Parkinson's Disease - Natural Medical Protocols

Parkinson's Disease (Paralysis Agitans)

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

Decrease consumption of meats and fatty foods
Increase carbohydrate intake relative to proteins - eat more vegetables, fruits and grains
Increase caffeine (coffee, tea, etc.) - lowers incidence of Parkinson's Disease

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

Vitamin C: 1 - 2 gm. TID (to bowel tolerance)
Vitamin E: 800 I.U.
Vitamin B6: 50-100 mg. daily
Vitamin B12: 1,000 mcg. IM daily
Folate: 2 - 5 mg.
Choline: 1 gm.
Zinc: 30 mg. TID
Magnesium: 800 - 1200 mg.
Calcium: 800 - 1200 mg.
Selenium: 200 - 300 mcg.

Supplements: (references)

Coenzyme Q10: 40 - 120 mg. in divided doses
Melatonin: 3 mg. at 9 PM
NADH: 5 mg. QID
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM): 200 - 400 mg.
5-Hydroxyptryptophan: 100 - 300 mg. in divided doses (if taking L-Dopa) (Note: approximately 1-3% of oral tryptophan enters the brain compared to 70% of oral 5-HTP)
Tyrosine: 250 mg.
Glutathionine: 500-1,000 mg.
L-Arginine: 1 - 4 gm. BID

Botanicals: (references)

Liquid Extract - Passiflora incarnata: 30 - 60 drops TID

Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

Parkinson's disease:
agar, al, ant-t, aran, arg-n, aven, bar-c, bufo, camph-br, cann-i, caust, chlorpr, cimic,cocaine, cocc, con, dub, dubo-m, gels, halo, helo, hyos, hyosin, kali-br, kres, lath, levo, lil-t, lyc, mag-p, mang, MERC, merc-sul, nicot, nux-v, perh, phos, phys, plb, prun, puls, RHUS-T scut, stram, syph, taab, tarent, thuj, ZINC, zinc-pic

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)

Other Therapies: (references)

Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals and manganese
Avoid excess iron ingestion and intake of other metals (chelate if concentrations are too high)
Moderate regular exercise is useful in prevention of Parkinson's disease, especially Qigong exercise
Exposure to weak electromagnetic fields has been shown to be helpful in reducing symptoms of Parkinson's
Estrogen replacement therapy for women has been preventive in various studies
Continuous bath/hammock bath for 2 hours or more 5-6 times a week

Recommended Labs:

Check for Parkinson's Disease: History, Physical Exam
Rule out basal ganglia tumor: Non-Contrast CT Scan, EEG, MRI, Biopsy
Rule out Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: Brain Biopsy, EEG, MRI, CSF Panel
Rule out drug toxicity: History, Drug Screen, Drug Reference Information Analysis
Rule out heavy metal poisoning: Hair Analysis
Rule out hypoparathyroidism: PTH
Rule out hypothyroidism: Thyroid Panel with TSH
Rule out multiple strokes: Non-Contrast CT Scan, EEG, CBC with Diff, Coagulation Profile, Electrolyte Panel, Serum Glucose
Rule out normal pressure hydrocephalus: CT Scan/MRI with Distinguishing Features of NPH
Rule out Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy: MRI of Brain
Rule out postencephalitic PD: History, Physical Exam
Rule out post-traumatic brain injury PD: History, Physical Exam
Rule out progressive superanuclear palsy: MRI, PET Scan, SPECT Scan, Sleep Studies
Rule out Shy-Drager Syndrome: Blood Levels of Norepinephrine, Valsalva Maneuver, Electromyogram, Tilt Table, Barium Swallow
Rule out structural PD: CT Scan, MRI
Rule out subdural hematoma: Non-Contrast CT Scan, EEG, CBC with Diff, Coagulation Profile, Electrolyte Panel, Serum Glucose
Rule out vascular PD: CT Scan, MRI
Rule out Wilson Disease: Ceruloplasmin, Presence of Kayser-Fleischer Rings, Urinary Copper Excretion rate, Hepatic Copper Concentration using Radiolabelled Copper, CT Scan of Head, MRI of Brain

* The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.