symptoms of parkinsons disease

Although genetic susceptability plays a role in early-onset Parkinson's Disease (PD) that arises before age 50, genetics is not as significant in the majority of cases, according to a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences factsheet. Occupational exposure to heavy metals and pesticide exposure appear to be primary triggers in PD that arises after age 50. The fact sheet says, "Case-control studies have found increased incidence of PD associated with pesticide use, rural environments, consumption of well water, exposure to herbicides, and living near industrial plants, printing plants, or quarries." Many of these chemicals cause free radical damage.

In Jill Selby's interview with Dr. David Perlmutter, Dr. Perlmutter discusses glutathione treatment to alleviate PD's symptoms. He explains that glutathione, a free radical scavenger, slows the disease's progression by limiting free radical damage to neurons. In addition, glutathione apparently increases the brain's sensitivity to dopamine although it does not actually raise dopamine levels. PD patients are known to have low levels of dopamine and glutathione. Glutathione also increases sensitivity to serotonin. Dr. Perlmutter says that 80-90% of the PD patients that he has treated have improved dramatically. At the time of the interview, Dr. Perlmutter and his colleagues had determined a standard dosage of 1400 mg of glutathione mixed with saline and given intravenously for ten minutes three times a week. He says that IV administration is needed because glutathione is digested very rapidly when given orally. Dr. Perlmutter also recommends the amino acid Nacetylcysteine and milk thistle. He urges doctors to avoid mixing glutathione with vitamin C because "vitamin C renders glutathione useless by causing it to oxidize." Dr. Perlmutter also notes that glutathione therapy may interfere with chemotherapy because glutathione increases the liver's ability to process chemicals.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health. Parkinson's Disease Research at the NIEHS. April 1999. www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/parkinson.htm