Posted by SLS on December 26, 2009, at 16:57:37
In reply to Top 3 remedies for bipolar depression--please help, posted by inanimate peanut on December 26, 2009, at 15:05:34
> I'm new to this board and it's incredible how many alternative treatments there are. I have no idea where to start. I was hoping people would be willing to list their Top 3 treatments to try so I could at least have a starting place to begin researching the archives. I would be hugely appreciative. My diagnosis is Bipolar I, Mixed Type but I mainly struggle with the depression. Thanks!
- NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
- Fish oil: omega 3 fatty acids
- coenzyme Q10Bipolar disorder seems to be an illness that grows progressively worse with the passage of time and the number of recurrent episodes. There is very likely an increase in oxidative stress and a loss of brain tissue. For these reasons, I am looking at using NAC to arrest this degenerative process and prevent further treatment resistance. NAC promotes the synthesis of glutathione, a powerful and ubiquitous antioxidant. A few clinical trials indicate that NAC treatment can improve bipolar depression.
Omega 3 fatty acids are used by the brain to manufacture and maintain neuronal cell membranes and myelin sheathing. However, I suspect that there may be something pharmacological happening when megadoses of fish oil are taken. In any case, it is the maintenance of healthy membranes and Schwann cells (myelination) that is necessary to promote stable communication throughout the brain.
Coenzyme Q10 might promote healthy function of mitochondria, the power-plants of all (eukaryotic) cells. I have not researched this substance very much. However, reduced amounts of this substance are seen in various neurological disorders. There are currently investigations of the use of CoQ10 in bipolar disorder. Some researchers theorize that defects in mitochondrial function contribute to its etiology.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:930991
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20091202/msgs/931007.html