Tourette's Syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes sufferers to have compulsive, uncontrollable "tics." Tics can include repetitive motions, sounds or the involuntary speaking out of words. About 200,000 Americans suffer from severe Tourette's Syndrome. Many researchers and doctors, like Bruce Semon, M.D., Ph.D., of the Wisconsin Institute of Nutrition, believe that Tourette's Syndrome can be controlled by diet.
Anti-Yeast and Nystatin Diet
Some doctors have successfully treated children with Tourette's Syndrome with an anti-yeast and nystatin diet. It is thought that children who suffer from Tourette's Syndrome may be especially sensitive to yeast. In Tourette's Syndrome, the central part of the brain which fires off responses and actions that are interpreted as "tics" is not being inhibited by other parts of the brain. Yeast, such as in bread, ends up being absorbed through the intestines. Byproducts of yeast, such as acetone, can slow down brain processes. When yeast is removed from the diet, other parts of the brain which can inhibit the central part of the brain from firing off tics improve their inhibitory function, and tics are noticeably diminished. Nystatin is an anti-fungal drug to which yeasts are particularly sensitive, and can be used in conjunction with an anti-yeast diet.
Magnesium and Tics
Magnesium is an essential mineral that is the fourth most abundant mineral found in the human body. Magnesium is necessary for nerve and muscle function. A lack of magnesium has been associated with many other diseases, such as asthma and fibromyalgia, and now studies have concluded that a deficiency in magnesium is linked to tics in children with Tourette's Syndrome. Changing a child's diet in order to include magnesium-rich foods may help reduce tics. Green vegetables, nuts, beans, bananas, tofu and certain seafoods are all rich in magnesium. Magnesium pills can be used to fortify a child's diet, as well.
Modified Atkins Diet
The U.S. National Institute of Health is currently conducting a clinical trial with Tourette's sufferers at Johns Hopkins University. The clinical trial involves putting Tourette's sufferers on a modified Atkins Diet to lower the amount of carbohydrates and sugars in the diet. The goal of a low carbohydrate, low sugar diet is to initiate ketosis in the body. The clinical trial will terminate in 2011, and results from the study can be expected in March of 2012. As of August 2009, the clinical trial is still recruiting participants (see Resources below).
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