posted February 12, 2009 12:56 PM
Here is stuff on Bipolar Disorder from Marcia Starck's MEDICAL ASTROLOGY Healing For The 21st CenturyShe wrote about causes for bipolar symptoms and non-drug alternative remedies for them.
the following is from her book:
Researchers have discovered that food allergies, as well as untreated endocrine problems, may cause severe mood disorders.
In the past, bipolar disorder has been treated through various medications including lithium and antidepressants. Now many doctors agree that the pharmaceuticals available to patient are not always satisfactory. Many patients find that there are serious side effects to the medications; they have to choose between those side effects and learning to manage severe mood swings. Many bipolar women who want to have children, face the choice of undergoing extreme mood swings during pregnancy or risking birth defects in their children, since all of the medications are suspected of being harmful to developing fetuses.
Alternative methods to managing bipolar disorder tend to work in several ways. Some therapies are similar to pharmaceuticals, but with fewer side effects. For example, the herb St. John's Wort can function as an antidepressant. Some alternative methods look to other explanations for what psychiatrists labeled as manic depression, for example, severe food allergies. Certain treatments attempt to improve the overall health so that this will allow the body to effectively fight off mood problems. When all the organs in the body are properly functioning, and the liver and the colon are cleansed, it is more difficult to have reactions from food and other substances that cause mood swings. Most manic depressive patients tend to have problems with candida in their intestinal tract and need to do some cleansing and work with diet.
Excessive stress often depletes zinc and B-6 in the body so that the person becomes "pyroluric" and has excessive mood swings. (Urinary excretion of pyrroles was first connected with psychosis in 1958, when various doctors doing research noted a new substance in the urine of patients undergoing LSD model psychosis. This same substance was also found in the urine of many psychiatric patients who had never taken LSD or other drugs. Since the extracted urine made a lavender color when treated with certain reagents, it was referred to as the "mauve factor." Later, a Canadian physician found that the mauve factor was the chemical, kryptopyrrole. Because kryptopyrrole produces severe deficiencies of B-6 and zinc, those patients with the "mauve factor" were treated with both B-6 and zinc and responded very well. The term "pyroluria" was then coined.)
Women who are premenstrual often become very tense as well as depressed. Before menstruation, blood copper is highest and blood zinc lowest. Copper is a stimulant to the brain, while zinc has an anti-anxiety effect. With adequate zinc and B-6, pre-menstrual tension and depression can be alleviated.
TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER
1. Obtaining the correct homeopathic constitutional remedy can be very important, as the homeopathic constitutional may replace medications. With the constitutional,natural lithium may not be needed.
2. Cleansing the liver is very important, since the liver detoxifies all chemical substances, as well as anything that may be causing an allergic reaction. In addition, colon cleansing helps the liver and the whole digestive system.
3. Eating a diet that is high in dark leafy green vegetables is important. They have a high nutritional content and also help to cleanse the liver. It is necessary to avoid sugar,dairy products,and wheat, as well as many acidic foods such as fruits,since they contribute to candida, which is very prevalent among those who are bipolar.
4. Utilizing biofeedback and other stress related therapies to access a more meditative state works well.
5. Cranial sacral work can help to balance the nervous system.
6. Doing yoga exercises,tai chi, chi gung, and other practices that work with slowing down the breathing the "chi" to the whole body, can be very helpful.
7. It is a good idea to test for pyroluria, which pulls out both the B-6 and zinc from the body. Most doctors are unaware of this test, but it can be ordered from Norsom Medical Laboratories, 7243-West Wilson Avenue, Harwood Heights, IL. 60656.
SUPPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER
L-Taurine is an amino acid that has anti-convulsant properties and is helpful for both epileptics and those suffering from manic depressive tendencies.
GABA may be classified as an amino acid, but it actually serves as a neurotransmitter. (There are more GABA sites in the brain that for any other neurotransmitters such as dopamine or serotonin.) It works as an inhibitory transmitter, keeping the brain and body from going into "overdrive". Those with anxiety or manic depression should begin with a low dose, 250 mg. at bedtime or when the anxiety occurs.
B-Complex helps to overcome symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, and fatigue.
B-6 should be used in addition to the B complex, especially if one is pyroluric and lacks it.
Zinc--If a diagnosis of pyroluria is made through lab tests, then high doses of zinc should be taken several times a day.
Calcium and Magnesium--Calcium is a difficult mineral to assimilate and needs to be taken with magnesium. Calcium hydroxapatite is one of the best forms. Usually a good supplement has a ratio of twice the amount of calcium to magnesium. However, with manic depressive patients, there is the need for additional magnesium. One way to obtain this is through liquid chlorophyll, which is the magnesium ion, and also through various forms of magnesium in capsule. Calcium supplements should not be taken with meals, but it can be taken several times throughout the day.
Manganese is a very important mineral for the nervous system. If it is lacking,fatigue,irritability,and ear noises,such as ringing may be present.
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that is a precursor to the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, which are deficient in many manic depressives during their depressive cycles. L-tyrosine is also recommended when any thyroid conditions are present.
L-Phenylanine and DL-Phenylalanine is precursor to tyrosine and exhibits many of the same effects. It helps the body to produce a substance called "phenylethylamine" which is deficient in many manic depressives. (Phenylethylamine is present in both chocolate and marijuana, and is created by the body in greater amounts when one is"in love". The L form seems to work better for manic and depressive states, while the D and DL forms work better for depression.
Methione is an amino acid that is helpful for some individuals suffering from depression.
L-Tryptophan (and 5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan) is an amino acid that is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin (the one that is affected by drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft). In 1990, L-Tryptophan was pulled from the market in the US,as it was deemed responsible for a number of deaths. Although the deaths were attributed to a contamination of the product made by one particular manufacturer, L-Tryptophan is currently available only be prescription in the US. However, 5-hydroxy-tryptophan is metabolite of tryptophan, which is available over the counter, and may work better for people who suffer from depression, irritability,and other symptoms.
Gluthathione and L-cysteine is an antioxidant which helps to detoxify chemicals into less toxic forms. It is often obtained from L-cysteine or N-acetyl cysteine. Cysteine binds with heavy metals aiding the body's elimination of them.
HERBAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Vervain and Scullcap help to tone the nervous system. They can be used in a formula with wood betony as well.
Hops,Passion flower, Camomile,St. John's wort, and Valerian are herbs that relax the nervous system. Often they are used in combination.
I believe that physical health problems,vitamin/mineral deficiencies should be considered before diagnosing somebody as having bipolar disorder and treating it with medication.
but yeah....I believe that the source of the symptoms should be treated and not the symptoms which I feel is just covering up.
Raymond