Research shows a positive correlation between diet, nutrition, and bipolar depression, and diet modification can also help in treating the condition. Lifestyle and dietary tips for managing bipolar depression include increasing the consumption of foods that help alleviate the symptoms and avoid those that aggravate the condition.

A severe manifestation of the symptoms is called manic episodes, and the most common food items and groups that should be limited or avoid to prevent these episodes are mentioned here:

Fatty food
Fatty food not only increases the risk of the comorbidities of bipolar depression but also interferes with the medication used to treat the condition. The medication begins to work once it is absorbed into the system, and fatty food can delay the absorption of medications, delaying improvement.

Sugar
Sugar contributes to obesity, and people with depression are at high risk of becoming overweight. Obesity and high fat can interfere with bipolar depression medication, so it is best to limit their consumption according to the doctor’s recommendation. One can look at natural sugars found in milk and fruits to meet the body’s requirement for sugar. One of the typical symptoms of bipolar depression is sugar craving, and an effective dietary tip for managing the condition is to avoid the consumption of sugar and its alternatives.

Salt
Lithium is one of the key components of the medication for the condition as it helps reduce manic episodes and suicidal tendencies and prevents flare-ups. Lithium takes time to show effect, and long-term use of lithium can affect the thyroid and kidney. Also, excess salt can affect the levels of lithium, so a diet tip for managing bipolar depression is to limit the consumption of salt. The treatment for the condition includes frequent tests for lithium levels.

Caffeine
Caffeine is a known stimulator and affects sleep patterns, and sleep deprivation is another trigger for this condition. It can also contribute to increased irritability and anxiety, so a beneficial diet tip for managing bipolar depression is to avoid caffeine in any form. Eliminate green tea, coffee, and tea from the diet. Also, several medications used to treat conditions like the common cold have caffeine, so it is advisable to consult a doctor if one is being treated for any other illnesses.

Tyramine
Phobia, mania, and depression are treated with a group of medications called Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors. Tyramine is an amino acid that can interfere with MAO inhibitors and can cause severe hypertension in people with bipolar depression. If a person is prescribed MAO, they must avoid the following foods as they contain tyramine:

• Aged meat and cheese
• Wines
• Tap beer
• Soya sauce (use in moderate quantities for cooking)
• Overripe banana and banana peel

Alcohol
Abstaining from alcohol is one of the most helpful diet tips for managing bipolar depression effectively. This is because it can not only lead to mood swings but can also interfere with lithium and delay the effect of treatment. Recent studies have also shown that there have been many fatalities among people with bipolar depression consuming alcohol.

Grapefruit juice
Medications are broken down by enzymes, which help it get absorbed into the system so that they work as expected. Grapefruit juice contains furanocoumarins, which interfere with the enzymes and reduce the effectiveness of medications. They interfere with numerous psychotropic medications that are used to treat illnesses, including bipolar depression.