Better brains, naturally.

Nutritional Supplements for Tics and Tourette Syndrome

Feature: Ask Dr. Albert Robbins

Question:

My boys, ages 14 and 10, were diagnosed with tic disorders several years ago. One has motor tics and the other one has vocal tics. After extensive lab tests through a natural-oriented physician we detoxed their bodies and started them on supplements that are all are natural.

They have been taking the supplements listed below for two years now. I want to know if these nutrients, in these doses, can be harmful when taken for an extended time. My husband lost his job and we can’t afford to go back to the original doctor.

 

Detoxifying and the supplements stopped my oldest boy’s tics completely. The younger boy has been helped somewhat; he is now on 50mg of Imipramine (the antidepressant Tofranil) because social issues were difficult.

• 1000mg of Omega-3: marine lipid concentrate/EPA 300mg/DHA 200mg

• B-complex 100

• Ultimate 10 Probiotic: 13 billion organisms

• Taurine 500:  Vit B6 10mg, L-Taurine 500mg

• Magnesium Citrate Complex

• Nature's Plus Children's Vita-Gels

I am afraid to take them off the supplements out of fear the tics will return. I have Sheila Rogers’ book on Tics and Tourette’s and love it.

A worried mom in Atlanta

 

Dr. Albert Robbins: The question of which nutrients to take, and in what dose, is an important consideration for tic disorders including Tourette syndrome. It is a difficult question to answer for a number of reasons.

First, there is no correct answer. Each person requires an individualized nutritional evaluation which is done by clinical evaluation, blood testing, and other lab tests if needed, to come up with an objective determination of what nutrients are medically necessary. Otherwise we are just guessing.

Second, if the child is known to be allergic to certain foods, you want to be sure that the nutrients are hypoallergenic. For example, some nutrients or vitamins are made from soy; some children are allergic to soy.

The nutrients you are giving appear to be helping your children. This is an observation that is important to consider. Generally all the nutrients in the doses you mention are safe over a long period of time; but children should ideally be monitored by their physician for adverse reactions to any medications or nutrients. Some physicians would question such a high dose of B complex (100).

Nutrients may be helpful in some children with Tourette's or other tic disorders, but they are only one consideration in evaluating and treating the condition. Other factors requiring evaluation include environmental exposures, hidden allergies, hidden infections, undetected immune problems, stress factors, lifestyle habits and hormonal considerations.
Dr. Albert Robbins  AllergyCenter.com

Will Antivirals and Nasal B12 Help My Daughter's Tics?

Feature: Ask Dr. Albert Robbins

Question: My 10-year-old daughter has Tourette's, ADHD, anxiety and OCD. I was doing some reading  and wonder if anyone has tried using an antiviral medication on a child such as mine? I know there’s some research being done on kids with PANDAS and strep infections, and possibly antivirals for autism. What about the role viruses play in kids with tics?  My daughter's symptoms seem to get tremendously better in May when the weather warms up and escalate in September when all of the kids at school begin sharing germs. I blamed it on the stress of school but now I am not so sure.

Also, what about nasal B12?  Has this been tried?  Any insight you could give would be great.  

Dr. Albert Robbins: I note that your daughter’s symptoms of ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and Tourette syndrome change seasonally. Given this, your child may be more susceptible to infections during the colder weather due to hidden allergies and sensitivities. Without knowing where you live, it’s possible she could be allergic to seasonal inhalants, including fall and winter molds, spring and fall pollens, and multiple other environmental agents including modern day common chemical exposures at home or school. Hidden allergies could be a part of the problem. A proper allergy and environmental evaluation is appropriate.

I do not know of any studies related to the use of antivirals for correction of these symptoms. Blood testing can be done to determine if a hidden viral infection exists. Check with your pediatrician for this. Infections can certainly have neurological consequences. And of course stress can be a factor.

Nasal B12 would be considered experimental for tics, although probably safe to try. I have used nasal B12 for some chemically sensitive patients and it appears to help reduce some people's reactions to chemical odors. I often prescribe B12 treatment in the form of sublinguals, oral supplements, and injection for select patients with tic disorders when their history indicates a need for this. 

The important thing in evaluating and treating children is "first do no harm." In this regard, it’s important to use treatments that address existing imbalances and patient-specific conditions, and these vary from one individual to the next.  Secondly, you want to search for, find, and eliminate the causes and aggravating environmental and other factors triggering a health problem...then one needs less medications. 

Dr. Albert Robbins, AllergyCenter.com

Can Alcohol Increase Tourette Syndrome Symptoms?

We're starting a new feature in Better Brains with Dr. Albert Robbins, shown  below, answering questions ACN receives related to Tourette syndrome. Dr. Robbins is director of Robbins Environmental Medicine Center in Florida. He uses an approach to Tourette's that focuses on finding causes for the condition and symptoms, and then treating those imbalances. We are grateful for his support of our efforts.

Question: My daughter is 22 and in college. She can control her tics from Tourette syndrome well during the week. Then on the weekend she drinks and parties with her friends and the symptoms get way out of control. Is there a medical connection there?

Dr. Robbins: Yes, there’s a medical explanation for why people with Tourette's may find that alcohol consumption increases their tics. First, we need to understand that tic symptoms can be triggered by allergic reactions. Second, it has been shown that drinking alcohol can increase most allergic reactions by 50%. So generally speaking, if one tends to have a minor tic reaction when exposed to a food or allergen, then alcohol consumption could make the allergic reaction and tic symptoms worse. Naturally, if one is over indulging, as appears to be the case here, the reaction can be expected to be even more severe.  Source on alcohol: James C Breneman, Basics of Food Allergy.