Diet - Natural Treatment for Tic Disorders

Changing diet to avoid trigger food

Reports have shown that tic disorders can be triggered by foods or components in the diet through their action on dopamine and other neurotransmitter pathways in the brain. Many patients see food as the primary trigger to tics.

Many patients have reported that eating food they are intolerant and/or allergic to can greatly exacerbate their symptoms, showing a sign to all other patients that taking an allergy test and avoiding the food allergies can reduce symptoms. While it is encouraged for people with tic disorders to take an allergy test, it is also notable that these tests do not always give you the full picture on sensitivities. Some allergies will not be tested out, and some people will develop new allergies in every short period of time.

Thus, the best way to test what actually triggers your tic disorders is by experience and by recording the effects of the addition of a food or the reduction of a food on your conditions.

The most common food that can trigger tics

Chocolate, coffee, sugar, dairy product, eggs, grains (especially gluten-containing), soft drinks, corn, fish, peanuts, potato, shellfish, soy, and some nuts are most commonly reported trigger food for tic disorders.

A more complete list can be found at the “possible triggers” section of this website. Note that both lists are concluded from other people’s experience, and your condition may be different (you may not have any reactions to any of the food listed but are sensitive to something else). The lists are just for reference and the best way is still to test it out and keep an eye on your conditions under different diets.

Some other choices

01

Choose organic food

Organic food is hormone and GMO-free, contain fewer pesticides (if any), use fewer preservatives and often contain a higher level of nutrients..

02

Avoid any food containing artificial color or artificial flavor

It is reported that food additives especially artificial color and artificial flavor can worsen tics.

03

Be careful of other medications

Some drugs such as antidepressants medications may make symptoms worse.

04

Eat every meal regularly

People who consume regular meals have better overall diets. Regular meals contributed to lower consumption of sugary drinks and fast foods and increased consumption of fruit and veg.