination of six clinical trials suggested that taking NAC supplements in addition to standard treatments for bipolar depression was better than placebo. More important studies are necessary to confirm these results, have written the researchers.
According to Khan, these studies have several forces, notably moderate sample sizes, randomized controlled conceptions (the ordered stallion for research) and longer study periods. However, he says that the results are mixed and that the exact way of the NAC still works fully understood, so additional research is necessary.
“NAC seems to be safe and potentially beneficial in addition to standard treatments, in particular for bipolar depression,” explains Khan. “However, it should also be used with realistic expectations and not as a primary treatment strategy.”
4. Vitamin D
The vitamin of help your intestine absorb calcium and maintain calcium levels suitable for bone health. It is naturally found in foods such as trout and salmon, added to foods like milk, and naturally produces in the body when your skin is exposed to the sun’s rays.
Recent meta-analysis has revealed that vitamin D supplementation has an advantage of improving depressive symptoms in adults with a major depressive disorder, but the effect was only observed in adults with higher basic vitamin D levels, and additional research is necessary. It is not clear if the results could apply to bipolar disorder as well as a major depressive disorder.
“The evidence is not consistent in quality with heterogeneity in the size, population and design of the study,” explains Hamilton Gaiani, MD, double-sided psychiatrist and Firepit Health in New Haven, Connecticut. It is more difficult to understand the potential advantages of vitamin D supplements, he explains.
What does this mean for you? “Patients must be detected for vitamin D status before supplementation, and supplementation must be used in addition to other standard treatments, not replacement,” explains Dr. Gaiani.
Vitamin D is soluble fat, which means that it is stored in the fatty tissues of the body and the liver, and can accumulate in the body, so the level can become toxic. He should never be taken without instruction and surveillance by a doctor.
5. Coenzyme Q10 (COQ10)
Coenzyme Q10 (COQ10) is an antioxidant that helps keep the cells of your body healthy.
In a clinical trial, 200 mg of COQ10 per day, taken alongside standard mood stabilizers and antidepressant drugs, were better than placebo to reduce bipolar depression over eight weeks.
The authors of the study have hypothesized that the COQ10 can benefit from bipolar depression due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Previous research has shown that inflammation can play a role in developing bipolar depression, they have noted.
This research is limited, but promising, explains Gaiani. “The sample sizes are small and larger studies are necessary to establish its effectiveness.”
Although there are indices that the COQ10 is neuroprotective, it should only be taken under medical supervision in addition to the standard treatment, he says.
6. Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral your body needs to keep your muscles, bones, nerves, blood pressure and healthy blood sugar.
Research suggests that magnesium levels are lowered during several mental disorders, in particular depression, notes a systematic review of 32 studies.
The journal also revealed that magnesium supplementation could potentially be beneficial in the treatment of depression, but notes that more research is necessary, including larger and more homogeneous studies. It is not clear either if magnesium supplements could be as useful for bipolar depression as for major depressive disorder.
Another systematic review has also revealed that magnesium supplementation can have a beneficial effect on depression, but notes that future high -quality randomized controlled trials with larger sample sample sample are necessary.
Gaiani underlines the need for greater studies to determine whether these advantages are resistant to wider populations.
“Although the evidence is incoherent, the positive results repeated in small studies suggest that it can be useful as a complement,” he said. “As a relatively low risk medication, magnesium supplementation is generally a safe supplement to treatment, especially in the event of a deficiency.”
7. Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that the brain does in response to darkness, sending important signals to your body that it is time to sleep. Melatonin supplements are most often used as a sleeping pill.
Up to 70% of people with bipolar disorders experience insomnia. An article suggests that there is a scientific justification to propose to take melatonin (in addition to standard treatments for bipolar disorder) in order to treat sleep disorders in bipolar disorder. The article also notes that this could possibly prevent relapses in bipolar disorder, as sleep problems can be a sign of a next episode in mood.
Gaiani is suitable that research suggests that melatonin can be useful to improve the quality of sleep and tackle the disturbances of the circadian rhythm often observed in bipolar disorder. However, he notes that his proofs of treatment for basic mood symptoms are lower.
Another systematic review notes that there are few studies examining drug interventions for sleep disorders in bipolar disorder, and suggests that melatonin can be a promising candidate to treat the manic stage of bipolar depression in conjunction with standard treatments. But studies with greater samples are necessary, according to the authors of the journal.
In addition, as these results are mixed, melatonin should be used with caution, especially in the manic state, because it may not be ideal for all patients, explains Gaiani. “It is useful to improve sleep hygiene, but must always be launched under the supervision of the psychiatrist,” he explains.
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