Santa Monica, CA-May 24, 2007. BWell Clinic physician, Dr. Michael J. Hollis, ND recently uncovered exciting research indicating intravenous antioxidant therapy and vitamin supplements can help patients suffering from Parkinson disease. To download the full report, go to: http://www.bwellclinic.com/parkinsonsreport.html
Dr. Hollis believes, “New and effective treatments are being discovered to not only treat the symptoms of Parkinson disease, but also to reduce or remove possible causes of the symptoms. The importance of testing and appropriate treatment planning is an essential component of symptom management in Parkinson disease. Clinics that specialize in individualized wellness programs can screen for deficiencies that lead to early detection of disease states. Parkinson disease if caught early in its pathological progress, can be treated and the symptoms minimized.”
50 thousand new cases of Parkinson disease are being discovered every year. A specific group of dopamine-producing nerves are affected, located in a tiny region of the brain called the substatia nigra. The slow degradation of dopamine nerve function in this area causes resting tremors, slowness of voluntary movement, and problems with posture. Research indicates the surrounding tissues that protect these nerves (glial cells) are causing the breakdown in nerve function. When glial cells are not working properly, they get inflamed and produce damaging free radicals that seep through and irritate sensitive nerves in the substantia nigra.
When analyzed, the brains of deceased Parkinson disease patients have been shown to have lower levels of glutathione than non-Parkinson subjects. Glutathione is what protects the nerve from free radical damage. Parkinson disease patients have also been show to have more free radical damage due to excessive metabolism of dopamine within the nerve itself. In effect, Parkinson disease patients nerves are destroying themselves from within. Treatment with L-dopa medications, while they improve dopamine function temporarily, may only feed more ‘kindling’ to the fire created by free radicals coming from dysfunctional glial cells – thus accelerating and intensifying the symptoms of Parkinson disease.
It still remains to be determined whether the glutathione deficiency found in Parkinson disease is due to an overload of free radicals, or due to an underproduction of glutathione. Nonetheless, glutathione precursors and antioxidant therapy appears to be an effective treatment for glial inflammation.
Studies on Parkinson disease patients treated with twice daily I.V. glutathione showed significant improvement after 6 months. The therapeutic effects persisted long after treatment was discontinued (2-4 months after cessation). Adjunctive treatment with n-acetyl cysteine may be of further benefit, as it an essential building block for new glutathione in both the brain and the rest of the body.
Dr. Hollis recommends patients be tested to determine glutathione status and other possible deficiency states prior to treatment. This precaution helps the physician to construct an individualized program that suits the patient’s unique biochemical needs. In addition, liver and organic acids tests help to identify areas of breakdown in metabolism throughout the body.
Other imbalances noted in the research into Parkinson disease encourage patients with the condition to take vitamin E and coenzyme Q10. To correct calcium levels inside nerve cells, vitamin D has also been used. Studies have detected a prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (and associated osteoporosis) in Parkinson disease patients. Vitamin D is known to affect calcium absorption and metabolism. Parkinson disease patients exhibit lower body weight than normal subjects. This low body mass index (BMI) in Parkinson disease is due to low bone mineral density – more evidence in support of vitamin D deficiency.
In one case study, the addition of Vitamin D therapy in a patient with Parkinson disease and vitamin D deficiency showed progressive improvement in symptoms, including decreased rigidity, absence of tremor, and decreased akinesia – leading to a reduction in prescribed L-dopa medication.
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BWell’s mission is to provide the best, scientifically proven medicine. Every treatment offered has been rigorously studied for its effectiveness and recommendations are supported by individualized clinical laboratory testing. BWell provides:
- Individualized assessment – each person is unique
- Tailored treatment protocols based on laboratory testing
- Naturopathic medicine to diagnose, heal, maintain and support lifelong wellness
- Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs
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- Movement Therapy and Bodywork
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At BWell we value the naturopathic principles: 1) Do no harm. We use the least invasive intervention necessary to achieve optimal results. Herbal and supplemental support can work as and even more effectively than pharmaceutical alternatives, but when medicine is needed, we know when to prescribe it. 2) Provide solutions that promote a person’s inherent healing capacity. 3) Identify and treat the cause. 4) Heal the whole person. A balanced and integrative approach will provide the best health promotion program. 5) Prevention is accomplished through education and promotion of life-habits that create good health. 6) Drawing from the healing power of nature, our practitioners can help establish or restore a healthy internal and external environment.
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