PARKINSON’S DISEASE

PARKINSON’S DISEASE occurs when an area of the brain known as the substantia nigra is damaged, and can no longer make dopamine, the neurotransmitter that carries movement orders to various parts of the body. Patients in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s are stiff, have tremors, and walk with a slow shuffling gait.

There are a number of warning signals for parkinsonism, which I’ll list here, but I want to emphasize that Parkinson’s disease is not something that you diagnose and treat on your own. If you or a parent or loved one has symptoms that indicate Parkinsonism, it’s important that you get a specific medical diagnosis from a qualified doctor-probably a neurologist. In days past it was believed that Parkinson’s disease was untreatable and had to run its course, but now there are treatments-drug treatments combined with natural measures-that might help prevent the disease from progressing and greatly increase the quality of life for anyone with Parkinson’s. The sooner the disease is identified and treated, the better the prognosis. There are some warning signals of the development of Parkinson’s disease:

• A constant “pill-rolling” motion of the fingers
• A tendency to hold an arm with the elbow bent
• A tendency to turn the foot inward
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
• Stiffness in limbs
• Trembling in the limbs only when they’re at rest
• Mask-like expression
• Handwriting that becomes smaller than usual

The following symptoms are also associated with Parkinson’s disease, although they’re also common to other disorders and aren’t definitive of Parkinson’s:

• Easy fatigue
• Dizziness when standing
• Excessive sweating
• Increased consumption of sweet foods
• constipation and frequent urination

Some half a million Americans have Parkinson’s, most of them elderly. The disease is not inherited and its precise cause is not known, though all evidence points to a toxic reaction in the brain as the important trigger. The degeneration of the message-sending part of the brain most likely comes either from environmental pollution or medications that accumulate over the years until they reach a toxic level. Some drugs, such as certain ones used for schizophrenia, can cause symptoms that resemble Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s is most commonly treated with a chemical called L-dopa, which closely resembles dopamine, the missing neurotransmitter. L-dopa is used in conjunction with other drugs like Sinemet. No matter what the name of the drug, be sure to check on any food/drug interactions you should be aware of: Many drugs for Parkinson’s require you to avoid alcohol, antacids, vitamin B6, or to increase fiber intake.

Natural supplements cannot take the place of medication the physician will prescribe. However, there’s mounting evidence that certain supplements along with certain dietary practices may slow the progression of the disease and add to the patient’s well-being and general quality of life. In addition, most people with Parkinson’s are not on medication all the time, as the medications tend to gradually lose their effectiveness. The typical pattern is a period of medication followed by an unmedicated period.

Patients with Parkinson’s should make every effort to maintain good health with a high-quality diet, a good daily multivitamin, effective stress control, and even an exercise program. They should also a low-protein diet, because excessive protein will interfere with absorption of most of the drugs used for treating the disease. About ounces of high-protein food a day is fine. Fish and chicken are the best sources

Since both undernutrition and constipation are a problem with Parkinson’s it is important to follow a diet high in vegetables, fruit, fiber, sufficient calcium. Miller’s bran and psyllium fiber can help fight constipation

Both vitamins C and E seem to be helpful in delaying the progress of the disease. In an interesting study, Dr. Stanley Fahn of the Department Neurology at Columbia University put a number of his patients on megadoses of these vitamins. He found that the patients taking them stayed free of symptoms for two and a half years longer than the patients of other physicians who were not taking vitamin C and E. Foods especially rich in vitamin E include salad oil or dressing, walnuts, sunflower and plums. It’s important with Parkinson’s, as with all chronic ailments, to take only the basic recommended amount of supplements unless additional amounts have been proven helpful. In the case of Parkinson’s, there are supplements that can actually worsen symptoms. Those to be avoided include choline, B6, and manganese, which have been found to aggravate the disease.

There are some exercises, usually recommended by a doctor, that can help patients gain better physical control.

• Patients who stoop should line up their spine against a doorjamb or wall several times a day.
• Patients who shuffle should raise their feet over books placed at regular intervals along the floor.
• Patients who have trouble getting out of chairs should stand up by leaning forward 45 degrees and pushing up with their hands.
• Patients who have trouble speaking can benefit from reading aloud.

NATURAL PRESCRIPTION FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE:

• If you suspect Parkinson’s disease, you should consult your physician and a neurologist to direct an informed course of treatment.
• It’s important to maintain good overall physical and emotional health by observing the general recommendations in Blueprint for Health, page xvii
• Limit protein Intake to 4 ounces of chicken or fish daily because a diet high in protein will interfere with the absorption of many drugs used to treat Parkinson’s (check with your doctor).
• Fight constipation by increasing foods high in fiber, especially fruits and vegetables (see Constipation).
• Limit the intake of manganese to no more than the minimum dairy requirement.
• Use the exercises described to gain better physical control.

IN ADDITION TO YOUR DAILY SUPPLEMENTS. TAKE:

• Vitamin E: under your doctor’s supervision, gradually Increase to 2,000 I.U. daily and eat foods rich in vitamin E such as salad oil or dressing, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and plums.
• Vitamin C: under your doctor’s supervision, increase to 3 g. daily and eat foods rich in vitamin C.