Nutrition and Mania: Zinc, Pyroluria, Root Causes

Because it is mania season for most, I have taken the occasion to very briefly introduce a few vitamins and minerals which tend to calm brain overstimulation. Soon we will proceed to inhibitory aminos.

Before going on with these symptomatic tidbits, I would like to emphasize the ultimate importance of getting to the deepest underlying influences.

For example, for a certain subset of manics with pyroluria, just taking zinc would be less effective than therapy completely addressing the pyrrole disorder. More later.

For a wider perspective on underlying influences, see my Table of Contents,
and my book, Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder

Note: This blog necessarily presents only the most cursory notes on nutritional approaches. Its purpose is solely educational, with the hope of sparking your curiosity to learn more. 
If you need treatment, please seek the services of a knowledgeable physician.

Nutrients and Bipolar Mania: Reactions to high doses

Orthomolecular medicine used to be called Megavitamin therapy. As the name suggests, the approach, in general, is to bring dosage toward the level that has the optimum positive effect.

But how do you know if you have too much?

I am not going to cover all indications, contraindications, etc. For more complete discussions, see my book.  (And do consult a knowledgeable physician for treatment.)

Meanwhile, here are some easy-to-notice reactions to too much
of the nutrients we've already talked about:

Vitamin C - diarrhea.

Magnesium - (1) diarrhea; (2) some potential for oversedation; especially with a magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) bath (which is inadvisable if also taking sedative psych meds or herbs).

Vitamin D - (1) insomnia (especially if taken later in the day); (2) overstimulation (e.g., usually with many thousands of mg.)

Zinc -  (1) nausea, though this may just be due to not enough B6; (2) with very high doses, oversedation. See the next entry.

Nutrients and Bipolar Mania: Overview

Before proceeding further on nutrients and mania, here is a general overview of  investigational targets. 

Note: Only some of these would be relevant for any given individual. 

Minerals: magnesium glycinate, zinc, trace-mineral-dose lithium orotate, etc. May need to restrict copper and/or iron.
Inhibitory aminos: taurine (plus zinc), GABA (especially with histapenia or pyroluria), glycine (pyroluria). Perhaps, serotonin precursors.
B1, B3, B6, or other B vitamins.
Vitamin C. Other antioxidants.
Choline. Perhaps, omega 3 and/or GLA.
Kava (especially with histadelia), valerian (histapenia), theanine, skullcap, Bach Rescue Remedy, passion flower.
Moderate thyroid overactivity; support blood sugar and adrenal balance.
Treat histapenia, pyroluria, MT disorder, etc..
Attend to Candida, allergies, toxicity, malabsorption, immune, neurological, and other health issues.
Decrease stressors (e.g., quiet, darkened room; regular meals, sleep, etc).
Increase support with seasonal change and other stressors.

Important: These investigational targets should not to be construed as treatment directives. This material is presented for educational purposes only. 
 

Remember that therapy must be tailored to each individual's unique biochemical requirements, including contraindications. So if you need treatment for bipolar disorder, or any other medical condition, consult a knowledgeable physician. In some cases, this will be an orthomolecular or other nutritionally-oriented physician. 

For further info, see:"Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder," available from boragebooks.com

Nutrients and Bipolar Mania: Magnesium: Some of the research

Some of the research:

Weston, 1921 — IV magnesium sulfate produced relaxation, sleep, and sedation in 50 patients with mania, agitation or agitated depression.

Blabicher 1997 — IV magnesium sulfate was effective as an adjunct for severe mania.

Heiden 1999 — seven of ten severely agitated treatment-resistant manics improved markedly on up to 23 days of IV magnesium sulfate, added to medication. Neuroleptic and benzo doses were able to be significantly reduced.

Giannini 2000 — magnesium oxide augmentation of verapamil was significantly more effective for mania as compared to controls on the drug alone.

Chouinard 1990 —  response in at least 50% of severe, treatment-resistant, rapid cyclers was equivalent to, or better than, that to lithium.