Parkinson's Disease Article

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological condition that currently affects nearly 120,000 Canadians.  Characterized by a gradual loss of motor control, it can go on to affect ambulation, sleep, digestion, and even mental function.  These manifestations are due to the loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is produced in a region of the brain known as the substantia nigra; the substantia nigra degrades in Parkinson’s disease and thus dopamine levels fall.  While conventional dopamine replacement therapy produces fantastic clinical improvements initially, its effects gradually wear off until side effects outweigh benefits.  While naturopathic medicine cannot manage Parkinson’s disease alone, it can both assist dopamine therapy and play a significant role in the prevention of the condition.

Antioxidants: both human and animal studies support the theory that dopamine loss is related to free radical damage in the brain.  Free radicals can be thought of as little drops of acid floating in body, destroying healthy structures that they contact.  Antioxidants, on the other hand, are substances that neutralize free radicals, effectively preventing them from doing damage.  Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidants in the body, and studies have shown Parkinson’s patients have lower levels than healthy controls.  Glutathione levels can be increased through supplementation with vitamin A, selenium, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC).  Vitamins C and E also help regenerate glutathione, and have also been shown to help offset the need for dopamine therapy by over two years.  Other free radical groups can be neutralized with adequate intake of B vitamins and coenzyme Q10.

Diet: large-scale studies demonstrate that following a Mediterranean diet (whole grains, lean meats, fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil) is associated with a 13-30% reduction in the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.  Other studies have shown that eating diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol give a 50% reduction.  Finally, research analyzing protein consumption has demonstrated that limiting dietary protein intake improves clinical symptoms in Parkinson’s patients.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: several studies have shown profound benefit for Parkinson’s patients using acupuncture and Chinese herbs.  Acupuncture seems to be most effective when done on a regular basis, and Chinese herbal formulas help to reduce symptoms and medication dosages.  These findings are supported by animal and nerve cell studies which show a protective effect of common Chinese herbs (e.g. licorice root and ginseng) against neurological degeneration.

Sleep Disorders: a common manifestation amongst Parkinson’s patients is insomnia.  Several studies have shown benefits of two nutritional supplements: melatonin and 5-HTP.  Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced in the brain to regulate sleep-wake cycles; supplementation before going to sleep significantly helps to increase total sleep time.  5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is an amino acid derivative that has also been shown to help sleep in Parkinson’s patients; however, it is only effective in those taking the drug Simenet.

Parkinson’s disease is a multi-factorial condition with many challenges.  Fortunately, combing naturopathic medical care with conventional treatments can offer patients additional benefits.  Furthermore, many healthy lifestyle choices can be adopted to decrease the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in the first place.