Parkinson's disease, or PD, is a degenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system. Common symptoms include tremor of the hands, muscle rigidity, slow movements, fatigue, difficulty maintaining the balance, memory and mood problems. Around 60,000 Americans are being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, according to Parkinson's disease Foundation.
If you suffer from Parkinson's disease and consider taking vitamin B-12 or any other natural supplements, you should first talk to your doctor.
B-12 and the Nervous System
Along with folic acid, vitamin B-2 helps protect the integrity of nerve cells and the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cells. It is also involved in the transmission of the signals along nerve cells. Symptoms of B-12 deficiency include depression, poor memory, confusion, fatigue, and neurological symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health. Interestingly, Parkinson's disease has symptoms similar to B-12 deficiency.
Age Related B-12 Deficiency
The incidence of Parkinson's disease increases with age, affecting mostly individuals age 50 or older. The same age group is also at higher risk to develop vitamin B-12 deficiency because older people tend to have difficulty absorbing vitamin B-12 from the gut, even if they consume enough B-12 rich foods, explains the National Parkinson's Foundation.
Drug Related B-12 Deficiency
B-12 and folic acid deficiencies are linked with the commonly prescribed anti-Parkinson drug Levodopa, indicates a study published in 2008 issue of "Parkinsonism and Related Disorders." The researchers found that patients under treatment with Levodopa had significantly lower levels of these two vitamins in the blood. Furthermore, subjects who had low vitamin B-12 blood levels manifested more cognitive impairments, while those who had folic acid deficiency displayed more symptoms of depression.
The National Parkinson's Foundation also suggests that increasing intake of B-12 and folic acid help to improve the levels of homocysteine, a chemical that is elevated in Parkinson's sufferers who receive Levodopa therapy.
Considerations
It appears that B-12 supplementation has multiple benefits in managing Parkinson's disease. Consult a qualified health-care provider and ask for a blood test to determine whether you have vitamin B-12 deficiency. Your doctor than will be able to recommend an optimal dosage of B-12 that may help you and explain any possible drug or herb interactions. B-12 vitamin should be taken along with folic acid or other vitamins and minerals, because these nutrients work in synergy. Vitamins or other natural supplements do not replace any conventional drugs you are currently taking and are not approved by FDA to treat Parkinson's disease.
References
- Parkinsn's Disease Foundation: Statistics on Parkinson's
- Parkinson's Disease Foundation: Vitamin B12
- National Institutes of Health: Vitamin B 12
- "Parkinsonism and Related Disorders"; Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels in Levodopa-treated Parkinson's Disease Patients: their Relationship to Clinical Manifestations, Mood and Cognition; December, 2008
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