Jon (Australia) on 02/24/2021

There are many connections pointing to copper toxicity as a possible cause of Tourette's.

Someone suffering with Tourette's syndrome (involuntary motor and vocal tics) has a 50% chance of having OCD. Copper toxicity is commonly found in people with OCD, & Tourette's. People with pyroluria are more likely to have OCD and/or Tourette's… people with pyroluria have low zinc - which allows copper levels to get too high. Copper toxicity has a profound impact on mental and physical health and is becoming more common in our society because of the widespread use of copper and the lack of adequate zinc, molybdenum and other minerals in the diet that help keep it in balance.

Let's take a closer look at this issue by answering the following question from a blog visitor…

My 4 yr old grandson has recently been diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome. He does eat healthy, is active in karate. My daughter has opted out of medication at this time. She is being told that his copper levels are extremely elevated and they have no answer to this. Our problem is that the tics are getting worse and we are at “wits end” wanting to help him. Thank you in advance. ~Teresa

Reply;

Hi Teresa, Yes, high copper is a common underlying factor in Tourette's, as well as a lot of other mental health and medical conditions. There are many steps that can be taken to reduce elevated copper, so I am at a loss as to why the treating physician would not have this knowledge. I say it is time to find another doctor. Before we get into the specifics, let me present just a little background on copper toxicity for those reading this page that may not be familiar with this issue.

Replied By Ellie (Minneapolis, MN) on 02/07/2025

Thank you so much for this link! I have been researching and playing around with different supplements for my husband who probably has some form of Tourette's/motor tics. It has progressed in the 29 years I've known him from just a torso side twitch to now his head jerking up and down. I also notice minor facial twitching (eyes, mouth) and hand tremors. He doesn't notice any of them. When he went on meds for anxiety and ADD his neck jerking got violent. I tried to point out that the short few hours of help he thought he was getting was not worth the growing concern I had with the side effects. Thank God, with inner spiritual healing and probably healing from his past wounds, he no longer needs them (that in itself is a miracle because as addictive drugs go he was convinced he could not function or live without them! ). FF to today, I read about magnesium glycinate somewhere (probably here) and I've been experimenting with them. He is currently taking 4 magnesium glycinate (Pure Encapsulation 120mg) in the morning and 4 at night. I think it has minimized his motor tics. I am going to see if he can get retested for copper (we both were low zinc/high copper back in 2019) and will order manganese and see if we have niacin for him to try. I know God is healing him!! I don't remember who told me about Earth Clinic but so appreciate everyone on here!

Replied By Art (California) on 02/07/2025

Hi Ellie,

I often suggest Magnesium Glycinate for its bioavailability and reduced gastrointestinal effects, but in your husbands case, it might be worth giving consideration to Magnesium Orotate as an alternative.

Art