Over two million people in the United States suffer from bipolar depression, a mental health disorder that can make living a normal life very difficult. Although there is no concrete evidence for the cause of bipolar, the symptoms can be triggered by environmental stress or trauma, causing a person to go through extreme periods or cycles of moodiness ranging from mania, which can include symptoms like extreme energy and a lack of focus, to depressive episodes.

Diet can play a factor in helping to manage bipolar depression and there are several foods that can help to alleviate prolonged cycles:

1. Fish oil
Any foods that have high omega-3 content is excellent for those who suffer from bipolar depression. Fish oils, salmon, and other high omega-3-rich foods are excellent for the brain and have shown to have a positive effect on those who are suffering from a down cycle in their bipolar disorder. These oils protect the neurons in the brain and help to regulate the hormones that can trigger depression.

2. Fruits and vegetables
If you are looking at a bipolar depression diet, one of the staples that you should be complimenting a high omega-3 diet with ample amounts of fruits and vegetables. Fruits provide a source of sugar and sustaining energy that can help a person feel full for longer than other types of food. Vegetables are great because having a good source of a B-vitamin complex has been known to improve mood, release bodily stress, and contribute mentally to a better state of well-being. Although the tendency is to skip the good, nutritious foods when you are depressed, what you put into your body can truly affect how it regulates.

3. Chocolate
Believe it or not, chocolate is one of the great mood-stabilizing foods. However, you want to keep to the dark chocolate with more than 70% cocoa content. The phytochemicals in dark chocolate can provide a small amount of caffeine and can stimulate the brain into thinking that it is happier. Milk chocolate does not have the same effect. Most women, when they are going through their menstrual cycle, will crave chocolate because it contains nutrients that the body is craving. Sometimes, it can be a mind over matter scenario, whereas a person feels better just because they are eating something sweet and comforting.

4. Foods to avoid
Although eating mood-stabilizing foods can help a person have a better sense of well-being, there are a few foods that a person should avoid in a bipolar depression diet. Although caffeine may seem like a great idea to get yourself moving in the morning, it can also spring someone with this disorder into a manic cycle, which can ultimately lead to a deeper crash. The tendency to want to eat comfort foods while in a depressive spectrum is common, but high-fat comfort foods can truly make you feel worse and sleepier, which fuels a down state.

Although diet changes can make a significant impact in mood regulation, it is not the only contributing factor. Regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and medication management are other variables that can be examined if bipolar depression cycles are too severe or frequent for a person to manage normal day-to-day activities. Changes in diet can help an individual have a better sense of well-being and provide the nutrients needed in order to assist with proper brain and hormone functions.