BRAIN SAVES
Preventing Parkinson's disease.
First described in 1817 by Dr. James Parkinson, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a term used to describe specific loss of motor function. Over 50,000 new cases of Parkinson’s are diagnosed each year [1]. This disease is characterized by four specific symptoms: tremors, rigidity, slow movements, and a loss of coordination and balance. Walking often becomes very slow, and patients often experience tremors in the hands, arms or face while at rest. Patients are at a high risk of falling due to the loss of balance and coordination, and muscle stiffness. The disease typically progresses with further deterioration of motor skills though medication may slow these effects. Doctors are now studying nutritional therapies for prevention and treatment of afflicted patients.
Nutritional approaches for treating Parkinson’s should not rest solely on vitamins. The diet must include fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and water. Artificial preservatives and ingredients will serve no benefit to brain health. Clinically, patients have more success treating symptoms early in the course of the illness. Later stages of the disease usually require more aggressive dosing and more time for results. Prevention should remain a focus. Eliminating excess toxins from the workplace and home, sound sleep and a healthy diet are integral to a healthy brain and prevention of chronic conditions.
Another area of major concern for Parkinson’s disease, along with many other chronic diseases, is toxin damage. Even as a developing fetus, we are exposed to all kinds of toxic insults. These can be in the form of pesticides, heavy metals, cleaning chemicals and pollution. In the past 100 years, toxins from various sources have dramatically increased while the nutritional value of the food we eat has substantially decreased. This is a costly combination that many experts believe is leading to chronic diseases including Parkinson’s, dementia and autism [10].
Many of the supplemental treatments suggested for Parkinson's target the energy powerhouse of the cells in our body, the mitochondria. It's in the mitochondria that energy is made to run the countless functions of the body. These powerhouses are essential for optimal function of the heart, muscles, kidneys, liver, and especially, the brain. Patients with Parkinson's share a common trait in that the area of the brain called the substantia nigra begins to die, resulting in the loss of smooth movement. Doctors hope to feed the brain the nutrients needed to keep optimal function in the mitochondria of these important brain cells.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). One of the top nutrients in regard to Parkinson's, studies with 300-1,200 mg of CoQ10 a day have shown improvements in motor function, with the higher doses showing better results. CoQ10 is tolerated extremely well, and can be dosed aggressively for Parkinson's patients, typically 400–1,200 mg a day in divided doses.
Creatine. This typically comes as a powder and was made popular as a supplement for enhancing athletic performance. However, research on creatine has recently been extended to neurologic illness. Much of the study on creatine has been on animals. But one human study, though it did not demonstrate big gains in motor function, did show improvement in mood and depression [3]. A second study done in combination with the drug minocycline (an antibiotic) demonstrated some benefit in Parkinson's patients [4]. Due to its safety record, creatine should be considered, with dosages starting at 5 g and up to 10 g daily. Patients should consider increasing that dosage to 15 g after several weeks to see if further benefit can be obtained.
Alpha-lipoic acid. This nutrient is a noted antioxidant thought to help the body replenish glutathione, a nutrient that gets depleted with Parkinson's, and serves as a potent detoxifier. Again, most research on alpha-lipoic acid has been done on animals. Though an initial human study did not show real benefit, subsequent studies have shown protection from Parkinson's with alpha-lipoic acid in animal models [5, 6, 7, 8]. Hopefully, more research will be devoted to this antioxidant in relation to neurologic illness and Parkinson's. Alpha-lipoic should be considered at 150 mg daily and can be increased to 300-450 mg a day over 3-4 weeks.
Vitamin E. Vitamin E has long been regarded as a nutrient for the brain and the heart. Some data argues that it can benefit Parkinson's, primarily from food sources [9]. Vitamin E has proven positive for other brain afflictions, including stroke and Alzheimer’s disease (LINKS). A healthy diet is necessary for prevention of chronic illness. However, vitamin E supplementation can still be considered for Parkinson's protocol with a dosage of 400 IU daily. The vitamin E label should include d-alpha tocopherol (not dl) and mixed tocopherols, which provide the full range of vitamin E forms thought to better meet the needs of the body.
Vitamin D. Levels of vitamin D have been shown to be low in many patients with Parkinson's [11]. Levels can be measured to tailor a daily dosage, but typical requirements are 1,000–3,000 IU daily, with food [3].
Riboflavin. Riboflavin is vitamin B-2, part of the B vitamin family. It's important for the production of energy and is needed to make more glutathione. One study has shown improvements in motor function by taking 30 mg of riboflavin 3 times a day while avoiding red meat [12]. Red meat, due to its fat content, has been considered a significant instigator of inflammation. These issues may be improved by switching to grass-fed beef (LINK). Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it's excreted through the kidneys, and will turn urine bright yellow.
Acetyl L-carnitine. This is another nutrient used to target the mitochondria. It's commonly used with CoQ10 and alpha-lipoic acid to energize this powerhouse of cells and essentially feed the brain. Dosage is usually 500-1,000 mg in 2-3 doses a day.
References:
1. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web site. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/detail_parkinsons_disease.htm#105553159.
2. Shults, C.W., Oakes, D., Kieburtz, K., et al. (2002). Effects of coenzyme Q 10 in early Parkinson's disease. Evidence in slowing of the functional decline. Arch Neurol, 1541-1550.
3. Bender, A. (2006). Creatine supplementation in Parkinson disease: a placebo-controlled randomized pilot trial. Neurology, 67(7):1262-4.
4. NINDS NET-PD Investigatos. A randomized, double-blind, futility clinical trial of creatine and minocycline in early Parkinson disease. Neurology, 66(5):664-71.
5. Seaton, T.A. (1996). Thioctic acid does not restore glutathione levels or protect against the potentiation of 6-hydroxydopamine toxicity induced by glutathione depletion in rat brain. J Neural Transm, 103(3):315-29.
6. Bharat, S. (2002). Pre-treatment with R-lipoic acid alleviates the effects of GSH depletion in PC12 cells: implications for Parkinson's disease therapy. Neurotoxicology, 23(4-5):479-86.
7. Bilska, A. (2007). Alpha-lipoic acid differently affects the reserpine-induced oxidative stress in the striatum and prefrontal cortex of rat brain. Neuroscience, 146(4):1758-71.
8. Seaton, T.A. (1996). The isomers of thioctic acid alter C-deoxyglucose incorporation in rat basal ganglia. Biochem Pharmacol, 51(7):983-6.
9. Etminan, M. (2005). Intake of vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids and the risk of Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis. Lancet Neurol, 4(6):362-5.
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