2026 Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 23-31
Background: Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and voc al tics and is frequently accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety disorders and obsess ive-compulsive disorder. Pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy are standard treatments; however, sufficient effects are not always achieved. In recent years, interest in adjunctive nutritional interve ntions focusing on nutritional status and dietary patterns has increased. This review summarized th e current evidence on complementary and alternative medicine centered on nutritional supplements and dietary interventions.
Review: Most available evidence consisted of case reports and observational studies, and randomiz ed controlled trials and large-scale studies were scarce. Gluten-free diets, L-theanine, magnesium, v itamin B6, and omega-3 fatty acids may be associated with improvements in tic symptoms and qu ality of life. Specific interventions included ensuring adequate protein intake, increasing consumptio n of vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins and minerals, enhancing fish oil intake, supplem enting magnesium and B vitamins, and restricting caffeine and high-carbohydrate foods. Addressing food selectivity and optimizing the dietary environment were also considered important aspects of intervention.
Conclusion: Nutritional interventions may be associated with symptom improvement; however, the available evidence remained limited, and causality was not clearly established due to subjective ass essments, concomitant treatments, and selection bias. At present, sufficient evidence to recommend these approaches as standard treatments is lacking, and careful positioning as adjunctive options is required. Further accumulation of high-quality studies based on pathophysiological hypotheses is w arranted.
