Nutritional supplement effective against bipolar disorder - Literature Review & Commentary

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, May, 2003 by Alan R. Gaby

Fourteen patients (aged 19-46 years) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar disorder, who were taking a mean of 2.7 psychotropic medications each, were treated for 6 months with a broad-based nutritional supplement (E.M. Power ), containing the following (daily doses): vitamin A (3,333 IU), vitamin C (250 mg), vitamin D (400 IU), vitamin E (100 IU), thiamine (5 mg), riboflavin (5.5 mg), niacinamide (25 mg), pyridoxine (7 mg), folic acid (400 mcg), vitamin B12 (250 mcg), biotin (25 mcg), pantothenic acid (6 mg), calcium (550 mg), magnesium (250 mg), iron (6 mg), phosphorus (350 mg), iodine (75 meg), zinc (20 mg), selenium (100 meg), copper (3 mg), manganese (4 mg), chromium (250 meg), molybdenum (66 meg), potassium (100 mg), and a proprietary blend (doses not specified) of DL-phenylalanine, L-glutamine, citrus bioflavonoids, grape seeds, choline, inositol, Ginkgo biloba, L-methionine, germanium, boron, vanadium, and nickel. At baseline and periodically thereafter, patients were assessed with the Hamilton Rating Sc ale for Depression (HAM-D), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). For the 11 patients who completed the trial, the mean HAMD decreased (improved) from 19.0 at baseline to 5.4 at the last visit (71% improvement; p < 01); the mean BPRS score decreased (improved) by 79%; p < 0.05); the mean YMRS score decreased (improved) by 60% (p < 0.01); and the need for psychotropic medications decreased by 63% (p < 0.01). In two cases, the supplement replaced psychotropic medication and the patients remained well. The only reported side effect was nausea, which was infrequent, minor, and transient. In general, improvement began within two weeks of starting the nutritional supplement.

Comment: This open-label study suggests that a broad-spectrum nutritional supplement can reduce the severity of illness in some patients with bipolar disorder. Although there was no control group in this study, the magnitude of the improvement was greater than one might expect from a placebo effect alone. Other investigators have also found this supplement to be effective for bipolar disorder (J Clin Psychiatry 2001;62:933-935). This product should be used cautiously, as it may potentiate the effect of antipsychotic drugs, possibly increasing their toxicity. Additional research is needed to determine the optimal way to transition patients from psychotropic drugs to nutritional therapy. E.M. Power was originally manufactured by Evince International; it is currently manufactured by Synergy Group of Canada (1-888-878-3467). The monthly retail cost is $68.00.

Kaplan BJ, et al. Effective mood stabilization with a chelated mineral supplement: an open-label trial in bipolar disorder. J Clin Psychiatry 2001;62:936-944.