Parkinson’s disease, also called shaking palsy or paralysis agitans, is a slowly progressive disease of the nervous system in which an essential type of nerve cell is destroyed.  The cause of the disease is unknown, buy symptoms begin when there is an imbalance of two chemicals in the brain, dopamine and acetylcholine.  These substances transfer messages between nerve cells that control muscle function.  In parkinsonism, the amount of dopamine is diminished, the imbalance is created, and nerve signals become confused.  Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include muscular rigidity and cramping, involuntary tremors that include a characteristic pill-rolling movement of the thumb and forefinger as they rub against each other, impaired speech, a staring facial expression, drooling, and a short, shuffling gait.  Despite these symptoms, sensation and mental activity are not impaired.  There is often a loss of appetite and some weight loss, giving rise to the possibility of malnutrition developing.  Chronic constipation may complicate the condition.

There is not cure for the disease, although drugs may be used to alleviate the symptoms.  L-Dopa, a drug most often used to reestablish balance with acetylcholine, has many side effects.  Vitamin C may help to alleviate these reactions.  The B vitamins, especially, B6 tend to diminish the effectiveness of L-Dopa.  However, Adelle Davis, in her book, Let’s Get Well, reported that vitamin B6 given along with the other B vitamins and magnesium, has resulted in progressive improvement.  Patients begin to feel stronger, walk with a steadier gait, have better bladder control, a greater sense of well-being, better mental alertness and a decrease in muscular cramps, trembling, and rigidity.  Zinc may also be needed to make sure the B6 does not interfere with the effect of the drug L-Dopa.  Sometimes improvement is not noticed in persons who have had a sever case of the disease for several years.

Modification of the diet and treatment of the constipation may also be helpful.  Frequent small meals will increase the patients nutrient and caloric levels, thus preventing malnutrition.  A marked increase in fluid intake is also necessary because the normal secretions of the intestines may be lessened by some of the prescribed drugs.  High-residue food will assist in alleviating constipation.

NUTRIENTS THAT MY BE BENEFICIAL IN TREATMENT OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE:

Vitamin B Complex, B2, B6, Niacin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Calcium, Magnesium, Glutamic acid and Protein.

Information obtained from the Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition, Lavon J. Dunne

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