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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, June 01, 2009

Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies in OCD Sufferers

Q: Dear Elena: My girlfriend was recently diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I have been reading a lot of material about how to help her and I came across an article about how some people can be deficient in certain vitamins which makes them more prone to becoming mentally ill. What kind of vitamins would she be deficient in?

A: OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) is a mental disorder which is associated with serotonin insufficiency or deficiency (or a perceived deficiency) in the brain.

CD may be associated with a deficiency of more then just serotonin and often multiple deficiencies co-exist together, including Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B-3, B-6, Inositol, and other B vitamins.

Specifically, a "cerebral calcium deficiency" is sometimes cited. A lack of Magnesium may also play a role in this disbalance. Without the proper Magnesium to Calcium balance (usually 1:1) ratio a deficiency can occur.

Most OCD patients also exhibit undermethylation and associated low levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Choline is anti-dopaminergic and often makes OCD patients worse.

In my clinical experience, I have had patients respond well to tryptophan and 5HTP therapy. OCD sufferers seem to notice a greater improvement with their condition when chemicals in their brain are brought back to normal balance than by behavioral or psychological treatment.

Therefore, I think your girlfriend should be assessed for her mineral and vitamin levels and possibly checked for heavy metals. I recommend doing this before you start giving her mega doses of supplements. Supplements in high doses can cause adverse reactions. I also often use herbal formulas that help balance the neurotransmitters and moderate stress hormones. Formulas containing Passiflora incarnata, Rhodiola rosea and l-theanine are very useful and well balanced to provide the best synergistic action.

In my office, I also do Electro Interstitial Scan (EIS). A body scan that can show physiological parameters, including neurotransmitter levels in the brain. I like to use this method first to assess a patient’s levels before supplements and then again after treatment, so that change can be monitored.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist