Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced tics and obsessive-compulsive symptoms: A series of nine boys with Obsessive-Compulsive Tic Disorder

Tics and obsessions-compulsions are consistent phenotypes of the Obsessive-Compulsive Tic Disorder (OCTD), frequently associated with male gender, sensory phenomena, and impulsive behaviors. These clinical symptoms were reported to influence eating behaviors, but literature also showed that food patterns or dietary supplements could alleviate the clinical spectra, thus suggesting the existence of a bidirectional association. We present a series of 9 boys with OCTD from Italy whose unhealthy food habits were corrected through a nutritional counseling. The education focused on promoting a balanced diet through non-specific Mediterranean dietary advices. After one month, YGTSS (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale) and Y-BOCS (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale) scored a significant reduction, but the quality of life diminished. First, we conclude that healthier dietary patterns may be associated with an amelioration of tics and obsessive-compulsive traits in boys who are diagnosed with the same conditions. Second, the impact of nutritional interventions on the quality of patients’ life, especially if underage, should always be considered. Certainly, the treatment of OCTD must be multidisciplinary and should include neuropsychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and nutritionists. The nutritional counseling should be as comprehensive as possible to promote a balanced diet, and inform about nutritional side effects of drugs or potential food-drug interactions. © 2019 Société francophone nutrition clinique et métabolisme (SFNCM)