Parkinson’s disease is a common neurological condition afflicting about 1 percent of men and women over the age of seventy. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease have tremor of the hands, rigidity, poor balance, and mild intellectual deterioration. The tremor is most apparent at rest and is less severe with movement. In Parkinson’s disease, a small region in the brain, called the substantia nigra, begins to deteriorate. The neurons of the substantia nigra use the brain chemical dopamine. With the loss of dopamine, tremors begin and movement slows. Despite current drug therapies, Parkinson’s disease remains a progressive and incurable condition. Many patients with Parkinson’s disease may also suffer from age related cognitive decline or have some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
There are many natural supplements that may help slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10) appears to slow the progressive deterioration of function when taken at 1200mg per day. Lipoic Acid helps generate glutathione and N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) can help regenerate glutathione. Selenium can help increase levels of glutathione. 5-HTP imporves emotional depression associated with the disease. Other supplements that have proved helpful are vitamin B, Vitamin C, vitamin E, and NADH.
