Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition associated with mood swings that range from extreme lows to extreme highs. Most patients with this condition tend to become dangerous, suicidal, violent, and self-harmful when experiencing their lows. There is no cure for this condition as of date, but it can be controlled and managed through changes in lifestyle, diet, medication, and behavior.

Here are some foods that can help manage bipolar disorder.

Whole grains

• Eating whole grains is good for your physical health and works wonders for your mental health as well.
• They have a calming effect on your mind due to the increased production of serotonin in your brain. This chemical can soothe your anxiety.
• Whole-grain foods include
  • Whole-grain crackers
  • Whole grain pasta
  • Whole grain toast
  • Brown rice
  • Oatmeal

Selenium

• Selenium is a trace element that works great for your brain.
• It helps to stabilize your mood and relieve you of anxiety and depression.
• You can find selenium in
  • tuna, halibut, sardines, brazil nuts
  • Ham
  • Beef liver
  • Turkey
  • Shrimp

Saffron

• This ingredient is a staple spice in places like India due to its calming effect and antidepressant properties.
• Research has found that saffron works as well as Prozac (an antidepressant) against depression.

Dark Chocolate

• Dark chocolate is comfort food for most people and has great benefits for mental health improvement.
• It has calming effects on the mind and anti-stress characteristics.

Chamomile tea

• Herbal tea is an excellent remedy for insomnia and anxiety.
• Chamomile tea is a great example of a herbal tea remedy for bipolar patients.
• Chamomile helps relieve depression, as well.
• Add some warmth to your chamomile tea to boost your mood and calm your mind on a rough day to instantly feel better.

Probiotics

• While certain strains of bacteria can keep you in bed for several days, others coexist harmoniously with you while providing great physical and mental benefits.
• Healthy bacteria are found to control the state of your emotional health by releasing stress hormones or calming chemicals.
• Tipping the scales in favor of calming chemicals can be done by ingesting some probiotics
• Some foods that contain probiotics are:
  • Yogurt
  • Kefir
  • kimchi
  • Miso

Magnesium

• Nuts such as almonds, cashews, and peanuts are high in magnesium, which positively affects mania and stress in patients with bipolar disorder.
• Magnesium also calms an overactive nervous system.
• Members of the legume family are also rich in magnesium. These foods include
  • Lentils
  • Beans
  • Chickpeas

Omega-3 fatty acids

• Omega-3 fatty acids, apart from being great for your hair and skin, seem to be great for your mental health as well.
• The omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in particular, work wonders for your brain.
• They help with depression but do not seem to make much of a difference in mania.
• However, they are still good for your brain and heart and are therefore worth incorporating in your daily meal.
• Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include cold-water fatty fish, salmon, tuna, mackerel, flaxseeds, eggs, etc.