The symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, such as tremors, rigidity, postural instability, and other disorders of movement, are considered a result of declining levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. In Parkinson's Disease there is a degenerative process in the brain that leads to a marked decrease in synthesis of dopamine and a resultant drop in its levels in the substantia nigra and corpus striatum (two areas of the brain where dopamine synthesis is important). The lowering of dopamine results in raising the ratio of acetylcholine to dopamine, in cells of the nigrostriatal system. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle cells. It is considered that the higher ratio of acetylcholine to dopamine leads to over-stimulating muscle cells and this imbalance contributes to the various disorders of movement found in Parkinson's Disease.

Dopamine is the precursor to norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is a precursor to the hormone epinephrine. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are anti-stress chemicals in the body. Obviously there is great stress from Parkinson's Disease. This will lead to the chronic release of epinephrine into the bloodstream. Adrenaline hormones such as epinephrine are designed to be released only in a state of emergency, such as flight or fight, and not chronically as in Parkinson's Disease.

To decrease the amount of dopamine needed as a precursor for epinephrine and norepinephrine, thereby helping to preserve dopamine, you can increase the efficiency of epinephrine. This will result in less depletion of dopamine.

PNMT (an enzyme called phenylethanolamine) catalyzes the N-methylation of norepinephrine to form epinephrine. The synthesis of PNMT is induced by glucocorticoid hormones (Harper's Biochemistry, 25th Edition, Appleton & Lance, Stanford, Connecticut, 2000, Page 589)." There are several important points. PNMT is essential to produce epinephrine from norephinphrine. PNMT's structure contains the amino acid L-phenylalanine. Also PNMT catalyzes a reaction called methylation of norepinephrine to form epinephrine. Methylation is a chemical process in the body that uses amino acids and B vitamins, especially B6, to accomplish this chemical reaction. Epinephrine is an adrenal hormone. The important points are amino acids are needed to produce epinephrine, extra B6 may be necessary in a condition of chronic stress that requires steady amounts of epinephrine production, and the supplement L-phenylalanine is essential to produce epinephrine.

The following ideas are to help increase the efficiency of producing epinephrine, which will result in less depletion of dopamine. Dopamine is a precursor leading to the production of epinephrine. Therefore, conserving epinephrine will result in conserving dopamine.

1. Consider supplementing a B50, 2-3 times a day. The B-50 contains extra B6 needed, but the B vitamins work together and if you only supplement a few B vitamins, this can result in latent deficiencies of B vitamins occurring. The B vitamins also help control water balance in cells, help increase cell membrane permeability, help to dispose of waste, and many other cell functions that can increase cell efficiency. This makes it more likely for supplemental ideas to be successful.
2. See a hormonal specialist and consider DHEA supplementation. DHEA is a precursor of adrenaline hormones. Chronic stress, such as in Parkinson's Disease, results in depletion of adrenaline hormones and DHEA can help balance and maintain proper adrenaline hormone levels. We recommend the doctors from the American Academy of Antiaging Medicine, called A-4 doctors. They must pass a test to become an A-4 doctor, which has many questions about the newest ideas of the hormonal sciences. Their national number is 773-528-4333.

3. Consider supplementation of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin helps with sleep cycles, works as an antioxidant in the brain, and helps maintain hormonal balance. Chronic stress from Parkinson's, results in the catabolic breakdown of the body. The body balances the catabolic processes (which break the body down), with anabolic processes that synthesize and rebuild the body. When a person is healthy, both processes are going on, but they neutralize each other and help promote running the body properly. In chronic stress the catabolic processes are resulting in more than normal breakdown of the body and these catabolic processes need to be neutralized. Melatonin starts off the cycles that lead to the human growth hormone cycle. Deep sleep is required for proper human growth hormone cycles and melatonin is important for this to happen. Human growth hormone is anabolic and can help balance the body from catabolic reactions. The testosterone cycle is anabolic and works better in conjunction with human growth hormone. Melatonin influences the testosterone cycle. Also melatonin helps to protect the brain in the role of an antioxidant. Degeneration anywhere in the body, including the degeneration of the substantia nigra as in Parkinson's, needs antioxidants to repair and protect the brain from the damage that has occurred. Melatonin also can decrease cortisol levels (adrenaline), which can be high from chronic stress. Decreasing excess cortisol levels can be helpful in decreasing the amount of dopamine depleted to make adrenaline hormones.

4. Consider supplementing ion-exchange whey protein concentrates. Whey contains high quality pre-digested amino acids. The neurotransmitters and hormones such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine need building blocks of amino acids such as tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, and others. Whey powder contains the essential amino acids needed to make dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.

5. Consider growth hormone replacement therapy. Growth hormone is anabolic and helps balance other hormones, such as testosterone. Testosterone is vitally involved with metabolism and the effects of motor problems occur at the cellular level of muscle tissue, a major group of cells in the body responsible for metabolism. Human growth hormone also helps balance DHEA, melatonin, thyroid, cortisol, estrogen, and progesterone. Maintaining hormonal balance will help conserve neurotransmitters such as dopamine.

6. Epinephrine controls the hormone insulin. Hyperinsulin, insulin surges, high blood sugar, all lead to inefficiency of insulin, which can deplete epinephrine. Learn to eat foods that do not stimulate insulin excessively. These are called low glycemic foods. Read the article, "Every Diabetic Needs to Understand the Glycemic Index," to understand and be aware of which foods trigger excessive insulin surges.

7. Consider a multivitamin and mineral. All nutritional programs need a multi to supply cofactors. We recommend the brand Maxilife.

8. Consider supplementing fatty acids. It is important to supplement the correct ratios of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. We recommend the product Udos Oil, made by Flora, which has about a 2-1 ratio of omega 3 to omega 6. Right now science is debating that the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 should be between 3-1 or 4-1. Since most diets are higher in omega 3, a supplement of 2-1 ratio of omega 3 to omega 6, including a normal diet, should result in about a 3-1 or 4-1 ratio. Fatty acids are precursors to steroid hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine. You can also consider equal parts pumpkin and flax oil.

9. Consider supplementing TMG. TMG is to help restore proper methylation. Methylation is a chemical process used to produce epinephrine from norepinephrine. For a condition of high stress, such as Parkinson's, see a nutritional specialist for an optimal TMG dose; possibly as much as 2-6 grams may be needed. Dr. Bob advised SAMe for methylation. SAMe and TMG can pinch hit for each other, or be used together to perhaps gain the added advantage of synergy. In either case, see a nutritional specialist to determine your optimal doses.

In conclusion, Parkinson's Disease is a form of accelerated aging. The problems of Parkinson's leads to symptoms and effects in the body that lead to further breakdown, inefficiency, and decline in function, which is one definition of aging. In order to neutralize the effects of Parkinson's, each problem of Parkinson's must be addressed. There is no magic bullet. In this article it was described that dopamine could be conserved. This will result in more balanced ratios between dopamine and acetylcholine, and also higher levels of dopamine. Balancing hormones, supplementing optimal amounts of all B vitamins, optimal amounts of a multivitamin and mineral, optimal amounts of high quality protein such as whey concentrate, and optimal amounts of essential fatty acids, are methods that will improve cellular health. This can translate to promoting greater health for those with Parkinson's disease.


Note – In order for these anti-aging ideas to be successful, you must use supplements of the highest quality. Dr. Bob often said, "almost all supplement companies produce poor quality." You can consider the product page of this web site. Almost all the products met Dr. Bob’s approval. Since he passed away we have attempted to keep the same high standards.

WARNING:  DO NOT STOP ANY TREATMENT OR MEDICATION YOU CURRENTLY USE.  CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING THE USE OF SUPPLEMENTS. 

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The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated any of the statements contained on this web site. The information contained in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Remember each person's body is different and will react differently to various herbal, vitamin and mineral supplements. Therefore, any supplementation must be administered on an individual basis. Use the information found on this web site as precisely that: Information. You and your doctor must make any final decisions. This information is not meant to replace any doctor and patient consultation. This information should in no way replace your personal physician's advice.