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Parkinson's Disease

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In Parkinson's disease, for reasons that are not fully understood, nerve cells in the part of the brain that produces dopamine, the substantia nigra, begin to decrease in number. This causes a decrease in the amount of available dopamine as the chemical in the synapse that breaks down the dopamine (MAO-B) continues to deplete what little dopamine is left. The overall effect is a large loss of dopamine in the brain, which throws off the normal dopamine/acetylcholine balance. The result of this imbalance is a lack of coordination that often appears as tremor, stiff muscles and joints, and/or difficulty moving.

Currently, there is no way to stop the loss of nerve cells that produce dopamine or to restore those that have been lost. However, there are several methods, including drug therapy, to help manage the slow decline in function that normally occurs with Parkinson's disease. (From Mylan Laboratories, Inc.)

Recommended vitamins:

Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) (25 to 50 mg daily)
Vitamin C: 500 to 1,000 mg daily
Vitamin E -- reduces symptoms (400 to 500 IU daily)

Recommended nutrients:

Coenzyme Q-10: 50 mg, three times daily
NADH: 5 mg a day
Amino acids
Ginkgo biloba: 80 mg, three times a day
Flaxseed oil
Valerian

Foods to choose:

Avocados
Potatoes
Bananas
Fish
Chicken

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