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Saturday, September 04, 2010

Natural Help for OCD

Some years ago my oldest daughter went through a period of time when she was troubled by a compulsive disorder. We found it was related to vitamin deficiencies so I took steps to get her on a natural regimen that resolved thie health problem.
A number of years later I became involved with the Safe Harbor Project and have compiled some information from that resource.

And recently via a twitter contact I commented on B vitamins for OCD.

This information may be of help, and since we doo offer natural mental health therapy, let us know if you have an interest in this service. Our professional grade supplements amy also interest you as well as our Health Detective service.

Eat a well planned food plan filled with nutrient rich foods. (Ask about our food plan for biochemical rebalancing)
With anxiety or OCD, reduce sugar and simple carbohydrates (donuts, white pasta and other white food)
Eat whole grain, natural foods. 
Include protein at every meal. 
Eat high-protein snacks if you notice you tend to crash or bottom out during the day. Hypoglycemia has been linked to anxiety and OCD. This may also indicate stressed adrenal glands (low levels of B and C vitamins, sodium).

Caffeine may add to anxiety.
Soft drinks should also be avoided.
Psychotherapy,choose a therapeutic approach that is meaningful to you.
Exercise a minimum of three times per week for 30 minutes per session. and/or  increase your level of physical activity. 
If your cholesterol is below 170, it cannot repair the myelin.  
EFA fatty acids or pure lecithin, or pure olive oil can help nourish the myelin
Spirulina
A nervine compound(ask us about this and also about passionflower)

In addition, the following nutrients may help:
  • L-theanine—200 milligrams (mg) twice daily to decrease the symptoms of OCD
  • Inositol—4 grams (g) in three divided doses daily
  • Tryptophan—2 g taken in the evening on an empty stomach
  • St. John’s wort—300 to 900 mg daily
  • Melatonin —10 mg at night to start
Another protocol - from Dr Charles Gant
  • Theanine 500 mg. (green tea amino acid-inhibits glutamic acid) - 3000 mg/day
  • GABA 500 mg - 3000 mg a day
  • Phosadyllic (purified soy lecithin) - 3000 mg a day
  • Magnesium taurate 3000 mg a day
  • P5P (activated B6) 50 mg twice a day
  • (5HTP) 300 mg a day
These are maximum doses unless amino acid/mineral testing suggests that higher doses are needed, and should be divided and can be taken at bedtime for sleep.
Both men and women may consider comprehensive hormone testing to see whether they are suffering from abnormal hormone levels. If so, bioidentical hormone therapy may be recommended. 

Julia Ross, Therapist and author of The Mood Cure
This syndrome has already been identified as a symptom of serotonin insufficiency. It responds well to tryptophan and 5HTP therapy in our clinical experience (which rarely includes psychosis).

Inositol Treatment of "OCD"
Inositol, one of the B vitamins, has been found effective in treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Inositol is used in biochemical processes that effect serotonin receptors.
A double-blind study reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry, 1996 [153(9):1219-21] was done on 13 patients. They were given 18 grams of inositol per day (2 tsp in juice 3 times daily). At 3 weeks there were no significant effects. At 6 weeks inositol significantly reduced "OCD" scores compared with placebo. It was as effective as some drugs.

A. Inositol is usually very helpful for UNDERMETHYLATED, HIGH HISTAMINE patients. This includes nearly every OCD patient we have seen.  Inositol usually provides calming throughout the day and ability to settle down to sleep at night, for these patients.
B. On the other hand, OVERMETHYLATED patients usually derive little or no benefit from Inositol, and may experience very nasty side effects from it. 

OCD patients respond nicely to methonine, SAMe, calcium, magnesium, B-6, Inositol, TMG, and zinc.  

Most OCD patients get worse if given supplements of DMAE, choline, copper, or folic acid.

Another natural approach
Increase HCL (hydrochloric acid – stomach acid) test with Betaine HCl and use as the supplement if needed.
Minerals
B-6 
Adrenal gland support

Rest is very important.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Which protocol did you follow? What was your success?