Turmeric Help in Bipolar Disorder

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HOW CAN TURMERIC HELP IN BIPOLAR DISORDER?

By Dr. Suresh Swarnapuri/ In B, Cure A-Z, Healthy Living, Herbs, Super
Foods
Turmeric has active ingredients that can help in conditions like bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is a psychological disorder where the brain suffers.
It has traits in which you will experience mood swings.
This disorder may not sound that horrendous, but you will know what impact it can have on
your life if you have it. But, this can be dealt with if precautions are taken.
Bipolar disorder is one where an individual has no command over his emotions. The distinct
symptoms are alternating periods of happiness and depression.
Imbalance in the neurotransmitters leads to this disorder. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals
which help transmit signals in the brain.
During the episode of elation, you will feel overly joyful and excited. In the other hand, the
depressive episode makes you feel intense sadness or hopeless.
Experiencing usual periods of blues and excitement is not of concern as everyone faces it. But,
these episodes are severe and frequent in case of psychological disorders.
Apart from mood swings, you will also face anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol or
substance abuse and even obesity.
There are different types of bipolar disorder based on the intensities. To treat the disorder, you
will have to go through drugs like an antidepressant, anti-anxiety, antipsychotics, and
anticonvulsants.
Symptoms
 elongated periods of feeling overly happy or upset
 extremely irritated, agitated, or jumpiness
 very fast talking, jumping from one idea to another
 distractions
 anxiety
 insomnia for a long period without feeling tired
 unrealistic belief in one’s abilities
 impulsive behaviour
 suicidal thoughts or attempts
 isolation
 loss of interest in activities
 feeling tired
 loss of concentration, memory, and judgment
 change in habits
 indulgence in alcohol and drugs
 delusion
 delusions
How Does Turmeric Help Against Bipolar Disorder?

Turmeric has been used since ages in traditional medicine to treat various disorders.
Curcuminoids have exceptionally powerful medicinal values.
Turmeric possesses many properties like – anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-
microbial, etc. Turmeric helps in multiple ways to help control symptoms and progression of
bipolar disorder.
1. Against Brain Damage
Bipolar disorder results in weakened antioxidant defenses. Turmeric can act as an antioxidant
and prevent your brain from oxidative damage.
The susceptibility of the brain to oxidative stress is due to the limited presence of antioxidant
enzymes, high oxygen requirement, and the presence of lipids. The occurrence of oxidative
stress is an imbalance between pro-oxidant species and antioxidants.
It can lead to tissue damage and organ failure. There is a blood-brain barrier which filters the
unwanted substances from entering your brain.
If you happen to suffer from bipolar disorder then this barrier which is allowing reactive
oxygen species to permeate.
Antioxidant property of turmeric contributes in healing the problem. Turmeric is known to
scavenge the oxygen which is reactive in nature and ions that cause oxidative stress. Thus, it
prevents tissue damage by lipid peroxidation.
2. Against Inflammation
Oxidative stress leads to inflammation in bipolar disorder. Inflammation is linked with your
behavioral parameters.
Your immune system will be impaired if you suffer from bipolar disorder. If you have this
disorder, then you will be having high levels of immune cells and pro-inflammatory chemicals.
It can affect thinking and other related abilities in the patients.
The anti-inflammatory property of turmeric is well known, and it works much better than
common painkillers.
Also, curcumin helps in reducing inflammation by preventing microglial activation. Hence,
turmeric offers neuroprotection by suppressing inflammation.
3. As An Antidepressant
The prescribed anti-depressants will act on specific biochemical pathways or proteins of your
brain to treat depression. Similarly, curcumin of turmeric is also known to act. But, it can
target multiple proteins or pathways at the same time to help alleviate depression.
So, curcumin is used as a replacement for the mainstream antidepressants. The combination
of curcumin and active constituents of black pepper and turmeric (piperine) is found to boost
the effect of antidepressants.
This is done by increasing serotonin levels. The curcuminoids-piperine combination can be
given as an add-on therapy to standard treatment.
Thus, you can use turmeric as an effective solution as standard antidepressants in treating
major depressive disorder.
4. As An Anticonvulsant
Anticonvulsants as a mood stabilizer are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It helps you
in controlling mood swings.
They help in controlling mania and depression and help in stabilizing mood and preventing
relapse. Curcumin is proven to suppress seizures and reduce their susceptibility.
It also is known to extend the intervals between the regular occurrences of seizures. Curcumin
of turmeric possesses anticonvulsant property. Thus, curcumin is also proven to treat
convulsions.
5. As Protein Regulator
Protein is vital for the functioning of the brain. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the
protein which is responsible for the regulation of brain activity and memory.
The levels of this protein are disturbed in bipolar disorder. Curcumin brings BDNF levels back
to normal and thereby offers you neuroprotection by reducing damage to chronic stress,
improving memory and preventing mood fluctuations.
Thus, turmeric influences the activity of proteins that are vital to brain functioning.
6. Against Anxiety
Anxiety is explained by disturbed moods, fears and exaggerated stress responses. The anti-
anxiety potential of curcumin has been proven in an animal model.
Curcumin modulates chemicals involved in signaling messages in the brain, especially
serotonin. Its is known that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential fatty acid that is vital
for proper brain functioning.
The deficiency of DHA can lead to neurological disorders like anxiety. Curcumin plays a major
role as it complements the action of DHA on the brain, promotes DHA synthesis and reduces
anxiety.
Curcumin also demonstrates anti-anxiety effects. This is done by suppressing oxidative stress.
Curcumin thus controls anxiety which is observed in bipolar disorder.
7. Against Weight Gain
Weight gain due to psychiatric medications is usually seen to occur. This is one of the common
reasons due to which most patients quit regular treatment.
Metabolic disturbances are caused by medications used to treat bipolar disorder. Well, turmeric
has a remedy for that too. It has been proven that dietary curcumin can help reduce obesity
and metabolic syndrome.
This happens by preventing the development of fat cells. It also regulates lipid metabolism,
carbohydrate metabolism by influencing blood sugar and insulin levels and controls
inflammation in fat tissue
Dosages
You can take turmeric as a part of the diet. You should look for Turmeric extracts standardized
at a high percentage of curcumin and took at a dose of 500 mg two or three times daily.
It is important to note that turmeric is absorbed poorly in the body. To take care of this issue,
it is recommended to take turmeric with black pepper.
Piperine is present in black pepper which helps in absorption of turmeric. However, talk your
doctor before starting any such medications.
Precautions
You need to be careful when you take curcumin supplements. Turmeric supplements should be
taken with caution.
Overdosing, reactions or interference with other drugs can lead to complications. Turmeric
supplements should be avoided in the following conditions:
 Diabetes (if you already have blood thinning agents)
 Pregnancy & Nursing
 Gall bladder issues
 Bile passage obstructions
 Before to surgical procedures
Side Effects
Long-term use of turmeric supplements can cause stomach upset. Hence, this may be harmful
to those with ulcers or gallbladder problems.
Turmeric is used to stimulate the uterus and regulate periods. So, if you are pregnant or
nursing then it should be avoided.
Turmeric may also have blood thinning qualities. That’s why to see your doctor before taking
it. Avoid taking it if you are about to have surgery.
There has been an issue over a chemical which is used to extract the curcumin from the
turmeric that is known to cause all kinds of neurological issues.
That is why it is important that you have a thorough research of the manufacturing techniques
used when processing curcumin.
Intake of too many turmeric capsules may increase body temperature. There is a possibility
that high-dose turmeric ingestion may lead to high oxalic acid in the urine leading to kidney
stones.

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HOW CAN TURMERIC HELP IN BIPOLAR DISORDER?

How Does Turmeric Help Against Bipolar Disorder?

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