Almost 150,000 children in the United States suffer from Tourette's syndrome as of 2007, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention's statistics. The condition may be neurological in nature and is most common in teenage boys. Although research had not pinpointed an exact cause of Tourette's at the time of publication, it's thought that imbalances of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin may trigger faulty signals from the brain that prompt tics, twitching, jerking and vocal miscues, such as sudden outbursts of profanities.
Peanuts
If neurotransmitters are the root cause of Tourette's symptoms, foods that affect serotonin and dopamine levels may cause outbreaks. Scientists have known since 1998 that salicylates can interfere with the body's production of phenol sulfur-transferaes, or PST, according to the Henry Spinks Foundation. A PST deficiency can in turn cause increased levels of dopamine. Foods that contain salicylates include many fruits, vegetables and nuts, with nuts being most often associated with symptoms. A 1996 survey of Tourette's sufferers by the Association for Comprehensive NeuroTherapy revealed that 12 percent of respondents reported a negative reaction to peanuts.
Sweets
Sugar and simple carbohydrates can trigger excess production and sudden peaks of serotonin. Both the 1996 ACN survey and a subsequent survey in 2003 also performed by the ACN, reported links between Tourette's outbreaks and sugar-based sodas, chocolate and other sweets.
Artificial Additives
Foods most commonly associated with having negative effects on Tourette's patients are processed products that contain high levels of additives. According to the Feingold Association of the United States, an organization that promotes dietary management of behavioral problems, artificial dyes prompt neurotransmitters to begin firing off signals to the brain. According to 2006 research gathered by the Feingold Association, food dyes interact especially negatively with MSG, so foods that combine both, such as Chinese food, can potentially set off a cluster of Tourette's symptoms. Patients who responded to both the 1996 and the 2003 ACN surveys cited foods containing MSG, artificial flavors, artificial coloring and aspartame as prompting an attack of symptoms.
Tips
According to the CDC, Tourette's syndrome often occurs simultaneously with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The Feingold Association has devised a diet program for ADHD patients, which has reportedly helped Tourette's patients as well. The diet eliminates all artificial flavors, colors, aspartame and certain preservatives from the diet. If you or your child suffer from Tourette's, watch labels for certain tag phrases that indicate that the food contains one or more of these additives. Indicators include TBHQ, BHA, BHT, Yellow No. 5, Blue No. 1, Red 40 and FD&C. To determine if any of these additives are causing symptom outbreaks, remove all such foods from the diet for a minimum of four days. Then reintroduce them, taking careful note of the particular additive noted on the label, and watch for an increase in symptoms. Ideally, you should avoid all processed foods including prepackaged products, luncheon meats and anything containing a sugar substitute.
References
- The Henry Spinks Foundation: Tourette Syndrome
- American Nutrition Association; Tics and Tourettes -- Tracing the True Triggers; 2010
- Feingold Association of the United States; Tourette's Syndrome (TS); February 2010
- Feingold Association of the United States; Many Learning and Behavior Problems Begin in Your Grocery Cart!; March 2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Tourette's Syndrome: Facts and Resources; June 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Tourette's Syndrome; Mayo Clinic Staff; May 2010
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