Parkinson’s disease is a common neurological condition afflicting about 1 percent of men and women over the age of seventy. Parkinson's affects at least 500,000 people in the United States alone. 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.
   Although Parkinson’s disease can occur from viral infections or exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, the causes of the majority of cases are not well known. Scientists suspect that oxidative damage to neurons in the substantia nigra could well be one of the major causes, particularly due to the depletion of the antioxidant glutathione. People who sustain substantial head injuries may face an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease years later. Patients with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease.

Mucuna Pruriens has been tested for Parkinson's disease and is available at Physician Formulas web site.

Parkinson's Disease and diet
Eating foods rich in Vitamin E may help protect against Parkinson's disease. A review of eight studies that looked into whether Vitamins C and E and beta carotene had an impact on the odds of developing Parkinson's disease showed that a moderate intake of Vitamin E lowered the risk. Neither Vitamin C nor beta carotene seemed to have a protective effect. The researchers said they did not know whether Vitamin E supplements would have any benefits. Foods rich in Vitamin E include nuts, seeds, wheat germ, spinach and other green leafy vegetables.
     If you plan to take Vitamin-E supplements, limit your dose to 200 units a few times a week. Vitamin E is fat soluble and stays in the body; therefore, daily intake is not needed. Also, use natural mixed Vitamin E complex rather than the synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol. It's possible other supplements could be useful in Parkinson's disease. Those with high intake of fresh fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of Parkinson's disease.

Exercise and Parkinson's disease
Six weeks of intensive treadmill training improves gait and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease: a pilot study.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2007 Sep;88(9):1154-8. Movement Disorders Unit, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Department of Physical Therapy, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
To evaluate the effects of 6 weeks of intensive treadmill training on gait rhythmicity, functional mobility, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). An open-label, before-after pilot study. Outpatient movement disorders clinic. Nine patients with PD who were able to ambulate independently and were not demented. Mean age was 70+/-6.8 years. Patients had mild to moderate PD. Patients walked on a treadmill for 30 minutes during each training session, 4 training sessions a week, for 6 weeks. Once a week, usual overground walking speed was re-evaluated and the treadmill speed was adjusted accordingly. Our results show the potential to enhance gait rhythmicity in patients with PD and suggest that a progressive and intensive treadmill training program can be used to minimize impairments in gait, reduce fall risk, and increase quality of life in these patients.

Uric acid and Parkinson's disease
Gout is associated with a lower risk of Parkinson disease. There appears to be a link between uric acid and PD.

Improving the Antioxidant System
Of all the nutritional strategies available for Parkinson’s disease, antioxidants appear to be the most promising choices to prevent or slow the progression of this condition. Individuals whose diets include plenty of healthy foods containing antioxidants are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. Patients should consume foods, such as fruits and vegetables, that contain glutathione or can help produce it. Cyanohydroxybutene, a chemical found in broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage, is also thought to increase glutathione levels. High intake of dairy products may lead to a higher incidence of Parkinson's disease.

Vitamin E antioxidant for Parkinson's disease
Eating foods rich in Vitamin E may help protect against Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease occurs when brain cells that produce a chemical called dopamine malfunction and die. Symptoms include tremors, stiffness, slow movement and poor coordination and balance. A review of eight studies that looked into whether Vitamins C and E and beta carotene had an impact on the odds of developing Parkinson's disease showed that a moderate intake of Vitamin E lowered the risk. Neither Vitamin C nor beta carotene seemed to have a protective effect. The researchers said they did not know whether Vitamin E supplements would have any benefits. Foods rich in Vitamin E include nuts, seeds, wheat germ, spinach and other green leafy vegetables.
     If you plan to take Vitamin E supplements, limit your dose to 200 units a few times a week. Vitamin E is fat soluble and stays in the body; therefore, daily intake is not needed. Also, use natural mixed Vitamin E complex rather than the synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol. It's possible other supplements could be useful in Parkinson's disease. Those with high intake of fresh fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of Parkinson's disease.

Blocking Dopamine Breakdown
Dopamine is broken down in the brain by an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO). When the activity of MAO is inhibited, dopamine stays around longer and this benefits those with Parkinson’s disease. Several drugs are available that block the activity of MAO. Selegiline is the most effective and the one used most commonly. The prescribed dosage is 5 mg a day.
   No nutrients are currently known that prevent the breakdown of dopamine. However, a study conducted on rats at the College of Humanities and Sciences, Beijing Union University, in Beijing, China, indicates that the Chinese herbs codonopsis and astragalus can inhibit MAO type B and increase the activity of the antioxidant SOD. We don’t have any human trials to determine whether these two herbs would benefit patients with Parkinson’s disease. Although selegiline is a very helpful medicine, high doses may increase the risk of heart irregularities.