Caffeine … sugar … gluten … milk … food dyes … can they hurt? And if so, which ones?
Journal of Child Healthcare. Mar;22(1):68-83
Ludlow and Rogers want to write a review of existing studies, but actually they are stuck with anecdotal reports because so little research has been done in this area. As they say, however, “anecdotal reports frequently suggest some dietary involvement in the maintenance of tics in children with Tourette syndrome (TS).”
Parents of children with TS suggest that certain food items – such as caffeine and refined sugar — may exacerbate symptoms. “Moreover,” they write, “oligoantigenic diets and sugar-free diets have been identified as significantly reducing tics.” Some people have been using various supplements, as well, although information about side effects, benefits, and recommended dosages are lacking.
After reviewing the currently-used treatments (from self-help to surgery), the authors call for urgently-needed research on the dietary connections with TS.
