Nutrition & Manic Depression

Manic depression is a mental disorder characterized by dramatic mood changes that go far beyond an ordinary day's ups and downs. At one end of the spectrum, the person experiences extreme elevation or irritability, then can fall into classic symptoms of depression.

Considerations

• Eating turkey is said to have positive effects on fighting depression.

  In their book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Drs. James and Phyllis Balch make particular dietary suggestions for manic depressives--avoid sugar, dairy products, alcohol, soda and caffeine. They also recommend whitefish and turkey at least twice a week.

Medications

• Depression medications often cause weight gain.

  Manic depression medicines tend to cause weight gain. This unhealthy state underscores the need for a focused dietary approach in dealing with the disease.

Nutrition

• To lessen the episodes of manic depression, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" calls for high doses of vitamin B complex, amino acids like taurine and tyrosine, as well as zinc, calcium, and vitamin C.

Tryptophan

• The amino acid tryptophan has a similar effect on the neurotransmitter serotonin as drugs like Zoloft and Prozac. Available only by prescription in the United States, tryptophan was popular in the 1980s for treating depression and insomnia.

The Facts

• Manic depression is no death sentence. Throughout history, dozens of well-known people led productive lives in spite of the disease. A few include Winston Churchill and Mark Twain.