Natural Ways To Help Prevent & Treat Parkinson's Disease
If a disease cannot be cured with pharmaceutical drugs, then it is labeled as “incurable.” This is also the case for Parkinson’s disease, which affects more than 10 million people worldwide and is expected to rise. Environmental and lifestyle factors appear to play a major role in the development of this chronic neurodegenerative disease.
As stated in the book Ending Parkinson’s Disease, written by leading researchers and specialists: “Countries that have experienced the least industrialization have the lowest rates of the disease, while those undergoing the most rapid transformation, such as China, have the highest rates of increase.”
The authors go on to say, “Our lifetime risk of dying in a car accident is one in one hundred. Consequently, almost all of us wear seat belts, most of us drive with air bags, and all of us want children to drive safely. Our lifetime risk of developing Parkinson’s is much greater — one in fifteen. And yet, most of us do little.”
Unfortunately, medical treatments fall short of providing much help. According to these experts, “The best treatment for Parkinson’s is over fifty years old, only partially alleviates its enormous disability, and — this is key — does not address the underlying causes of the disease.”
Like most diseases, pharmaceutical interventions don’t provide a solution and may even compound the problem, with the side effects often getting blamed on the disease. In fact, about 80% of patients treated with the most common Parkinson’s drug will develop involuntary and uncontrolled movements, with many journal articles discussing ways to treat this severe side effect, as if it’s just a necessary consequence of treating the disease. Also, most of the specialists seldom advise their patients on any lifestyle modification, which have been proven to be helpful.
The following things can help to prevent and treat this life-depleting disease:
Avoid dairy products, limit animal protein, and increase fibre: According to a large review of lifestyle risk factors, “The strongest dietary association with increased risk of Parkinson’s disease is dairy consumption.”
Avoid pesticides, choose organic, and use natural cleaning products: According to the authors of Ending PD, “Specific metals, pesticides, and other chemicals have all been tied to Parkinson’s in numerous human studies. When animals are exposed to many of these substances in lab experiments, they develop the typical characteristics of the disease, including difficulty walking and tremors.”
Limit your smartphone exposure: A recent study found a “significant association of mobile phone usage with the early onset of Parkinsonism.”
Regular exercise: A study from 2018 found that being physically fit reduces the chance of developing Parkinson’s by 76%. Studies also show that exercise that requires balance, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness can even help those with the disease. It’s never too late.
Specific chiropractic care can help: Over the years we’ve helped many people with the early symptoms of Parkinson’s, long before they developed the disease. Recent studies have shown that the disease first begins in the brain stem, especially involving the Vagus Nerves. Upper cervical adjustments can help to improve the function of these regions of the nervous system, which can explain the positive results seen in several published case studies (see links below).
We’ve helped many of our clients with tremors. We recently had a gentelman in his late 80’s that reported that he was able to read a book again, without his hands shaking so much. We’ve also had some people who weren’t able to walk due to severe shaking when they stood up. With consistent care, they were able to improve. I have also seen some people that were already under medical treatment for Parkinson’s, but failed to improve much, if at all, as I believe the drugs being used were simply too toxic. Before resorting to medical care, it’s definitely worth exploring these natural options first. With some concerted effort and persistence, the brain and nervous system does have the ability to detoxify and heal.
by SJ NANA, DC, DrNana.co.za
References:
A Narrative Review of Lifestyle Factors Associated with Parkinson's Disease Risk and Progression
Diet and Parkinson's disease: a potential role of dairy products in men
Milk Linked to Greater Risk of Parkinson’s, Swedish Study Shows
Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease: Pathogenesis and Emerging Treatment Strategies
Association between physical fitness, cardiovascular risk factors, and Parkinson's disease
Where does Parkinson's disease start? In the brain or gut? Or both?
Parkinson’s Disease, the Gut-Brain Axis, and the Craniocervical Junction
What is the link between Parkinson's disease and constipation?
Chiropractic Management of an 81-Year-Old Man With Parkinson Disease Signs and Symptoms
Parkinson’s Disease: How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Can Help
A Case Report Chiropractic care of Parkinson's disease and deformity
