Natural Levodopa

   About mid April , Paula spent a week transitioning from Ropinerole to carbadopa/levodopa (by doctors request) and as a result she spent two weeks in bed nauseated with flu like symptoms and muscle pain. At this point, in our opinion she was still producing quite abit of dopamine on her own, because she was only taking 3 mg of Ropinerole and 1 mg of Azilect , a very low dosage ,and doing quite well at that dosage (in our opinion based on what we knew friends were taking) so we decided before we commit to carbidopa/levodopa (based on what we had read about the drug) to get off all the parkinson drugs and try the natural levodopa (macuna pruriens seed extract) and brain specific supplements. Our thinking being that there is research showing brain cell regeneration in rats, and with the success we experienced with supplements, before we force synthetic levadopa on her brain,  let's give the all natural products a chance and see how she responds. She had to get off Azilect because you cannot take macuna pruriens seed extract (natural levodopa) with Azilect. So we stopped taking everything except Klonopin which she takes because she acts out her dreams in her sleep, and there is no interference with the macuna pruriens seed extract.
   So if I have totally confused you, we got off all the parkinson drugs and gave the natural approach a chance, hoping it would work and thereby eliminating all the side affects that come along with the drugs and hoping that brain cell regeneration would have a chance. The transition wasn't without incident. It took about a month to get the right dosage worked out. We tried three products they all worked but the one that worked the best was one you take on an empty stomach, maybe because there is no interference with absorbtion and conversion to dopamine.
   We were on all natural products from March 1st until July 1st and we liked it but for one problem, Paula just didn't have much of an appetite ,she ate about 4 or 5 bites of her meal and maybe two meals a day and just couldn't force herself to eat more. She dropped another 15 pounds in the 4 months and she just couldn't afford to lose any more weight, She now weighs 105. What we did experience was more consistency in how she felt, more good days. We could go to walk just about every day, she was walking 2 miles. Her cognitive functions were much better, always present and understanding, not much fog or confusion. The trade off was her motor skills were not as good. She  needed help getting in and out of bed and in and out of the car, and up and down from chairs.Mostly her legs, not enough muscle power to move them around or manipulate. She could walk great, once she got moving, it was mostly the short quick tasks that we all take for granted.      
   So at this point she is on small amounts of  carbidopa/levodopa, and her appetite has improved greatly, and her motor skills also have improved to the point that she can get in and out of bed and up and down from chairs on her own. We have started seeing a Naturopatic doctor that sees parkinson patients (beginning stages). Hopfully through working with her we can improve Paula's health even more. She has had many varied blood tests done and great results so far, to which we attribute the vitamins and supplements and a good diet of fruits, veggies and good fats.

OUTSTANDING BOOK

This book is an amazing accumulation of information , research and knowledge relating to Parkinson's. And  if you are newly diagnosed or have had Parkinson's for a long time you can certainly benefit from the information . I have been reading and researching for two years, and this book has all the information compiled in one easy to read and easy to understand "Pot of Gold" It is available on Amazon.com  just click on the following link.   

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Therapies-Parkinsons-Disease-Mischley/dp/1603810439/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332195645&sr=8-1

The Annual Symposium

What an excellent event, and what a beautiful facility.

My wife hard at work .

It was a little chilly outside , but the coffee and conversation made it tolerable.

Yes the coffee and tea were popular.

I believe I heard there were over 300 attendees.

Our fearless leaders, Pat and Thelma hard at work.

Dr. Lobatz in a breakout session, lot's of good information.

Annadora attended the event with us and she was such a pleasure to be with.

Harbor Days

Ready to roll! We have had a great month with the "Parkinsons Monster"  (fitting for Halloween) after adding some more vitamins and supplements about a month ago, Brain Specific and Nerve specific we are experiencing some more positive results. Paula was having such good results, after about a week we forgot to take her meds  one morning and realized it was afternoon. So the next day we delayed until she felt she needed them, and the delay period became longer and longer until we eliminated one of her pills which amounted to about 1/3 of her meds. So without further detail, less meds = less side affects. More vitamins = healthier brain. End result is Paula is almost a whole person again. Conversation is close to  normal again ( no delayed response and confusion)  and memory is much improved , she walks by herself, gets in and out of the car by herself,  puts her seat belt on by herself, she has even made dinner by herself and  cleaned the kitchen by herself. Another very notable item is her sleeping is much better, she used to snor  and every breath seemed labored, but now her mouth is closed and her breaths are quiet. This actually scared me the first time I noticed, but its this way every night now. And naps are almost non existent, she will go lay down and 10 minutes later she is back up and around, her naps used to be at least 2 hours a day.
So the  picture above represents, us in the harbor for our second cardio workout, we plan to go there three times a week and walk at a fast  pace  (which at this point is a normal walk for me) in order to increase the heart rate and blood flow through the brain, increased blood flow through the brain is also, as the research points out, the best thing you can do for the disease to keep it from progressing. We are walking  almost a mile and getting her heart rate up to around 92 which is about 30 beats per minute above her normal. We also attend three exercise classes a week ,where exercises are done mostly seated in a chair, and are mostly mobility improvement and stretching exercises, but they have also been very helpful. Paula is also considering  an aquatic exercise class. So that is our update from our little corner of the world. The best to you all!!!!!!

Nerve Specific Supplements

  Obviously, before anyone adds anything new to their routine they should ask their doctor, to make sure there is nothing in any products that can harm them. The purpose of this blog is to share with people what Paula is taking and how she is doing.
   Click on the links at the end of the paragraphs and it will take you to Swansons website and directly to the product in the picture with information about the product, also the ability to purchase online. I was surprised at the affordable prices, compared to buying retail in any of the  local vitamin stores that I visited. Also at the top of the page, notice the "Buy one get one Free" click on that, and then notice at the top left the "Online specials" and the "Deal of the Day". These really make it affordable to start taking supplements. I wish I had found this out months ago. Good luck and hope this info helps some of you out there. Another great site for supplements and information is www.vrp.com click on Research Center for a wealth of information.

Riboflavin (B-2) is a member of the B-vitamin family. It occurs naturally in green vegetables, liver, kidneys, wheat germ, milk, eggs, cheese and fish. Because food processing depletes many naturally occurring nutrients, supplementation is key to insure adequate intake of this important vitamin. Contains no yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, sugar, salt, colors or preservatives.   http://www.swansonvitamins.com/NWF795/ItemDetail

Vitamin B-6 is one of the more popular members of the B-vitamin family and is found in fresh vegetables. Clinical studies have shown that B-6 plays an important role in supporting healthy homocysteine levels in the body already within the normal range. Homocysteine is produced as a by-product of the demethylation of methionine.http://www.swansonvitamins.com/NWF796/ItemDetail

Choline & Inositol are members of the B-vitamin family. Choline is found in most animal tissues and is necessary for normal synaptic transmission and brain health. In addition, Choline is involved in fatty acid metabolism in the liver. Inositol is also essential for brain and nervous system health. Both Choline and Inositol are essential components of all cell membranes, where they function as cell signaling molecules.   http://www.swansonvitamins.com/NWF866/ItemDetail

Best Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid from Doctor's Best® features BioEnhanced™ Na-RALA. Unlike pure RLA, BioEnhanced Na-RALA is a stabilized form of RLA that won't degrade at high temperatures, is more bioavailable than regular RLA and has no solvent residues. Lipoic acid plays an important role in glucose metabolism and energy production. Because it is soluble in both water and fat, lipoic acid is known as the universal antioxidant. http://www.swansonvitamins.com/DB098/ItemDetail

NOW's Folic Acid 800 mcg is a state of the art blend that includes 25 mcg of Vitamin B-12 for synergistic effect and quick absorption. When used in combination with vitamin B-12, folic acid may help facilitate the production of cellular energy. Vegetarian.  http://www.swansonvitamins.com/NWF046/ItemDetail

Brain Specific Supplements

 Obviously, before anyone adds anything new to their routine they should ask their doctor, to make sure there is nothing in any products that can harm them. The purpose of this blog is to share with people what Paula is taking and how she is doing.
     Click on the links at the end of the paragraphs and it will take you to Swansons website and directly to the product in the picture with information about the product and also the ability to purchase online. I was surprised at the affordable prices, compared to buying retail in any of the  local vitamin stores that I visited. Also at the top of the page, notice the "Buy one get one Free" click on that, and then notice at the top left of the page "Online specials" and the "Deal of the Day". These really make it affordable to start taking supplements. I wish I had found this out months ago. Good luck and hope this info helps some of you out there. Another great site for supplements and information is www.vrp.com click on Research Center for a wealth of information.

These are small tablets and are dissolved under the tongue. This natural coenzyme of vitamin B3 works at the cellular level, stimulating energy production within the cells and supporting the development of vital neurotransmitters. Our fast-acting, 20-mg Swanson Ultra Maximum-Strength NADH are double the potency of the original!  http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWU427/ItemDetail

This is Sulforaphane,derived from broccolli.If you want to make the most of broccoli's cell- defending power, you'll have to eat an awful lot of the green stuff. Swanson Sulforaphane capsules feature BroccoPhane broccoli-sprout powder with guaranteed levels of broccoli's key master nutrient.http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWR048/ItemDetail?n=0

Powdered  magnesium malate/citrate we add to a shake in the mornings (see july 2011 posts).
 Magnesium is a mineral that is critical for energy production and metabolism, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission and bone mineralization. It is required cofactor for an estimated 300 enzymes. Among the reactions catalyzed by these enzymes are fatty acid synthesis, protein synthesis and glucose metabolism. Malate is an important Krebs Cycle intermediate, indicating that it is an important molecule in the production of cellular energy derived from carbohydrates.   http://www.swansonvitamins.com/NVT001/ItemDetail

• Promote cardiovascular protection with Jarrow Quercetin! Quercetin is a flavonol (a subclass of flavonoids) and is a potent antioxidant, helping to enhance cardiovascular health. Quercetin is one half of the rutin molecule, another flavonol, and is the more active antioxidant. Each capsule delivers 500 mg of quercetin. http://www.swansonvitamins.com/JR038/ItemDetail

We  open the capsule and add to extra virgin olive oil or pesto. Has been used  to repair damaged brain cells. 
       Curcumin 95 is an 18:1 concentrate of the antioxidants found in the spice turmeric root. Curcumin 95 delivers 95% curcuminoids, which are powerful antioxidants. Specifically, curcumin and its derivatives protect DNA against oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species. http://www.swansonvitamins.com/JR187/ItemDetail

• NOW Foods' Acetyl L-Carnitine is in a highly bioavailable form of L-Carnitine that can cross the blood-brain barrier, where it exerts an antioxidant effect, helps to maintain healthy cellular energy metabolism and supports brain function. Acetyl L-Carnitine is a modified amino acid that supports cellular energy production by assisting in the transport of fat into the mitochondria where it is oxidized and converted into ATP (chemical energy for the cell). http://www.swansonvitamins.com/NWF012/ItemDetail 

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• A potent free-radical fighter aiding your body's defenses
• Features antioxidant polyphenols that neutralize free radicals
• Standardized to 60% polyphenol concentration

Fortify your body's defenses against the harmful effects of free radicals with the natural antioxidant nutrition of Swanson Green Tea Extract. Treasured for centuries as an all-natural health tonic, green tea is packed with antioxidant polyphenols that neutralize free radicals to protect vital organs and tissues throughout the body. Our Green Tea Extract is standardized to 60% polyphenol concentration for guaranteed antioxidant potency in each convenient capsule.http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWH099/ItemDetail?n=

• This omega 3 supplement is very good for the brain, because of the higher DHA content.
  The Natural Fish Oil Concentrate used in this softgel is manufactured under strict quality control standards. It is tested to be free of potentially harmful levels of contaminants (i.e. mercury, heavy metals, PCB's, dioxins, and other contaminants). Those who experience nausea or reflux from other fish oils should find this enteric coated, odor controlled softgel easier to tolerate. http://www.swansonvitamins.com/NWF600/ItemDetail

Reading the label states clinical studies show positive affects on the brain, including  dopamine assistance. I purchase this product at Sprouts (formerly Henry's) This is the same formula as used in the studies.

    Fights inflamation. Swanson Resveratrol is a high-quality supplement that is naturally derived from the polygonum herb, the most economic and effective natural source discovered. Science continues to grow stronger in support of resveratrol for its daily good health and longevity benefits. Swanson Resveratrol 250 promotes free-radical reduction with the help of antioxidants. It also supports the immune and cardiovascular systems, as well as a healthy lipid balance. Derived from the Chinese herb Polygonum cuspidatum. http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWU530/ItemDetail

• High Potency DMAE from Swanson Ultra
• Natural precursor to neurotransmitter
• Promotes mental health and healthy cognitive function for optimal alertness & attention

DMAE is structurally similar to choline and functions as a biochemical precursor to the important neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is known to influence cognitive functions like alertness and the ability to maintain attention. Our High Potency DMAE delivers pure DMAE in fast-absorbing liquid form, with 250 mg per softgel for adequate supplementation in a once-daily dose. Try DMAE, the natural neurotransmitter precursor that promotes mental focus and supports healthy cognitive function.  http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWU537/ItemDetail

This is a B-12 vitamin.

• State-of-the-art B-12 nutrition for your brain
• Your body gets more active B-12 nutrition faster for enhanced nervous system health
• Each tablet delivers 5 mg of potent mind nourishment  
• Swanson Ultra brings you a breakthrough in vitamin B-12 supplementation with Methylcobalamin, the neurologically active form of B-12. Traditional B-12 supplements give you cyanocobalamin, a form that the body must convert into methylcobalamin to harness its neuro-nourishing potential. Our Methylcobalamin completes this conversion for you, so your body gets more active B-12 faster, for the health of your entire nervous system.http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWU122/ItemDetail

From what I have read and researched these are some very good supplements for your brain,(the ones pictured are what Paula takes daily), as mentioned before, what takes place inside our bodies at the cellular level is absolutely amazing and incredible. Our bodies take nutrients and combine them with others to create new concoctions and then use them to repair and maintain our bodies. Well , what if some of them are missing, kinda like a hospital trying to do business without penicillin and Vicodin. So, if you have a Parky brain, there's a good possibility that there are a few ingredients missing and with our way of thinking, that could partially be how we got here to begin with.
   We know that our bodies started changing around age 30 and many ingredients deplete further through out the years. We know that if we supplement our bodies with the ingredients that have depleted, we get a positive response. We are experiencing an amazing  response in  Paula's case.
   We continue, to strive to have a diet of around 70% veggies and fruits, we do this with the shake in the morning and stir fry's or a large salad (lot's of chopped veggies along with lettuce) for dinner, adding either skinless chicken or lean turkey or lean beef or salmon (salmon has excellent brain nutrients) . We cook with only extra virgin olive oil and as much tumeric as our taste buds will allow. Tumeric has about 5%  curcumin which appears to have an incredible positive effect on the brain. We use the extra virgin olive oil because the curcumin is best transported from the stomach to the blood to the brain when mixed with oil, and extra virgin olive oil is the best oil for heating without turning into something toxic, also it doesn't damage the tumeric when heated in extra virgin olive oil.
   You will notice in the pictures, you can buy curcumin as a supplement and also quercetin, both of these are top shelf brain nutrients. One thing we do is buy Pesto (Mezzetta brand at Ralphs) is made with extra virgin olive oil, and open the capsules, one each and mix it with the pesto, its even better mixed if heated. We will eat this by dipping with bread or on crackers as an appetizer or on pasta ( salmon on top of a small bed of pasta) Pasta converts to not so good stuff for the brain in the digestion process so alot of pasta, probably not good for a Parky.
   You may notice the links to other websites at the top right of the blog. These are great sites for quality supplements and researh of supplements. There is a subscription on the Consumerlab.com site for access to  info and testing of products, The Vitasearch.com site is great for getting info on research of any item you wish to search. There is also great information on the Swansonvitamins.com site, it's very well organized and easy to access. For instance once you get there you can look for supplements for specific purposes, go to the bottom of the page and look under Top Catagories and at the bottom choose "memory and brain support" it will show products for brain and memory. Also check out the Lee Swanson Line of products, these are probably the best quality and contain trade marked mixtures (probably proprietary blends) from other companies. And it may be more cost effective to purchase one bottle designed for the brain, than many as individual items. That gives you a good idea of how to get started, happy surfing, and wish you all the best.

Mimi's Cafe Monthly no host Luncheon

Mimi's , just say the word and you get warm and fuzzy! Once a month on the fourth Wednesday the NCPSG meets at Mimi's  Restaurant at  the 78 freeway and Jefferson at 11:30 for a no-host luncheon it's a great time to welcome newcomers and  visit with the friends you've  already made in the group. Oh , and the food is always great!!!!

So, there's usually 15 to 20 attendees, and the waitresses always take good care of the group, this week we had to add another table.

The servings are so big  I noticed alot of to go boxes, always nice to relive the experience at home.

That's Marion and Richard at the end of the table and this was their first time to a  NCPSG  function, I remember a year and a half ago Paula and I were at this table for our first function. Welcome.

Anybody up for dessert?