Coffee Can Reduce Parkinsons Disease Tremors
02 August, 2012
Coffee can help tame the tremors caused by Parkinsons disease, research has shown.
Scientists gave 61 patients caffeine pills equivalent to drinking two to four cups of coffee a day, or an inactive dummy treatment.
After six weeks, those taking the caffeine averaged a five-point improvement in symptom severity ratings.
Studies have shown that people who use caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinsons disease, but this is one of the first studies in humans to show that caffeine can help with movement symptoms for people who already have the disease, said lead researcher Dr Ronald Postuma, from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
This is a modest improvement, but may be enough to provide benefit to patients.
The caffeine group also averaged a three-point improvement in speed of movement and stiffness compared with non-treated patients.
The findings are reported in the online issue of the medical journal Neurology.
Dr Michael Schwarzschild, from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, US, who wrote an editorial accompanying the research, said: The study is especially interesting since caffeine seems to block a malfunctioning brain signal in Parkinsons disease and is so safe and inexpensive.
Although the results do not suggest that caffeine should be used as a treatment in Parkinsons disease, they can be taken into consideration when people with Parkinsons are discussing their caffeine use with their neurologist.
You May Decrease Your Risk Of Getting Alzheimer’s Disease
Almost two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimers disease are women. But the caffeine in two cups of coffee may provide significant protection against developing the condition. In fact, researchers found that women age 65 and older who drank two to three cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop dementia in general.
Naturalremedy For Parkinsons #10 Foods You Must Avoid
There are certain foods that are known to worsen thesymptoms of Parkinsons and certain foods that are known to help. Healthadvocate, Dr Joseph Mercola, says that Parkinsons disease is primarily relatedto poor lifestyle choices, particularly poor dietary habits. Increasing yourbodys natural dopamine levels is also extremely important in your fight againstPD.
The foods and liquids you should be eating and drinkingmore of to help you along include:
· Clean Filtered Water Clean filtered water helpsto flush toxins from the body and hydrate the cells .Try and aim to drink at least two liters of water every day, and under nocircumstances drink tap water! Tap water is laced with toxic fluoride and otherchemicals and heavy metals so NEVER drink it. Buy yourself a good quality waterfilter. Its worth the investment.
· Whole Foods and Raw Foods Eat plenty oforganic mixed berries, green leafy vegetables, liver , fish,eggs, nuts and seeds such as chia and flaxseeds, along with plenty of herbs andspices. When it comes to buying any of these remember fresh is alwaysbest.
· Consume Lots of Probiotics Good gutbacteria are needed for strong immunity and healthy digestive function, whichin turn produces healthy brain and nerve function. You can learn how to makeyour own probiotic rich foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha and yogurt hereCultures for Health.
The foods you should be avoiding or not eating at allinclude:
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Mechanisms Of Neuroprotection By Caffeine In Pd
Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to account for the neuroprotective effects of caffeine, including modulation of glutamatergic excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation via adenosine receptors . Furthermore, recent investigation into the autophagy and gut microbiota in PD pathogenesis raise the exciting possibilities that caffeine may modify autophagy and gut microbiome to influence PD development.
A Cup Of Joe May Help Some Parkinsons Disease Symptoms
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 25,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimers disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinsons disease and epilepsy.For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on , , and .
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Potential Neuroprotective Effects Of Caffeine In Pd Patients And Pd Models
Furthermore, the neuroprotective effect of caffeine from epidemiological investigation is further supported by mounting evidence from animal studies demonstrating that caffeine confers neuroprotection against dopaminergic neurodegeneration in neurotoxin PD models using mitochondrial toxins and -Syn transmission mouse model through intracerebral injection of -Syn fibers . For example, acute or chronic treatment with caffeine attenuates MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration . It is interesting to note that in a chronic MPTP infusion model of PD caffeine can still confer protection against dopamine neurodegeneration even when caffeine was administered after the onset of the neurodegenerative process . Furthermore, our recent study demonstrated that caffeine can protect against A53T mutant -Syn induced pathological alterations in intact animals using the -Syn fibril model of PD, an effect associated with the enhanced activity of autophagy .
Natural Remedies And Treatments For Parkinsons Disease That Get Powerful Results
To successfully treat the symptoms of Parkinsons, andeven reverse this disorder, there are 4 things you must do
a) Increase your natural dopamine levels
b) Detox your body of all heavy metals andpollutants
c) Reduce all inflammation in the body,especially the brain
d) Repair the neuro pathways
These 10 natural treatments and remedies do all four. Solets not waste any more time then. Here they are in order of importance
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As Much As Four Cups Of Coffee
For the new study, Postuma and his colleagues randomly assigned 61 people with Parkinsons and in their mid-60s, on average, to six weeks of caffeine pills or identical drug-free placebo pills.
Participants in the caffeine group took 100 milligrams when they woke up and again after lunch for the first three weeks, then were bumped up to 200 milligrams twice a day for the rest of the study.
In comparison, a cup of brewed coffee typically has about 100 milligrams of caffeine and a 12-ounce soda has between 30 and 50 milligrams.
After the study period, people taking caffeine didnt report a clear improvement in sleepiness. But that group did improve on an overall scale of Parkinsons symptoms, including on measures of muscle rigidity and other movement problems.
The average benefit was a decrease of about five points on the disease rating scale, according to findings published Wednesday in Neurology. Postuma said a typical patient whos had Parkinsons for a few years would have a score of 30 to 40.
Five points on the scale is enough to say on average, Yeah, I feel a bit better, things are a little bit easier, he told Reuters Health.
Its not a massive difference, he added – but even a small change can have a real effect on peoples lives.
Postuma said the main drug prescribed for Parkinsons, levodopa, has a benefit three to four times greater than what his team found for caffeine pills.
In the meantime, a little extra caffeine probably wont hurt, researchers said.
Caffeine From Two To Four Daily Cups Of Coffee May Reduce Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
Should doctors start prescribing coffee?
In the latest study to tie coffee to health benefits, new research finds a daily caffeine boost may ease symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in sufferers.
Parkinson’s is a degenerative brain disease that causes tremors, difficulty with walking, movement and coordination. The condition most commonly develops in adults over 50, and occurs when nerve cells in the brain that make the muscle-controlling neurotransmitter dopamine are slowly destroyed, leading to loss in muscle function. The cause of the disease remains unknown.
The study, published August 1 in the online issue of Neurology, tracked 61 people with Parkinson’s who were exhibiting symptoms of daytime sleepiness. Participants were assigned to receive either a placebo pill twice per day or a 100 milligram-caffeine pill twice per day for three weeks. After three weeks, those in the caffeine group were given a 200 milligram caffeine pill twice per day, about the caffeine equivalent found in two to four cups of coffee.
Six weeks into the study, people taking the caffeine pills averaged a five-point improvement on a ratings scale of Parkinson’s symptom severity compared to those who took placebos. Researchers called this a modest improvement, but one that might provide benefits to people with the disease.
Oddly enough, caffeine did not appear to help improve the patients’ daytime sleepiness problems.
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A Healthy Jolt Of Java
Move over green tea and make room for coffee as the next healthy hot beverage. Not only is coffee not as bad rumor had it, it actually has some impressive health benefits. Over the past several years, researchers have shown that coffee does not increase the risk of heart disease, hypertension or ulcers. Still other researchers have shown that coffee may help reduce the risk of diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Add to that the potential reductions in headaches and a boost to endurance exercise, and coffee takes on the aura of genuine health drink.
Coffee contains a lot of caffeine and much of the new research shows that it’s the caffeine that may be providing some of the health benefits. But coffee also contains high amounts of antioxidants – those health boosters found in fruits and vegetables – and these could also be responsible for coffee’s new healthy image.
Diabetes Several studies have shown a relationship between drinking coffee and a lower risk of type II diabetes. Researchers think this risk reduction may have something to do with substances known as quinides in coffee that make the body’s cells more responsive to insulin – the hormone that helps keep blood sugar low. But much more research is needed to find out exactly how coffee may affect diabetes.
Cancer Prevention: Coffee is chock full of antioxidants that may help lower the risk of some types of cancers.
Women who are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant, should limit caffeine to no more than 200 mg a day.
Naturaltreatment For Parkinsons #6 Magnesium & Iodine:
Magnesium is vital for the health of the entire nervoussystem, especially the protective layer that surrounds the nerves . Magnesiumis also essential for the production of dopamine and helps protect dopaminergicneurons in the substantia nigra from degeneration. In addition to this, new evidence is showing that low levels of magnesium in the brain causes a build-up ofheavy metals a major factor in the development of Parkinsons, Alzheimers,epilepsy and MS. In a recent trial, 30 epileptics were given 450 mg ofmagnesium daily and this successfully controlled their seizures. Ifmagnesium can help epilepsy patients, it can certainly help Parkinsons sufferers. Worldrenowned magnesium expert and author, Dr Carolyn Dean, has both Parkinsons andAlzheimers disease in her top 55 health conditions caused by amagnesium deficiency list and says that magnesium is 100% essential for the preventionand treatment of both of these diseases Dr Carolyn Dean Interview
In regards to iodine, well-known researcher and author,Dr James Howenstein, says
Iodineis found in large quantities in the brain and the ciliary body of the eye. A lackof iodine may be involved in the production of Parkinson’s disease andglaucoma.
Inthe brain, iodine concentrates in the substantia nigra, an area of the brainthat has been associated with Parkinson’s disease.
David Brownstein M.D. 9
Best Sources of Magnesium and Iodine
-What Youll Need
1 cup of Magnesium Chloride Flakes
1 cup of Distilled Water
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Caffeine May Modulate Pd Pathology By Regulating Autophagy Activity
Using an -Syn fibril model of PD, we recently have provided the first evidence that caffeine can attenuate abnormal -Syn aggregation and neurotoxicity by re-establishing autophagy activity in animal models of PD . Specifically, chronic caffeine treatment did not affect autophagy processes in the normal mice striatum, but did selectively reverse -Syn-induced defects in macroautophagy and CMA . Thus, caffeine may represent a novel pharmacological therapy for PD by targeting autophagy pathway. This study collaborates with the previous study showing that caffeine-induced autophagy protected against human prion protein peptide -triggered apoptosis in a SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. Therefore, autophagy enhanced by caffeine may be a valid therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases such as PD and prion .
Foods Not To Eat With Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s is a progressive disease that causes trembling, rigidity, slowed movement and poor coordination in an estimated 1 million people in the United States, according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation 13. Although no known cure exists, medications, psychotherapy and dietary changes may help manage your symptoms and lower your risk for potential complications. A healthy diet improves your energy levels and overall quality of life. For best results, seek specified guidance from your doctor or dietitian.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
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Why Should Coffee Reduce The Risk Of Parkinson’sdisease
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Although the new research is suggestive of a linkbetween caffeine and Parkinson’s disease, it is too early to saythat caffeine will prevent Parkinson’s disease. Perhaps the brains ofpeople who like and dislike coffee are different. It may be that thisdifference results in the different incidence of Parkinson’s disease andin the consumption of coffee. Also, the study included older,Japanese-American men. It is unknown if the caffeine/Parkinson diseaserelationship holds for other ethnic groups, women and younger people. Aswith many preliminary studies, this research requires further experimentsto establish a causal link between caffeine and reduced incidence ofParkinson’s disease.
| Try it! |
How much caffeine do you consume each day? Use this worksheetto keep track of the products with caffeine that you consume. Write downthe name of the product, the amount you consume of each product , the amount ofcaffeine in each product and the time that you consumed the product. Useseparate worksheets if you want to track your caffeine consumption ondifferent days.
It Protects Against Gout
Studies have shown that coffee consumption can reduce the risk of gout. A study of almost 90,000 female nurses over a 26 year period found a positive correlation between coffee drinking and a decreased risk of gout, with both caffeinated and decaffeinated having the same effects. Four or more cups of coffee per day reduced the risk by 57%, while up to three cups daily reduced it by 23%.
There were similar results when it came to men, although they needed to consume more for the same effect. Men who drank four to five cups per day reduced their risk by 40%, and drinking six or more cups by 60%.
The study concluded that the antioxidant properties may reduce insulin levels, which reduce the level of uric acid, a common cause of gout.
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Eat Plenty Of Protein But Not With Levodopa Medications
If youre taking a levodopa medication, your doctor may tell you to avoid protein when taking your meds. Both animal and plant protein can interfere with the absorption of levodopa medications.
But you should still eat plenty of protein. Just be strategic with the timing. Dont take levodopa medications with meals, Dr. Gostkowski says. Its best to take it on an empty stomach either 30 minutes before your meal or an hour after eating.
If you get nauseous from the medication, eat a small amount of starchy food with it, such as crackers. Make sure whatever you eat with your medicine doesnt have protein. Its a misunderstanding that people with Parkinsons should avoid protein, Dr. Gostkowski says. You definitely need protein in your diet. Just dont eat it when youre taking your levodopa medication.
Tobacco Coffee And Parkinson’s Disease
This article has been corrected.
Parkinson’s disease belongs to that small group of conditions that occur less often among cigarette smokers than in non-smokers. The observation was first made in a case-control study over 30 years ago, but, as Hernán and colleagues have shown in their recent systematic review and meta-analysis, the finding has been replicated many times. The protective effect is largeaccording to the pooled data, current smokers have a 60% reduction in risk compared with those who have never smokedand consistent between studies in different settings. The fact that two very large prospective studies found a similar reduction in risk to that seen in retrospective studies rules out the possibility that the association can be accounted for by differential survival between smokers and non-smokers. Coffee drinking too, seems to protect against Parkinson’s disease. Here the pooled estimate is a 30% reduction in risk for coffee drinkers compared with non-drinkers.
One unachieved goal in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease is preventing it getting worse. If, as the epidemiological evidence implies, caffeine and nicotine are neuroprotective, some of the new pharmacological treatments currently being developed, such as adenosine A2A receptor blockers and nicotinic agonists, might not only improve symptoms but slow the relentless progression of the disease.
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It Protects Against Dental Problems
Coffee has been shown to improve dental health. A study in Brazil showed that strong, black coffee kills the bacteria that causes tooth decay, although adding milk or sugar negates this benefit.
In addition, a longitudinal study of over 1,100 men over a thirty year period showed that coffee helps to prevent gum disease.
Natural Remedies And Treatments For Parkinsons Finalnote
So there you have our top 10 natural remedies andtreatments for reversing Parkinsons disease. We believe this is one of the most informative andthorough health articles on this disease youll find anywhere on the internet. Ifyou follow these 10 tips to-the-letter and continue to use them consistently,we guarantee that in 3-6 months time you will be truly astounded at themiraculous level of improvement youll see. In 12 months time you will scarcely recognize yourself! . But of course, you must stickwith them and follow through with each remedy every day if you want them towork. We sincerely hope you do.
Good luck and best wishes.
P.S. Because Parkinsons is closely linked to Alzheimers disease and actually goes under the dementia umbrella, we recommend you take the time to read our Powerful Natural Remedies for Dementia and Alzheimers article for a more complete and comprehensive understanding on the causes and treatments for these diseases. You can click on the link below to go there
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