Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the brain that usually develops after the age of 50 and is characterized by tremors, automatic movements, difficulty swallowing and walking, lack of facial expression and muscle aches. The condition occurs due to the inability of the brain to make the neurotransmitter dopamine, which helps control muscle movement. There is no cure for Parkinson's, but certain medications and a healthy lifestyle can help manage symptoms. Natural supplements such as resveratrol may also help reduce symptoms.
About Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in a variety of foods including grape skin, red wine, purple grape juice, peanuts and some berries. It possesses immense medicinal value and may help prevent and treat a variety of conditions ranging from inflammation and heart disease to certain types of cancers. Resveratrol supplements are usually made from the roots of Polygonum cuspidatum, or Japanese knotweed. Red wine and red grape extracts containing resveratrol are also available as dietary supplements.
Link Between Resveatrol and Parkinson's Disease
Resveratrol possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity and exerts neuroprotective effects on animal models with Parkinson's disease, according to a study published in the December 2008 issue of the European Journal of Pharmacology. Another animal study published in the April 2010 issue of the journal Brain Research also says that resveratrol can prevent free-radical-mediated damage of nerve cells, thereby preventing the histopathological changes associated with Parkinson's disease. Resveratrol may also prevent the damage caused by invasive procedures such as deep brain stimulation that are used to treat advanced stages of Parkinson's disease, according to a study conducted by students of Hope College.
Side Effects
No side effects of or toxic reactions to resveratrol have been reported, although it is important to remember that clinical trials to understand the effects of resveratrol in actual patients are lacking. The supplements may interact with certain blood-thinning medications. They also possess mild estrogen-like activity and may induce certain types of cancers in women, although there are no reports to prove these claims, according to Drugs.com.
Precautions
Always talk to a doctor before using resveratrol supplements to avoid possible drug interactions and adverse reactions. Resveratrol can also lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients, says Drugs.com. So inform your doctor if you have diabetes or any other pre-existing conditions.
References
- European Journal of Pharmacology: "Neuroprotective Effect of Resveratrol on 6-OHDA-Induced Parkinson's Disease in Rats"; F. Jin, et al.; December 2008
- Brain Research: "Resveratrol Attenuates 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Oxidative Damage and Dopamine Depletion in Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease"; Mohd. Moshahid Khan, et al.; April 2010
- Digital Commons at Hope College: "Resveratrol Ameliorates Brain Damage Induced by Surgical Cannulae: Potential for Treatment of Parkinson's Disease"; Julia Becker, et al.; April 2010
- Drugs: Resveratrol
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