It's been a year since I started using Eva Edelman's “Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder: A Compendium of Nutritional Approaches” published by Borage Books. Everyone of my therapists/doctors has been surprised by the speed of my recovery. I've gone from near-amnesiac to, well, the brain of a forgetful 57 year old. There are bipolar symptoms still - why am I so compulsive??? But I just need a suggestion from a qualified observer that I'm manic (or something) and I've got a way to deal with it. My doctor wants to lower my lithium so she can monitor my progress.
Summary
Edelman's book, which is a manual for practitioners in the field, is truly comprehensive. It covers bipolar AND every co-morbid condition I've been able to identify plus it offers working solutions for all of these conditions.
Bipolar disorder
ADHD
Diabetes
Candida albicans infection
Bipolar disorder is a bucket list of well over a dozen different genetic defects. The book covers under/over methylators and pyluria (mauve urine) and doesn't address the rest. But 85% of bipolars are one of those three. However, the biggest problem with the book are the symptoms. Since, it's for practitioners trained to treat bipolar, the descriptions of the symptoms are sparse at best.
Since I am histadelic (undermethylator) I can only report that the nutritional approaches I've tried have been spot on; correct approach, quantities and duration with outcomes that match the book. It's very close to having a doctor on hand. Or sometimes better. Although I have great doctors, Candida isn't their speciality. Using this book and a fistful of more descriptive books, I self-diagnosed the Candida. The treatment for Candida is dead on and just about the most comprehensive of all the books out there. The only thing missing are the enzymes that digest Candida. The book was published in 2009. It may be the enzymes simply lacked the extensive track record necessary for inclusion.
It turns out most bipolars have nutrition issues, partly because of genetic factors, susceptibility to gut-imbalances (poor digestion, intestinal parasites like Candida) and because the mood imbalance favors poor eating habits (convenience foods).
Undermethylators (histadelics) and over-methylators (histapenics) are mirror – images. What is good for one, is deadly for the other. The following is is for undermethylators only!
My personal must have supplements for histadelics:
A highly bioavailable multi-vitamin. Several are mentioned in the book but my doctor favors Hardy's Essential Nutrients (http://hardynutritionals.com). Bipolars have underpowered metabolic pathways and the vitamins can help shore up these pathways for higher efficiency.
A methyl donor – note – I am bipolar I, there I undermethylate more severely than bipolar II. Be cautious with methylation – sudden changes can induce mania as can overdosing.
methionine (the gentlest) – can take up to six months to take effect. Limited impact although critically important. Compulsive behaviors reduced. Therapeutic dose is 1.5 gm split into 3 doses. Emergency dose is 2-3 gms.
SAMe, s-adenosyl-L-methionine, the most potent, also the most expensive and dangerous. Overdosing with SAMe can convert a histadelic bipolar into a histapenic bipolar. Raise levels slowly.
Betaine (trimethyglycine) – may be helpful if the conditions are right
A serotonin booster – to address depression, anxiety, panic attacks.
Inositol – also known as vitamin B8, produced by the probiotics in gut. If the gut is problematic, inositol will produce results in 15-30 minutes. Otherwise, expect 5-6 hours for the inositol to make it to the brain. Therapeutic dose is 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons. Max dose is 3 tablespoons daily.
magnesium glycinate- if you suffer from anxiety and muscular cramps. Therapeutic dose is 200-400 mg.
Tryptophan – required to make serotonin. However, tryptophan is hard to supplement because other amino acids outcompete tryptophan for entry into the brain. Best to supplement as a free amino acid or eat high tryptophan vegan meals with some carbs on the side (chickpeas/hummus & crackers).
To control mania
Taurine – inhibits the excitatory neural pathways (dopamine, norephinephrine). Best taken in the evening/right before bed. DO NOT TAKE if depressed – it will make depression worse. Taurine will control mania, help insomnia, balance electrolytes, reduce blood glucose, lower cholesterol and possibly help control seizures. Overdosing with taurine will have you so groggy in the morning you start bumping into walls. The therapeutic dose is anywhere from 500 mg to 1.5 gm daily. Use 2-3 gms daily for emergencies. Stop/start gradually.
Kava Kava – one strong dose taken before bed will stop a full blown manic episode. I use 400 mg (this is a fairly mild dose). It is best to avoid using Kava long term. It will damage the liver. Use as suggested on the box and do not use for over one month.
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This is a great book!
This is a great book for anyone wanting to learn more about alternative methods for Bipolar Disorder treatments. Just consider some of the quotes on the back cover from the heavy hitters of nutritional psychiatry. "Every person who values his or her own health and the health of others should have the information you have gathered into such a useful volume. It just may save their lives." -- Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD "Eva Edelman has completed another masterpiece, doing for bipolar disorder what she did for schizophrenia. It's a classic work people will refer to for years to come, and a must-read for anyone interested at all in bipolar disorder." -- Michael Lesser, MD "The best book for informing patients (and their bewildered doctors) about the realities of bipolar disorder that I have read in my entire medical career... A magnificent sequel to her excellent book, Natural Healing for Schizophrenia." -- Bradford S. Weeks, MD "The first comprehensive volume on nutritional approaches for bipolar disorder ever written... required reading for our research and medical staff." -- William J. Walsh, PhD
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2011Format: Paperback
- Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2010Format: Paperback
This is a great book for anyone wanting to learn more about alternative methods for Bipolar Disorder treatments.
Just consider some of the quotes on the back cover from the heavy hitters of nutritional psychiatry.
"Every person who values his or her own health and the health of others should have the information you have gathered into such a useful volume. It just may save their lives." -- Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD
"Eva Edelman has completed another masterpiece, doing for bipolar disorder what she did for schizophrenia. It's a classic work people will refer to for years to come, and a must-read for anyone interested at all in bipolar disorder." -- Michael Lesser, MD
"The best book for informing patients (and their bewildered doctors) about the realities of bipolar disorder that I have read in my entire medical career... A magnificent sequel to her excellent book, Natural Healing for Schizophrenia." -- Bradford S. Weeks, MD
"The first comprehensive volume on nutritional approaches for bipolar disorder ever written... required reading for our research and medical staff." -- William J. Walsh, PhD
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Top reviews from other countries
- Dr Mauro MiceliReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2017
Five Stars
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
