Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder caused by a decline in the levels of dopamine, a brain chemical responsible for controlling movement and coordination. As a result, a person with the disease may experience movement problems, tremor, stiffness in the limbs and loss of balance. There is no cure for Parkinson's, but drugs including dopamine agonists and anticholinergic drugs can help to improve symptoms. Vitamin C may play a role in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, scientific data to prove this is limited. Talk to your doctor before supplementing your treatment plan with vitamin C.
Sources and Required Dose
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble antioxidant vitamin that plays a vital role in immune function and wound healing. The body cannot manufacture or store vitamin C, so you need to get it daily. It is found in host of foods, including strawberries, red peppers, citrus fruits, broccoli, sweet potatoes and spinach. It can also be taken as a dietary supplement. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking 1 g of vitamin C three times daily, but you should get medical advice before doing so.
Efficacy
An article by F.E Harrison and J.M May published in the March 2009 issue of "Free Radical Biology and Medicine" notes that vitamin C may have a potential role in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases that may be caused by oxidative stress, like Parkinson's. The authors also propose that vitamin C may affect the transmission of dopamine. Although few clinical studies have actually studied the role of vitamin C in the treatment of Parkinson's, the results of a study by H. Nagayama and colleagues published in the November 2004 issue of "Neuropharmacology" show that vitamin C may benefit Parkinson's patients by increasing the absorption of the Parkinson's drug levodopa.
Considerations
Excess vitamin C is excreted the body, so taking a vitamin C supplement is unlikely to cause serious adverse effects. However, the Office of Dietary Supplements notes that high doses may cause diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps. Do not take a vitamin C supplement if you have a condition known as hereditary hemochromatosis, as it may increase the absorption of iron and exacerbate your condition. Do not take a vitamin C supplement if you are undergoing treatment for cancer or if you are taking statins.
Other Vitamins
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that vitamins D and B6 may also benefit people with Parkinson's. Vitamin B6 may help to reduce drug-related side effects, while vitamin D may help to prevent osteoporosis, a condition often experienced by Parkinson's disease sufferers. Talk to your doctor before supplementing your diet with either of these vitamins.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Parkinson's Disease
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin C
- PubMed.gov: Vitamin C Function in the Brain: Vital Role of the Ascorbate Transporter SVCT2
- PubMed.gov: The Effect of Ascorbic Acid on the Pharmacokinetics of Levodopa in Elderly Patients with Parkinson Disease
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