What vitamins can help with bipolar disorder? 4 options

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that can cause periods of very high mood (manic episodes) and periods of very low mood (depressive episodes). Treatment of bipolar disorder usually involves a combination of medication, talk therapy, and lifestyle strategies.

Some vitamins may be able to help with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. You can get vitamins from the food you are consuming or from taking vitamin supplements.

It’s important to remember that vitamins are not a replacement for medical treatment. Some supplements can also interact with medications you are taking. It can be helpful to talk with a doctor before taking any new supplements.

Here are some vitamins that may help with bipolar disorder.

Vitamin B9 (folic acid or folate)

Vitamin B9 is a water-soluble vitamin, which is available in supplement form (often as folic acid).

Natural sources of vitamin B9 include foods like:

• leafy greens, such as kale and spinach
• avocado
• eggs
• liver

Research from 2022 suggests that increasing folic acid intake may improve the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Other research from 2019 also notes that folate levels tend to be low in people with bipolar disorder. But it is uncertain whether low folate levels contribute to bipolar disorder symptoms or if the condition is what causes these low folate levels.

Increasing your Vitamin B9 intake may help with your bipolar disorder symptoms. But consuming too much folic acid can also be harmful. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking up to 400 micrograms (mcg) per day.

If you are concerned you are deficient in vitamin B9, consider speaking with a doctor before starting folic acid supplements. They can advise an appropriate dosage based on your health needs.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body retain calcium. You can find vitamin D in foods like:

• salmon
• sardines
• beef liver
• egg yolks
• mushrooms
• cereals fortified with vitamin D

You can also get vitamin D from spending time in the sun or by taking a vitamin D supplement.

A 2023 study noted that those with bipolar disorder tended to have low levels of vitamin D and suggested that vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial for the condition. A large meta-analysis carried out in 2022 suggests that vitamin D supplementation may also help reduce the symptoms of depression.

Another study from 2020 indicates that vitamin D supplementation may reduce negative emotions. So, vitamin D may help manage the low mood periods you can have with bipolar disorder.

Vitamin D may also help manage some side effects of medication for bipolar disorder. A study from 2016 suggests that supplementing with Vitamin D could help lower the risk of diabetes linked to taking antipsychotics.

But other studies have found little to no impact of vitamin D supplementation on bipolar disorder. More research is needed to confirm how vitamin D supplementation may be able to help with the condition.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

Vitamin B6 plays an important role in creating some of the feel-good chemicals that regulate your emotions (such as dopamine and serotonin). Your body can’t make this vitamin itself, so you need to ensure you are getting enough from your diet or from supplements.

Foods containing vitamin B6 include:

• potatoes
• spinach
• bananas
• chickpeas
• nuts

Some research from 2022 suggests that vitamin B6 may help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. This suggests that the vitamin may be beneficial for the low mood periods of bipolar disorder.

A study from 2019 also suggests that a supplement containing vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid, could help protect certain brain functions of people experiencing their first episode of psychosis.

But other old research suggests that vitamin B6 supplementation cannot prevent or treat depression. Some research has also looked into the benefits of using B6 supplementation during a manic episode and found no benefit. More research is needed on the effects this vitamin has on bipolar disorder.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

You can get Vitamin B12 from eating animal products such as:

• eggs
• beef
• salmon
• dairy products

Some foods, like cereals, can also be fortified with B12.

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in creating and processing the feel-good hormone serotonin in the body. For this reason, B12 levels may affect your mood.

One large review from 2022 suggests that vitamin B12 deficiency was connected to a higher risk of depression (but only for women). But other research suggests that if someone already has enough B12 in their body, supplementing with B12 has no mood benefits. More research is needed on the benefits of vitamin B12 supplementation for bipolar disorder.

Treatment

Food or vitamin supplements should not be used instead of medical treatment for bipolar disorder.

Talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), and family-focused therapy (FFT) can help manage bipolar disorder.

Several medications can treat bipolar disorder including:

• mood stabilizers, such as lithium (Lithobid)
• antipsychotics like olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), and lurasidone (Latuda)
• anticonvulsants (usually used to treat epilepsy but can also help with bipolar disorder) such as lamotrigine (Lamictal) and valproic acid (Depakote)
• antidepressants may help when taken alongside a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic. But for some people, antidepressants aren’t appropriate as they can trigger manic episodes.

A doctor may also suggest certain lifestyle strategies such as:

• building routines so that you have a regular sleeping schedule and regular mealtimes
• exercising regularly
• eating a balanced and healthy diet
• reducing how much caffeine and alcohol you have, if necessary
• keeping a journal of your mood so you can find it easier to notice any mood changes

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Summary

Some vitamins may be able to help with bipolar symptoms. Vitamins B6, B9, B12, and D may be particularly helpful for someone with the condition.

But more research is needed on the benefits of these vitamins for bipolar disorder. It is also important to remember that supplements are also not an alternative to medical treatment for the condition.

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