Parkinson's disease

[KarenMa]

I have a very dear friend that has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease this past year, I am wanting to understand the condition better and offer any nutritional advise to my friend that might ease some of his suffering. I will be communicating via skype as we are now 3,000 mile away from each other. Any good books someone can guide me towards, so I can better prepare myself for future conversations with him, and/or any nutritional advise? I want to prepare myself with the proper education, so I can be available for his needs.  Thanks in advance for any comments or advise. This is a tuff one for me!  Karen M.

[jodi f.]

I've dealt with this only once with a client, so I don't have much for you, but I'm wondering if you know anything about his diet? If he's eating processed foods that contain MSG, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, or aspartame, these can initiate Parkinson's Disease. If you haven't read Russell Blaylock, MD's book, Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills, I highly recommend it.

[Dixie]

I second what Jodi said, read Blayblock's book and that will give you so much insite into what he needs to avoid nutritionally.
Dixie

[Nori]

Last year, I gave a talk to a Parkinson's support group. The Health Hazards Model is important to apply here.   This is an environmental illness, in my opinion, although the set up perhaps was an inheritance of poor liver detoxification enzymes.  Then, apply the 4R protocol as follows. Secondly, accomplishing excellent sleep is crucial, so I added some tips for that too in this outline.  My bibliography is included here to help you in your quest.

REDUCING YOUR TOTAL LOAD
Things You Can Do Now

I. The “4R” Protocol
a. Remove what compromises the immune system
 i. Eat SOUL foods- seasonal, organic, unrefined, local.
 ii. Eliminate artificial ingredients, especially aspartame and MSG (see www.truthinlabeling.org for pseudonyms).
 iii. Remove allergenic foods.
 iv. Store food in glass.
 v. Cook conventionally; do not microwave or use aluminum and Teflon-coated pans.
 vi. Get water purifiers for kitchen and bath.
 vii. Check home and personal care products (check them at www.ewg.org).
 viii. Buy used, not new, vehicles.
 ix. Remove heavy metals (remediation, chelation)
b. Replace what is missing (e.g., digestive enzymes)
c. Repair what has been damaged (e.g., GI tract)
d. Reinoculate the digestive tract (e.g., add probiotics)
II. On the Issue of Sleep
a. Health impacts from lack of adequate quality sleep- obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer (immunity)
b. 11 hormones disrupted by lack of sleep
c. Recipe for good sleep
 i. Keep a regular schedule
 ii. Exercise regularly
 iii. Get outside time
 iv. Schedule “worry time” well before bedtime
 v. Remove electronics from the bedroom
 vi. Clean up the environment – sheets, clutter, dust
 vii. Make the room like a cave
viii. Deep breathing, progressive relaxation

Selected Sources
Blaylock, R.L., Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills, 1997.
Cutler, A.H., Amalgam Illness: Diagnosis and Treatment, 1999.
Fitzgerald, R., The Hundred-Year Lie, 2006.
Krohn, J, Allergy Relief & Prevention, 2006.
Vanderhaeghe, L.R., Healthy Immunity, 2001.
Wiley, T.S., Lights Out, 2000.
www.sciencedaily.com - great resource on current research
www.mindfully.org - all about plastics and their alternatives
http://www.sfgate.com - article on Prius outgassing
www.brainrecovery.com - Dr. David Perlmutter’s web site

[jodi f.]

Nori,

A big thank you for this, which will benefit many of us who'll eventually see clients with this condition.

[jodi f.]

Karen,

In a strange twist of events, I found out 2 days ago that a good friend of mine may also have Parkinson's, which has spurred me to do some searching for information.

Along with the other posts in this thread, if you type "Parkinson's" into the forum search engine, you'll come up with some information from previous threads that will be helpful.

In addition, I've found that there appears to be a connection between milk consumption and calcium intake in mid-life and Parkinson's (NEUROLOGY 2005;64:1047-1051). There have also been findings suggesting that people with H. pylori infections have a higher rate of the disease (http://www.patienthealthinternational.com/ncmprint.aspx?type=conditionnews&param=7773)   

As with any disease there's a big genetic component to Parkinson's, but it may be that some of this genetic influence has to do with greater sensitivities to certain foods and additives.

In addition to the great protocol Nori presented, antioxidants are crucial to slow degenerations. Intravenous glutathione (through doctors) and high-dose oral CoQ10 (1200 mg. daily) appear to be especially effective.                         

[jodi f.]

Sorry to keep busting in here, but I just found this on Ray Sahelian's site. It's comprehensive and educational.

http://www.raysahelian.com/parkinson.html