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The Best Things to Eat if You Have Tourette

We’ve had several entries on the Tourette Blog about what you shouldn’t eat. It’s time for a little positivity!

Today, we take a look at what you should eat if you have Tourette Syndrome. Like all the questions we tackle here on the Tourette Blog, there is no simple answer for those asking about the best things to eat if you have TS.

There is a lot of information out there about what people should or shouldn’t eat in order to be healthy, lose weight, build muscle, etc. etc. It is easy to become confused and to end up with more questions than answers.

The reality is that there no one size fits all diet. You should consult a doctor and possibly a dietician for customized advice to make sure your diet is healthy and that you are taking into consideration any medical issues, allergies or food sensitivities.

On the whole, it is important to eat food that will strengthen your immune system, help keep your blood sugar levels steady and give your body the nutrients it needs. Such foods can include:

  1. Flaxseed, olive or canola oil (contains essential fatty acids)
  2. Blueberries, cranberries or other antioxidant-rich foods (repairs damage, strengthens immune system)
  3. Carbohydrates like legumes, peas, or whole grain cereal (for energy)
  4. Protein including fish, poultry, or natural soy products (helps keep your blood sugar under control and builds your cells)
  5. Water (makes us 60% of your body and almost 70% of your brain)
  6. Non-processed food (higher in nutrients)

It may surprise you to learn that people with TS do not always eat well. On the contrary, one 2015 study found that the individuals with TS that they examined had “unbalanced” nutritional intake. This included not having enough protein intake compared to nutrient intake and inappropriate ratio of fat to carbohydrates.

What is your diet like? Do you eat the foods listed above? Do you eat anything specifically to help with your Tourette?

We want to hear from you!

 

Sources:

Sheila Rogers, Natural Treatments for Tics & Tourette’s:http://www.amazon.ca/Natural-Treatments-Tics-Tourettes-Patient/dp/1556437471

Liang et al. “Evaluation of dietary behavior and nutrient intake in patients with Tourette Syndrome” The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.http://www.fasebj.org/content/29/1_Supplement/911.16.short

3 Comments

  1. My 8yrs old has Tourette Syndrome and has abdominal spasms. What should I give him, because he is already taking Steroids for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

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