Parkinson's Disease Natural Health Therapies

Parkinson’s Disease Natural Health Therapies
Follow The Steps Below To Aid Brain Repair and Recovery

Natural Health Therapies - Parkinson's Disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system which is caused by free radical damage to the basal brain ganglia that control muscle movement. This depletes a chemical called dopamine in the brain.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that carries messages from one nerve cell to another. In Parkinson's disease, the cells in the brain that manufacture dopamine are damaged or dying, and hence the brain loses the ability to manufacture this chemical.

Parkinson's Disease is a devastating condition that affects as many as 1 in 100 persons over the age of sixty in the United States, and this prevalence is increasing dramatically.  Dopamine depletion causes muscle weakness, body rigidity and slowly spreading tremors.  Though cognitive function usually remains normal, the person feels frozen, unable to move.  As the disease progresses, posture becomes stooped, and involuntary movements become increasingly difficult.  See below at bottom of page for signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

Highly Recommended: The first thing we recommend for anyone who is experiencing symptoms of Parkinson's disease is to have their hair tested with a hair tissue mineral analysis. A hair analysis can determine which specific heavy metals are creating a toxic burden on your body and can give you an excellent baseline from which to measure the success of any type of heavy metal detoxification program you embark on.

Hair Analysis Test Report

Heavy metals like arsenic, aluminum, mercury, lead and cadmium are neurotoxins, which can often be one of the causes of autoimmune symptoms. Heavy metals greatly affect the body's ability to absorb important, life-sustaining nutrients.

The hair mineral analysis also tells you which essential minerals your body is needing more of, which it needs less of, and which important mineral ratios are imbalanced due to toxic elements. For example, Parkinson's patients usually have a severe copper deficiency. Copper is an essential element in the metabolism of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter. Low dopamine levels are common in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease.

Researchers have found that an imbalance of iron to copper may also play a role in Parkinson's disease as well as other neurological disorders. Parkinson's patients also tend to have elevated manganese levels. Cobalt deficiency is another factor in Parkinson's disease. The hair tissue analysis can also provide valuable insight into your metabolism and what dietary changes might be most helpful.

For more information on the hair tissue mineral analysis, scoll down the page or click here.


If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, you should be under the care of an experienced neurologist.  He or she will likely place you on L-dopa, a dopamine derivative, which may help to temporarily reduce the symptoms.  Supporting your body with good nutrition and a detoxification program to rid your body of metals and chemicals is highly recommended.  Specific supplemental interventions, such as glutathione, CoQ10, and antioxidant therapy is showing impressive results among holistic practitioners.


Steps to Promote Neuro-Protection and Encourage Brain Repair

1. Read the following book
The Better Brain Book by David Perlmutter M.D.
The Better Brain Book, written by David Perlmutter, M.D., is written in layman's terms, making it easy to understand for those of us who are less scientific.Dr. Perlmutter addresses all the factors that can influence brain health and gives you detailed recommendations for dealing with them. 

The Better Brain Book is excellent for helping you understand risk factors associated with specific neurological disorders, and for tailoring a diet, lifestyle and supplementary program just for you.

The Better Brain Book provides a very practical guide to treating neurological conditions with natural and safe remedies that have abundant scientific support. 

The nutritional and oxidative therapies that he recommends are part of a growing wave of scientifically based, complementary treatments. 


"Any patient would benefit from his advice, and all physicians should learn of these treatments if they want to do the best for their patients.  Dr. Perlmutter’s advice could improve the lives of millions of patients and their families, and save health care dollars at the same time”. 

- Michael Janson, M.D., 
President, American College for Advancement in Medicine

2. Try Glutathione Therapy

Glutathione therapy is having extremely impressive results for Parkinson’s Disease among holistic practitioners, and is highly recommended by such well-known alternative health doctors such as Dr. Julian Whitaker and Dr. Marcus Laux.  Dr. David Perlmutter, M.D. and Board Certified Neurologist, calls is “the glutathione miracle”.

Glutathione is a vital brain chemical that is one of the most important brain antioxidants.  That is, glutathione helps to preserve brain tissue by preventing damage by free radicals.  According to William Code, MD and Multiple Sclerosis survivor, glutatione levels in the body are an indicator of health and how long a person will live.  By the time you have a serious chronic disease such as  a neurodegenerative disorder, chronjc fatigue syndrome or even cancer, your glutathione levels are seriously depleted.

Glutathione has been found to be substantially reduced in almost all Parkinson’s disease patients.  According to Dr. Code, once diagnosed with either MS or Parkinsons, the body’s cellular glutathione is only 5% of what it should be. 

Supplementing glutathione either intravenously, with liposomal glutatione or with glutahtione precursors such as non-denatured whey protein powder can have remarkable effects.

Dr. Perlmutter quotes a landmark study from the Department of Neurology at the University of Sassari, Italy:

“In this research protocol, Parkinson’s patients received intravenous glutathione twice daily for 30 days.  The subjects were then evaluated at one month intervals up to six months.  The published results indicated that all patients improved significantly after glutathione therapy with a 42% decline in disability. 

Once glutathione was stopped, the therapeutic effects lasted 2-4 months.  Further, the researchers indicated…”glutathione has symptomatic efficacy and possibly retards the progression of the disease”.

To find out more about intravenous glutathione therapy, please call the Perlmutter Health Center at 239-649-7400, or the Whitaker Wellness Institute at 949-851-1510.

Glutathione is a supplement that is extremely difficult to absorb.  Most oral supplements are worthless, because the digestive tract destroys the nutrient before it can be absorbed. 

Supplements such as NAC can help your body make more glutathione, but the effect is mild. This is why intravenous therapy was once considered to be the only therapy that really works.

Now, however there is new liposomal technology that allows glutathione to be fully absorbed by the body. It survives the trip through your intestines because the glutathione is contained in microscopic little pouches called liposomes. Thus, the glutathione enters your bloodstream intact. 

According to Dr. Laux, liposomes were recently tested in rigorous scientific studies, and were found to have an amazing 90% absorption rate.  That’s comparable to intravenous glutathione therapy, for a fraction of the cost. 


Non-Denatured Whey Protein Powder
Another excellent supplement that helps to raise intracellular glutathione levels is non-denatured whey protein powder. Protein powders contain NAC in its natural form as well as glutamine, both which are glutathione precursors. This means that protein powders help the body produce its own glutathione, and have been shown to raise intracellular glutatione levels. 

Important Tip: Since glutathione is a vital antioxidant and therapeutic agent, we highly recommend both liposomal glutathione and non-denatured whey protein powder to optimize glutatione levels inside the cells.  Glutathione also optimizes the body’s use of other important antioxidants such as CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid, and vitamins C and E.

3. Reduce The Load Of Toxins On Your Body

While the actual cause of Parkinson's remains unknown, there are two related theories put out by the medical establishment as to what causes this destruction of certain brain cells.

One hypothesis is that the cells are destroyed by toxins within the body that the liver is unable to filter out because as the body ages, the liver loses its ability to work as efficiently and effectively as it once did.

Another theory is that exposure to environmental toxins, such as herbicides and pesticides that leach into the ground water, is responsible. In fact, the American Medical Association has recently declared that it believes the culprit for this devastating disorder to be pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and other inorganic chemicals.

And interestingly enough, the basis of many pesticides and insecticides is toxic metals such as arsenic (rat poison), cadmium (fertilizers) and lead. Some people with Parkinson's disease have been found to have high levels of lead in their brains.

In the book "The Truth About Where You Live", Benjamin Goldman reports extensive studies of pesticides and chemical toxicity as they relate to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Lou Gehrig's Disease. He also points out that Parkinson's has been correlated with rural farming practices throughout the country. In the U.S. alone, 1.3 million tons of pesticides are used each year, both in agriculture and for cosmetically altering the foods we eat.

According to a featured news article on MSNBC.com, the evidence that exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides and herbicides causes Parkinson’s disease is stronger than its ever been before. To view the article, please click here.

Reducing the load of toxins on your body means eliminating preservatives, additives, food colorings, artificial sweeteners, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and artificial flavorings. It also means reducing exposure to airborne chemicals, such as perfumes and tobacco smoke, household chemicals, and pesticides and insecticides. Drink only filtered water, and prepare and store food in inert containers only (not plastics).


4. Test Yourself For Toxic Metals and Significant Mineral Ratios

Tests that help to diagnose metal and chemical toxicity include blood tests, urine tests, and the analysis of hair, nails or other tissues. The most accurate of these are a chelation challenge test or a hair analysis.

Regular blood tests and urine tests are not accurate in diagnosing heavy metal toxicity, as they only tend to show what is happening in the body at that brief moment in time, and do not give the long-term picture.

This makes sense since the body works hard to keep the levels of nutrients in the bloodstream within fairly tight limits. If large fluctuations in mineral levels occurred, serious illness or even death would result.

A chelation challenge test needs to be performed by a doctor who specializes in chelation therapy. The patient is given a chelating drug, commonly DMPS or DMSA, and the patient's urine is collected and analyzed over a 24 hour period. This test is a highly accurate way of knowing just what heavy metals are present in the body.

The drawbacks to this method are that it requires a visit to a health care professional's office, it is expensive, and there is a possibility of side effects to the chelating drugs.

A hair analysis is good alternative way of determining what toxic metals are present in the body. In addition, it also measures the levels of essential minerals in the body, such as calcium, magnesium and zinc. This test can provide you with much-needed information about your body.


Hair Tissue Mineral Analyses (HTMA)

A tissue mineral analysis or hair analysis provides a unique reading of heavy metal and mineral levels in the cells over a two to three month period. It takes into consideration that toxins are stored in the tissues of the body, not in the blood.

For instance, you can have normal copper levels in the blood, but high copper levels in the tissues. The reason hair is used for testing mineral status and metabolic activity is because of its very nature.

Hair Analysis Test Report

Our hair is formed from clusters of specialized cells that make up the hair follicle. During the growth phase, the hair is exposed to the internal environment such as blood, lymph and extra-cellular fluids. As the hair continues to grow and reaches the surface of the skin, its outer layers harden, locking in the metabolic products accumulated during the period of formation. This biological processs provides a blueprint and lasting record of metal content and nutritional metabolic activity that has occured during this time.

The precise analytical method of determining the levels of minerals in the hair is a highly sophisticated technique: when performed to exacting standards and interpreted correctly, it may be used as a screening aid for determining mineral deficiencies, excesses, and/or imbalances. HTMA provides you and your healthcare professional with an economical and sensitive indicator of the long-term effects of diet, stress, toxic metal exposure and their effects on your mineral balance that is difficult to obtain through other clinical tests.

It is important for the attending healthcare professional to determine your mineral status as minerals are absolutely critical for life and abundant health. They are involved in and are necessary for cellular metabolism, structural support, nerve conduction, muscular activity, immune functions, anti-oxidant and endocrine activity, enzyme functions, water and acid/alkaline balance and even DNA function.

Many factors can affect mineral nutrition, such as: food preparation, dietary habits, genetic and metabolic disorders, disease, medications, stress, environmental factors, as well as exposure to heavy metals. Rarely does a single nutrient deficiency exist in a person today. Multiple nutritional imbalances however are quite common, contributing to an increased incidence of adverse health conditions. In fact, it is estimated that mild and sub-clinical nutritional imbalances are up to ten times more common than nutritional deficiency alone.

To get an idea of how helpful a hair tissue analysis can be, think about this: Researchers using tissue mineral analysis determined, more than 100 years after Napoloen Bonaparte's death, that he had been poisoned by arsenic. Even though his hair sample was tested more than a century after his death, it still revealed pathological amounts of arsenic that had gradually proved fatal.


Introducing The Comprehensive Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis by Trace Elements, Inc.
Hair analysis report cover

A hair analysis usually needs to be obtained through a health care professional (which can be expensive). However, we offer a service that allows you to get a comprehensive hair tissue mineral analysis from a federally licensed laboratory called Trace Elements, Inc.

Each hair analysis contains a detailed 10-15 page report from the laboratory itself, which shows bar graph readings indicating high, low and reference range levels for toxic metals, essential minerals and significant mineral ratios.

Unlike some labs that test hair tissue analysis, Trace Elements, Inc. does not wash the hair at the lab. Washing the hair removes some of the loosely bound minerals and can reduce some mineral readings by 50 percent or more. The hair sample is prepared in their licensed clinical laboratory by using a series of chemical and high temperature digestive procedures. Testing is then performed using highly sophisticated detection equipment and methods to achieve the most accurate and precise results.

Hair Analysis test report

The Comprehensive Hair Tissue Analysis report details graph results for 8 toxic heavy metals/elements, 15 nutritional minerals/elements, 15 additional elements, 7 significant mineral ratios, and 9 toxic metal ratios. Once you purchase the hair analysis from us, we send you a hair sample kit with instructions on how to take the hair sample.

hair analysis test report

Nutritional Elements: Extensively studied, the nutrient elements have been well defined and are considered essential for many biological functions in the human body. They play key roles in such metabolic processes such as muscular activity, endocrine function, reproduction, skeletal integrity, and overall development.

Toxic Elements: The toxic elements or "heavy metals" are well-known for their interference upon normal biochemical function. They are commonly found in the environment and therefore are present to some degree, in all biological systems. However, these metals clearly pose a concern for toxicity when accumulation occurs to excess.

Additional Elements: These elements are considered as possibly essential by the human body. Additional studies are being conducted to better define their requirements.

Significant Ratios: If the synergistic relationship (or ratio) between certain minerals in the body is disturbed, studies show that normal biological functions and metabolic activity can be adversely affected. Even at extremely low concentrations, the synergistic and/or antagonistic relationships between minerals still exist, which can indirectly affect metabolism.

Toxic Ratios: It is important to note that individuals with elevated toxic levels may not always exhibit clinical symptoms associated with those particular toxic minerals. However, research has shown that toxic minerals/metals can also produce an antagonistic effeect on various essential minerals, eventually leading to distrubances in their metabolic utilization.

For a list of FAQ’s about hair analysis, please click here.

For a complete overview of the various sections covered in the Comprehensive Hair Analysis Report, please click here.

To view details of the elements measured and to order the Comprehensive Hair Mineral Analysis, please click here.

Once you purchase the hair analysis from us, we send you a hair sample kit with instructions on how to take the hair sample. You then send the hair sample to the Trace Elements lab, and the lab sends us the detailed report/results, which we then mail to you. (Please note: international customers outside of the United States will be instructed to send the hair sample to us, not directly to the lab).


shopping cart
To purchase a comprehensive Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (by Trace Elements, Inc.), please click here or call 520-877-2637.

Do you have a question about the comprehensive hair analysis? Email your questions by clicking here or call 520-877-2637.

5. Detoxify heavy metals and chemical toxins from the body

According to Dr. Thomas Nissen, an expert in Environmental Medicine, detoxifying the body of metals and chemicals is the first priority.  As we have seen, toxins play a major role in Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological disorders, so neutralizing these toxins is highly important. 


IMPORTANT TIP: For those of you who wish to do everything possible to detoxify, to "cover all the bases" so to speak, we recommend using Far Infrared Sauna Therapy.

Introducing The Thermal Life® FAR Infrared (FIR) Sauna
Take Advantage of the Special $500 Discount Offer Mentioned Below!
High Tech Health Sauna

The Infrared Sauna has an excellent reputation for detoxifying both metal and chemical contaminants from the body. It is an excellent therapy on its own or as an adjunct to other natural methods of detoxification.

Proper FAR infrared sauna therapy can be supportive for:

  • Detoxification
  • Enhanced Immune System Health
  • Improved Cardiovascular Health
  • Stress Releif
  • Weight and Cellulite Management
  • Pain Relief
  • Skin Beautification

FAR infrared saunas help to accomplish detoxification in the following manner: A layer of fat and oil exists just below the surface of the skin. The FAR infrared light resonates with the water molecules within these lipid or fat cells.

This vigorous activation of the water molecule stimulates the fat cells to excrete toxins. These toxins will be released through the skin's sweat channels as a result of the high temperature from the sauna. As sweat and oil are secreted, the toxins dissolved in them are secreted as well. By excreting these toxins and then washing them off your body, the toxic load on the body is lowered and cellular health improves.

Oil glands help remove oil-soluble toxins that the body would otherwise have a difficult time eliminating. We have created a world filled with oil-soluble toxins such as gasoline, solvents, pesticides, ingredients in toothpaste, personal care products, etc., which the body is not able to dispose of efficiently. The longer the skin is heated, the more oil-soluble toxins are eliminated.

No other sauna company that we know of knows as much about detoxification as High Tech Health, Inc. Their specialty is providing saunas that detoxify safely and effectively. Their Thermal Life® Sauna is designed to allow anyone to detoxify at a rate that is appropriate for them.

Bio-Resonance™ Heaters

The Thermal Life® Sauna utilizes specially designed Bio-Resonance™ ceramic heaters that provide the optimal level of far infrared exposure no matter where you are in your detoxification process. A special feature of the Bio-Resonance heater is the nature of the far infrared rays that is emits. FAR infrared is a band of electromagnetic energy, just as visible light and ultraviolet light are.

The difference between visible light and far infrared is that we cannot see far infrared. FAR infrared affects the body differently than ultraviolet or near infrared light. Heat lamps emit near infrared which is only absorbed by the surface of the skin. FAR, on the other hand, is absorbed into the body up to a depth of 1 and half inches. It is experienced as a softer heat sensation which is quite enjoyable.

FAR infrared rays also stimulate the production of endorphins, the "happy hormones", and have been prescribed for pain for a long time. Bio-Resonance heating technology ensures an enjoyable, detoxifying experience.

Comparing Ceramic to Carbon Heaters in FIRS

Hight Tech Health (HTH) researched "carbon heater" technology and found it to be significantly inferior to their trademarked BioResonance® emitters because carbon heaters are inefficient and poor emitters of far infrared waves. If the emitters don't produce good far infrared, then the detoxification effect is diminished. HTH emitters are alloy tubes filled with solid ceramic . The ceramic material is warmed to the temperature range where it emits the highest quality and quantity of FIR waves. (between 6-20 microns).

The surgical grade stainless steel reflectors behind the emitters reflect back into the cabin any FIR emitted from the rear of the emitters. This way, the cabin is completely filled with 100% FIR waves and none are lost into the walls of the sauna. Carbon emitters because of their poor design and emission, lose close to 50% of what little far infrared they do emit through the back walls, because there is nothing to reflect the waves back into the center of the sauna cabin.

Carbon emitters are large thin plastic or fiberglass panels with a thin layer of carbon material sandwiched in between, or lined with fabric with carbon fibers woven into the fabric, then laminated onto the panels with a wire grid behind them to heat them up. They are made large to compensate for the extreme inefficiency of far infrared light production. They take 40-45 minutes to warm up to the point where you can even get into the sauna vs. our saunas which are warm and ready to use in 10-15 minutes.

High Tech Health will not put plastic or fiberglass into their saunas because of concerns regarding possible out-gassing of chemical compounds from these panels. These types of saunas are primarily marketed for recreational use. Another downside to carbon heaters is because of their large panel size, they produce fairly strong electromagnetic fields. HTH heaters emit extremely low levels of EMF's, about 2-4 milligauss, which is equivalent to sitting next to a reading lamp.

Carbon heaters are inexpensive to construct. They don't tend to have a long life, and can burn out in 5-6 years. HTH has never had to replace a single heater in the 14 years of selling the Thermal Life saunas. It is by far, the most durable, energy efficient and long lasting technology in the industry.

The most important four points in buying a far infrared sauna in regards to the heater technology used are:

  1. Strength of Infrared – is the heater effective in promoting detoxification?
  2. Energy Efficiency
  3. Durability / Long lasting
  4. Warm-up time

Besides linking to their site in the below-mentioned link, you can call them directly (recommended) at 800-794-5355 or 303-413-8500 and speak to one of their knowledgeable product specialists.

By mentioning our website Evenbetterhealth.com, you will receive the discount when you place the order from them. As well, High Tech Health offers a 30 day money-back satisfaction guarantee, so you can try it risk free. They also offer a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship of the cabin, the heaters, and the electrical components.


For more information and to purchase the Thermal Life® Far Infrared Sauna from High Tech Health, Inc., please click here. High Tech Health Sauna

To learn about the profound benefits of FIR sauna therapy and nitric oxide on the body, click here.

Glutathione - An Important Detoxifier

Taking glutathione as well as enhancing body detoxification can have a dramatic effect on the manifestations of Parkinson’s disease.

Glutathione is a short string of amino acids called a peptide. It is composed of three amino acids: glycine, glutamine and cysteine.

Glutathione is a major player in detoxifying the body of many toxic pollutants, including toxic metals and chemicals. Glutathione deficiency impairs the body's ability to get rid of toxins whether they are environmental or the by-products of cellular metabolism.

If we have low glutathione levels we slowly become toxic, storing away poisons in our tissues, organs, muscles and brain. We simply cannot detoxify effectively if our glutathione levels are too low, no matter what form of detoxification we undertake.

Glutathione is made by all the cells in the body, and is the body’s master antioxidant and detoxifying agent. In one review, almost 80% of people with chronic ailments were found to be deficient in glutathione. In fact, low levels of glutathione are involved in all disease states.

Why? – because the heavier the cumulative toxic burden on the body, the greater this depletes supplies of glutathione. For example: One molecule of mercury uses up one molecule of glutathione. Since all chronic, degenerative disorders are triggered, in part, by the toxic load, it is small wonder to see why glutathione levels are such an important marker.

Glutathione is a supplement that is extremely difficult to absorb.  Most oral supplements are worthless, because the digestive tract destroys the nutrient before it can be absorbed. 

Supplements such as NAC can help your body make more glutathione, but the effect is mild. This is why intravenous therapy was once considered to be the only therapy that really works.

According to Dr. Marcus Laux, it is important to find an oral glutathione supplement that your body can truly absorb.  It survives the trip through your intestines because the glutathione is contained in microscopic little pouches called liposomes. Thus, the glutathione enters your bloodstream intact.  According to Dr. Laux, liposomes were recently tested in rigorous scientific studies, and were found to have an amazing 90% absorption rate.  That’s comparable to intravenous glutathione therapy, for a fraction of the cost. 

A cell culture study was conducted on glutathione at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School by Gail Zeevalk, PhD. The study showed the neuro-protective nature of the glutathione from damage due to the known neuro-toxicants maneb (fungicide) and paraquat (herbicide).


Purified Bentonite Bathing Clay for Detoxifying Metals and Chemicals

Sodium bentonite clay can be a very simple and effective way to remove heavy metals and chemical contaminants from the surface tissue of the body.

When you mix bentonite clay with water, it creates a large negatively charged surface area. When the body is in a tub of warm water, the warm water opens up the pores of the skin, and the positively charged toxic particles are drawn through the pores of the skin, to be absorbed by the clay.

Most chemical and metal toxins have a postive charge, whereas the clay has a negative charge. Thus, the toxins cannot resist being drawn towards the clay. Bentonite clay has a great capacity for absorbing many times its own weight in toxins. In other words, clay baths have been shown to literally pull pollutants out through the skin, getting rid of many months and years of toxic accumulations.

It is important that you find a clay that has been purified, so it contains no mold, yeast, bacteria or fungus. Also, it helps to use a clay that mixes well and disperses easily with warm water to get maximum effectiveness. Some clays do not mix well in the tub, leaving you with a cumbersome and messy clean-up.


R-Lipoic Acid for Removing Metal Ions from the Brain

Being both water and fat soluble, R-lipoic acid passes the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to chelate metals like mercury that can attach to fatty cellls and brain neurons. It has also been shown to help decrease metals from the liver as well.

R-lipoic acid also extends the life of other antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and CoQ10 in the body. This is important because a heavy metal load creates more free radical activity. The longer an antioxidant can scavenge these free radicals, the less the "detox cleansing" reaction may last.

There are two forms of alpha-lipoic acid, an S-form and an R-form. Researchers believe that R-Form may be "up to 12 times more effective" than regular alpha lipoic acid which contains a synthetic by-product.


6. Protect Your Brain With Antioxidants.

As with other neurodegenerative disorders, antioxidants have a major role in protecting the brain in Parkinson’s disease.  As stated before, Parkinson’s is thought to be caused by excessive free radical damage in conjunction with a lack of antioxidants.   According to Dr. James Balch M.D., the use of antioxidant supplements may delay the need for L-dopa therapy by as much as two to three years.

Below is a list of powerful brain antioxidants which can be supplemented by people with Parkinson’s disease:

Coenzyme Q10

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that plays a critical role in cellular energy production.  It is also the subject of intensive medical research for Parkinson’s disease across the country.  Researchers believe that CoQ10 works by improving the mitochondria, the energy production units of cells. Mitochondria function is impaired in people with this disease.

According to Dr. M. Flint Beal at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Parkinson’s patients demonstrate a profound deficiency of CoQ10.  And a clinical trial at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, showed that CoQ10 reduced the progression of early-stage Parkinson’s.  According to Dr. Beal, CoQ10 is readily absorbed and well tolerated, and oral supplementation results in measurable increase in cellular energy.

CoQ10 is available from many manufacturers in a number of different forms. Several manufactureres have worked on developing enhanced bioavailability forms of CoQ10, meaning that if more of the CoQ10 is absorbed by the body, then a lower dose of the supplement is needed.


Acetyl-L-Carnitine

According to Dr. Perlmutter, acetyl-L-carnitine is one of the most important and specific antioxidants for Parkinson’s disease.  He reports that in a fascinating study in 1995, researchers demonstrated the ability of L-carnitine to completely prevent parkinsonism in animals. 

When laboratory animals are exposed to certain brain toxins, they develop full-blown parkinsonism as a consequence of free radical production in the area of the brain that produces dopamine.  Pre-treating the animals with L-carnitine prior to the toxic exposure offered complete protection – none of the animals developed parkinsonism.  In light of this information, L-carnitine may serve as a powerful and important protective agent.

Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid is a very powerful antioxidant that is both water and fat soluble.  This means that it has the ability to cross the brain-blood barrier and enter the brain.  This makes it a highly important substance for neurodegenerative conditions.

Alpha lipoic acid is also able to chelate toxic metals.  This is important since these metals may assist in the formation of free radicals.  ALA can bind to toxic metals including excessive iron; research demonstrates that Parkinson’s patients have high concentrations of iron in their brains.

There are two forms of alpha-lipoic acid, an S-form and an R-form. Researchers believe that R-form may be "up to 12 times more effective" than regular alpha lipoic acid which contains a synthetic by-product.


Vitamin C and Vitamin E
According to James Balch. M.D., the use of vitamin C and vitamin E, which are powerful antioxidant vitamins may delay the need for L-dopa therapy by as much as two to three years. In one study, people with Parkinson's were given 3,000 milligrams of Vitamin C and 3,200 IU's of Vitamin E daily. It appeared to postpone the effect on tremors and other symptoms significantly. The evaluation revealed that the drug Deprenyl worked only 40 percent as well as nutritional therapies.

Reduced Beta-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH)
Preliminary research has found supplementing with NADH improves brain function in Parkinson’s patients. In a study published by Dr. Joerg Birkmayer in 1993, of the 885 patients who received NADH 80% showed moderate to excellent improvement in their disability.

NADH is the biological form of hydrogen which reacts with the oxygen present in our cells to produce energy. The more NADH we have, the more energy we can produce. NADH is absorbed by the body and enhances your ability to restore the body's cellular energy source.

7. Try Macuna Beans

Macuna beans have been used by traditional healers in India and Brazil for people with Parkinson’s disease. These beans are a natural source of L-dopa,a s well as a rich source of vitamin E. They appear to have similar benefits to L-dopa, and further research is underway to clarity their effectiveness.


Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Early symptoms of Parkinson’s include:

  • a mild to moderate tremor of the hand or hands while at rest
  • muscle stiffness
  • slowness of movement
  • a tendency to tire more easily than usual

Later symptoms include:

  • rigid muscles
  • loss of appetite
  • drooling
  • extreme fatigue
  • a stooped, shuffling gait
  • a staring facial expression
  • a "pill rolling" movement with the thumb and forefinger
  • impaired speech

As well as the body becoming rigid and limbs stiffening, Parkinson’s can also lead to dementia.


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