Generic Vs Branded Drugs
There are currently several pharmaceutical companies that manufacture a generic formulation of carbidopa/levodopa, dopamine agonists, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and anticholinergics. The FDA requires generics to show significant brand affinity prior to market approval, but in rare cases, this standard is not high enough.The review, supported by the Parkinson Foundation, provides strong evidence that if you are in the latter stages of the disease, switching from brand-name drugs to generics or from one generic to another can have slightly different effects. The authors, including Parkinsons National Medical Advisor, Dr. Michael S. Okun, believe that generic approval standards for PD may not be stringent enough to demonstrate that generic alternatives are equally effective.Talk to your family doctor to create a personalized Parkinsons disease treatment plan. Using generic drugs is likely to save you money, and it is only on rare occasions that you may need branded drugs.
If you switch from branded to generic Parkinsons disease medications, follow these tips:
- Inform your doctor about the effectiveness of the medicines.
- Carefully keep a journal of any side effects.
- Record the dose adjustments made by your doctors .
- Try to stick with one drug manufacturer for your generic drugs. You may need to ask your pharmacist to place a special order for you.
What Is Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects older people most often, and men more often than women. Its believed to be caused by a combination of both genetic and environmental factors.
Characteristics of Parkinsons include tremors, muscle stiffness, poor balance and difficulty walking. Although symptoms vary from person to person, with time simple tasks like getting dressed in the morning or going to work can often become a chore.
Because Parkinsons disease is a chronic condition, symptoms usually persist over a long period of time and also progress with age. Each Parkinsons patient is different, so its common to experience varying levels of different symptoms. For this reason, some patients respond better to certain natural treatments than others.
Atents Of Extracts Of Mucuna
The proprietaries over certain techniques of Mucuna extractsWO 2004039385-A2 and US 7470441-B2 are very prestigious researchers. They have developed specific techniques to extract various substances from Mucuna , not only levodopa. As they have detailed, many of the ingredients are indicated for preventing, alleviating or treating neurological diseases, for general use as a pharmaceutical combination for neuroprotection or neurostimulation, and, more specifically, for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. They have left little to no chance.
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Ginseng And Ginko Biloba
Ginseng is a plant substance which has been used in Eastern countries for centuries and is proposed to have anti-inflammatory properties, improve fatigue, and improve cognition. Extract from the Ginko tree or Ginko Biloba, have similarly been used for centuries in countries like China and Korea. In addition to containing anti-inflammatory flavanoids and terpinoids, Ginko extract is thought to exhibit important effects on multiple neurotransmitter pathways including acting as an MAO-Inhibitor , and inhibiting reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. While neuroprotective effects of these substances have been demonstrated in PD rat models, there are no randomized controlled clinical trials in humans using either ginko or ginseng in this population to guide recommendations.
Parkinsons Disease Natural Treatment & Remedies In 5 Steps
Parkinsons disease is a degenerative illness of the nervous system that results in loss of intentional movement and impaired motor functioning. Parkinsons disease symptoms affects smooth, natural movements of the body, and can make it hard to perform everyday tasks like speaking properly, walking, swallowing and sleeping.
With Parkinsons, the area of the brain that controls muscular movements receives less dopamine than usual. Dopamine is an important chemical necessary for not only coordinating proper body movements, but also things like learning, increasing motivation and regulating moods. This is one reason why depression and other mood changes often affect those with Parkinsons.
What causes Parkinsons, and is it curable? There is no specific known cause, but some aggravating factors include exposure to certain chemicals and toxic water, plus inflammation of the brain. While there is no cure for Parkinsons , there are medications available to boost dopamine in the brain and help manage symptoms.
A 2016 study by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan also found a possible way to stop the progression of Parkinsons. Researchers created caffeine-based chemical compounds which also contained nicotine, metformin and aminoindan that prevented the misfolding of alpha-synuclein, a protein necessary for dopamine regulation.
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How Do I Find A Good Therapist
Before choosing a therapist its important to find out if theyre reputable, insured and, where relevant, belong to a regulatory body.
You may find it helpful to ask:
- your GP, specialist, Parkinsons nurse or other healthcare professional. Many hospitals and GP surgeries now work together with complementary therapists
- someone else with Parkinsons, a friend or family member
- your Parkinsons local adviser
Always check the therapists credentials. Some complementary therapists use the Dr title, but that doesnt necessarily mean theyve studied conventional medicine. An honest, reliable practitioner wont mind you asking about their qualifications.
Professional associations
Many therapists are members of reputable, professional organisations. These organisations can be useful sources of information. Be aware that some organisations may make claims that arent backed up by good evidence.
We list a number of professional organisations for each complementary therapy. If youre doing your own research, bear in mind that a high quality professional association requires its members to:
- complete some kind of formal qualification, which will usually include a training programme and an exam
- stay up to date in their field by continuing their professional training and development
- follow a code of ethics and professional conduct
- report any side effects when they happen
When you find a therapist, here are a few questions you should ask:
How Is Diet And Parkinson Interrelated
Parkinsons and diet are interrelated. The diet in Parkinsons plays an essential role in treating Parkinsons symptoms as there are many dopamine foods for Parkinsons disease to get the nourishing diet for the same.
It is recommended that the people with Parkinsons illness should keep up a healthy diet regime, including the variety of whole grains, vegetables, milk, and dairy items, fresh vegetables, and protein-rich nourishments, for example, meat and beans. Additionally, consider including nuts, olive oil, fish, and eggs to your eating regime.
Thus, the right nourishments will likewise optimize your Parkinsons medication, which helps in keeping your bones healthy and helps to fight against constipation and maintain your overall general wellbeing.
Eating an assortment of nourishments will assist you with getting the vitality, protein, nutrients, minerals, and fiber you require in Parkinsons.
You should pick an eating regime with a lot of grains, vegetables, and organic products, which gives nutrients, minerals, fiber, and complex starches and can assist, you in bringing down your intake of fats in the body. In addition to this, reduce your sugar, salt and sodium intake, which helps in maintaining your BP levels.
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Description Of The Screening Process
The detailed screening process was summarized in the PRISMA flow diagram . A total of 7,521 potentially relevant hits were initially yielded from the eight databases and other sources, in which 6,570 records were remained after removal of duplicates. Through screening titles and abstracts, we excluded 5,824 papers because they were studies with no relevance to PD , nonclinical trials , case reports, reviews, comments OR protocols . After full-text evaluation, 732 papers were excluded, including 234 that were not CHM studies, 142 that contained mixed interventions, 38 that aimed at single herb, herbal extracts or components, 305 that were not randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials, and 13 that observed no outcome of interest. Ultimately, 14 eligible studies were selected in our study.
Figure 1. Flow diagram of the search process.
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Complementary Therapies For Parkinson’s Disease
During the pandemic, movement disorders specialist Britt Stone, MD, trained in integrative medicine, the practice of integrating traditional remedies and modern medicine in treatment of the whole person . In this episode of Dr. Gilbert Hosts, she speaks for about 20-minutes about complementary therapies to relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety, pain, stiffness, insomnia, nausea, bloating, and memory, before answering questions for another 20-minutes.
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Eating When Youre Tired
If you donât have energy for meals later in the day, you can:
Pick foods that are easy to fix, and save your energy for eating. If you live with your family, let them help you make your meal.
Look into a delivery service. Some grocery stores have them. Or you can check if you might be able to get food delivered from your local Meals on Wheels program for free or for a small fee.
Keep healthy snack foods on hand, like fresh fruit and vegetables or high-fiber cold cereals.
Freeze extra portions of what you cook so you have a quick meal when you feel worn out.
Rest before you eat so you can enjoy your meal. And eat your biggest meal early in the day to fuel yourself for later.
Eat More Organic Fresh Raw Fruits And Vegetables
It is a known fact that eating more fresh, raw fruits and vegetables is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Fruits and vegetables provide your body with all the nutrients that your body needs, without any side effect: Phytonutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, amino acids, fiber and anti-inflammatory properties.
When eating processed and fast foods, they are void of these nutrients on their own, but require them for digesting the foods, thus causing nutrient deficiencies that contribute to deterioration of health.
If you dont eat much fruits and vegetables now, then you will have a lot to catch up on. Drinking freshly extracted juices will help speed up your healing. The key is to eat/drink of them raw and organic .
Green juices contain high levels of chlorophyll that is powerful in healing of the gut and to detoxify the body of heavy metals. So it makes sense to start drinking green juices in small amount, gradually building up the amount to up to 2-3 glasses of green juices a day.
If drinking green juices is a hassle for you, a good alternative is making your own moringa tea or green matcha tea that are very rich in chlorophyll and anti-cancer properties.
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In Truth Its Not Magic At All
Of course, the kind of turnaround I experienced here does feel like magic.
Who wouldnt feel like theyve experienced something miraculous when an illness like this does an about-turn?
But everything I learnt from Jodi comes with sparkling scientific credentials.
Its researched knowledge from scientific establishments all over the United States, Europe and the world.
None of this program is controversial. There arent any scientists waiting to debunk any of this.
Because collectively this is their work. Jodi simply turned it into a set of 12 habits that thousands of us have used to treat a nightmare illness.
The only reason its not mainstream the only reason its only thousands of people who benefit from this rather than millions is because it involves some initial effort to take on these habits.
Yet once done its just so easy. And the reward?
Health. Pure and simple.
How Can I Know If An Alternative Treatment Is Safe And Effective
Alternative treatments can be helpful in some cases, yet some therapies can be ineffective, costly, and even dangerous. The best way to evaluate your options is to become educated. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the treatment?
- What are the side effects?
- Is it effective?
- How much does it cost?
Once you answer these questions, weigh your options and decide whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
If you do decide to try an alternative treatment, make sure your health is protected. Do not take the claim at face value: contact reliable organizations and discuss the therapy. Talk to others in a support group, your family and friends although they may not always be supportive, they can help you make an educated, objective decision.
Discuss the therapy with your doctor. Make sure your doctor knows what therapy you are considering so they can discuss possible interactions and/or side effects with your current treatments. They can also provide you with information on other patients who may have tried the same therapy.
Contact the Better Business Bureau and thoroughly research the background of the therapy provider. Determine how long they have been providing this therapy, what credentials they have, and what their philosophy of treatment is. Avoid therapy providers who refuse or are reluctant to work with your doctor. Be sure that the provider is willing to refer patients to a conventional doctor when necessary.
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What Evidence Should I Trust
Theres a lot of information on complementary therapies, particularly on the internet, that claims to be based on scientific evidence. But its not all reliable.
To help make sure youre reading accurate and useful information thats not misleading you may find it helps to ask yourself the following questions:
- Where is the research published? Research should normally be peer-reviewed in professional journals. This means that before the details are released, it has been reviewed by other experts not involved in the study.
- How many patients were involved in the study? The higher the number, the more reliable the study usually is.
- Is the result of the study a one-off or have other scientists confirmed it?
Why Have You Included Therapies With No Scientific Evidence
The therapies in this information have all been chosen because theyre popular with people affected by Parkinsons.
Just because a therapy cant be proven to work in a medical trial, or there hasnt been enough research about whether it helps people with Parkinsons, it doesnt mean you wont find it useful. In fact, weve heard from many people who tell us they have benefited from using these therapies.
Many of our local groups organise complementary therapy sessions at their meetings to encourage members to give them a try.
Throughout this information, we highlight what scientific evidence there is to support the use of each therapy.
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Naturalremedy For Parkinsons #7 Omega
Animal based omega-3 fatty acids are a powerful weapon inthe fight against Parkinsons disease. One of the main fatty acids, DHA, is oneof the essential building blocks for the human brain. Half of your brain andeyes are made up of fat and a large proportion of this is DHA fat.
Omega-3 fatty acids have the unique ability to cross theblood-brain barrier, something most conventional drugs cannot do. They helpincrease dopamine levels and reduce neuroinflammation in the brain, while atthe same time, stimulating neuron growth. So basically, EPA and DHA help preventbrain cell damage and keep the nervous system in tip top working order! 4
Best sources of animal based omega-3s are either fishoil, cod liver oil or krill oil. High strength krill oil is the preferred option as thiscontains a substance called Astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a potent brain food nutrientthat has been shown to prevent neurodegeneration and inflammation of the brain.For dosages, take AT LEAST the highest recommended amount listed on the bottle the same goes with fish oil or cod liver oil. You cant overdose on thesesupplements so theres nothing to be concerned about. In fact, the more omega-3syou can get into you the better the results!
In addition to this, try and eat some cold water fattyfish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines or herring 3-4 times a week foran extra supply of DHA and EPA.
Other Advantages Of Mucuna
Mucuna does not produce dyskinesia . A different study, this time in monkeys , produced very interesting results on the possibility of dyskinesias. One group was treated with Sinemet , another with Mucuna plus carbidopa, and the third only with Mucuna . All the animals experienced an improvement in their symptoms. Dyskinesia was then assessed by the study of spontaneous activity in the substantia nigra. Larger dyskinesia appeared in the Sinemet group. In those treated with the combination of Mucuna and carbidopa, dyskinesia seemed more moderate. Interestingly, in those who had only taken Mucuna , no dyskinesia was found .
Long-term Mucuna without dyskinesia . A similar experiment was performed, but this time Mucuna treatment was continuous, extending for a year. It was done in rodents and compared Mucuna with Madopar. One group was treated with Madopar , another with Mucuna plus benserazide, and the third only with Mucuna . All were controlled for a year. The symptoms were alleviated in all groups, but the improvement was significantly higher in those who were treated with Mucuna plus benserazide.
To highlight the results of long-term use: after 1 year, major dyskinesia appeared in rats that had taken Madopar. Rodents treated with Mucuna plus benserazide had some minor dyskinesia while for animals that took only Mucuna , none at all . Even more, in an experiment with different dyskinesias , these repetitive movements improved when Mucuna
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Spirulina & Parkinson`s Prevention
The Spirulina superfood, which we understand might play a helpful role in mitigating or reducing Alzheimer/dementia symptoms*. Spirulina might also be helpful with regards to preventing or reducing the risk of Parkinson´s too* The gut brain connection is certainly real, with doctors now starting to better understood the link, related to inflammation in the body, so it felt logical to us that it might also help with the prevention or mitigation of Parkinson´s symptoms. We decided to look into it further.
As if you didn´t already have numerous reasons already for taking the spirulina superfood, here is yet another one! Learn more