On The Road To Healing
After receiving an accurate diagnosis, the hard work really began. It would be unfair of us to say that the work of healing is an easy process. However, we can assure you that well be with you every step of the way.
In learning more about Lyme disease after his diagnosis, Tim finally found an explanation for so many of the symptoms he experienced over the previous four years. He also gained confidence in the path forward. With the help of our team and the Adaptation Plus Program, Tim saw improvement with some of his worst symptoms and is continuing to move in a positive direction toward full healing.
The Adaption Plus Program was a huge turning point for his healing journey, and it all started with an accurate diagnosis.
As Tim put it himself:
I wouldnt have made the progress I have without becoming a patient at GrassRoots and am so happy to be on the path to recovery. In addition to regular appointments, I have access to the whole team for updates, questions, medication changes and other resources, tools and guidance. I no longer feel alone on this journey, GrassRoots is with me supporting me every step of the way. Joining the GrassRoots Adaption Plus Program was the best thing I could have done to help with my healing and recovery, and I totally recommend them to anyone who wants to feel better and get to the root cause of their health issues.
Thanks to his hard work, Tim is now well on his way to regaining his active lifestyle!
Conventional Treatment Of Parkinsons
Although they are not the only option, pharmaceutical drugs can be used to help stabilize a Parkinsons patients moods and improve motor control. When it comes to the effectiveness of medications and traditional drugs, often over time Parkinsons symptoms will stop responding. This is why its very important to take extra measures to slow down the progression of symptoms, ideally in the early stages of the disease. Luckily there are natural ways to help do this, including an anti-inflammatory diet
Diet Plan Guidelines For Parkinsons Disease
- Fresh, whole food, unrefined, low-GI, diet We commonly start patients on an autoimmune paleo diet to begin with.
- Emphasise anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory diet: mostly plant-based diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, turmeric, berries, ginger, green tea etc. Meats to be organic or grass fed.
- Reduce intake of pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant foods: excessive animal foods, damaged fats, sugars, refined carbohydrates and processed foods.
- Reduce or eliminate dairy foods: dairy product consumption is positively associated with Parkinsons disease, especially in men
- Increase foods that support nerve structure and function: egg yolks, oily fish, nuts and seeds etc
- Ensure adequate protein to support dopamine production : fish, eggs, grass fed meats, liver
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Conventional Medicine Approach To Parkinsons Disease
The conventional medicine approach to Parkinsons disease is to use medication that replaces the missing dopamine in the brain, either using a drug that is a precursor to dopamine or a drug that mimics dopamine in the brain . Sometimes drugs that block the breakdown of dopamine are used . There is also a surgical approach to Parkinsons disease that can be effective in improving the symptoms. In all cases, however, the disease progresses, and eventually these treatments lose their effectiveness. It is estimated that 50 to 80 percent of those with Parkinsons disease eventually experience dementia, as well.
The Importance of Lewy Body
An important clue to understanding Parkinsons disease is the Lewy Body. Lewy bodies are abnormal aggregates of proteins that develop inside nerve cells, and are composed largely of the protein alpha-synuclein. There is evidence that Parkinsons disease may begin in the gut. Inflammatory patterns in the gut appear to trigger the formation of alpha synuclein that not only accumulates in the gut, but travels to the brain along the vagus nerve where it accumulates and induces the destruction of dopamine-producing cells. In this holistic framework, other factors also play a role, including the demise of the energy-producing engines of cells, called mitochondria, hormone imbalances, toxin exposures including heavy metals, herbicides and pesticides, and variations in function of the bodys normal detoxification pathways.
Understanding Parkinsons Disease Through A Functional Medicine Framework
Dr. Ken Sharlin is one of the only functional medicine doctors that is also a neurologist. With this background, Dr. Sharlin aims to uncover the root cause of diseases and disorders like Parkinsons to help patients improve their quality of life without drugs or surgery.
When examining PD through a functional medicine lens, its crucial to understand the concept of Lewy bodies. Composed primarily of the alpha-synuclein, Lewy bodies are aggregates of proteins that accumulate in the brains in those with PD.
Some evidence suggests that PD may start in the gut, where patterns of inflammation trigger the formation of these protein aggregates. These then travel through the vagus nerve to the brain, where they accumulate and destroy the dopamine-producing nerve cells.
This holistic framework for the disease involves other factors, too, such as the minimization of mitochondria , toxin exposure, and hormone imbalances.
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Heavy Metals And Environmental Toxins
Screening for manganism is a high-yield way to rule out heavy metal contributors to Parkinson’s disease. To detect heavy metal abnormalities, practitioners can check hair, blood, and urine to ensure none are above the reference range.
If findings are normal, but you still suspect you may have heavy metal toxicity, you can do a provocation challenge test, where you take a small dose of a heavy metal chelator and then check how much of that metal is excreted into the urine. To screen for exposures to chemicals like those found in pesticides, organic acids testing is a great option that avoids the blood draw and uses urine to screen for elevations.
Improve Your Quality Of Life
You dont have to wait for scientific breakthroughs the future of functional medicine treatments for Parkinsons Disease is available today. Dr. Ken Sharlin has many years of experience working with people just like you, and hes here to give you the answers you deserve.
Combining the best in neurology with a functional medicine framework, Brain Tune Up! offers a truly unique pathway toward confidence, vitality, and well-being. If you or a loved one would like to learn more, please reach out. Wed be more than happy to talk you through the process.
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What Is The Functional Medicine Approach
It is estimated that between 40 and 60% of those managing Parkinsons disease are seeking an integrative approach to managing their symptoms. From seeking complementary therapies to adding natural remedies to their daily lives, those with Parkinsons disease are in search of different modalities that can help.Functional medicine is a biology-based medical system that focuses on treating the root of disease. In the TRULY HEAL Functional Medicine Health Coaching course we pay close attention to all the potential causes, factors and components that both sustain, aggravate and perpetuate the disease and its progression. To reverse and prevent the damage of Parkinsons disease, functional medicine uses holistic methods to reduce chronic inflammation, regenerate the brain, heal the gut and support the bodys mitochondria just to mention a few.
Can Functional Medicine Help With Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease inhibits those who bear the disease from living a normal life. Patients who have come to Dr. Goodbinder at the Epigenetics Healing Center were shaking wildly, couldnt play the piano, couldnt pick up their cup right, and couldnt spend time with their friends without feeling embarrassed.
We dont give you drugs that replace what your body is missing. I want your body to produce those things again
For those who have Parkinsons disease, functional medicine can give you your life back. We look at it from a scientific point of view, says Dr. Goodbinder. We dont give you drugs that replace what your body is missing, I want your body to produce those things again and produce the receptors to utilize that. The longer you take these medications, the harder it is to get your functionality back.
If you are have any additional questions about how functional medicine can help with Parkinsons disease, contact the Epigenetics Healing Center. Dr. Goodbinder and his staff will be happy to to get you back on track to living a healthier, happier life.
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Whats The Alternative What To Know About Complementary Medicine For Parkinsons
This 1-hour webinar is an interview of a person with PD, a neurologist, and an assistant research scientist. They share what is currently known about mind and body practices , manipulative therapies , alternative medical systems , and energy therapies and what evidence there is that they are efficacious for people with Parkinsons.
Exercise And Physical Therapy
Exercise and therapeutic exercise can improve motor symptoms, gait, balance, and strength in people with Parkinson’s disease. It’s recommended that people with Parkinson’s work with a medical professional like a physical therapist to devise a safe and effective exercise program geared towards improving their mobility and strength. Additionally, because of the risk of falls and injuries in movement disorders like Parkinson’s, it’s important to exercise in an environment that is safe and staffed by trained professionals depending on the severity of motor impairment a person with Parkinson’s experiences.
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Natural Treatments For Parkinsons Disease
Throughout my many years in Practice, I have had the opportunity to work with many patients suffering form neurodegenerative diseases, including those suffering from Parkinsons and this is what I have discovered. The human brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress due to its high metabolic activity. Glucose is the main fuel of the brain, but when glucose is low , the brain can use lactate during exercise and ketone bodies for fuel during glucose depletion. The general reliance on glucose means that the brain uses disproportionately more oxygen than other tissues.
What does this have to do with Parkinsons? Well, when dopamine is made in the brain it is especially prone to oxidation. This is where high dose antioxidant therapy becomes extremely important and beneficial for those suffering from Parkinsons disease. I often incorporate the following vitamins as part of my protocols for treating Parkinsons.
Vitamin C Can be used as an antioxidant to prevent the free radical damage from getting worse and spreading.
Coenzyme Q10 research has found that the level of CoQ10 is substantially lower in the mitochondria of the people with Parkinsons Disease and that a CoQ10 deficiency can increase the risk of dopamine cell death in the substantia nigra region of the brain.
Considerations When Treating Parkinsons
How Does Brain Tune Up For Parkinsons Disease Work
Functional medicine is common sense. If you want to remove the symptoms, treat the cause. Thats exactly what Dr. Sharlin has set out to achieve with the Brain Tune Up! protocol for those living with PD. The program draws on three core systems:
Functional medicine is about seeing the patient as a whole person and is based on a science-backed framework called systems biology. The practitioner uncovers the cause of disease by evaluating imbalances at the cellular level. The patient is then empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives.
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What Are The Benefits Of Dr Sharlins Treatment For Parkinsons Disease
Everyone is individual, and no two patients experience the same results from Brain Tune Up!. That being said, many previous participants enjoyed the following outcomes during and after the protocol:
- Clearer and louder speech
- Increased energy, vigor, and vitality
- Minimized tremor, resulting in better handwriting
- Less rigidity, improved posture, and movement
- Restored vitality
Herbal Medicine That Supports Parkins Disease
- Antispasmodics valerian, cramp bark
- Dopamine increasing Mucuna pruriens withania, St Johns wort, periwinkle,
- CNS stimulant gingko, gotu kola, bacopa
- Antioxidants turmeric, green tea, rosemary, St Marys thistle, grapeseed
- Nervines St Johns wort, scullcap, oats, lemon balm, passionflower
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Comparison Of Prevalence Of Hospitalization
Comparison of the prevalence of hospitalization between the two groups was performed by logistic regression analysis, after which the odds ratio was calculated. The prevalence of hospitalization because of pneumonia/sepsis was 0.50 times lower in the integrative therapy group than the monotherapy group . The prevalence of total hospitalization, as well as hospitalization because of PD, dementia, and depression in the integrative therapy group was positive compared to the monotherapy group, but this difference was not significant.
Additionally, the prevalence of total hospitalization, hospitalization because of PD, dementia, depression, and pneumonia/sepsis showed positive results in the order of integrative group II , integrative group I , monotherapy group, but this difference was not significant .
Table 2. Comparison of prevalence of hospitalization between integrative therapy group and monotherapy group .
Functional Medicine Approach To Neurodegenerative Diseases
Functional Medicine Approach to Neurodegenerative Diseases from Parkinsons Disease, to Alzheimer disease and Multiple Sclerosis
Neurodegenerative disease is an umbrella term for a range of conditions which primarily affect the neurons in the human brain.
Neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system which includes the brain and spinal cord. Neurons normally dont reproduce or replace themselves, so when they become damaged or die they cannot be replaced by the body. Examples of neurodegenerative diseases include Parkinsons, Alzheimers, and Huntingtons disease.
Neurodegenerative diseases are incurable and debilitating conditions that result in progressive degeneration and / or death of nerve cells. This causes problems with movement , or mental functioning .
General Functional Medicine Approach to NDDs
Genetically Modified Foods , and specific pro-inflammatory foods were shown to be contributing factors to numerous autoimmune conditions, in addition to NDDs. For the past decade Ive observed that many of my patients presenting with such conditions, typically react to wheat, dairy, eggs and corn.
For more information about functional medicine and my approach to care please watch:
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Causes & Underlying Factorswith Recommendations
The official cause of Parkinsons disease remains unknown. However, there are many underlying causes and common underlying factors that may be culprits in the development of this disease.
Hormone & Neurotransmitters
Research has uncovered several commonalities in those with Parkinsons that may lead to an eventual understanding of the root cause. One of these is the damage of neurons that produce dopamine, a critical neurotransmitter that controls movements.Another finding is that the nerve endings that produce norepinephrine are also often damaged and can cause some of the other symptoms of Parkinsons disease like digestive issues and fatigue.Lewy bodies are another common feature present in the brains of those with Parkinsons disease. Lewy bodies are clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein. These bodies are actively being studied and are thought to be involved in the degeneration of the nervous system and memory.
There are many medical articles and research papers that show a connection of deficiency of B vitamins in Parkinsons disease. B vitamins are needed for over 300 enzyme reactions in the body and typically reduced with Parkinsons medications. Specifically research on vitamin B1 has suggested to improve non-motor and motor symptoms of Parkinsons Disease.
Taking into account the damage and degeneration to the neurons, nerve endings, nervous system and memory we can conclude the following treatment to be VERY effective!
Near Infrared Light Therapy in Parkinsons
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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Searching For The Root Cause Led To A Surprising Discovery
As with all our new patients, I sat down with Tim to learn more about his story. We discussed his full medical history, and from this information it was clear that there was some additional testing to try.
At GrassRoots, we typically recommend a more extensive range of testing than traditional providers do and as a result we can pick up on things that are easily missed otherwise. In our work with patients, weve seen that this comprehensive testing allows us to see the bigger picture more clearly and ultimately provide our patients with a more complete and effective diagnosis and treatment plan.
Tims tests revealed that he was positive for active Lyme Disease and other infections. He had seen multiple doctors and specialists during the previous four years, yet no one had suggested testing for Lyme disease.
Lyme disease and its co-infections mimic over 300 other diseases, fooling doctors into treating patients for: Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, Lou Gehrigs disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome , Lupus, Anxiety, Gastro diseases, Psychological illnesses, and many other diagnoses. With the right testing, we were able to pinpoint the root cause of Tims issues and create a treatment plan that would help him.