The
Facts About Glutathione and Parkinson's Disease
Copyright
© 2004 Priya Shah
Parkinson's
Disease (PD), a devastating illness, occurs in one of every 100
people over 65.
It
is a slowly progressing disease of the nervous system that results
in progressive destruction of brain cells (neurons) in an area
of the brain called the substantia nigra. Death occurs usually
as a result of secondary complications such as infection.
One
of the mechanisms known to destroy neurons is damage by free radicals
or reactive oxygen species - destructive molecules produced by
oxidation of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
The Role of Dopamine
The
cells of the substantia nigra use dopamine - a chemical messenger
between brain or nerve cells - to communicate with cells in another
region of the brain called the striatum.
When
nigral cells are lost, nigral dopamine levels fall, resulting
in a decrease in striatal dopamine.
The
typical symptoms of PD - motor function deficiencies characterized
by muscle rigidity, jerky movements, rhythmic resting tremors
- are the result of low levels of striatal dopamine.
Most
dopaminergic drugs used to treat PD, are aimed at temporarily
replenishing or mimicking dopamine. They improve some symptoms,
but do not restore normal brain function nor halt brain cell destruction.
Dopaminergic
drugs are generally effective at first in reducing many PD symptoms,
but over time they lose their effect.
They
also cause severe side effects because they overstimulate nerve
cells elsewhere in the body and cause confusion, hallucinations,
nausea and fluctuations in the movement of limbs.
The Role of Antioxidants
When
dopaminergic neurons are lost in the course of Parkinson's disease,
the metabolism of dopamine is increased - which in turn increases
the formation of highly neurotoxic hydroxyl radicals.
The
most important free radical scavenger in the cells of the substantia
nigra is the powerful brain antioxidant, glutathione. Glutathione
levels in PD patients are low.
And
as we age, levels of glutathione in the dopaminergic neurons of
the substantia nigra decreases. This appears to hasten cell death
and advance the progression of PD.
At
least 80 percent of the substantia nigra cells are lost before
symptoms of Parkinson's disease become apparent. This is why it
becomes essential to protect or maintain these cells under oxidative
stress.
How does Glutathione help in Parkinson's Disease?
Several
factors explain why glutathione is so beneficial in Parkinson’s
disease.
1.
Glutathione increases the sensitivity of the brain to dopamine.
So although glutathione doesn't raise dopamine levels, it allows
the dopamine in the brain to be more effective.
2.
Glutathione's powerful antioxidant activity protects the brain
from free radical damage.
3.
An even more intriguing benefit of glutathione lies in its powerful
detoxification ability.
Its
a well known fact that most Parkinson’s patients are deficient
in their ability to detoxify chemicals to which they are exposed.
The
unfortunate few who harbor an inherited flaw in their detoxification
pathways are at far greater risk to the brain damaging effects
of a wide variety of toxins.
Glutathione
is one of the most important components of the liver’s detoxification
system. Glutathione therapy is one of the most effective techniques
for enhancing liver and brain detoxification.
Glutathione
treatments considerably improve some of the symptoms of Parkinson's
disease including difficulties with rigidity, walking, movement,
coordination and speech. A marked reduction of tremor has been
observed as well as a decrease in depression.
Glutathione
and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (a glutathione precursor) have been shown
to be very effective in protecting the nerves in the substantia
nigra from being destroyed by oxidative stress.
Glutathione
Therapy in Parkinson's Disease
The
practical problem in increasing glutathione levels is that taking
glutathione itself as a supplement does not boost cellular glutathione
levels, since glutathione breaks down in the digestive tract before
it reaches the cells.
However,
intravenous glutathione therapy and taking glutathione precursors
are both effective in boosting intracellular levels of glutathione.
Intravenous
Glutathione Therapy:
Intravenous
glutathione injections have been shown to have amazing and quick
results.
Dr.
David Perlmutter, a pioneer in this therapy, has developed a protocol
utilized at the Perlmutter Health Center for administering intravenous
glutathione to Parkinson's patients.
Following
even a single dosage of intravenous glutathione - often in as
little as 15 minutes - the ability to walk, turn around and move
their arms is almost completely restored.
Glutathione
Precursors:
Dietary
antioxidants and supplements that increase cellular glutathione,
such as alpha lipoic acid, NAC, pycnogenol, the herb silymarin
(milk thistle), are effective in restoring normal function.
N-acetyl-cysteine
(NAC) and un-denatured, whey protein, both supply glutathione
precursors intracellularly, enhance the body’s production
of glutathione and aid the detoxification process.
Other
nutritional supplements which aid the detoxification process include
selenium, vitamins E and C.
Read
a detailed report with references on Parkinson's
Disease and Glutathione
About
the author:
Priya Shah is the Editor of The
Glutathione Report, a newsletter featuring regular updates
on the health benefits of glutathione. Get a Free
report on Glutathione in Health and Disease
