About Supplements
A dietary supplement is intended to supply nutrients, (vitamins, minerals, fatty acids or amino acids) that are missing or not consumed in sufficient quantity in a person's diet. This category may also include herbal supplements which claim to treat or prevent certain diseases or conditions.
Supplements and Tourette Syndrome
There are a few supplements that are shown to have an effect on tics and symptoms of tourette, which we list below
Magnesium
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential to good health. Approximately 50% of total body magnesium is found in bone. The other half is found predominantly inside cells of body tissues and organs. Only 1% of magnesium is found in blood, but the body works very hard to keep blood levels of magnesium constant.Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong.
There seem to be alot of parents giving magnesium to their children with Tourette Syndrome. Results seem to be mixed though.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that exists in three major chemical forms: pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. It performs a wide variety of functions in your body and is essential for your good health. For example, vitamin B6 is needed for more than 100 enzymes involved in protein metabolism. It is also essential for red blood cell metabolism. The nervous and immune systems need vitamin B6 to function efficiently, and it is also needed for the conversion of tryptophan (an amino acid) to niacin.
There are alot of good reports about B6 and the reduction of tics.
Nystatin
Nystatin is a polyene antifungal drug to which many molds and yeasts are sensitive, including Candida. Nystatin binds to ergosterol, a major component of the fungal cell membrane. When present in sufficient concentrations, it forms pores in the membrane that lead to K+ leakage and death of the fungus. Nystatin kills intestinal yeast. The problem is that nystatin does not work well without changes of food choices.
It is thought that the yeast in the intestines produce toxins which slow the brain down. When the yeast is removed, the brain speeds up and is able to do its job of inhibiting. the tics. There is a very interesting article on this at http://www.nutritioninstitute.com/tourettes_syndrome.html
Taurine
Taurine is a very important amino acid involved in a large number of metabolic processes in the visual pathways, the brain and nervous system, cardiac function, and it is a conjugator of bile acids. Basically, its function is to facilitate the passage of sodium, potassium and possibly calcium and magnesium ions into and out of cells and to stabilize electrically the cell membranes.
Taurine is said to work for people with Tourette Syndrome by calming the brain and nervous system.
Followup
Sherry A Rogers, M.D., a specialist in environmental medicine, reports that all of the TS cases she has seen have a least one nutrient deficiency, and usually several. And she notes that all of these patients have hidden mold, dust, chemical and food sensitivities. ("Tourette Syndrome", _Health Counselor_, Vol.7, No.4)
Personal expierence
We are currently using B6 and a multivitamin.
If you have any experience with Supplements please register (its free), Login and add to this blog by posting a comment below. You must login to post a comment