| Nutritional Supplements Can Help Slow Progression of Parkinson's Disease |
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| Parkinson's Disease - Parkinson's Disease 2006 |
| Written by Frank Mangano |
| Wednesday, 22 November 2006 23:22 |
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Parkinson's disease is a disorder that affects nerve cells of the brain, which control muscle movement. People with Parkinson’s disease usually begin to experience symptoms after age 60 but some people can be affected while still younger than age 50. With Parkinson's disease, the signs and symptoms worsen as time progresses. At some point, the disease can be disabling, but because it progresses gradually, most people experience many years of productive living following a diagnosis. The good news about Parkinson's disease is that it is treatable. One treatment approach is medications. Another involves an implanted device that stimulates the brain. Other approaches involve surgery. Meanwhile, research into other treatments continues. In the early stages, a person can experience a symptom as subtle as an arm that doesn't swing when walking or a mild tremor in the fingers of one hand or lack of energy, depression or difficulty sleeping may also occur. A person may also take longer amounts of time to complete certain tasks such as showering, shaving or eating. Other signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease may include: - Tremor - Slowed motion (bradykinesia) - Rigid Muscles - Impaired Balance - Loss of Automatic Movements - Impaired Speech - Difficulty Swallowing - Dementia Experts have come to understand that many of the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease are the result of damage or destruction of certain nerve cells (neurons) in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. When functioning normally, these nerve cells release a chemical called dopamine, which transmits signals between the substantia nigra and another part of the brain called the corpus striatum These signals cause muscle movements to be smooth and controlled. As a result of getting older, everyone loses some dopamine-producing. In people with Parkinson's disease, half or more of the neurons in the substantia nigra are lost. The cause of the loss remains a subject of intense research. Many experts believe Parkinson's disease is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain prescription drugs, diseases and toxins also may cause symptoms that mirror those of Parkinson's disease. Genetic factors - While genes are believed to contribute to the development of Parkinson's, it is not yet clear how much of a role heredity plays in this disease. Environmental factors - Unusual exposure to herbicides and pesticides can also cause a higher risk for a person to develop Parkinson's disease. Medications – Prolonged use or excessive dosages of certain medications such as haloperidol (Haldol), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), metoclopramide (Reglan, Metoclopramide HCL) valproate (Depakene) can also cause symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. This is yet another reason to avoid medications at all costs. There is no sure-fire way to prevent Parkinson’s disease. In the early stages, it may not disrupt everyday life, but it will become progressively more disabling over time. The main goal of the person affected should be to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. Therefore, daily activities should be modified and proper nutrition is absolutely essential. People with Parkinson’s disease should also get plenty of rest and participate in an appropriate exercise program for the current stage of the disease. The diet should consist of 75% raw foods, including seeds, grains, nuts and raw milk, and limit protein intake. Chlorinated water, sugar, iron, fat and oxidized cholesterol should all be avoided. Even a single fatty meal can impair blood flow to the brain for several hours. Antioxidants slow the progress of Parkinson's disease. Some powerful antioxidants include: Alpha-lipoic acid (take as directed on label) Coenzyme Q10 (take as directed on label) Grape Seed Extract (take as directed on label) Vitamin C (3,000 - 6,000 mg daily in divided doses) Vitamin E (start with 400 IU daily & increase gradually to 1,200 IU daily) Selenium (200 mcg daily) The following supplements may also be helpful: Vitamin B (50 mg of each major B vitamin 3 times daily) and Folic Acid (take as directed on label) - Help reduce homocysteine levels, the likely culprit behind the loss of brain cells. Calcium (take as directed on label) - Strengthens bones often at risk for fracture in people with Parkinson’s disease. Magnesium (take as directed on label) - Important for nerve and muscle function. Lecithin (1,200 mg 3 times daily) - Needed by every living cell in the human body. Hops, Skullcap, Valerian root, and Spirulina (take as directed on label) - Help with tremors. Massage oils containing Melatonin, CoQ10 or MSM are helpful for stiff, sore muscles. Evening Primrose, Black Currant, Borage, Pumpkin Seed, Flax Seed and Fish Oils are natural anti-inflammatories. Download a special F-R-E-E 38 page report titled, “The Best Natural Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure, Reduce Your Waistline and Take Back Your Health:”
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