Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement. It typically develops gradually and can cause tremors, rigid muscles, loss of automatic movements like blinking or smiling, speech changes and dementia. According to MayoClinic.com, many symptoms of the condition are caused by a lack of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. Treatment for this disease may include medication like levodopa or physical therapy. There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but there are ways to control symptoms, including the use of supplements. Before using any supplements, consult your physician, as they can interfere with certain medications and cause adverse effects.
Step 1
Take both vitamin C and vitamin E. The University of Maryland states that taking 1,000 mg three times a day of vitamin C and 800 IU four times a day of vitamin E helped delay the need for Parkinson's medications in one study. Study results have been mixed, and more research is needed, but ask your doctor if this is an option for you.
Step 2
Consume a coenzyme Q10 supplement with a creatine supplement. This combination was found to have neuroprotective effects as well as survival benefits in rat models of Parkinson's disease in a study published in the "Journal of Neurochemistry." Check with your physician to make sure it is safe for you to take these, especially creatine, as it is not appropriate for everyone.
Step 3
Take 100 mg of phosphatidylserine, or PS, three times daily, suggests the University of Maryland Medical Center. This substance helps brain function and has been shown to improve cognitive functioning and mood in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Step 4
Take 400 mg of cytidinediphosphocholine, or CDP-choline, three times a day. This compound increases the amount of dopamine your body produces, and individuals taking it have been shown to be able to lower their doses of levodopa, states the University of Maryland.
Step 5
Consume 400 to 1,600 mg of S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, daily, says the University of Maryland. The body naturally produces this substance, but taking levodopa lowers the amount of this chemical. SAMe may help treat Parkinson's disease-related depression, but long-term use can interfere with the effectiveness of levodopa.
Tips and Warnings
- Your diet can encourage the effectiveness of some Parkinson's medications, so talk with your doctor about what kinds of foods you should be eating and how to maximize the effectiveness of your treatment.
- Before using any of these supplements, consult with your doctor about whether it is safe for you to do so. Do not go off any medications your doctor has prescribed without consulting your physician.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Parkinson's Disease
- PubMed.gov: "Journal of Neurochemistry"; Combination Therapy with Coenzyme Q10 and Creatine Produces Additive Neuroprotective Effects in Models of Parkinson's and Huntington's Diseases; L. Yang et al; 2009
- MayoClinic.com: Parkinson's Disease: Causes
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