Nutrient therapy for bipolar illness is explained by William Walsh, PhD, in a YouTube presentation dated August, 2016. Of the many patients tested and treated, 72% report improvement. Many are low in zinc and or high in copper, and may also have deficiencies in magnesium, calcium, selenium and other trace minerals. Essential fatty acids are important. The calming compound GABA requires vitamin B6 and zinc. Dr. Walsh also trains physicians who wish to specialize in nutritional therapies for bipolar, schizophrenia, autism and other mental conditions. The Walsh Institute can help you find your nearest therapist.

Copper is easily absorbed from copper water pipes, chocolate, tea and coffee. People who have excess copper in their body may have Wilson’s disease. They will need both blood tests and 24 hour urine collections to determine the ratio of zinc and copper as part of the diagnostic and treatment process. There is an online website to calculate the ratio. See http://www.wilsonsdisease.org/for-patients-families/lab-tracker-copper-calculator.

Persons whose body temperature is consistently below 98.6°F will benefit from reading about Wilson’s syndrome and requesting four tests of thyroid function: free T4, free T3, TSH and reverse T3. Excess thyroid activity can contribute to manic-like symptoms and deficiency can appear to be depression. The ratio of free T3 divided by reverse T3 is important for diagnosis and treatment. to function properly, the thyroid may need additional nutrients.

In addition, hormonal changes in women appear to contribute to bipolar illness. Women who have experienced illness after delivering a child, or during or after menopause, will benefit from learning about estrogen dominance and the importance of progesterone. Dr. Michael Lam, MD, MPH, states that in women the proper balance of adrenal, thyroid and ovarian hormones is important. For diagnosis, a detailed history is extremely important. Your internist or obstetrician-gynecologist may be the best person to help you with hormone testing and therapy; however, due to some flawed research, some doctors have taken hormone replacement therapy away from their patients. If you have a family history of osteoporosis, you are wise to insist on estrogen (and probably progesterone) hormone replacement and even may need to change doctors.

Because of genetic differences, different people need differing amounts of certain nutrients required by their body for their best functioning. When possible, try to get the required amount from organically grown whole foods. Keep track of your food intake and compare it to the recommended amounts of daily food. Be happy. Be well. You have my best wishes for 2017.