New Hope for Parkinson’s Disease – Battling Parkinson’s with goodness of Herbs
Parkinson’s disease is a disease striking at a younger age than ever before! The disease can be defined as a progressive, neurodegenerative, kinetic (related to movement) disorder which belongs to a larger group of diseases known as motor system disorders. The biggest problem is that Parkinson’s disease cannot be yet cured and the symptoms tend to worsen over time and the normal functions of the body such as breathing, equilibrium, movement and heart function tend to worsen.
What happens in Parkinson’s disease?
Generally, the disease raises its ugly head around the age of 50 years and has been cited to be the one of the most common nervous disorders present in the elderly population. The nerve cells in the brain slowly start declining which brings down the formation of a chemical known as dopamine. Dopamine is essential for regulating the muscle movement throughout the body. When dopamine production is reduced, the muscular control of the body is affected thus resulting in the movement disorder. When almost 50% to 80% of the dopamine neurons have died the symptoms of the disease become visible. The disease may be triggered due to a number of genetic and environmental factors. A complex set of interactions involving the exposure to environmental toxins and severe head injuries may act as intense triggers to set off the disease that is the degeneration of the neurons producing dopamine.
Parkinson’s disease has been known to occur in about 50% of men when compared with women. The average age of onset of the disease has been reported to be 60 years but there are some cases of early onset of the disease when the disease strikes around the age of 40 years. The progression of the disease occurs at its own pace in individual patients but the severity of the symptoms goes on increasing in the later stages of life which can lead to pneumonia, choking or fatal falls.
The current treatments available for Parkinson’s disease
The limiting factor here is that none of the treatments can cure the disease that is stop or even slow down the loss of dopamine producing neurons in the brain. The current treatments such as use of drugs like carbidopa-levodopa, MAO-B inhibitors, amantadine etc. are associated with various severe to mild side effects such as muscle spasms, low blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, gastrointestinal problems, nausea, hair loss, sleep disorders, confusion, anxiety, and hallucinations. The prolonged use of levodopa may also lead to a ‘wearing off’ effect.
Owing to these problems there is a continuous search for a safer and natural alternative for the management of the symptoms and a possible treatment of the Parkinson’s disease.
Do nutritional supplements and herbs provide a solution?
Researchers have shown that a vast majority of people with Parkinson’s are opting for a non-prescribed therapy such as nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbs, massages and acupuncture. It has been found in some studies that these alternative methods have helped in improving balance in Parkinson’s patients and is also considered to be safe and well-tolerated. It has been reported in some research studies that use of natural compounds with antioxidant properties such as Coenzyme Q10, creatine and glutathione which work towards affecting the energy metabolism in the nerve cells and also protects against nerve cell injuries can considerably slow down the progression of the disease. Since oxidative nerve damage may be a major trigger of Parkinson’s disease, natural antioxidants may play a compatible role in declining the progression of the disease. Researchers have conducted studies and reported that Vitamin E obtained from natural sources such as papaya and blueberries have the ability to counteract the damage caused by the free radicals and an increased intake of Vitamin E can also reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Experimental studies have brought forth the possibly effective role of Vitamin E in slowing nerve cell loss and age related neuronal changes.
It has also been reported that individuals eating berries such as blueberries or strawberries which are rich in antioxidants called as flavonoids are also at a reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease since these flavonoids can protect brain cells from damage. An increased intake of flavonoids through fruits and vegetables including sources like berries, tea, apples and red wine decreases the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is also accompanied with memory impairment and depression. Many herbal remedies have found to be effective in managing and treating memory decline and depression. Gingko biloba and St. John’s Wort are two herbs which are used as a protectant for nerves, in anxiety, and even certain herbs which are used for insomnia, calming properties or overall well-being.
Most common herbs used in Parkinson’s disease
The most researched and documented herbs which have been shown to be effective against the management, treatment and prevention of Parkinson’s disease are Green tea, Brahmi, Cowhage, Turmeric and Gingko biloba. Organic green teas are quite popular these days for a plethora of health benefits. Green tea has also been reported to help against the Parkinson’s disease. Researchers have specified that polyphenols present in green tea are active against protecting the neurons producing dopamine and hence it is beneficial in cutting down the neuronal damage by almost 50%. Bacopa moneri or Brahmi is a widely used herb in Ayurveda. Researchers and Ayurvedic practitioners promote the use of Brahmi in enhancing memory but it has also been found to improve blood circulation to the brain and in protecting the nerve cells in the brain. This herb is also used in protecting the brain from damage. Cowhage or Kapikachu is a popular herb in India and contains levodopa or L-dopa and can be used as a drug in treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Turmeric has a chemical known as curcumin which helps in fighting Parkinson’s disease by disrupting and aggravating the proteins responsible for causing the disease. Gingko biloba is a beneficial herb for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Research studies conducted on animals have shown that Gingko biloba has neuroprotective and neurorecovery effects against the dopamine neuronal damage and movement disruption. This research study has brought forth promising evidence of developing an alternative treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Organic virgin cold pressed coconut oil is also used as an aid in alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Category: HEALTH
