Mania Vitamins: Attention to Potency of Therapy

Thoughts on mania

Our brains feed on stimulation. New experiences, and ideas, and learning in general, are exciting.
But with mania, excitement comes without the counterbalance. So one cannot distinguish whether one idea is more relevant than another. And information can come so fast, that it cannot be integrated with past knowledge. Eventually, neurotransmitter pathways can be so overloaded that neurons do not have time to recover between messages.
Essentially, excitatory messaging and/or second-messaging predominate, excluding inhibitory activity needed to maintain useful function.

A severe enough mania can elude an arsenal of potent meds (even the more powerful herbs).
And even when you are able to suppress the mania, research is beginning to suggest that by attacking aggressively (perhaps, especially with substances not intrinsic to brain biochemistry) you may have set the stage for bipolar deterioration longterm.

Acute manias and vitamins
On the other hand, orthomolecular physicians are finding that nutrient therapies which nourish inhibitory mechanisms and normalize excitatory systems tend to work increasingly well with time, while usually proceeding gradually enough* to sidestep the above mania escalation and chronic repercussions.

See my posts here on inhibitory aminos, from June 21 to Aug 24, 2010, and also the outline of Mania and Stabilization info at the top of the Borage Books Nutrient Summary page.

* Nonetheless, in some cases, e.g., with violence or heart problems, a more rapid improvement may be necessary. See previous post on IV therapies.

Addressing root causes
Aside from resolving acute episodes,  ferreting out and addressing root causes (e.g., methylation imbalances, hormonal issues, pyroluria, problems with metal metabolism, etc.) is particularly important to long-term mood stability. See Ongoing Mood Stability, Biotypes, Toxicity, and Health at the bottom of the Borage Books Nutrient Summary page.

For further details, including contraindications, see my book, Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder.

Reminder: This information is presented for educational purposes only, and should not be construed as treatment recommendations. Treatments should be fine-tuned to individual biochemical requirements. Also note: sudden changes in medications can be disastrous. See:
http://naturalhealingforbipolardisorder.blogspot.com/2010/04/nutrient-approaches-for-bipolar-and.html
If you have concerns about meds, or if you need treatment for mania, bipolar, or any other medical condition, please consult a knowledgeable physician.

Bipolar Depression: Histadelia Nutrients

Additional histadelia nutrients next post. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, for a more complete overview, see my site and my book Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar depression: Histadelia treatment

Again, histadelia can look like bipolar, bipolar depression, psychotic depression, obsessive compulsive, schizoaffective, dual diagnosis, or (especially if also pyroluric) conduct disorders.

For an overview of symptoms and therapeutic nutrients, see these concise descriptions of the biotypes by Dr. William Walsh. Histadelia is first:
http://alternativementalhealth.com/articles/commoncauses.htm

For histadelia subgroups and more details on the approach of Dr. Walsh,
see this page from Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder.

Note: Histadelics do better if isolation and loneliness can be reduced, and if they can be effectively supported in continuing to take vitamins and avoid addictions.

For more info, see boragebooks.com

Reminder: These are general summaries presented to educate the public and are not treatment recommendations. Treatment depends on the individual's unique biochemistry and response pattern. Attention to contraindications is essential.  If you need treatment for histadelia, bipolar, or any other medical condition, please consult a knowledgeable physician.

Nutritional Approaches for Bipolar Disorder: Overview

Now that we're faced with autumn I'm going to focus more on mood-elevating vitamins/nutrients.
To start,  you may want to review my overview of investigational targets:
Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder: Nutritional Approaches on the Borage Books website.

For fuller descriptions, as well as lab tests, contraindications, studies, etc.,
See my book, Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder.
You can buy it here.

Manic psychosis: Vitamin B3 and Vitamin C

Megavitamin Therapy (which evolved into, Orthomolecular Psychiatry) began with the Hoffer/Osmond research into niacin (a form of vitamin B3) and vitamin C. See my post at: http://naturalhealingforschizophrenia.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-did-orthomolecular-psychiatry-begin.html

Over the next half century, although other supportive nutrients have been discovered, orthomolecular physicians and researchers have continued to find megadose vitamin B3 and megadose vitamin C to be major therapeutic agents for most adult psychoses,* including manic and depressive psychoses. This applies to all biotypes, even histadelia (more on biotypes later). 

That is, niacin and C, within the context of a complex of indicated nutrients, health therapies, and other treatments, as per individual biochemical requirements, including contraindications.

For references, consult the literature, and see my books, Natural Healing for Schizophrenia and Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder.

Caution: My blog entries are solely educational. If you need treatment, consult a knowledgeable physician.

* Some exceptions: for pyrolurics and for young people, B6 or B6 plus B3, may often be more effective than B3 alone.

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: Magnesium as a Calcium Channel Blocker

Magnesium, is our major natural calcium channel blocker. 
 
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) inactivate calcium channels, reducing calcium entrance into the cell and increasing levels without (e.g., serum), generally increasing inhibition.


Pharmaceutical trials suggest CCBs support mood stabilization in some bipolars, particularly rapid, and ultra rapid cyclers. and may be most effective in mania, Some studies suggests preventive benefit, particularly when used with lithium.


Magnesium, similarly, controls calcium pumps and blocks calcium uptake to the nerve cell, reducing stimulation, and seems to convey similar effects on mood.

See Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder for references and further discussion.

Some preliminary indications of nutritional outcome

Critical single nutrients
A number of small controlled or double blind studies restricted to specific critical nutrients (e.g., omega 3, various aminos, magnesium, vitamin C, etc.) have suggested considerable improvement, often comparable to pharmaceuticals short-term, and with a better profile long-term.*

Outcome with multiple nutrients
Not all isolated nutrients will be as effective Clinical results suggest multiple nutrients, accurately tailored to individual biochemical requirements, have the potential to compound the benefit significantly.

Thus, work with bipolars who fit certain "biotypes" is promising:
From accumulated data on over 1800 bipolars, given at least 90 lab assays each, Dr. William J. Walsh reports that of the approximately 80% of bipolars with biotype imbalances, 70% of those who stuck with the nutrient program (always an issue with bipolars) improved significantly; 50% eventually recovered to the extent that their physicians weaned them off medication. Results were best when biotype treatment was begun early. This may represent the best well-substantiated bipolar outcome thus far, whatever the treatment, either nutritionally or pharmaceutically-based. (Walsh 2007, 08)

Dr. Michael Lesser, MD, one of the early orthomolecular pioneers, similarly finds nutrient treatment  addressing biotype, other nutrient imbalances, blood sugar, allergies, immune status, liver function, etc, is successful in up to 85% of bipolars, "as long as the patient is dedicated to following treatment, and the family, supportive."  He states: "If they really cooperate, a tremendous amount can be done. Most can eventually go off medication. Others need minimal maintenance, but can work, go to school and do fine. Even if patients become frustrated, stop therapy, and go downhill, the overall outcome is still better than if they hadn't tried at all, because they have had the experience of the temporary gains." (Lesser 2008)


For more information, see Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder

Warning: Intake of nutrients does not imply a change in medication, although with nutrient-based improvement, many physicians will cautiously reduce dosage.  The information in this blog is presented for education purposes only. 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 instance:
Stoll AL, Severus WE, . Marangell LB, “Omega 3 Fatty Acids in Bipolar Disorder: A Preliminary Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial,” Arch Gen Psychiatry, 56 (5): 407-12; May 1999. 
Kay DS, Naylor GJ, Smith AH, Greenwood C., “The therapeutic effect of ascorbic acid and EDTA in manic-depressive psychosis: double-blind comparisons with standard treatments,” Psychol Med, (14): 533-9; 1984.
Poldinger W, Calanchini B, Schwarz W, A functional-dimensional approach to depression: Serotonin deficiency and target syndrome in a comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan and fluvoxamine, Psychopathology, 24(2):53-81; 1991.
Heiden, et al, “Treatment of severe mania with intravenous magnesium sulphate as a supplementary therapy,” Psychiatry Res, 89(3):239-46; 1999.

Nutritional therapies: Three Major Approaches

Nutritional therapies typically involve some combination of the following approaches, tailored to individual biochemical requirements:


1 Symptomatic: Nutrients are used to directly address mood.

     Stabilizing nutrients, usually lifelong, layered with mood-specific nutrients, when needed.

      For example, for bipolar depression: continue stabilizing nutrients; layer upon these, relevant antidepressant nutrients, using as mild a therapy as practical; taper off as symptoms remit.

Note: This approach is structurally similar to the mainstream pharmaceutical protocol (generally, mood stabilizers, lifelong, layered with mood and symptom-specific medication, when indicated). 
 


2 Nutrients to address relevant bipolar biotypes:

     Imbalances in neurotransmitter methylation.

     Pyrrole disorder.

     Metal metabolism issues.



3 Nutrient therapy for other underlying factors. These may involve:

    Specific nutrient requirements and/or imbalances.

    Health issues, e.g., allergies, blood sugar issues, hormonal balances,  Candida, malabsorption, seizures, toxicity, etc.

    Natural therapies to address diet, stress, and other lifestyle factors.

For more information, see Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder

http:///www.boragebooks.com/bipolar.html


 
Warning: Intake of nutrients does not imply a change in medication, although with nutrient-based improvement, many physicians will cautiously reduce dosage.  The information in this blog is presented for education purposes only. 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.

Why nutrients should be considered the first line of defense

1. The brain is physically made of and runs on nutrients. So nutrients have a profound influence on its function.

2 Our soils are so depleted, the  environment so toxic, addiction and junk food so prevalent, and nature so devastated, that our brains can no longer get sufficient nourishment. Some of us are especially vulnerable.

3 Mental illness is generally less pronounced and ends sooner in regions where people eat indigenous foods and are not given psychiatric drugs.

4 Mental symptoms in certain vitamin deficiency diseases are medically established to respond to supplements.  (For instance, the depression, anxiety, and psychosis of  pellagra are healed by vitamin B3 and tryptophan; similar symptoms in scurvy are healed by vitamin C; alcoholic psychosis responds to vitamin B1.)

5 Orthomolecular (nutritional) research and practice, developed across the world over the past half century, shows 75-85% recovery or great improvement in schizophrenia when caught within the first few years of illness (recovery to the extent that people are able to go back to what they were doing before they became ill); and good improvement in people ill for a substantial time. Similar improvement is emerging with mood disorders, behavior disorders, hyperactivity, and others.

Disclaimer: The addition of nutrients does not mean medication should be stopped. In fact, stopping or reducing psychiatric drugs can be highly risky, even more so if done abruptly. Orthomolecular psychiatrists generally tie drug reductions to nutrient-based improvement, and proceed cautiously with any changes. Particular care is warranted for bipolars. If you contemplate such a course, please work with a knowledgeable physician.

http://www.naturalhealingforbipolardisorder.com
http://www.boragebooks.com