Below you’ll find articles from the archives of the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine and the newsletter Nutrition & Mental Health.
To learn more about orthomolecular health or search the archives of the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, visit www.orthomed.org or JOM archives .
Topic IV: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Orthomolecular Advances in the Treatment of pediatric and adult Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Presented by James Greenblatt, MD.
Dr. James Greenblatt is the founder and director of Comprehensive Psychiatric Resources. He spoke about the orthomolecular advances in the treatment of pediatric and adult obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD places great burdens on society–it’s the fourth most common psychiatric disorder and the tenth leading cause of disability in the world.
Obsessions and compulsions are the hallmark of OCD, and their presence invades self-image, relationships, career, life satisfaction, emotional expression, parenting, and many other life areas. It is often co-morbid with schizophrenia, ADHD and depression and recovery does not often exceed 20%.
Dr. Greenblatt was excited about the great improvements obtainable in these severely debilitated patients by using a select few nutrients. He uses two extensively:
Inositol, a naturally occurring nutrient involved in cellular mediation of signal transduction and metabolic regulation; and 5-HTP the precursor of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood, appetite and sleep. Another important aspect of his practice is digestive enzyme therapy which is indicated when peptide testing of patients show a malfunction of the protein digesting enzyme DPP4. A deficit of this enzyme’s activity appears common in autism and OCD and without it, partially digested proteins such as gluten and casein may leak into the blood in odd configurations. These fragments mimic complex molecules such as endorphins and can interfere with opioid receptors to cause behavioral symptoms.
Dr. Greenblatt cited several of his case studies using inositol supplementation. One adult patient with strong garbage-hoarding compulsion required a detailed investigation of his biochemistry. Inositol and 5-HTP had minimal effects but when the patient was given a peptide test, he was found to have a deficiency of DPP4. Dr. Greenblatt eliminated wheat from the diet and prescribed enzyme formulas like Enzymate to help metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and SerenAid which helps to inactivate the milk and wheat digestive products, caseimorphins and gluteomorphins, that adversely affect the nervous system. Dr. Greenblatt’s goal is to bring these simple interventions to a mental health field dominated by the pharmaceutical mindset.
View the entire report from the Orthomolecular Medicine Today Conference of 2007.
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