Mood Disorders - Electrolyte Supplementation vs. Lithium
Learning to Question
I’m part of a Facebook group for parents of children with Bipolar Disorder. I joined years ago in desperation, looking for other people to share in my misery. Raising a child with a mood disorder is isolating and soul-sucking. I was constantly searching for any opportunity to feel validated and not ashamed.
The astounding similarities in these parents’ stories gave me a sad feeling of comfort. It also offered additional hopelessness because, amongst thousands of members, NO ONE posted lasting success stories. There were the occasional good days, maybe even a reasonable hour, but a good month or perhaps a week, no such thing.
I’ve never been one to go with the status quo. Resolute statements with no room for nuanced discussions give me an icky feeling and a strong urge to go in the opposite direction. While school, religion, and the corporate world give my soul a sense of unrest, I seemed to trust medical professionals mindlessly. This allowed me to go along with my son’s diagnosis and treatment plan, dished out so authoritatively by the professionals, not questioning anything.
The running theme in all of these Facebook vent sessions was the medication wins and then, ultimately, their failures. The line between our children’s “mood disorders” and the medication’s symptoms became so blurred that it was impossible to determine which one was causing more grief. To step out of turn and dare to find out was a terrifying thought.
Messing with mood disorders is downright dangerous in a lot of cases. But as I saw my son slipping into a medicated haze, his personality increasingly dulled, and the involuntary twitches becoming more pronounced, my trepidation took a back seat.
Some say I’m highly intuitive, but if you ask my husband, he has a different name for it: defiant and/or difficult. These aren’t even synonymous in their meaning, but whatever. No one has made any significant progress by politely existing. So with my intuition in my pocket, I set off to uncover what was nagging at me. I didn’t have a name for this feeling or even a description, just an uneasiness that kept me working towards a new reality, free from the one our doctors and “the system” had been constructing for us.
What I Found
Digging up the research wasn’t easy. The first five pages of Google are just the same old allopathic articles with their standard approach to mental health. These articles are not wrong or harmful per se, but there seem to be no alternative voices being lifted to offer people new perspectives.
I will save you from my tinfoil hat theories and get to the meat of the issue. Mood disorders directly result from severe imbalances in the body, not just genetic hand-me-downs or chemical imbalances in the brain that can only be treated through medication. It goes deeper than that, and I’m so glad it does. The idea that you’re labeled with a specific “disorder” that doesn’t come from lab work or any black-and-white science but merely educated guesses is reckless. Followed by trial and error runs of medication, all while completely ignoring obvious signals from the body that are screaming for our attention.
I should have prefaced it early on in the article, but I am now entirely biased and always favor nutrition and getting the body into balance as a first line of defense for any issue. Medication and “medical intervention” should be the last option outside of acute care and emergencies. However, this bias didn’t always translate to psychological health, but when it did, it all started to make much more sense.
Lithium Explained (Sort of)
Why is lithium the most relied upon treatment for mania, and has been for over 60 years? I discovered that experts still don’t know exactly how it works, but they sort of do. The little that they do know indicates that lithium stabilizes the magnesium levels in the body, which is vital because magnesium helps electron signals move from neuron to neuron. Any imbalances here and things start to misfire, and if you or your child struggle with mood disorders, you know what that misfiring looks like on the surface level.
Elemental lithium is an essential trace element widely found in tap water and foods like vegetables, legumes, and nuts. Research hints at lower aggression and recreational drug use from lithium, reduced suicide rates, and inpatient psychiatric admissions with higher lithium exposure. (Eyre-Watt 2020). Human studies comparing populations exposed to different lithium levels in local drinking water have also found interesting correlations. But is it just lithium we should put on a pedestal for treating mania?
Lithium in medication form doesn’t come without its side effects. Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, tremors, and weight gain (due to its concentrated impact on the thyroid), just to name a few. More likely than not, this medication is prescribed for the long term, but it does deserve some credit. Lithium seems to be considered the most effective treatment for mood stabilization and has been for decades. However, it’s not a silver bullet, and there haven’t been many earth-shattering developments in mood disorders for treatment or support in over 60 years.
Making the Switch
Lithium treatment was creeping closer every day toward my son’s treatment plan. We couldn’t keep his moods stabilized through the many avenues of medications.
I started experimenting with electrolyte supplements from the recommendation of a dear friend who is also bipolar, as is their child. After additional research, I started giving it to my son, who was 12 at the time. Within a week, the nightmarish mood shifts became less frequent and severe. By week two, he was making eye contact and expressing genuine gratitude and conversations filled with reason: no conflict, blame, or irritability. His entire demeanor changed. I had to know why this seemed to be working.
I learned that several essential minerals make up electrolytes and play a profound role in mood support, which could be why lithium seems effective.
Let’s begin by shedding some light on the possibility that mood disorders could be exacerbated and or/ caused by some people’s inability to regulate electrolytes properly. Then we’ll dive into the minerals individually and understand how each plays a role in mood support.
Mood Disorders - An Electrolyte Regulating Problem?
Mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder can significantly affect an individual's daily life, including their ability to regulate emotions and behavior. While various factors can contribute to these disorders, recent research has suggested a potential link between mood disorders and an inability to regulate electrolytes.
Electrolytes are essential minerals crucial in maintaining various bodily functions, including heart rate, nerve function, and muscle contraction. Electrolyte imbalances can result in multiple physical and mental symptoms, including mood swings, irritability, and depression.
Several studies have investigated the relationship between electrolyte imbalances and mood disorders. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that people with bipolar disorder had significantly lower levels of several electrolytes, including magnesium, potassium, and calcium, than healthy controls. Another study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders 2017 observed a link between low sodium levels and depression.
Other studies have observed the effect of electrolyte supplementation on mood. For example, a 2018 study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that supplementing with magnesium improved symptoms of depression in people with hypomagnesemia, a condition characterized by low magnesium levels.
While the link between electrolyte imbalances and mood disorders is still being studied, these findings suggest that maintaining proper electrolyte balance may promote mental health. Let’s take a look at each mineral:
Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including regulating neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that help transmit signals across the brain. Magnesium levels in the brain can affect the release and function of these neurotransmitters, which, in turn, can influence mood, anxiety, and other related symptoms.
Research studies have shown magnesium deficiency is associated with a higher risk of developing bipolar disorder. In addition, in several studies, magnesium supplementation has been shown to be effective in treating symptoms of the disorder. One such study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology indicates that using magnesium to treat bipolar disorder improved cognitive function, reduced symptoms of depression, and led to fewer hospitalizations.
Calcium
Calcium plays a crucial role in supporting mood disorders. Several studies have shown that low levels of calcium may contribute to the development of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Calcium is essential for the proper functioning of neurotransmitters, which are responsible for regulating mood and emotions.
According to a study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, low calcium intake is associated with an increased risk of depression. The study found that women who consumed less than 800 milligrams of calcium per day were more likely to experience depressive symptoms.
Another study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that calcium supplementation may improve symptoms of depression and anxiety in premenstrual women. The study suggests that calcium supplementation may affect the regulation of hormones that influence mood.
Calcium is also known to help regulate the body's stress response. When the body is under stress, calcium helps to activate the release of hormones that enable us to cope with the stress. The body may have trouble responding effectively to stressful situations without sufficient calcium.
Chloride
Chloride is a chemical that is crucial in supporting mood disorders. Chloride is essential for the brain's normal functioning and helps regulate the flow of electrical signals between cells. A study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found that low chloride levels in the brain can lead to anxiety and depression.
Chloride regulates brain receptors' activity responsible for transmitting signals between cells. When chloride levels are low, these receptors become hyperactive, which disrupts the balance of signals in the brain and can lead to mood disorders. The researchers found that when they artificially lowered chloride levels in the brains of mice, the mice exhibited anxious and depressive behaviors.
The role of chloride in mood disorders is complex and not fully understood. However, recent research has shed light on its importance in regulating brain function and its potential role in the development of mood disorders. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between chloride and mood disorders.
Potassium
Potassium is an essential mineral that plays a significant role in various bodily functions, including maintaining normal moods and emotions. Imbalances in the body's potassium level have been linked to several mood disorders, including depression, anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. To better understand potassium's role in mood regulation, research has been conducted to investigate its effects on the nervous system and brain function.
One study published in the Journal of Neural Transmission found that a deficiency in potassium in the brain could lead to an imbalance of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which play a vital role in maintaining everyday moods and emotional states. The researchers also found that potassium supplements could help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in their study subjects, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of potassium in mood disorders.
Another study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders investigated the effects of both low and high potassium levels on mood and mental health. The researchers found that individuals with either low or high levels of potassium in their bodies were more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, and irritability than those with balanced mineral levels.
Potassium is crucial in maintaining optimal mood and emotional health. Imbalances in potassium levels can lead to several mood disorders, and supplemental potassium may provide therapeutic benefits. Further research is needed better to understand the relationship between potassium and mental health.
Sodium
Sodium plays a significant role in supporting mood disorders. Various studies suggest that a diet lacking in sodium could lead to the development of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
According to a study published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, low-sodium diets may worsen depressive symptoms, while high-sodium diets may improve them. The study suggests a balanced diet with moderate sodium intake could help improve mood disorders like depression and anxiety.
Another study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that low- and high-sodium diets were associated with an increased risk of developing mood disorders. The study suggests a moderate sodium intake may be the key to maintaining a healthy mood.
It is important to note that each individual’s sodium requirements may vary, and consulting with a healthcare professional before making any dietary changes is recommended.
Maintaining a balanced diet with moderate sodium intake could help improve mood disorders like depression and anxiety. However, it is crucial to understand one’s own sodium requirements and seek advice from a healthcare professional before making any dietary changes.
Nothing Left to Lose
I began to understand why lithium continues to be the consistent protocol. It, too, is an essential mineral, supporting mood stabilization, but when taken at a clinical level, doesn’t serve the body as a whole in the long run.
More people are becoming aware that we can’t medicate ourselves into “normalcy.” Perhaps our bodies and minds need to be nourished and balanced for real healing to take place. We could spend all day questioning why there isn’t more time and money being poured into this research. The truth is no one can patent or make a lot of money selling electrolyte pills.
When medication continued to fail us, we had to rely on our ability to educate ourselves. This is a cautious endeavor, and you should always work closely with your child’s healthcare provider when starting or stopping any protocol for mood disorders. We made the switch, and luckily for us, it was the best decision we ever made for our son.
When you have nothing left to lose, sometimes it’s precisely where you’re supposed to be so that real transformation can happen.
In Good Health,
Hayley
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