Streptococcus Bacteria: The Hidden Cause of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Almost No One Considers

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The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), is now conducting a study for analyzing if the Streptococcus bacteria which mainly causes scarlet fever, strep throat and various other infections like pneumonia could also be responsible for the obsessive-compulsive disorder among children. Apart from getting affected in children, it has also created impacts on the adults. People who are going through obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), will have some form of obsession or they could also be forced to perform rituals such as hand washing, repeatedly checking out if the car is locked and other things of this nature.

Usually this would begin from the time of childhood or during the teen years. Streptococcus bacteria is responsible for the creation of protein, which mimics the human proteins and thereby it evades the immune system. Once the immune system identifies them to be the foreign invaders, it will begin creation of the antibodies. Such antibodies could also attack the human tissues like the joints, heart and brain. It is also said that such an attack on the brain could inflame the brain structures and could possibly trigger the cause of OCD among children. Research are now being developed for the sake of finding such a treatment will could help in reversing such a syndrome. Research is also being conducted on finding out if a particular antibody treatment will be used for the sake of reduction of the autoimmune reactions.

From the proactive perspective, it is extremely important to take control of the overall health, be it, psychiatric or the mental health. The psychiatric conditions like OCD is mainly the result of the chemical dysfunction in the brain. This could also turn out to be hereditary at times. Usually the lifestyle could override the genetic predispositions or even could be the prime underlying cause of such a dysfunction or chemical imbalance. Hence, the lifestyle factors like the toxic exposures and diet need to be concentrated upon so that you can prevent such health conditions.

A few people would usually have an opinion that the child has not got sufficient time or ability for developing the lifestyle habits. However, when it comes to the health problems, the gut is typically involved and the children are now getting born with the damaged gut flora and this could be the less ideal lifestyle choices that are made by the child’s mother. Hence, it can be considered that there are mainly two brains, one brig inside the and the other is in the gut.

Even though these are different the organs are known to be developed by the same kind of tissue. Especially during the fetal development, a part turns to the central nervous system and the other develops into the enteric nervous system in the gut. It is known that the gut produces more neurotransmitter serotonin and this plays a vital role in the OCD and creates an impact on the mood in general. Hence, optimizing the gut flora will definitely lead to immense psychological health benefits. Till date, there have also been many evidences pertaining to it and hence, Streptococcus bacteria plays a vital role.

References:

MacKenzie, D. Bacteria Could Be Significant Cause of OCD. NewScientist. March 2012 

NIMH Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Rees, JC. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Gut Microbiota Dysregulation. Elsevier Science. 2014 Feb;82(2):163-6. 

Shantih Coro
Shantih Coro originally from Italy, went to the University of Genova (Italy) to study dietetics to pursuit a career in the sport and healthcare fields. After graduation he spent one year in a farm to learn about agriculture, farming and food preparation.

Shantih is working towards transferring his credentials to become a Registered Dietitian and Sports Dietitian through Eastern Michigan University one of the top dietetic program in the country. He holds the best post graduate sports nutrition certification in the field with the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) and Precision Nutrition.

Despite a healthy lifestyle, in 1994 he was diagnosed with severe Chron's Disease and refused to be on medication for life and to have part of his colon removed. He begun a nutritional quest who took him in the Alpes of Italy and three years later the disease was completely gone.

In 2008 he discovered functional medicine which changed his way of practicing nutrition and sports nutrition at a higher and more sophisticated level.

Shantih is an expert in digestive problems, wellness and sports performance and will work tirelessly to help his patients to achieve performance, optimal and balanced health. He educates his patients towards proper lifestyle changes, supplementation, exercise, stress reduction and nutrition.