Q. . I was recently diagnosed as having bipolar II. I am 22 years old. When I was 13, I became a vegetarian. I stopped eating meat, chicken, and fish. I do not have a very healthy diet and do not intake the amount of protein I need. I do not take vitamins or any kind of supplement to provide the needed nutrients. My mother thinks that my lack of protein could be contributing to my illness. Is that possible?

  A. Lack of protein is probably not the probable cause of your BPII. It is possible if you are eating no meats, dairy products, fish, chicken, or legumes (beans), however, that it could contribute to your depression. It is illogical to not eat healthy, and as long as you get in some cheese or yogurt every day, you should be okay.