Diseases That Mimic PD

• Multiple system atrophy (MSA) refers to a set of slowly progressive disorders that affect the central and autonomic nervous systems.
• Dementia with Lewy bodies is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with the same abnormal protein deposits (Lewy bodies) found in Parkinson’s but in widespread areas throughout the brain. It is also seen in some patients with Alzheimer’s.
• Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare, progressive brain disorder that causes problems with control of gait and balance. The symptoms of PSP are caused by a gradual deterioration of cells in the brain stem.
• Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) results from atrophy of multiple areas of the brain, including the cerebral cortex and the basal ganglia. Initial symptoms may first appear on one side of the body, but eventually affect both sides. Symptoms are similar to some of the features found in PD, including rigidity, impaired balance, and problems with coordination.
• Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies, such as B1, B6, B12, D, and E, iron, magnesium, selenium, and zinc—all can mimic PD through their symptoms.
• Leaky gut syndrome and alterations in gut microbiota can not only mimic PD, but are now widely accepted as relevant to the etiology, course and treatment of many neuropsychiatric disorders, including PD.74

Traditional Treatment

There is no cure for PD, but there are drugs available that can help reduce some of the symptoms.

Drug treatments include the following:

• Drugs that increase dopamine in the brain, or mimic dopamine, or prevent or slow its breakdown. The most common drug used is L-dopa, which crosses the blood-brain barrier. It is commonly used with carbidopa, which prevents the dopamine from being produced in the body, limiting it to production in the brain. This drug allows the majority of people with PD to extend the period of time in which they can lead active, productive lives, reducing bradykinesia and rigidity. But there are a number of possible side effects, including abnormal thinking or hallucination with agitation or anxiety, confusion, mood change, swallowing problems, mouth watering, unsteadiness, clumsiness, clenching or grinding of teeth, dizziness, feeling faint, general discomfort, hand tremors or other involuntary movements, nausea or vomiting, numbness, unusual tiredness, or weakness. Dyskinesias or other involuntary movements, such as twisting and writhing, commonly develop in people who take L-dopa over an extended period. There are also a number of less common side effects. Motor complications have been found to occur in approximately 40% and 70% of patients after 5 years and 15 years of L-dopa treatment, respectively.75 76

 

• Caffeine-based compounds. In a 2016 study, caffeine-based chemical compounds that contain certain nutrients, including nicotine, metformin, and aminoindan, prevent the misfolding of alpha-synuclein, a protein necessary for dopamine regulation.77

Other drugs include dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, OMT inhibitors, amantadine, and anticholinergics.

• Drugs that affect other neurotransmitters in the body in order to ease some of the symptoms of the disease. These can help reduce tremors.
• Medications that help control the non-motor symptoms of the disease such as anti-depressants.

Side Effects of Conventional Treatments

Side effects from conventional treatment can include mouth dryness, constipation, nausea, insomnia, palpitation, and mental problems.

Generally,78 avoid alcohol which may change some of the pharmacologic effects of L-dopa. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

Also, products that contain iron may interfere with the absorption of L-dopa and reduce its effectiveness.

You can find a full list of medications and related side effects at https://www.apdaparkinson.org/what-is-parkinsons/treatment-medication/medication

Surgery May Sometimes Be Recommended:

1. Pallidotomy and thalamotomy selectively destroy specific parts of the brain that contribute to PD symptoms.
2. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) uses an electrode surgically implanted into part of the brain (typically the subthalamic nucleus or the globus pallidus) to gently stimulate the brain in a way that helps block signals that cause many of the motor symptoms of PD.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Parkinson’s is based on observation of tremor, rigidity, and later postural instability. Before these obvious motor-related symptoms appear, diagnosis may occur by noting symptoms of loss of smell, constipation, poor REM sleep, and depression.79 A number of imaging tests are used, including neuromelanin imaging, brain MRI, cardiac scintigraphy (a non-invasive test measuring blood flow to the heart), uptake of dopamine, sonography, and others.80

Early prediction. Researchers have been looking for a biomarker; a new test in Germany has found one that looks at blood neurofilament concentration. This test accurately predicts Alzheimer’s disease approximately 8 to 16 years before clinical symptoms appear. The test occurs in 2 phases. The first looks for high risk individuals. It is a blood test that looks for misfolded proteins (found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, resulting in amyloid beta plaques), and it is 71% accurate with a 9% false positive reading. If a person is identified as high risk, a second blood test then looks for the dementia-specific biomarker tau protein. This test reduces the false positive results down to 3 in 100.81

Research has also found that although accumulation of amyloid proteins are triggers, nerve deterioration occurs independently.82

Diet

A poor diet will have a negative impact on an individual’s health. Nutrition affects multiple aspects of neurodevelopment, neurogenesis (growth and development of nerve tissue), and the functions of neurons and neural networks.83 Nutrition-gene interactions play a critical role in dysfunction and disease.84

Epidemiological studies found that high intake of fruits, vegetables, and fish are inversely associated with PD risk85 86 and the risk of many other health conditions. These studies also found a decrease in PD risk in individuals who consume foods containing carotenoids, β-carotene,87 and cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli (rich in antioxidants with neuroprotective capacity).

Reduced PD Symptoms

Reduced Parkinson’s symptoms are found in a diet high in fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts and seeds, nonfried fish, olive oil, wine, coconut oil, fresh herbs, and spices. Consumption of green tea, coffee, and blueberries, as well as avoiding dairy, are associated with reduced risk of being diagnosed with PD.88 89

Mediterranean Diet

Studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet significantly reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, and the incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.90 91 92 Dietary patterns characteristic of a Mediterranean diet are emerging as a potential neuroprotective alternative for PD;93 foods that largely comprise the Mediterranean diet have been associated with reduced incidence of PD and incidence at later age.94 Some of these foods included fresh fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Keto Diet

Limited studies indicate that a Keto diet improves symptoms related to PD and AD.95 96 Although the mechanisms are not yet well defined, it is plausible that neuroprotection results from enhanced neuronal energy reserves (which improve the ability of neurons to resist metabolic challenges), and possibly through other actions including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Also, this diet may have beneficial disease-modifying activity that is applicable to a broad range of brain disorders characterized by the death of neurons.

Note. Consuming protein at only one meal per day can keep inflammation down. Keeping protein levels moderate throughout the day has been shown to help reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s.97

Juicing Recipe for Brain Health

Below are recommended foods for juicing for brain health. Choose some combination of these foods, and you may add your favorite fruits and vegetables.

• Leafy-green vegetables, avocado, broccoli, kale, and red beets
• Apples, berries (especially blueberry), bilberry, black currant, blackberry, mulberry, ginger, ginseng, goji berry, citrus fruits (especially lemon), kiwi, grapes, pomegranate juice, and prunes
• Garlic, ginger, chia seeds, parsley, ginseng, walnuts, yogurt, and honey
• Coconut oil

Increased PD Symptoms

Increased PD symptoms are found in a diet with canned fruits and vegetables, diet and non-diet soda, fried foods, beef, ice cream, yogurt, and cheese.98...