PARKINSON'S DISEASE
APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 PEOPLE PER 1,000 in the United Kingdom are affected by Parkinson's disease, a progressive disorder of the central nervous system. The incidence of the disease is considerably higher in people over 50, and it is estimated that 1 to 2 per cent of elderly people have the disease.
Parkinson's is caused by unexplained changes in nerve cells in
a particular part of the brain, the basal ganglia. These nerve cells degenerate,
resulting in reduced production of a crucial chemical that's involved in
the transmission of nerve impulses. This chemical is called dopamine.
People with Parkinson's disease experience changes in their ability to control
their muscles, often - but not always - resulting in a characteristic tremor.
The tremor may start in one hand, and progress to the other hand, the arms
and the legs; the jaw, tongue, forehead or eyelids may also be affected.
Other symptoms include stiffness, a shuffling walk, instability, drooling
and rigidity. Perhaps the mosedistressing symptom is muscle stiffness in
the face and throat, which can make swallowing, talking and smiling difficult.
Usually, the cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown. There is evidence
that the disease runs in families. It can be a later complication of viral
encephalitis, a rare and dangerous flu-like infection. There is some speculation
that certain medications given to elderly people cause symptoms that may
mimic Parkinson's. Exposure to heavy metals and other toxins is also thought
to play a role.
Untreated, Parkinson's disease can advance, eventually resulting in severe
incapacity. Falls become more frequent late in the disease, and intellect
may be affected. Understandably, depression is also commonly seen in people
with Parkinson's.
DON'T SELF-DIAGNOSE OR SELF-TREAT PARKINSON'S
If you think you have symptoms of Parkinson's, your first stop should be your
doctor. Parkinson's is a complex and serious disorder. While natural remedies
may be very helpful in its early stages, they might also interact with drugs
prescribed for Parkinson's. Many of the newer dietary supplements that can
be helpful may have side effects yet to be discovered. So seek the care of
a qualified professional before venturing to treat this condition with herbs
or other natural remedies.
FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
It's rare that a simple, humble food turns out to have the same healing compound
as a pharmaceutical. But Parkinson's disease is one condition where it happens.
Common
in British and much of European cuisine, fresh broad beans are a dietary
source of levodopa, which converts to dopamine - exactly what needs to be
restored to brain tissue to facilitate normal muscle action. If you've been
diagnosed with Parkinson's and want to eat broad beans, discuss this choice
with your doctor, especially if you're already taking other drugs.
Eating at least one serving per week of cold-water fish such as salmon is
also recommended. Fish contains fish oil, which provides essential fatty
acids to the body.
Finally, tank up on your antioxidants, which can play a significant role in delaying the progress of Parkinson's. A few to consider:
* Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). This very powerful antioxidant helps vitamin
E and vitamin C do their own antioxidant work. Researchers at the University
of Rochester Medical Center in the United States found that ALA protected
brain cells from certain hazardous chemicals implicated in Parkinson's. Typical
dosage: 50 to 200 milligrams per day.
* Huperzine A. This supplement inhibits acetylcholinesterase, a compound
that decreases nerve transmission. Typical dosage: 25 to 50 micrograms two
to four times daily. Caution: if you are having surgery, be sure to tell
your doctor and anaesthetist that you are taking this compound.
* Velvet bean extract. Another bean that's high in levadopa, this one has
actually been tested on Parkinson's patients and found to be effective. Typical
dosage: 500 milligrams two or three times per day. Look for products that
have a 10 per cent L-dopa content.
* Vitamin E and selenium. Both of these supplements have been shown to slow
progression of symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Typical dosage: 800 milligrams
of vitamin E per day; 200 to 400 milligrams of selenium per day.
* Vitamin C with bioflavonoids. Tests have shown that vitamin C combined
with bioflavonoids, used in the early stages of Parkinson's, may help. It
can also help to counteract the side effects of L-dopa therapy. Typical dosage:
1,000 to 3,000 milligrams per day.
* Folic acid. Deficiency of folic acid has been linked to the development
of Parkinson's. Typical dosage: 400 to 800 micrograms per day.
* SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine). Tests conducted on elderly people show that
this compound can help alleviate depression and boost mental function. Typical
dosage: 200 to 1,200 milligrams day.
DRUG TREATMENT
Dopamine-Affecting Drugs
Levodopa, co-beneldopa (Madopar), co-careldopa (Sinemet). Function: supply missing
dopamine. Side effects: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeats, tremors,
confusion, restlessness.
Bromocriptine (Parlodel), pergolide (Celance). Function: mimic the action of dopamine by fitting into the dopamine receptor sites on nerves. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, anorexia, decreased blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, tremors, confusion.
Anticholinergic Drugs
Benztropine mesylate (Cogentin). Function: decreases tremors and rigidity.
Side effects: dry mouth, nausea, constipation, restlessness, irregular heartbeats,
confusion, drowsiness, increased pressure in eyes.
Antispasmodic Drugs
Benzhexol hydrochloride. Function: reduces muscle spasms by acting on the
parasympathetic nervous system. Side effects: dry mouth, blurred vision,
dizziness, nausea, nervousness.
Other Drugs
Amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel). Function: affects the release of dopamine.
Side effects: headache, restlessness, depression, irritability, insomnia,
agitation, confusion.
HERBAL REMEDIES
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
The leaf of this ancient tree boosts microcirculation to the brain, helping
deliver more oxygen to all of the brain's cells. This function can inhibit
the progress of dementia, a problem in the late stages of Parkinson's disease.
Typical dosage: 60 milligrams of ginkgo product standardised to 24 per cent
flavone glycosides, two or three times per day.
Grapeseed (Vitis vinifera)
Powerful antioxidant compounds called procyanidins are found in an extract
of grapeseeds. These compounds can help collect harmful byproducts of the
body's chemical processes that exist in brain tissue. Typical dosage: enough
extract to provide 50 to 200 milligrams of procyanidins per day.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
The brain is composed primarily of unsaturated fatty acids, giving a clue
to potential botanical medicines for disorders that affect brain chemistry.
The oil from evening primrose seeds is high in an essential fatty acid called
gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA. Canadian researchers have used evening primrose
oil as a clinical treatment for Parkinson's and other tremor-causing disorders.
Typical dosage: 2 tablespoons of evening primrose oil per day; or 1,500 to
2,400 milligrams in capsules per day.
