Tics
TS is more than Tics (details anxiety, handwriting, school, rage, etc.)
http://www.tsa-usa.org/aeduc_advoc/morethantics.htm
http://www.tsa-usa.org/aeduc_advoc/morethantics.htm
Testing
One thing that can be done with tics is steroid taper. If steroids make them worse, it is more likely to be Tourette's. if they go away temporarily, then likelyhood of PANDAS increases.
Triggers / Theories
brief overview http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201203/got-tics-environmental-adjustments-can-help-0 in article
Malt - promotes yeast/Candida - produces sedative effect
Why is Chocolate a trigger?
Cocoa Vanillan in chocolate?
sugar
milk dairy protein?
Tics can be the result of an allergic reaction. Many families report increase in tics during allergic seasons and also after ingesting certain foods. Dairy and Corn are biggies, followed by eggs and wheat. Fungal issues also play a major role in neuro issues. Gluten intolerance/celiac has been linked to Autism, OCD, and to schizophrenia. Pfeiffer has done studies on OCD and schizophrenia and nutrient deficiencies. It makes sense. In these cases the person is nutritionally starved even though they are eating heartily, because the intestines are stripped and so the nutrients do not absorb properly and thus it affects the person’s mood and behavior, and over time can effect the neuro system as well.
Yeast Theoryhttp://nutritioninstitute.com/?page_id=197
For a tic to occur, a center in the brain must fire, triggering the muscles to move. In normal individuals, such centers do not fire involuntarily because the brain is devoted to keeping the brain centers ready to work but not actually working. The brain allows the part we want to be active to focus on what we want. The majority of the brain is inhibitory; that is, it keeps most of the brain ready but not actually working unless that part of the brain is needed.
In Tourette’s the inhibitory function is decreased, so a brain center, instead of being told to wait until needed, can simply fire and do what it does, such as blink an eye. The problem is partially that a center is too active, but it is also that the rest of the brain is not working properly. The rest of the brain should be inhibiting this overactive center but does not.
We can understand how this might be the case if there are toxic sedative chemicals slowing the brain down. The parts of the brain which keep other centers ready but not actually working are themselves slowed down. Then if another center wishes to fire, it is not being inhibited and it fires.
Where are these toxic sedative chemicals coming from? The intestinal yeast Candida produces a number of toxic alcohols and the coma producing chemical acetone. Sedative chemicals also are found in food. For example vinegar contains a chemical, ethyl acetate, which is sedative. Malt contain chemicals called pyrazines, which sedate and slow the brain down.
The clinical observations are that when the toxic sedative chemicals are removed, then the rest of the brain does its function of inhibition. Then these active centers also function only when they are supposed to. Then Tourette’s symptoms diminish considerably.
Low Iron study
Lower iron stores may increase vulnerability to developing tics or to having more severe tics. Lower iron stores may also contribute to smaller cortical volumes and consequently to reduced inhibitory control of tics.
Malt - promotes yeast/Candida - produces sedative effect
Why is Chocolate a trigger?
Cocoa Vanillan in chocolate?
sugar
milk dairy protein?
Tics can be the result of an allergic reaction. Many families report increase in tics during allergic seasons and also after ingesting certain foods. Dairy and Corn are biggies, followed by eggs and wheat. Fungal issues also play a major role in neuro issues. Gluten intolerance/celiac has been linked to Autism, OCD, and to schizophrenia. Pfeiffer has done studies on OCD and schizophrenia and nutrient deficiencies. It makes sense. In these cases the person is nutritionally starved even though they are eating heartily, because the intestines are stripped and so the nutrients do not absorb properly and thus it affects the person’s mood and behavior, and over time can effect the neuro system as well.
Yeast Theoryhttp://nutritioninstitute.com/?page_id=197
For a tic to occur, a center in the brain must fire, triggering the muscles to move. In normal individuals, such centers do not fire involuntarily because the brain is devoted to keeping the brain centers ready to work but not actually working. The brain allows the part we want to be active to focus on what we want. The majority of the brain is inhibitory; that is, it keeps most of the brain ready but not actually working unless that part of the brain is needed.
In Tourette’s the inhibitory function is decreased, so a brain center, instead of being told to wait until needed, can simply fire and do what it does, such as blink an eye. The problem is partially that a center is too active, but it is also that the rest of the brain is not working properly. The rest of the brain should be inhibiting this overactive center but does not.
We can understand how this might be the case if there are toxic sedative chemicals slowing the brain down. The parts of the brain which keep other centers ready but not actually working are themselves slowed down. Then if another center wishes to fire, it is not being inhibited and it fires.
Where are these toxic sedative chemicals coming from? The intestinal yeast Candida produces a number of toxic alcohols and the coma producing chemical acetone. Sedative chemicals also are found in food. For example vinegar contains a chemical, ethyl acetate, which is sedative. Malt contain chemicals called pyrazines, which sedate and slow the brain down.
The clinical observations are that when the toxic sedative chemicals are removed, then the rest of the brain does its function of inhibition. Then these active centers also function only when they are supposed to. Then Tourette’s symptoms diminish considerably.
Low Iron study
Lower iron stores may increase vulnerability to developing tics or to having more severe tics. Lower iron stores may also contribute to smaller cortical volumes and consequently to reduced inhibitory control of tics.
Treatments
Natural treatment source here.
- Nutritional therapy
- B-Complex vitamins: Vitamin B3 (niacin), B6, folic acid, inositol, choline and B12. They act like natural tranquilisers on the nervous system.
- Zinc: Another tranquilliser.
- Magnesium plays an essential role in the nervous system and promotes muscle action as well as proper absorption of vitamins B, C and E.
- Antioxidants - A, C, E, selenium
- Pycnogenol: It regulates enzymes that help control dopamine.
- Tryptophan: This amino acid is essential for the production of vitamin B3 which is vital for the brain to manufacture serotonin. Tryptophan is naturally found in bananas, beans, brewer's yeast, brown rice, soy, cottage cheese, dairy products, dates, eggs, nuts, peanuts, seeds, seafood, fish, and turkey. Its synthetic form has been banned in several countries for safety reasons.
For more information on the action of Tryptophan and TS visit the Cognitive Enhancement Research Institute's webpage at: http://www.ceri.com/tourett.htm - Lecithin
- Glycine
- Taurine
- Flaxseed oil
- Evening primrose oil
- DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)
- DMG (Dimethylglycine)
- Blue green algae
Treating Yeast OvergrowthThis treatment is simply to clear out the intestinal Candida and to stop eating foods with sedative chemicals.
The treatment consists of taking a non-absorbed medicine called nystatin, which kills intestinal yeast. The problem is that nystatin does not work well without changes of food choices. The reason is that in many foods there are chemicals which kill bacteria and feed the yeast. If these foods are left in the diet, even though nystatin kills the yeast, the yeast will keep growing back. Chemicals in the diet which kill bacteria will make room for the yeast, even if nystatin is taken. When foods containing these chemicals are excluded from the diet, then nystatin can go through and kill the yeast and the yeast does not grow back. Then problems such as Tourette’s disorder improve significantly. These same foods contain the toxic sedative chemicals.
The diet for Candida problems consists of removing fermented foods from the diet. The worst offenders are alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beer, vinegar, barley malt, chocolate, pickles, and aged cheese.
Dr. Semon gave my the NDC number for the nystatin powder. It is 0574-0404-15. I was able to get it from a 24 hour Walgreens. Many pharmacists only know the topical nystatin powder which contains talc and is not something one takes internally. In using nystatin oral powder, one starts at about 1/16 tsp. powder twice and works up gradually over about ten days to 1/8 tsp. four times a day. This dose is the same for adults and children. The potency of the nystatin oral powder can vary slightly but dosing is by quantity in 1/8 or 1/16 tsp. and not by units. In an appendix in An Extraordinary Power to Heal, I have written this out a little more specifically. Bruce Semon The vitamins and supplements can prevent this treatment from working. Yeast love the supplements and the supplements make it hard to treat yeast. Saccharomyces and Candida make many of the same chemicals. Candida can inhabit the human gut. Saccharomyces does not inhabit the human gut. I don't think eating a supplement made by Saccharomyces is a good idea as it makes toxic yeast chemicals also. Malt is bad because it contains many toxic chemicals that put the brain to sleep. I would avoid yeast amino acid supplements. Amino acids are what make up protein. It is not hard to eat amino acids. Yeast also make bad chemicals so they should be avoided.
Bonnie G's TS diet
Foods that contain tyramine should be avoided if increasing symptoms- they are chocolate in large quantities, aged cheese, soy sauce, cured meats. They interfere with MAO inhibitors, if you are taking this kind of antidepressant, with severe consequences to your health -hypertensive crisis. Tyramine is a monoamine which is eliminated by monoamine oxidase (MAO). If MAO is inhibited, then tyramine is not broken down, releasing stores of norepinephrine, which have been found to be increased in TS [Tourette Syndrome] in several studies. Tyramine also is an inhibitor of pyridoxal kinase, which decreases the active form of vitamin B6 in the body.
Go to an allergist and get tested for food allergies. Eliminate these foods from your diet to see if this helps, or try an elimination diet without the allergy testing. The single food elimination diet is the easiest where a single suspected food or additive is removed from the diet for 2 weeks to see if symptoms improve. (Of course, get tested for respiratory allergies also!). Good studies have shown that food allergies or sensitivities are the cause of hyperactivity in the majority of ADHD cases. The allergy connection is also implicated in TS.
Cut out aspartame (NutraSweet). The high phenylalanine blocks other "Large Neutral Amino Acids", such as valine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, tyrosine, histidine, and methionine from entering the brain. Aspartic acid, which is in aspartame, is an excitatory amino acid, which can act as a false transmitter, substituting for glutamic acid (glutamate). MSG (monosodium glutamate) should be avoided, also because of its glutamate portion, which excites neurons. Avoid caramel color, vanillin and yellow #5 (tartrazine). These inhibibit B6 activity.
Avoid pseudephedrine (Sudafed) containing decongestants and antihistamines. Eliminate other dyes (especially azo dyes) that may cause adverse reactions - especially red dye # 40. Caffeine should be eliminated. It is a methylated xanthine stimulant of the catecholamines, which are already stimulated in TS.
Essential fatty acids can be found in sardines, trout, crappie, haddock, sea bass, salmon, cod, and/or cold water halibut (the fatty fish).
Don't ingest many foods high in sugar. The best diet approach may be a semi vegetarian diet, which provides a balance of carbohydrates and protein, recognizing that adolescents need more protein than adults.
Supplement notes
Potassium helps your nervous system to function properly by regulating the hormones that are released by the adrenal glands. Calcium works with magnesium to suppress nervousness and hyperactivity. Low levels of zinc can actually cause anxiety, worsening symptoms. B vitamins help the nervous system to function at a normal pace instead of jumping to immediate highs and lows. However, B vitamins can heighten the effects of caffeine.
Vitamin C is necessary for the synthesis of serotonin and norepinephrine. It is also necessary for the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin, which has a calming effect on neurotransmitters and helps to calm many of the behaviors that can be disabling with Tourette Syndrome. Buffered vitamin C can be taken if stomach upset or acid reflux is a problem.
Vitamin C is necessary for the synthesis of serotonin and norepinephrine. It is also necessary for the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin, which has a calming effect on neurotransmitters and helps to calm many of the behaviors that can be disabling with Tourette Syndrome. Buffered vitamin C can be taken if stomach upset or acid reflux is a problem.
Symptoms reported
Lesser known symptoms of TS Polydipsia - Excessive water drinking Toiilet trips are very frequent. Serotonin levels are altered and affect vasopressin levels and vasopressin controls the amount we drink.
Sensitivity to heat - the person is always warm. Norepinephrine, the derivative of dopamine, is used to trigger the fight or flight response, increasing heart rate. This heats the body as the warmer blood from the center of the body reaches the extremities at a higher temperature trapping the heat in the centre. The excess work of the heart and the excess sugars burnt during this response also heat up the body considerably. You know this because after exercise or a fright you tend to sweat. In Tourette syndrome the levels of Norepinephrine in the system are lower than normal. This means we are burning sugar slower and in many cases our heart is beating slower than the norm.A couple of people, over the years, have mentioned to me that they have low blood pressure...this norepinephrine theory would explain that. It would also explain why many Tourette drugs raise blood pressure a bit.
Tactile hypresensitivity - messages are amplified by the extra dopamine receptors in the same way as tics are. When it has been strengthened enough it breaks through the barrier between subconscious and conscious and you become aware of the movement.
And, in the same way thinking about tics reinforces and strengthens the tic pathways, thinking or talking about itchiness will make it easier for that amplification to take place.
Weight issues - the vast majority of Touretters I talked with were excessively thin. "Fidgeting" accounts for an average energy expenditure of 348 kcal/day (range 100 to 700 kcal/day). To put that into perspective, an average sized person burns up about 300 calories on a one kilometre run. So just by fidgeting you can burn the equivalent of an 100km run a day!!!
Sensitivity to heat - the person is always warm. Norepinephrine, the derivative of dopamine, is used to trigger the fight or flight response, increasing heart rate. This heats the body as the warmer blood from the center of the body reaches the extremities at a higher temperature trapping the heat in the centre. The excess work of the heart and the excess sugars burnt during this response also heat up the body considerably. You know this because after exercise or a fright you tend to sweat. In Tourette syndrome the levels of Norepinephrine in the system are lower than normal. This means we are burning sugar slower and in many cases our heart is beating slower than the norm.A couple of people, over the years, have mentioned to me that they have low blood pressure...this norepinephrine theory would explain that. It would also explain why many Tourette drugs raise blood pressure a bit.
Tactile hypresensitivity - messages are amplified by the extra dopamine receptors in the same way as tics are. When it has been strengthened enough it breaks through the barrier between subconscious and conscious and you become aware of the movement.
And, in the same way thinking about tics reinforces and strengthens the tic pathways, thinking or talking about itchiness will make it easier for that amplification to take place.
Weight issues - the vast majority of Touretters I talked with were excessively thin. "Fidgeting" accounts for an average energy expenditure of 348 kcal/day (range 100 to 700 kcal/day). To put that into perspective, an average sized person burns up about 300 calories on a one kilometre run. So just by fidgeting you can burn the equivalent of an 100km run a day!!!