Home ׀ Health News ׀ Treatments ׀ Articles ׀ Links ׀ Disclaimer ׀ Forms/Directions
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
John G. Connor, M.Ac., L.Ac.
February 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Parkinson’s Disease and Free Radicals
Recommendations for Preventing or Reducing the Rate of Progression of Parkinson’s Disease
Barbara and I see patients with Parkinson’s disease and have patients who have family members with it. We would like to share with you some of the information we have found about Parkinson’s disease which we hope will be useful to you in preventing or slowing down the progression of this disease. If you or your family member is under the care of a physician for Parkinson’s disease please consult with him or her before embarking on any of the suggestions listed below.
PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND FREE RADICALS
What is the relationship of Parkinson’s disease to free radicals? Free radicals are involved in the pathology of Parkinson’s disease. (Gassen 1999) Therefore supplementation with antioxidants may prevent or reduce the rate of progression of this disease. Supplementation with multiple antioxidants at appropriate doses is essential because various types of free radicals are produced. Antioxidants vary in their ability to quench different free radicals and cellular environments vary with respect to their lipid and aqueous phases. (Prasad 1999)
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING OR REDUCING THE RATE OF PROGRESSION OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
1. Decrease consumption of animal fats because fats are one of the major sources of oxygen radicals. Diets with high fat content have shown toxic effects on tissue formation in the brain. (Logroscino 1996)
2. Decrease intake of foods containing vitamin D as an increase in risk was found with increasing intake of foods containing animal fat and foods containing vitamin D. (Anderson 1999) and (Logroscino 1998)
3. Do not take vitamin A supplements because a significant trend of increasing risk was noted for intake of vitamin A supplements. (Anderson 1999)
4. Supplementation with CoenzymeQ10 may play a role in cellular dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease and may be a potential protective agent for Parkinsonian patients. (Shults 1999) and (Beal 1999) In a recent study the benefit of CoQ10 was greatest in subjects receiving 1200 mg per day. (Shults 2002)
5. Taking anti-inflammatory prostaglandins appear to be helpful. The omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA and EPA found in fish oils, tend to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production in vivo. (Kidd 2000) Thus taking an omega-3 fatty acids supplement would be helpful.
6. Supplementation with oral GSH (glutathione) and GSH precursors such as N-acetylcysteine and alpha-lipoic acid are appropriate. GSH exhibits several functions in the brain chiefly acting as an antioxidant and a redox regulator. GSH is also a systemic antioxidant, and its ongoing supplementation may help ameliorate Parkinson’s related damage in the heart, liver, muscles and other organs. (Kidd 2000)
7. Supplementation with vitamin C will also provide antioxidant reducing equivalents known to conserve GSH. (Kidd 2000)
8. Vitamin E supplementation may be important for Parkinson’s disease patients. (Kidd 2000)
9. Vitamin B supplementation may be helpful because a number of B vitamins may be deficient in Parkinson’s disease patients. (Kidd 2000)
10. Lowering one’s caloric intake appears to be helpful. (Logroscino 1996)
Anderson. C et al “Dietary factors in Parkinson’s disease: the role of food groups and specific foods.” Mov Disord 1999 Jan;14(1):21-7
Balch, James F, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group, 1997
Beal, M.F., “Coenzyme Q10 administration and its potential for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.” Biofactors 1999;9(2-4):261-6
Bharath, S., et al, “Glutathione, iron and Parkinson’s disease, Biochem Pharmacol 2002;64:1037-1048
Gassen, M, and Youdim, M. B., “Free radical scavengers: chemical concepts and clinical relevance.” J Neural Transm Supple 1999; 56:193-210
Guthrie, Catherine, “Coenzyme Q10: What Doesn’t’ it Do?” Alternative Medicine, March 2003, Issue 55, pp. 43-48
Kidd, Parris M., PhD, “Parkinson’s Disease as Multifactorial Oxidative Neurodegeneration: Implications for Integrative Management.” Alternative Medicine Review, Vol. 5, No. 6 Dec. 2000, pp. 502-529
Logroscino, G., et al, “Dietary lipids and antioxidants in Parkinson’s disease: a population-based, case control study.” Ann Neurol 1996 Jan; 39(1)”89-94
Martinez, Marcos, et al, “Hypothesis: Can N-Acetylcystine be beneficial in Parkinson’s disease?” Life Sciences, Vol 64, No. 15, pp. 1253-1257, 1999
Prasad, K.N. et al, “Multiple antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of Parkinson’s disease.” J Am Coll Nutr 1999 Oct;18(5):413-23
Shults, CW et al, “A possible role of coenzyme Q10 in the etiology and treatment of Parkinson’s disease.” Biofactors 1999; 9(2-4):267-72
Shults, C. W., et al, “Effects of coenzyme Q10 in early Parkinson disease: evidence of slowing of the functional decline, Arch Neurol 2002: 59:1541-1550
Home ׀ Health News ׀ Treatments ׀ Articles ׀ Links ׀ Disclaimer ׀ Forms/Directions
Compassionate Acupuncture & Healing Arts, 4501 Valley Forge Rd., Durham, NC 27705 Tel. 919-309-7753 Email: compassionateacu@mindspring.com
Copyright © 2005 John G. Connor