Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 17, 2026 1 hour, 51 minutes ago
Thailand Mental Health News: A new narrative review led by psychiatrists and medical scientists in Italy is shining a light on how food could influence bipolar disorder. The researchers come from Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Ospedale Isola Tiberina-Gemelli Isola and Cristo Re Hospital, and their analysis suggests that everyday diet choices may play a far bigger role in mood control than many imagine. They emphasized that medical care, talking therapy and medicines remain the foundations of treatment, but food may become a reliable supporting partner. This
Thailand Mental Health News report highlights the study’s findings.
Diet patterns rich in whole foods may support mood stability in bipolar disorder
Why Diet Matters in Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health condition marked by extreme highs and lows. People living with it also face higher rates of diabetes, weight problems and heart issues. According to the Italian review, food may influence the same body systems that are affected in bipolar disorder, including inflammation, energy production and the immune system. Diets high in processed fats and sugars appear to worsen mood swings and trigger more inflammation in the body, while healthier diets rich in vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts and olive oil seem to do the opposite.
The Role of the Mediterranean Diet
One of the strongest patterns researchers pointed to was the Mediterranean diet. This way of eating focuses on fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, nuts and olive oil, and keeps red meat and sugar to a minimum. Studies reviewed by the team found that people who followed such diets often had lower levels of inflammation in their blood, better overall brain function and fewer problems linked to mood instability. Some studies also reported healthier levels of brain chemicals that help protect nerve cells and support learning and memory.
Other Promising Eating Plans
Researchers also examined ketogenic diets, which are low in carbohydrates and high in fats. These diets force the body to burn fat for fuel rather than sugar. Small studies and case reports found that some people with bipolar disorder experienced steadier moods and in a few cases needed less medication after switching to such plans. However, these findings are early, and such diets may be hard to sustain or may not suit everyone. Plant-based diets were also explored. When based on whole foods rather than sugary snacks, these eating plans could support mental wellbeing. However poorly balanced vegan or vegetarian diets may lack important nutrients such as vitamin B12 or omega-3s and could make symptoms worse.
Key Nutrients That May Help
The review discussed nutrients that might play a special role. Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish may improve mood stability in some patients. Vitamins including vitamin D and folate appear important for brain chemistry and may assist standard therapies when levels are low. Minerals such as m
agnesium and zinc may also affect mood pathways, although evidence remains mixed and larger clinical trials are still needed. The researchers stressed that food supplements are not cures and should always be reviewed with doctors.
Conclusions
The Italian team concluded that eating patterns matter more than most people realize. Healthy diets may lessen inflammation, support energy production in brain cells, improve responses to medication and reduce physical health risks. While more long-term research is required to prove exactly which diets work best and for whom, the emerging science suggests that what we eat could shape how we feel every day. Adding structured nutrition advice from dietitians to routine mental healthcare may help keep symptoms under better control, especially in the long run. More research is also needed to determine how food influences different stages of the illness, from depression to mania and stable periods. In short, diet is unlikely to replace medication but could become an important partner in managing bipolar disorder more effectively, improving quality of life and possibly lowering relapse risk for many.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Life.
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/16/1/146
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