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Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of significant changes in mood, energy, activity level, and functioning, including periods of mania or hypomania and, in many cases, episodes of depression. Bipolar I disorder involves at least one manic episode, which may be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes, while Bipolar II disorder involves recurrent depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes without a history of a full manic episode. Within nutritional psychology, bipolar disorder is relevant to the study of relationships between dietary patterns, nutrient intake, metabolic health, eating behaviors, and psychological well-being. Research is examining factors such as dietary quality, nutritional deficiencies, omega-3 fatty acids, inflammation, and metabolic health in relation to bipolar disorder, although nutritional approaches should be considered complementary to established psychiatric care rather than replacements for it.
Author and reviewer
Editorial responsibilityReferences and further reading
- Sarris J, et al. Omega-3 for bipolar disorder: meta-analyses of use in mania and bipolar depression. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2012. PMID:21903025. View source
- Firth J, et al. Nutrition and bipolar disorder: a systematic review. Nutritional Neuroscience. 2022. PMID:35608150. View source
How to cite this entry
Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology. (2026). Bipolar Disorder. The Center for Nutritional Psychology.
https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/encyclopedia/bipolar-disorder/Know a term that belongs in the Encyclopedia?
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