Alternative Treatment Parkinson's disease

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Alternative Treatment Until recently there were few alternative treatments available for Parkinson's disease patients. This is now changing. Supplementation with vitamin C and E markedly slows the progression of the disease in its early stages. Other antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10 and proanthocyanidins may be equally or more effective - however, this remains to be proven in clinical trials. Supplementation with vitamin B complex may also be necessary, especially for patients who take l-dopa medications. The timing of protein intake can markedly increase the effectiveness of l-dopa and thereby lead to reduced dosage requirements. Researchers now recommend that protein intake be kept as low as possible and that protein be included primarily in the evening meal(47,49).

Australian researchers have found that broad beans (Vicia faba) is an extremely good source of l- dopa and can, in some cases, actually replace l-dopa. A 100 g serving of broad beans (including the pods) provides about 250 mg of l-dopa and in addition, a significant amount of proanthocyanidins. The broad beans remain effective even if canned or frozen, but should always be consumed whole as the pod has been found to have the highest concentration of l-dopa. Medication dosage may have to be adjusted if broad beans are consumed on a regular basis(49,53).

Stress aggravates Parkinson's disease and relaxation therapy has been found useful in the treatment of the disease. A well thought-out program of rest, exercise, and physiotherapy can also significantly ameliorate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease(1,8,54).

The finding that Parkinson's disease is almost certainly caused by oxidative stress aggravated by metal toxicity is a major step forward in understanding and eventually conquering the disease. At present the best preventive strategy is to limit the intake of animal fats and sugar, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, avoid toxic metals and an excessive iron intake, and insure an adequate intake of antioxidants. These preventive measures may also be useful in slowing down the progression of the disease. As research intensifies new avenues will no doubt open up and in a few years Parkinson's disease will hopefully be both preventable and controllable.

 

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