by Lawrence Wilson, MD

BIPOLAR DISORDER AND NUTRITIONAL BALANCING

Among mental health disorders, bipolar or manic-depression disorder is one that responds extremely well to nutritional balancing science, better than most others. This article explains the basis for this problem in terms of biochemical imbalances and in terms of the stress theory of disease.

BASIC CONCEPTS ABOUT BIPOLAR DISORDER

This imbalance is characterized by periods of depression that alternate with periods of high energy or even manic episodes. The two types of feelings may alternate for a few days or longer.

In terms of biochemistry, here are some possible patterns that we see associated with this condition:

1. Slow oxidation. The depression phase is often a slow oxidation pattern. In fact, this is usually the underlying condition in bipolar disorder. Slow oxidation is associated with fatigue, apathy and depression in most cases, at least to some degree. The more extreme the slow oxidation rate, the more extreme the feelings of depression in most cases.

Reasons why a person might then experience manic episodes include the following: copper toxicity, most commonly, other toxic metals, autonomic nervous system imbalances, and other reasons such as an infection that becomes active for a time, or perhaps the presence of a toxic chemical that affects the nervous system, or some other stressor.

2. Fast oxidation. This is a less common pattern seen with bipolar disorder. In this condition, the thyroid and adrenal glands are overactive for some reason. In most adults, the reason is the presence of metals that are either toxic or in a toxic form, such as copper, iron, manganese, aluminum and others.

Fast oxidation can be associated with both mania and depression. The mania is due to an excessively fast rate of metabolism. The depression is due to a feeling of being out of control, unhappy and sometimes is a direct effect of a toxic metal or chemical on the brain.

3. Four highs pattern. This is uncommon, but possible with bipolar disorder. It is a very unstable pattern in which a person can shift between fast and slow oxidation rapidly and easily. We do see this pattern occasionally, however, and it can cause symptoms that are those of bipolar disorder.

4. Four lows pattern. This is a very common pattern seen with bipolar disorder. The underlying effect of the pattern is to cause extreme fatigue and depression. Often the person has a somewhat negative attitude as a result of, or as part of the pattern. However, when calcium and magnesium are low, as they are with this pattern, one is prone to episodes of anxiety, irritability, inability to rest and other symptoms that may be thought of as manic.

5. A copper personality type and copper toxicity syndrome. Bipolar disorder may often be related to some degree with copper toxicity. Copper has the following effects on the central nervous system:

· It can enhance all emotional states, both depression and anxiety, for example.

· It affects the activity of the thyroid and adrenal glands, causing significant changes in a person’s energy level and health status, generally.

· It stimulates the biogenic amines – epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine.

· It is involved in monoamine oxidase, which has to do with serotonin levels.

· It can cause detachment from reality and other tendencies as well.

6. A mercury toxicity syndrome. Mercury toxicity is common and often accompanies copper imbalance, as explained above. Mercury has erratic effects on the central nervous system that are mainly excitatory, but might include episodes of depression as well.

7. A calcium shell plus three or four highs, or a slow on crutches pattern.

WHY DO THE EPISODES OR CYCLES IN BIPOLAR DISORDER OCCUR AND ALTERNATE?

Biochemically, this is not difficult to explain. First, the body goes through cycles of all kinds, all the time. These include an hourly cycle of organ functions, a daily circadian cycle, weekly cycles having to do with certain lifestyle activities, monthly cycles, especially in women, and many others having to do with the seasons, temperature changes, weather changes and others.

What occurs in bipolar disorder is simply that something in one of these cycles triggers a change in the body chemistry, leading to the shift in one’s symptoms. This is not a difficult concept to understand when one realizes that the body is changing all the time at very deep biochemical levels.

For example, during the normal cycles of the body, certain minerals, vitamins, hormones and many other brain-related chemicals are rising and falling, being secreted or excreted in larger and smaller amounts, and so on. If anything goes wrong with this regulatory process, symptoms can occur.

THE NUTRITIONAL BALANCING APPROACH TO BIPOLAR DISORDER

Everyone with bipolar disorder is very toxic, and nutritional depleted, in our experience. We try to avoid all symptomatic approaches, and instead focus on correcting the nutrition, increase the vital mineral stores of the body and reduce its level of toxicity significantly. We also smooth out the bipolar cycles and regulate general body chemistry by balancing the oxidation rate and the major mineral ratios at the cellular level. For this purpose, the test that is needed is a properly performed hair mineral analysis.

Methods we suggest avoiding. We do not like the effects of bioidentical hormones, which we find very harmful. We also do not use pharmaceutical drugs, as they are not usually needed. We do not need or like chelation therapy of any kind, whether natural or synthetic, oral, intravenous or by suppository. We also avoid single amino acid therapy as it can be harmful as well. Now and then, neurotransmitter precursor therapy can be helpful for temporary stabilization in some cases. However, it, too, is rarely needed.

While each person is somewhat different, results are often felt in a few days to a few weeks with nutritional balancing science. Most people report excellent results that are permanent, providing one remains on a healthful diet and follows a healthful lifestyle. In most cases, it is not necessary to continue with a full supplement program for more than a year or so.

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