You wash your hands so often that they’re red and raw. Perhaps you repeatedly rearrange the food in your kitchen cabinets so that all items are facing a certain way. Or you may check over and over again to make sure that your front door is locked. Perhaps you hoard newspapers and other everyday objects until your house is filled with junk—or count to yourself whenever you drive through a stoplight. If you or someone you know experiences these or similar symptoms, it could be a red flag for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Inside the mind of an OCD sufferer: People with this disorder have disturbing, unwanted thoughts, such as the belief that they are contaminated by germs or are about to be in a horrible car crash. These obsessive thoughts cause intense anxiety that the sufferer attempts to ease with compulsive behaviors (or rituals) such as repeated hand-washing or counting in unusual patterns. Suffering in silence: For people who have never experienced OCD, the symptoms seem entirely irrational.
The irony is, even those who have the disorder know that their thoughts and behaviors are irrational but, for unknown reasons, they just can’t stop them. As a result, people with OCD are usually ashamed of their symptoms and often go to great lengths to hide them from their friends, family or doctor. Unfortunately, more than half of Americans with this disorder never receive treatment. Even when a person with OCD sees a doctor for it, the condition is very difficult to treat. The conventional approach—usually, an antidepressant and psychological counseling called cognitive behavioral therapy—reduces the severity of symptoms by about 50%, according to research, but achieves complete recovery in only 20% of cases. New approach: A technique called integrative psychiatry—using conventional treatments and natural therapies such as nutritional supplements—is likely to produce far better results than conventional treatment alone. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that plays a key role in regulating mood, appetite and sleep.
Low levels of serotonin are believed to be a contributing cause of OCD. Many factors can reduce serotonin. For example, it’s thought that serotonin levels can be lowered by a diet high in processed foods, sugar and fat…stress…and chronic inflammation. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants help OCD by blocking the absorption of serotonin in the brain, which keeps levels in the body higher. Medication is quite helpful for some OCD patients, while others find that it increases their obsessive thinking. The integrative approach: Several nutritional supplements boost serotonin and thereby help reduce or eliminate OCD symptoms. Work with your doctor to determine which of the following supplements (one or more may be recommended) would be the most useful for you. Inflammation anywhere in the body disrupts serotonin metabolism—and people with OCD are often in a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation. The toxic gut bacteria Clostridia can generate HPHPA, a compound that disrupts normal brain function.
High levels of HPHPA are a feature of many psychiatric diseases, including OCD. If OCD symptoms increase after use of an antifungal or antibiotic (both of which may allow HPHPA growth), ask your doctor about testing for HPHPA. , or Genova Diagnostics, GDX.net. If HPHPA is detected, consider trying high-dose probiotics that supply 50 billion to 300 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) daily. Consult your doctor for any additional treatment you may need. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric illness that affects more than 2 million Americans. The condition is characterized by repetitive, upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and an overwhelming urge to perform behaviors or rituals (compulsions) to help alleviate related anxiety. The cause is unknown, but genetics may play a role. *Check with your doctor before trying these or any other nutritional supplements. Some may interact with prescription medications or affect medical conditions.Researchers writing in the FASEB Journal suggest that vitamin D and omega-3 fish oils may help to regulate serotonin levels in the brain.
They further suggest this might provide benefits for people with certain neurological conditions such as autism, ADHD, impulsive behaviour, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. We asked GP and medical nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer for the lowdown: Serotonin is synthesised in the brain from an amino acid, called tryptophan, and the enzyme that carries out this conversion is activated by vitamin D. Once serotonin is made, EPA (one of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils) helps brain cells release it into their associated synaptic gaps where it diffuses across to stimulate surrounding brain cells, passing their message along. Once serotonin arrives at a new brain cell, the presence of another long-chain omega-3 fish oil, DHA, helps the serotonin message get received by increasing cell membrane fluidity. Good levels of vitamin D and both omega-3s are therefore needed for optimum brain function. The authors suggest that lack of vitamin D, EPA or DHA contributes to a number of neuropsychiatric disorders and depression, especially when certain genes are inherited, or when these nutrient deficiencies occur at key periods during development.
After winter in the UK, low vitamin D levels are common, as you can’t make it in your skin when UV levels are below 3. Consumption of fish oils is also poor, amounting to around one third of a portion per week, on average. So, if you eat little fish, and see little sun, you may well be feeling less than your best. Food sources of vitamin D3 (the most active form) include oily fish, cod liver oil, animal liver, fortified margarine, eggs, butter and fortified milk. Vitamin D3 is also included in multivitamins, typically at the relatively low dose of 5mcg; this is the nutrient reference value (NRV) based on the amount needed for calcium absorption to maintain healthy bones. Many experts now agree that higher doses of vitamin D are needed (such as 25mcg, or 1000 i.u. per day) as it’s no longer just about bones. If you like fish, then aim to eat more. Salmon, mackerel, fresh (not tinned) tuna, herrings, kippers, sardines and pilchards are all good sources of omega-3s. If you don’t like eating fish, then an omega-3 supplement is an increasingly good idea.