Alternative Medicine for OCD: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Factors That May Be Driving Your OCD Symptoms (and What To Do About it)
- Anna
- 1 day ago
- 19 min read
If you've tried everything and still struggle with OCD symptoms, there may be more to the story.
Key Takeaways:
Living with OCD can be exhausting. The constant mental noise, intrusive thoughts, repetitive behaviours and relentless self-doubt can leave people feeling trapped and overwhelmed.
Growing research points to multiple biological factors influencing OCD symptoms, Below, we explore some of these factors, including nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, gut health, immune function, genetics and environmental influences.
We’ll also discuss some of the key research-backed diet and supplement interventions as well as the best functional tests to help identify the root cause of your symptoms and guide a more personalised approach to support.
Table of Contents
What is OCD?
What Causes OCD?
Alternative Medicine Approaches to OCD
Functional Testing for OCD
Can Supplements Help with OCD?
Can Diet Make a Difference to OCD Symptoms?
Lifestyle Factors That Can Support Recovery from OCD
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Living with OCD: When Your Mind Won't Let Go
If you live with OCD you will know it is far more than a preference for order or cleanliness. It can feel like being trapped in an endless conversation with your own mind, that never stops.
A thought appears seemingly out of nowhere. Perhaps a fear that you have harmed someone, left the door unlocked, contaminated a loved one, or made the wrong decision. The thought feels important. Urgent. Impossible to ignore.
You try to reason with it, but the doubt remains.
So you check. You seek reassurance. You replay the situation in your head. For a brief moment, the anxiety settles.
Then it returns.
Many people with OCD describe feeling exhausted by the constant mental effort required simply to get through the day. So much of their energy is spent managing intrusive thoughts, resisting compulsions, analysing situations and searching for reassurance. They know their fears may not be rational, yet the feeling remains powerful and convincing.
What can make this even harder is when you have tried everything you have been told should help. Perhaps you have had therapy. Perhaps you have taken medication. Perhaps you have spent years trying to understand why your brain seems unable to switch off.
Over time, this can have a profound impact on quality of life, relationships, work, confidence and emotional wellbeing.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects millions of people worldwide and can occur at any age. While conventional treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and medication can be incredibly valuable, many people continue to struggle despite doing all the "right" things.
At Re:Health Clinic we often meet clients who feel they have fallen through the cracks. They may have a diagnosis, but very few answers.
Our approach to supporting clients with OCD moves beyond symptom management to exploring the underlying factors that may be driving those symptoms.
In this article, we'll explore functional medicine and nutritional psychiatry perspectives on OCD, including potential root causes, emerging areas of research, evidence-based supplements and practical strategies that may help support recovery.
What is OCD? Moving beyond the Stereotypes
Public perception often reduces OCD to handwashing, tidiness or a preference for organisation. While these behaviours can certainly occur, they represent only a small part of a much broader and more complex condition.
At its core, OCD involves a cycle of obsessions and/or compulsions.
Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, images or urges that trigger anxiety, fear, disgust, uncertainty or distress. Compulsions are the behaviours or mental rituals performed in an attempt to reduce that distress or prevent a feared outcome. These compulsions may be visible, such as checking locks repeatedly or washing hands excessively. However, many compulsions occur entirely within the mind.
A person may spend hours mentally reviewing conversations, analysing decisions, seeking certainty, repeating phrases internally or trying to "cancel out" unwanted thoughts.
This is one reason OCD can often go unnoticed by others.
From the outside, an individual may appear calm. Internally, however, they may be engaged in a relentless battle with doubt, fear and uncertainty.
Common obsessions include:
Fear of contamination from germs, dirt or illness
Fear of harming oneself or others
Intrusive violent, aggressive, sexual, blasphemous or disturbing thoughts or images
Excessive concern with morality or doing the "right" thing
Excessive doubt and uncertainty
Intense doubts about a romantic partner or relationship
A need for symmetry, exactness or things feeling "just right"
Fear of losing control
Fear of acting on an unwanted thought, despite having no desire to do so
Fear of making mistakes
Fears of having a serious illness
Fear of being responsible for something bad happening
Common compulsions include:
Excessive handwashing or cleaning
Repeated checking (doors, locks, appliances, health concerns)
Reassurance seeking
Counting, tapping or repeating actions
Arranging, ordering or organising items
Re-reading, re-writing or reviewing
Repeating words, phrases or prayers
Mental reviewing of past events
Confessing or disclosing thoughts to others
Avoiding situations that trigger obsessions
Mentally neutralising unwanted thoughts with "good" thoughts
Current estimates suggest OCD affects approximately 1-3% of the population, making it one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide.
The question that researchers are increasingly asking is not simply "What is OCD?" but also "What factors may be influencing the brain in ways that contribute to OCD symptoms?"
What Causes OCD?
From a conventional medical perspective, OCD is thought to involve alterations in specific brain circuits involved in threat detection, habit formation, emotional processing and cognitive flexibility. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and glutamate are also thought to play important roles.
This understanding has led to the development of the most common OCD treatments, including SSRIs (anti-depressants that keep serotonin around in the brain for longer) and psychological therapies such as Exposure and Response Prevention and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
For some people, these interventions are life changing. However, they do not work for everyone. Research suggests that between 40-60% of people with OCD may continue to experience significant symptoms despite receiving standard treatment. As a result, researchers are increasingly exploring factors that may influence brain function, including inflammation, nutrient status, gut health and genetics.
Rather than a single cause, OCD is likely to arise from a complex interaction of biological, psychological and environmental factors.
Alternative Medicine Approaches to OCD: Taking a Deeper Dive
At Re:Health Clinic, our goal is to understand what may be contributing to symptoms in the first place.
Why is the brain becoming stuck in patterns of fear, doubt and compulsive behaviour?
What factors may be influencing neurotransmitters, inflammation, immune function and nervous system regulation?
And perhaps most importantly, what is unique about this individual?
Two people may both meet the diagnostic criteria for OCD, yet the factors contributing to their symptoms may be entirely different. This is why we believe it is so important to move beyond symptom management alone and begin exploring the broader picture.
Potential Root Causes of OCD: A Functional Medicine Perspective
Could Nutrient Deficiencies Be Contributing to OCD Symptoms?
The brain relies on a constant supply of nutrients to produce neurotransmitters (such as serotonin, dopamine and GABA), regulate inflammation and generate energy. Research has identified associations between OCD and lower levels of nutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, folate, zinc and magnesium. Nutrient deficiencies may contribute to symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue and poor stress resilience. Assessing and correcting nutritional imbalances is foundational when supporting mental health.
The Role of Inflammation: Could the Brain Be Stuck in a Cycle of Threat?
Researchers increasingly recognise that inflammation within the brain and nervous system, known as neuroinflammation, can influence mood, cognition and behaviour. By disrupting neurotransmitter function and altering how the brain responds to stress and perceived threat, neuroinflammation may contribute to the persistent sense of danger and hypervigilance often seen in OCDFactors such as poor diet, chronic stress, infections, sleep deprivation and gut dysfunction can all contribute to inflammatory processes. Emerging research suggests that a subset of individuals with OCD have elevated inflammatory markers, raising important questions about the role inflammation may play in driving symptoms.
The Gut-Brain Axis: One of the Most Promising Areas of OCD Research
The gut and brain communicate constantly through what’s called the gut-brain axis. The gut microbiome (the communities of bacteria living in the gut) influences immune function, inflammation, stress responses and neurotransmitter production, all of which can affect mental wellbeing. Growing evidence has demonstrated that alterations in gut bacteria can influence behaviour, anxiety and stress resilience in both animal and human studies. A small but growing body of research has found gut microbiome differences in some people with OCD, including:
Reduced abundance of certain beneficial bacteria involved in anti-inflammatory processes.
Alterations in bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate.
Changes in microbial diversity and overall microbial balance (which can influence the production of certain neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, GABA and glutamate).
PANS and PANDAS: Infection and the Immune System
PANS and PANDAS are conditions characterised by the sudden onset of OCD symptoms following infection (often a streptococcal infection such as ‘strep throat’) or immune activation. Although primarily recognised in children, this can and does occur in adults too.
These conditions have highlighted the powerful relationship between the immune system and mental health and provides compelling evidence that immune dysfunction can influence behaviour, which has encouraged researchers to further investigate the role of the immune system in psychiatric conditions.
Pyroluria: A Hidden Contributor to Anxiety and Stress Sensitivity
Pyrroles are natural by-products produced during haemoglobin synthesis. In most people, they are excreted harmlessly in the urine. However, some individuals appear to produce excess pyrroles, a pattern often referred to as pyroluria.
These compounds can bind to nutrients such as zinc and vitamin B6, increasing their loss from the body. Because both nutrients are essential for neurotransmitter production and nervous system function, deficiencies may contribute to symptoms such as anxiety, poor stress tolerance and emotional instability.
Read more about Pyroluria and take our quiz:
Genetics: Loading the Gun
Genetics can influence susceptibility to OCD. Variations in genes involved in neurotransmitter metabolism, methylation, nutrient utilisation and stress resilience may help explain why some individuals are more vulnerable than others. While genes may increase risk, environmental and lifestyle factors often influence whether those genetic tendencies are expressed.
Dietary Exorphins: The Potential Role of Gluten and Dairy
Dietary exorphins are opioid-like peptides that can be produced during the incomplete digestion of gluten and dairy proteins. Normally, enzymes such as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) help break these proteins down into smaller peptides and amino acids.
Researchers have suggested that for some people, larger peptide fragments such as gliadorphins and casomorphins may persist and interact with opioid receptors in the brain, potentially influencing mood, cognition and behaviour in susceptible individuals. While the evidence remains limited, some people report improvements in anxiety, brain fog and obsessive thinking when specific food triggers are identified and removed.
Environmental Toxins: An Overlooked Piece of the Puzzle?
Environmental exposures such as heavy metals, pesticides, mould toxins and air pollution have been linked to increased oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which can affect brain and nervous system function. Emerging research suggests that exposure to certain environmental toxins may influence neurotransmitter activity, immune regulation and mitochondrial function, potentially contributing to symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, brain fog and reduced stress resilience.
Functional Testing for OCD: Moving Beyond Guesswork
Testing can be an important part of the puzzle. Rather than relying on guesswork, our aim is to develop a clearer understanding of the factors that may be influencing symptoms and use that information to guide a personalised approach to supporting our clients.
We are always being guided by the question, “What Is Driving Your Symptoms?”
Comprehensive Blood Testing: The Foundation of Investigation
One of the most surprising things we see in practice is how many people struggling with mental health symptoms have never had a truly comprehensive assessment of their nutritional status. Standard blood tests are incredibly valuable, but they do not always provide a complete picture of the nutrients and physiological systems that support optimal brain function.
Depending on the individual, comprehensive blood testing this may include markers such as:
Vitamin D
Vitamin B12
Folate
Iron studies
Thyroid function
Full blood count
Inflammatory markers (e.g. hs-CRP)
Fasting insulin
HbA1c
Liver function
Zinc and copper status
Homocysteine
Lipid panel
Clinical Insight
Many people are told that their blood tests are "normal." A functional approach considers whether levels are truly optimal for brain and nervous system health.
Organic Acids Testing (OAT)
OAT testing uses a urine sample to assess mitochondrial function, neurotransmitter metabolism, oxidative stress, nutrient status and gut microbial activity. It can help identify underlying patterns that may contribute to symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, and digestive issues.
In clients with OCD, key markers include quinolinic acid (linked to neuroinflammation and glutamate activity) and HPHPA (a neurotoxic byproduct of certain Clostridia bacteria that can cause neurotransmitter imbalances and a hyperactive stress response).
Kryptopyrrole (Pyrolyria) Testing
This urine test measures compounds called pyrroles that associated with increased depletion of zinc and vitamin B6, both of which are essential cofactors in neurotransmitter synthesis and stress regulation.
It is commonly considered in individuals presenting with anxiety, heightened emotional sensitivity, OCD, social anxiety and reduced stress resilience, where these patterns may be clinically relevant.
Gut Health Testing
Given the growing interest in the gut-brain axis, comprehensive stool testing can be a valuable tool for investigating factors that may be influencing both digestive and mental health. Modern stool testing allows practitioners to assess the composition and function of the gut microbiome, identify potential pathogens, evaluate markers of inflammation and immune activity, and assess levels of beneficial bacteria involved in short-chain fatty acid production.
Hair Mineral Analysis
This test provides a longer-term snapshot of mineral balance and can offer insights into levels of essential minerals such as magnesium and zinc, as well as potential exposure to heavy metals including mercury, lead and arsenic. Hair Mineral Analysis can be a useful addition to a wider assessment, helping to identify patterns that may be contributing to oxidative stress, nervous system dysfunction and reduced resilience.
Plasma Amino Acid Testing
Amino acids are the building blocks of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and GABA. This blood test assesses availability of key amino acid precursors such as tryptophan, tyrosine, and glutamine. Imbalances may reflect poor dietary intake, issues with digestion, increased stress, or increased demand.
Fatty Acid Testing
The human brain is composed largely of and relies heavily on fats, particularly omega-3s, for structure, neurotransmitter signalling and inflammation regulation.
Fatty acid testing allows us to assess:
Omega-3 status
Omega-6 status
Inflammatory fatty acid balance
Cell membrane health
Genetic Testing: A Personalised Lens
Genetics can influence nutrient needs, stress response, and detoxification.
Certain genetic variations may affect:
Methylation pathways
Folate metabolism
Detoxification processes
Neurotransmitter metabolism
Inflammatory responses
One commonly discussed example is the MTHFR gene, which influences how folate is processed and utilised within the body. For some individuals, understanding these genetic patterns can help explain why they have struggled with certain symptoms or responded poorly to previous interventions, helping to guide a more personalised approach to health.
Can Supplements Help with OCD?
Client’s often ask, “what is the best supplement for OCD?”, but the truth is, there isn’t one best supplement for everyone, this depends on the underlying factors driving symptoms. Once we have a clearer understanding of these potential factors, we can consider how targeted supplementation may play a role in addressing underlying imbalances.
Several nutrients and compounds have shown promise in OCD research. The following supplements are among the most widely studied and have shown the most promise in OCD research.
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine): One of the Most Promising Supplements for OCD
What is it?
If there is one supplement that has generated significant interest in OCD research over recent years, it is NAC. NAC is a modified form of the amino acid cysteine and a precursor to glutathione, often referred to as the body's master antioxidant. While traditionally used to support detoxification and antioxidant pathways, it has gained significant attention in mental health research due to its effects on brain chemistry.
Why might it help OCD?
Researchers are particularly interested in NAC's ability to regulate glutamate, a neurotransmitter increasingly implicated in OCD. NAC may also help reduce oxidative stress and support healthy inflammatory responses, both of which can influence brain function and mental wellbeing. Several clinical trials have found that NAC may help reduce obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours in some individuals, particularly when used alongside conventional treatments such as therapy or medication
Inositol: Supporting Healthy Serotonin Signalling
What is it?
Inositol is a naturally occurring compound involved in cellular communication and neurotransmitter signalling and appears to influence serotonin signalling within the brain. Although often grouped with the B vitamins, it is not technically a vitamin, but a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that your body produces from glucose
Why might it help OCD?
Inositol appears to influence serotonin signalling pathways within the brain. Because serotonin plays an important role in OCD, researchers have investigated whether higher doses of inositol may help support emotional regulation and reduce obsessive thinking. Several studies have reported improvements in OCD symptoms including worry, rumination and intrusive thoughts with high-dose inositol supplementation. While the research base is smaller than for NAC, it remains one of the better-studied nutritional interventions for OCD.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Building Blocks for Brain Health
What are they?
The human brain is approximately 60% fat, making dietary fats incredibly important for cognitive and emotional wellbeing. Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are essential fats that play important roles in brain structure and function. They are found primarily in oily fish.
Why it might help OCD?
Omega-3s help support healthy brain cell membranes, neurotransmitter signalling and inflammatory balance, they support many of the biological systems involved in mental health. Research has linked low omega-3 status to various psychiatric conditions, including anxiety, depression and ADHD. Omega-3s are widely considered a foundational intervention for supporting overall brain health.
Key Micronutrients & Nutraceuticals
While NAC, inositol, omega-3s tend to receive the most attention in OCD research, several other micronutrients play important roles in neurotransmitter synthesis and brain function.
Zinc plays an important role in neurotransmitter function, including the regulation of glutamate and GABA. Chronic stress can deplete zinc, and low levels have been associated with anxiety and poor stress tolerance.
Vitamin D supports immune function, inflammation regulation and brain health. Low vitamin D status is common and has been linked to poorer mental wellbeing.
B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, folate and vitamin B6, are required for neurotransmitter production and energy metabolism. Deficiencies may contribute to anxiety, low mood, fatigue and poor concentration.
Magnesium helps regulate excitatory and inhibitory signalling within the brain and supports relaxation, sleep quality and stress resilience. Optimising magnesium status may help reduce some of the symptoms physiological stress that can exacerbate OCD symptoms.
Probiotics support the gut microbiome, which influences inflammation, stress responses and neurotransmitter activity through the gut-brain axis. While research specifically on OCD is still emerging, supporting gut health with targeted probiotics may benefit overall mental wellbeing.
Can Diet Make a Difference to OCD Symptoms?
Unlike many other organs, the brain has extremely high energy demands and requires a continuous supply of fuel and raw materials to function optimally. When nutritional intake is poor, blood sugar fluctuates, inflammation increases or nutrient deficiencies develop, brain function may be one of the first things to be affected. This means that eating in a way that supports healthy brain function may help improve resilience and create a strong foundation for recovery.
Foundational Dietary Principles:
Stabilise blood sugar: by limiting refined carbohydrates and sugary foods that can worsen anxiety and emotional dysregulation.
Quality protein: building meals around protein such as grass fed meat, eggs, wild-caught fish and legumes to provide the necessary amino acids for neurotransmitter production.
Healthy fats: such as olive oil, oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds are vital for good brain health and function
Eat the rainbow: of colourful fruit and vegetables to access a broad range of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help dampen inflammation, support the immune system and provide cofactors for synthesizing key neurtransmitters
Avoid ultra-processed foods: A growing body of research links ultra-processed foods to poorer mental health outcomes. They may also contribute to inflammation, blood sugar imbalances and changes in the gut microbiome, all of which can influence mental wellbeing.
Emerging Research on Dietary Interventions for OCD
The Ketogenic Diet and OCD
One of the most exciting developments in nutritional psychiatry is the growing interest in ketogenic diets for mental health. By shifting the body's primary fuel source from glucose to ketones, a ketogenic diet may support brain energy metabolism, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and influence neurotransmitter function.
Research specifically investigating OCD is growing, as is interest within the field of metabolic psychiatry, and we have seen extremely promising results clinically. The underlying principle is simple: the brain is highly energy-dependent, and how it is fuelled may influence how it functions
The Gut-Brain Connection Starts on Your Plate
Diet is one of the most powerful influences on the gut microbiome, helping to shape the balance of beneficial bacteria within the digestive tract. A diverse, plant and fibre-rich diet, with regular consumption of fermented foods supports microbes that produce short-chain fatty acids, compounds that help regulate inflammation, maintain gut barrier integrity and facilitate communication between the gut and brain.
Emerging research has linked OCD with reduced short-chain fatty acid production and increased markers of inflammation and gut permeability. In contrast, diets high in ultra-processed foods and low in fibre may negatively impact microbial diversity and gut health.
Lifestyle Factors That Can Support Recovery from OCD
The brain is constantly influenced by sleep, stress, movement, relationships and the environment around us. Lifestyle factors may play an important part in helping to create the foundations upon which brain health is built.
Recovery is rarely about finding one thing that changes everything. More often, it is about consistently supporting the systems that allow the brain and nervous system to function more effectively.
Prioritise Sleep: Supporting sleep through consistent bedtimes, reducing evening screen exposure and creating a calming bedtime routine can help provide a stronger foundation for recovery.
Support Your Nervous System: Practices such as mindfulness, breathwork, meditation, gentle yoga, somatic exercises and time in nature can help create moments of safety and calm within the nervous system.
Move Your Body Regularly: Exercise benefits far more than physical health. Regular movement supports sleep quality, stress regulation shift attention away from repetitive thinking and reconnect us with the present moment.
Make Space for Joy: Whether that is spending time in nature, being creative, listening to music or connecting with loved ones, recovery is about more than reducing symptoms. It is about building a life that feels fulfilling.
Before we conclude, let's answer some of the most common questions people ask about alternative medicine approaches to OCD.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alternative Medicine for OCD
1. Can OCD be caused by a nutrient deficiency?
Nutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folate, zinc and magnesium play important roles in brain function, neurotransmitter production and nervous system regulation. Deficiencies may contribute to symptoms such obsessive thinking, anxiety and poor stress resilience in some individuals, which is why nutritional status is an important part of a broader assessment.
2. What is the best supplement for OCD?
There is no single best supplement for OCD. The most appropriate approach depends on the individual and the factors contributing to their symptoms. Some of the most researched supplements include N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), inositol, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and zinc. However, supplements are generally most effective when used alongside nutrition, lifestyle changes and appropriate therapeutic support.
3. Does NAC help with intrusive thoughts?
NAC is one of the most promising supplements currently being researched for OCD. It may help regulate glutamate activity, support antioxidant defences and reduce oxidative stress. Several studies have demonstrated improvements in obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours in some individuals with NAC supplementation.
4. Can gut health affect OCD symptoms?
The gut and brain communicate constantly through the gut-brain axis. The gut microbiome influences inflammation, immune function, neurotransmitter production and stress responses, all of which may affect mental health. While poor gut health does not explain every case of OCD, supporting gut health can be an important part of a holistic approach.
5. Can inflammation contribute to OCD?
Emerging research suggests that inflammation may influence brain function and mental health in some individuals with OCD. Inflammatory processes can affect neurotransmitter activity, stress responses and neural communication. Factors such as poor sleep, chronic stress, gut dysfunction and dietary habits may all contribute to inflammation.
6. Is there an “OCD diet”?
A nutrient-dense diet rich in protein, vegetables, fibre and healthy fats may help support brain health, blood sugar balance and inflammation regulation. Many people find that reducing ultra-processed foods and improving overall dietary quality helps them feel more resilient and better able to manage symptoms. There is also growing interest in ketogenic diets within the field of metabolic psychiatry, as this way of eating may influence brain energy metabolism, inflammation and neurotransmitter function. The emerging research in this field is very exciting!
7. Do I need a formal diagnosis of OCD to work with you?
No. Many people seek support because they experience intrusive thoughts, anxiety, compulsive behaviours or cognitive symptoms without having received a formal diagnosis.
8. Can I work with you if I am taking medication or having therapy for OCD?
Yes. Functional medicine and nutritional psychiatry can be integrated alongside conventional treatment approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and medication. These approaches are not mutually exclusive and can often complement one another as part of a comprehensive care plan.
Some supplements may interact with medications. It is important to work with a qualified practitioner who can assess safety, dosage and suitability based on your individual circumstances.
Conclusion
Living with OCD can be exhausting. The constant mental noise, intrusive thoughts, repetitive behaviours and relentless self-doubt can leave people feeling trapped and overwhelmed.
The encouraging news is that growing research points to multiple biological factors influencing OCD symptoms, including nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, gut health, immune function, genetics and environmental influences.
At Re:Health Clinic, we believe that understanding why symptoms are occurring is just as important as understanding what the diagnosis is. A functional medicine and nutritional psychiatry approach seeks to join the dots, helping uncover the unique factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and creating a personalised plan that supports your brain and mental health.
If you're ready to explore what may be driving your OCD symptoms and help your brain feel calmer and more resilient, we offer comprehensive functional medicine assessments, advanced testing and personalised protocols combining targeted supplementation with nutrition and lifestyle interventions through our one-to-one programmes.
You do not have to navigate this journey alone.
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About the Author
Anna Roscher, Registered Nutritional Therapist and Nutritional Psychiatry Practitioner.
Anna is a Registered Nutritional Therapist and Nutritional Psychiatry Practitioner with a specialist interest in mental health. She supports individuals experiencing anxiety, OCD, depression, ADHD, burnout, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, through a compassionate, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approach.
A Nutritional Psychiatry Fellow, Anna combines advanced training in integrative mental healthcare with a First-Class degree in Applied Psychology with Sociology, a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling, and extensive experience as a Mental Health Lead in the charity sector. Her background includes providing one-to-one emotional support and facilitating psychoeducational groups for both young people and adults living with mental health issues.
Anna is passionate about helping clients uncover the root causes of their symptoms through comprehensive assessment and targeted functional testing. By combining personalised nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and the latest research in nutritional psychiatry, she empowers clients to make meaningful, sustainable changes that support long-term mental and physical wellbeing.
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