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Information on Parkinson's Disease


Notes, Nutrients, Herbs/Supplements, and Advice

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Parkinson's Disease


About
Parkinson's Disease is linked to a low level of dopamine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter that relays messages between nerves. The symptoms of Parkinson's often begin with a slight hand tremor, fatigue, and stiff muscles and eventually progress to lost appetite, drooling, and rigid muscles. Studies are still being done to find a cure for this debilitating disease.

Notes

  • Animal brain tissue has been transplanted into humans with Parkinson's to help alleviate symptoms.
  • Ask your doctor about certain medications that may be beneficial for those with Parkinson's Disease. Be sure to find out what side effects may result.
  • DHEA may help protect against Parkinson's Disease.
  • Fasting is recommended.
  • High lead levels have been discovered in the brains of Parkinson patients. To help get rid of lead, consider chelation therapy.
  • Hypoglycemic people are sometimes misdiagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
  • Iron supplements can help with tyrosine hydroxylase production.
  • It is a good idea to be examined if you experience tremors regularly, at least to possibly rule out Parkinson's disease. People with Parkinson's often experience tremors when they reach middle age.
  • Octocosanol (wheat germ is a good source) may help neuron membranes.
  • One device that may help control involuntary movements is a brain stimulator that works similar to a heart's pacemaker.
  • Some people decide to have a pallidotomy done where a certain section of the brain is killed so as to eliminate involuntary movements. This procedure carries a lot of risk with it.
  • Taking high levels of antioxidant supplements such as vitamin C (3,000 mg) and vitamin E (3,200 IU) may help cause levodopa not to be needed for several more years or it may protect against Parkinson's.
  • Talk to your doctor about taking selegiline to help slow the development of certain symptoms. It may help alleviate symptoms.
  • The National Parkinson's Foundation can provide more information for those who suffer from this disease.
  • To help ease symptoms, consume green drinks.
  • To keep up muscle tone and ability function, participate in regular exercise and physical therapy.
  • While Parkinson's Disease has no known cure, several options are available for easing symptoms: physical therapy, drug therapy, and surgery.
Helpful nutrients for this condition.

Vitamin C
Importance: Very High
Comments: Antioxidant. Retards advancement of this disease. May help suspend need for drug therapy.

Vitamin E
Importance: Very High
Comments: Antioxidant. Retards advancement of this disease. May help suspend need for drug therapy.

Selenium
Importance: Very High
Comments: Potent antioxidant.

Calcium
Importance: High
Comments: Helps with transmission of nerve impulses. Calcium and magnesium enhance each other.

Magnesium
Importance: High
Comments: Helps with transmission of nerve impulses. Calcium and magnesium enhance each other.

Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE)
Importance: High
Comments: Boosts choline production. Enhances brain function. Helps with memory and ability to learn.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Importance: High
Comments: Helps with transmission and stability of neurons.

Grape seed oil
Importance: High
Comments: Provides vitamin E and linoleic acid.

Lecithin
Importance: High
Comments: Provides choline. Helps with nerve impulse transmission.

Lecithin
Importance: High
Comments: Provides choline. Helps with nerve impulse transmission.

Phosphatidyl choline
Importance: High
Comments: Provides choline. Helps with nerve impulse transmission.

L-Glutamic acid
Importance: High
Comments: Aids in transmission of nerve impulses.

L-Phenylalanine
Importance: High
Comments: Helps control symptoms. Caution: Pregnant or nursing women, those who suffer from diabetes, panic attacks, PKU, or high blood pressure, and those taking MAO inhibitor drugs should refrain from using this product.

L-Tyrosine
Importance: High
Comments: Controls mood. Caution: Those taking MAO inhibitor drugs should refrain from using tyrosine.

Pycnogenol and/or grape seed extract
Importance: High
Comments: Bioflavonoids that kill free radicals.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD)
Importance: High
Comments: Slows oxidation. Restrains neurotransmitters. Prevents damage to neurons.

Vitamin B complex
Importance: High
Comments: Enhances brain function and activity of enzymes. High-potency, sublingual form is recommended. Injections under a physician's care are available.

Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5)
Importance: High
Comments: Enhances transmission of messages between nerve cells.

Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Importance: High
Comments: Enhances brain circulation. Niacin may cause flushing. Caution: Those with gout, liver disorder, or high blood pressure should not take niacin.

Niacinamide
Importance: High
Comments: Enhances brain circulation. Flushing will not occur.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Importance: High
Comments: Helps with production of brain dopamine. Injections are available under a physician's care. Caution: Those taking a levodopa preparation should refrain from using this supplement.


Helpful herbs and supplements for this condition.

Burdock
Type: Internal
Purposes: Helps remove toxins from the liver.

Dandelion
Type: Internal
Purposes: Helps remove toxins from the liver.

Ginger
Type: Internal
Purposes: Helps remove toxins from the liver.

Milk thistle
Type: Internal
Purposes: Helps remove toxins from the liver.

Cayenne (capsicum)
Type: Internal
Purposes: Boosts function of thymus and lymphatic systems.

Goldenseal
Type: Internal
Purposes: Boosts function of thymus and lymphatic systems.
Cautions: Those with ragweed allergies, may experience a reaction to goldenseal. Pregnant or nursing women should not use goldenseal. Do not use a daily dose of goldenseal longer than one week.

Mullein
Type: Internal
Purposes: Boosts function of thymus and lymphatic systems.

Siberian Ginseng
Type: Internal
Purposes: Boosts function of thymus and lymphatic systems.
Cautions: Those with hypoglycemia, heart disorder, or high blood pressure should not take Siberian ginseng.

Yarrow
Type: Internal
Purposes: Boosts function of thymus and lymphatic systems.

Hawthorn
Type: Internal
Purposes: Blood purifier.

Licorice
Type: Internal
Purposes: Blood purifier.
Cautions: Using licorice on a daily basis for more than a week can boost blood pressure. Those with high blood pressure should not take it.

Red Clover
Type: Internal
Purposes: Blood purifier.

Sarsaparilla
Type: Internal
Purposes: Blood purifier.

Yellow Dock
Type: Internal
Purposes: Purifies liver and blood.

Black Cohosh
Type: Internal
Purposes: Stress reliever. Promotes healthy nervous system.
Cautions: Pregnant women should not take black cohosh.

Catnip
Type: Internal
Purposes: Stress reliever. Promotes healthy nervous system.

Lemon Balm
Type: Internal
Purposes: Stress reliever. Promotes healthy nervous system.

Passionflower
Type: Internal
Purposes: Stress reliever. Promotes healthy nervous system.

Skullcap
Type: Internal
Purposes: Stress reliever. Promotes healthy nervous system.

Valerian Root
Type: Internal
Purposes: Stress reliever. Promotes healthy nervous system.

Ginkgo biloba
Type: Internal
Purposes: Enhances memory and brain health.

Advice

  • Decrease the amount of animal fat you consume. This is especially helpful for those taking levodopa. It is wise to eat only 7 grams of protein each day, mostly at night. Yogurt, beans, tofu, barley, and lentils are good sources of protein.
  • Phenylalanine is beneficial and can be obtained through fish, pecans, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, lima beans, chickpeas, lentils, pumpkin and almonds.
  • Raw foods plus raw milk, nuts, grains, and seeds should make up 75 percent of your diet.
  • Those taking levodopa should only eat small portions of liver, beef, fish, oatmeal, peanuts, bananas, whole grains, potatoes, and other foods containing vitamin B6. Also, avoid taking vitamin B6 as a supplement, including multivitamins. Protein should be consumed at night, separately from levodopa.
  • When coming in contact with or being exposed to aluminum, lead, or other chemicals, it is wise to protect yourself with gloves and a face mask.