I know of no more difficult question to answer than this one. There is no reference to any symptoms that might be experienced. It is tough to provide any focus when there is no clue as to the possible root cause.
Might it be heavy metals or pesticides or an infection or lyme disease or tetanus or …? Of course it takes additional investigation to figure out the answers to any of these possibilities, but having no place to start, what is the best answer possible? How in the world can someone reverse Parkinson’s disease?
Click the purple arrow below to hear my two cents worth.
How to Reverse Parkinsons Disease
After researching the factors that aggravate the symptoms associated with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, I have drawn the conclusion that one factor in particular stands out relative to all the other factors.
It is not toxins, though you would probably think it should be.
It is not pesticides, though the research certainly suggests this should stack at the top of anyone’s list.
It is not an imbalance of hormones though most people would presume this should be the top factor.
No, the single most important factor that contributes to the symptoms day in and day out is stress. When stress rears its ugly head, symptoms begin to smack people in the face and sometimes knock them over sideways. Of course, this in itself is stressful, so taming the stress demon turns out to be the challenge of a lifetime.
This revelation is why I developed the Parkinsons Recovery Mindfulness program. My honest confession is that I worked long and hard on this project because I was determined to find ways to tame my own stress level.
Be sure to check out any suggestion or recommendation you might discover here (or on any of the many Parkinsons Recovery websites and publications) with your medical doctor before deciding how to proceed. I am a researcher, not a medical doctor. My purpose is to provide persons with Parkinson’s symptoms options that they can discuss with their doctor.
What solutions exist for how to increase the effectiveness of Levodopa? I am asked this question often. Many people confront the challenge of having to take more frequent and higher doses of medications like levodopa to treat their Parkinsons symptoms. Most people would prefer to hold down the dosage taken in light of the possible side effects which can become problematic.
Solution to the On Off Period Quagmire
Dr. Richard Brown, MD, a recent guest on the Parkinsons Recovery Radio show, who offered a fascinating option that you might well want to discuss with your own doctor. Dr. Brown has had extensive experience treatment persons who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. My fascinating interview with Dr. Brown follows:
His suggestion, among others, is to begin taking SAM-e, a natural supplement which can be found in health food stores. His research reveals that people who supplement their diet with SAM-e experience
Lessened anxiety
Improved sleep
Enhanced energy
Relief from depression
Better yet, he finds that when people who take levodopa take SAM-e with their medication the positive response to levodopa is enhanced considerably. His studies show that people have to take less medication less frequently when SAM-e is taken. On periods are lengthened and off periods are shortened.
Studies show that SAM-e:
Enhances mental focus,
Sparks new enthusiasm for life,
Activates pleasures long abandoned
Renews optimism about the future.
Why? SAM-e nurtures the cell membranes of nerves which Dr. Brown explains is one important reason why it can be so helpful to persons who experience Parkinson’s symptpoms.
You may have come across early research on SAM-e which showed it had no effect. Dr. Brown explains that this research involved injecting SAM-e into people’s brains. Since SAM-e has to first be processed by the liver, this approach was destined to fail. The only result was to create harmful acidity in the brain.
I recommend that you first listen to my radio show interview with Dr. Brown by visiting Dr. Brown’s recorded radio show. Then, if you are so called, discuss with your doctor the possibility of taking SAM-e with levodopa as Dr Brown recommends
An idea fizzled into my brain that sizzled with energy and insight. What is the best path to recovery? Let it happen or make it a struggle?
Much of my work at Parkinsons Recovery over the past six years has been dedicated to identifying all sorts of options that are helping people reverse their symptoms. This has been important work and it seems I am the only researcher in the world doing this type of research. Everyone else is very focused on a narrow issue (as was I when employed as a professor). If you do not focus narrowly as a professor, you do not get promoted or tenured. I succeed with the promotions and tenure but contributed little to the world in terms of insights and revelations.
What is my revelation this week about the best path to recovery? I believe we do not need to struggle for the answer. The journey down the road to recovery need not be a war of us against a disease. I believe the answer comes quite naturally and effortlessly as long as we allow it to float in and have its way.
What do I mean here? If we are struggling to find a solution, we are activating all of the hormones and systems in our bodies that sustain neurological problems. If we are always on the go searching and struggling to solve the problem – our bodies are never able to hang back and get the rest and space that it needs to heal.
Believe me when I say that the body really does know how to heal. Just give your body the power to heal and let recovery unfold gently in its own time. Yes, it may take a little time to come back into balance. No one ever said (certainly not me) that the body can heal quickly or instantly. Allow it a little time and patience. Then, relish in the signals and signs of recovery as they unfold gradually and effortless over the coming months.
Many people who currently experience the symptoms associated with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease focus their primary attention on therapies that have helped other people in similar circumstances reverse their own symptoms. They have set in motion their own health affirmations.
Such a strategy of recovery can be invigorating and yield exciting victories. There may however be an undercurrent process which ultimately undermines your success with reclaiming your health. What in the world might this be?
Most people do not acknowledge that there is often an unconscious process that undermines a positive intention to heal. Since the process is entirely unconscious it is hidden and thus impossible to detect. Why might a person’s subconscious be undermining their positive intent to recover?
There are many reasons of course, but the person is getting something out of being sick that they would not get if they were well. Perhaps they are getting disability payments or special attention from family and friends. Perhaps they finally have a perfectly justifiable excuse to quit a job they have never liked doing. If a person is getting something out of being sick, it will be virtually impossible to heal.
I believe that everyone has unconscious processes at work. We all wind up sabotaging our best and highest intentions at one time or another. I know I do. The first step in paving a clear and unobstructed pathway down the road to recovery is to acknowledge that unconscious processes do exist that undermine our good intentions. The second step is to take a minute out of every day to state your intention to recover with a clear and loud voice.
My suggestion is to print out the health affirmations below, attach them to your refrigerator and say them out loud each and every day for 40 days.
My intention is to maintain health and wellness for myself.
I admire and model people who are healthy.
Health makes life more enjoyable.
I am healthy when I do what I love.
I deserve to be healthy because I add value to other people’s lives.
I receive compliments and gifts from others with an open heart.
I am grateful for the health I have now.
Opportunities to reverse any and all symptoms always come my way.
My capacity to reclaim full health and wellness expands each and every day.
If there is no unconscious current which is undermining your recovery, the task of saying the statements above for 40 days will strengthen your intention and facilitate your recovery. If, on the other hand, there is an unconscious process at play which is undermining your good intention to reverse symptoms, you will not succeed in saying the statements out loud for 40 days. You might succeed for 30 days – but suddenly you skip a day.
Saying the health affirmations above out loud only takes a minute each day, yet you forget to do it. It was not because you did not have enough time!
When you realize that you “forgot” to state your affirmations, you will know that there must be something that you are getting out of your disease that you are not acknowledging.
And if this is the case, what do you do? Acknowledge that there must be part of you that does not want to get well. It is no big deal. We all sabotage ourselves in one way or another. The most important step is to acknowledge it.
Then, simply begin saying your affirmations again starting with day one. See if you get through 40 days without missing a day. If you succeed, celebrate your success with paving an unobstructed road to recovery. If you forget again, start the 40 ritual again. Maybe three times will be a charm.
If three times is not a charm, why not simply accept the reality that you are getting something out of being sick that may actually be worth all the trouble?
Michael Day recounts his remarkable experience of Parkinson’s in the email below which he has given me permission to post. There is not doubt about it. The experiences of Parkinson’s is unique for each person.
Experience of Parkinson’s : A Magnificent Adventure
Robert…partly thanks to you…I have not experienced any shame the entire time I’ve had Parkinson’s. And my diagnosis day? For me, it was more of an initiation into a magnificent adventure than a day of heartbreak and devastating news.In fact, I would say that my overall experience of Parkinson’s symptoms has been the complete opposite of shame. It has been a profound gift. But this doesn’t mean it’s been easy!
Currently,
I can only type with my left index finger…
Walking is incredibly weird and difficult…
Fatigue is sometimes overwhelming…
Talking is often not possible…
The tremor is relentless.
However… even though the phenomenon of Parkinson’s is absolutely the most challenging thing that Life has ever invited me to face…every single day I feel so grateful to have been given such powerful support to accelerate my evolution. For me, shame has always been more a verb than a noun and when experienced from this perspective, shame becomes a choice. So, instead of shaming myself for having attracted a neurological imbalance, I choose to embrace these symptoms with love and compassion and let the shaking and the limitations lead me deeper and deeper into the discovery of who I really am.
My Experience of Parkinson’s
Until 2006, I practiced for 30 years as a spiritually oriented psychotherapist with a 25 year professional background in natural medicine consulting that included many years of study in energetic healing and psychoneuroimmunology. At one time, I also ran an oriental medicine clinic for 3 years. My original training as a therapist had its foundations in Primal Therapy (Janov, Rubin), Bioenergetics (Lowen), and The Option Method (DeMarsico, Kaufman, Johnstone, Evans), with internship positions that included assisting with the process of conscious dying, managing a suicide hotline, and counseling runaway kids on the streets of San Francisco. Thankfully, my work as a counselor was transformed early on in my career as a result of receiving countless of hours of intimate guidance from remarkable beings from India and Tibet, western mystics, and elders of indigenous communities.
In the mid eighties, an incident very close to a near death experience, caused me to see that to offer myself as a therapist was really a sacred privilege. This made it “impossible” for me to continue looking at counseling as a business, and in my attempt to live in integrity with this experience, all my work with people has been on donation ever since. Due to the fact that there are periods of time when donations do not cover expenses, my wife Dovida and I entered the world of home based self employment. After struggling on many levels with network marketing and various business opportunities, we started an independent long distance phone service agency in 1996, which enabled us to sell national and international long distance service for the next 10 years. Since 2007, we have been exploring online marketing and blogging but as of 2012, we have yet to experience any significant monetary success from our efforts.
Back in 1992, I started and facilitated for the next 14 years, a residential inner work community dedicated to world peace through ending the war within. This community was partly modeled on Gandhi’s phrase: “Become the world you want to see”. Also in 1992, I received one of the only two honorary PhDs ever offered by one of the oldest colleges of natural healing in the U.S. and shortly thereafter, I was ordained as a nondenominational minister.
In 2006, partly as a result of my background in trauma counseling, I was invited to come and do service in a community in Venezuela. However, in 2010, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s which caused me to realize that the challenges Life was offering me through the kind of counseling work I had been doing were more than I could effectively embrace right now. So, while my focus is primarily on personal healing at this time, I continue to participate whenever I can in what is known in South America as the Bolivarian Revolution: a remarkable movement that has transformed the quality of life of over 15 million Venezuelans who had previously only known the multi-generational hell of abject poverty.
I suspect that a 40 year dedication to natural medicine, spiritual practice, and psycho-spiritual study, are partly what led me to connect up through the internet with a tiny community of brave souls who have committed to fully recovering from the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Inspired by their courage to clear what the medical community solely regards as a progressive incurable illness, I have committed myself to evolving beyond the need for the symptoms of Parkinson’s and while I’m at it…I have committed myself to evolving beyond the need for any other concept of illness or physical imperfection as well.
My experience of Parkinson’s and the attempt to recover from it can be a wild and fierce gift of grace. Fully embracing the experience of these particular symptoms, can bring a raw, visceral, physicality to the process of awakening to who we really are which is actually a profound gift if we also desire full integration of body, mind, and spirit. This process has shown me that to truly evolve beyond the need for these particular symptoms, or the need for any illness or physical imperfection, requires no less than an absolute reconsideration…in fact a total “reinvention” and “re-imagining” of all that we have previously known ourselves to be.
I have exclusively used Apple computers since 1989, and I feel utterly certain that if it were not for the genius of Steve Jobs, pen and paper would still be the primary tools of my creative expression. Besides relentlessly exploring Life through my beloved portal to infinity (my iMac), my core interests are meditation, natural medicine, Qi gong, yoga, conscious diet, uncovering the connections between personal healing/awakening and the transformation of global issues, all forms of music, independent film, and the process of hopefully becoming a better and better writer.
Warmest regards, namaste, and ubuntu,
From a little pig who’s trying to become the world he wants to see
Everyone knows by now that exercise and Parkinson’s is a healthy formula. Exercise helps alleviate the symptoms that are associated with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. But what is the best exercise for Parkinsons?
I have hosted a series of renown researchers on the Parkinsons Recovery Radio Show over the past five years who have exposed on its benefits and virtues. It is clear you will see improvements in your health on some level when you exercise. Everyone needs to exercise if they are serious about recovery.OK. But …
Let’s get down to practicalities here. What is the best exercise for Parkinsons?
Is it aerobic exercise which strengthens the heart and immune system?
Is it resistance exercise that involves lifting weights?
Is it advisable to lift heavier and heavier weights?
Is it stretching muscles with Yoga?
Or, is exercise that improves balance the best option for people with Parkinson’s symptoms through accessing a modality like Tai Chi or Qigong or dance?
How often should you exercise – every day? Or, every week? Or …? When you really get down to practicalities it gets complicated.
Daniel Corcos, Ph.D., was my guest on the Parkinsons Recovery Radio. After three decades of conducting research on exercise and Parkinson’s he is one man who has the answers to all of these questions.
Exercise is incredibly beneficial for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Regular physical activity improves motor symptoms, maintains balance, enhances mobility and improves overall quality of life.
OK – so you have never liked to exercise? Dr. Corcos has some suggestions for you too!
I will soon be hosting several guests on the Parkinsons Recovery Radio Show who will discuss the unbelievable role that Lyme disease has for a surprising number of people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Symptoms of a Lyme infection are similar to the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Many people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease actually have a Lyme infection. A variety of treatment protocols for Lyme are used by doctors with varying degrees of success, but everyone who treats Lyme agrees that it is a nasty infection to heal.
Some of you have heard my radio show with Lexie or had the opportunity to meet her in person at the Santa Fe Summit. Lexie has been taking LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) to treat her own Parkinson’s symptoms with notable success. At her Santa Fe Summit presentation she reported that she only experiences symptoms when she is straddled with an overload of stress. At all other times she is symptom free.
Why should LDN help to reverse Lexie’s Parkinson’s symptoms? A fundamental cause of her symptoms is likely to be an infection of some sort (like Lyme). LDN helps to strengthen the body’s immune system. Once the immune system is brought back on line, the body is better equipped to heal infections naturally.
Why is a body unable to heal infections like Lyme disease naturally? When I give you the answer you are going to know instinctively that I am right. The factor that accounts for the inability of the body to eliminate infections like Lyme naturally is trauma. When trauma has been experienced (whether physical or emotional) effects of the trauma are long lasting. They become trapped deep inside the body at the cellular level. Tissues of the body tighten up as if there were in a vice grip.This is why muscles of many persons with Parkinson’s symptoms can be so hard and inflexible.
The long term result of trauma is to destroy the body’s immune system. When the immune system is shot, the body does not have a prayer of eliminating infections without a little outside support of one type or another.
Over the past six years of researching Parkinson’s disease, I have concluded that there are many, many routes that offer the opportunity to celebrate symptom relief as you travel down the road to recovery from Parkinson’s disease
I do get many questions from people asking what is the most important step they should explore to recover. The good news is that there are many options that are helping people reverse their symptoms. The bad news is that there are so many choices, is can be a daunting task to choose ones to pursue.
I thought when I began my research I would discover a simple solution. That anticipation has been transformed into something much more exciting – the preview of many options that are making a difference.
I received an inspiring email from Anne who has given me permission to include her correspondence here She will be a guest on the radio show when her second book has been officially released. Her story beautifully captures the observation that everyone’s journey down the road to recovery is unique
Hello Robert and how are you?
My second book is out by the end of next month. It’s title is ‘Still Laughing.’ It is slightly longer that the first one and deals with what it has been like now that I am no longer considered to be newly diagnosed. In fact, it will be 8 years in August plus another 5 on top where I was misdiagnosed.
I volunteered for the Australian Parkinson’s registry 4 years ago and was given a very thorough physical and cognitive overhaul. Last month (March). I was recalled for another overhaul and my results were even better. My postural balance is now considered to be normal. My cognitive scores had improved – one test is where you look at a list of 10 words and then say them. Four years ago I scored 6 and then 30 mins later, the score was still 6. This time I scored 9 and 30 mins later it was 10!
I still take medication but it has not been increased for 3 years. The non-motor symptoms are the ones that are not all that responsive – sleep disorder, gastric reflux, excessive sweating, bowel and bladder problems are still there but I can live with them. Being able to walk and move well and actually remember myself doing that is just the best feeling.
I can stand on one foot and put a sock on the other without over-balancing. My score overall was 98/100. Last time it was below 85. I am even getting muscle tone back.
I do not attend a gymnasium. I use my everyday life as exercise i.e. the housework and gardening are part of my exercise program. I still have my beautiful bed of roses where I take time to bury myself in the perfume.
I am a very positive person and I do it automatically. Same with all my movements. I was told that using the frontal cortex was effective but movements would never become spontaneous and that you would have to plan each part of a movement. Not true. I can do 2 things at once and most times I don’t even think about what I am going to do. Many times I have stopped and realised that I have been on automatic pilot and wasn’t aware of doing so.
I don’t put myself down. I never say that I am stupid or dumb. If I make a mistake I just think of it as a learning experience and will do it better next time. I made the decision to present to the world a smiling face. And when I am asked how I am, I always answer ‘I feel fine’ and you know what? I am!
I must tell you about a foot whisperer experiment I carried out today after listening to the foot whisperer Randy Eady on your radio show. I knew the hands and feet mapped onto large areas of the brain but had no idea that this was such a dynamic mapping. When I felt my sine met level go low, instead of taking another I got up onto my feet. I stayed on my feet for 1 hour and 20 minutes walking, kicking a ball, throwing a ball, dancing whatever I could think of as long as I stayed on my feet and I was fine. Eventually I got bored rather than tired and took another tablet. This kicked in within a few minutes. Great because my medication lasted an extra hour and 20 minutes and would have been longer if I hadn’t got bored.
This explains to me why the exercise bike doesn’t help me walk, why I can’t easily walk after a long swim and why I’m in trouble if I need to get up in the night. And why if I sit down at a friends house for hours in the evening I have trouble leaving!
I for one am going to get up and walk around every 20 minutes or so when I have to sit. Maybe in a marginal situation like Parkinson’s the brain needs very frequent reminders from the feet. Thank you Randy!
I do think my two biophotonic treatments have a role in this improvement also.
The therapeutic potential of Rhodiola for Parkinsons disease can be attributed to several key mechanisms:
Antioxidant Properties: Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Rhodiola contains several bioactive compounds, including rosavin, salidroside, and tyrosol, which have potent antioxidant properties. These compounds can help neutralize harmful free radicals and reduce oxidative damage to dopaminergic neurons, which are critically affected in Parkinson’s.
Neuroprotective Effects: Research suggests that Rhodiola may exert neuroprotective effects by enhancing the brain’s resistance to stress and supporting cellular health. Studies have indicated that Rhodiola can promote the survival of neurons and prevent neurodegeneration, which is crucial in the context of Parkinson’s disease.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Chronic inflammation is another factor contributing to Parkinson’s progression. Rhodiola’s anti-inflammatory properties can help mitigate inflammation in the brain, potentially slowing the progression of the disease.
Dopaminergic Support: Parkinson’s disease is marked by a depletion of dopamine, a neurotransmitter essential for motor control. Some animal studies suggest that Rhodiola might help support dopaminergic activity and improve motor function, though more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.
What is Rhodiola Rosea?
Rhodiola rosea, commonly known as “golden root” or “arctic root,” is a perennial plant that grows in cold, mountainous regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its adaptogenic properties, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress and maintain homeostasis. Rhodiola is renowned for its ability to boost energy, enhance mental performance, and alleviate fatigue.
Clinical Evidence on Rhodiola for Parkinsons
A few studies have explored the effects of Rhodiola on cognitive function and mood disorders, which are relevant to Parkinson’s disease management. Some research has found that Rhodiola can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, which are commonly experienced by Parkinson’s patients.
Below is a followup correspondence I received from Aunt Bean who reports on still another natural options that is providing some people with symptom relief.
Hi Robert…a friend of mine with PD who is also only doing fava beans and Mucuna for her PD symptoms has started on Rhodiola and her husband said it has really made a difference in her health already…more energy, walking faster, etc….yeah…praise God , it is not just my imagination with my symptoms…..so coooooool !!!
Parkinsons disease is a condition of extreme overwhelm of the central nervous system. It is set in motion by traumatic events and belief systems that were crystalized at an early age. The connection between trauma and Parkinson’s symptoms is profound.
Traumatic events result in brain wave distortions that jeopardize survival of a person until resolution can be achieved. If resolution is not found, the neural distortions continue to run rampant throughout the body. This precludes access to dopamine reserves. The body becomes exhausted by the stress and continues to decline.
Understanding Trauma and Parkinson’s
Trauma leaves an imprint on our minds and bodies. It is not just a mental or emotional burden. It manifests physically, influencing our nervous system, bodily functions, and overall well-being. Traditional therapeutic approaches often focus on talking through traumas. An alternative therapy enables the release of traumas that have been embedded at the cellular level since childhood. It is known as Breathwork.
What is Breathwork?
Breathwork is a practice that involves continuous breathing techniques to influence mental, emotional, and physical states. It ranges from deep, conscious breathing to more structured techniques like holotropic breathwork or pranayama. The core idea is to use the breath to bring to the surface trapped emotions that are then released.
When traumatized, we all have learned to stop breathing. Why? This immediately cuts us off from feelings of fear, horror and agony that are inevitably triggered by trauma. Because we stop breathing, these horrible feelings get stuck and trapped in our physical body. Continuous breathing connects with these feelings, making them available for release so that we are no longer holding the traumas deep inside ourselves. This is what makes us sick.
For more information about the revolutionary approach to Breathwork illustrated in the video, visit: About Breathwork Today
Finally. A project I thought would take three weeks wound up taking six months. I have finally finished and released the 2013 edition of Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease which includes all of the new information I have discovered over the past two years. I was actually overwhelmed by the richness and depth of the information I had generated from my radio show interviews and other reseach about Parkinson’s disease.
Learn all about the edition and order either a desktop copy or have the printed version shipped by visiting:
My goal in writing the book was to provide information that will help anyone with Parkinsons get sustained relief from their symptoms. There are so many excellent options to consider, the only frustration people have is deciding which ones to pursue first.
Please do not think you have to purchase the book to get the information. All the information I have collected is freely available on my websites and can be accessed by listening to my radio shows over the past four years. People ask me to organize the information so that it is more easily accessible.
Positive energy is my power over Parkinson’s disease. Some times I want to give up, but when the tremor tries to take over I get the fight back in me.
A Doctor told me to give up my motor cycle. What did I do? I went out n bought a bigger one. Riding my Harley forces my mind to work harder. The tremor slows and my balance improves.
Think positive. I can do this. I have been fighting this for over 13 yrs. I can not stop as long as there is hope.
Dear Robert: The reason for my letter this morning is the topic of meditation and the brain. From Sarah McLean’s book Soul-Centered, I learned that it changes the brain. She cites a journal named Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, Jan. 2011. After just 8 weeks of meditation, 27 minutes a day, they could see beneficial changes in the brains of a group of meditators, and the changes remained after the meditation period.
Among those changes was a ‘taming’ of the amygdala, which would mean less anxiety. (And I think those changes are possible even if we have our usual daily upsets, which we could deal with mindfully.) The people who partook of the experiment were most likely healthy. I guess the best way to find out if it’s helpful for us with PD, is to start a practice. I find it hard to get started, though. It’s somehow easier to do something, like exercise, than to sit down and do nothing. I need reassurance.
Stresses are not just about the daily ups and downs. I find that during a perfectly easy day, I can be made to tremor by just somebody looking at me in a certain way. Deeply embedded memories of a teacher looking for the right answer or your mother asking you where you’ve been could be the culprits. Nothing I can prepare for – it just happens out of the blue.
I also wanted to point to a seemingly good program, The Healing Journey. The person, who developed it, is a Canadian, Alastair Cunningham, OC, PhD, C Psych. Unfortunately for us, it is written for people with cancer. It is offered in many cancer support groups throughout Canada. It has withstood the test of time – 20 years or so. In the introduction, the author maintains that the program could be used by anyone with a chronic illness. Part of the reason we get sick is a high allostatic load (stress) and a way to soften the impact of that is, among other things, to meditate. You can download the program without cost. If you as much as look at part one, I think you’d be excited. It might even help you not to have too many days of doubt you mentioned yesterday. Mind-Body ‘medicine’ works.
I emailed dr. Cunningham some time ago, and his secretary was kind enough to reply. In a nutshell, she thinks the program would be beneficial for us with PD, but that it would need to be rewritten for our needs, and that would involve money. I might bring it up with our local support group. Meanwhile, I’d better get started meditating!
I enjoyed your show yesterday, as usual. I was a little unnerved by the Mirapex and heart problems, as I haven’t heard about that before. Also, the Tetanus shot – what to do about it?
Best of luck with your new book Language of Recovery. I will most definitely order a copy.
Thanks for all you do,
Canadian Fan
What a fantastic overview that provides a sweet overview of meditation and the brain. You offer rich resources for people to access for free. Yea!
I worked with author Nancy Welch to create an amazing book which explains how people can find a meditation practice that works for them. Through my collaboration with her and interviews with all the experts on meditation, I learned a great deal about its beneficial impact. Nancy wrote a book titled Medicine and Meditation which has a focus on meditation for persons with chronic illnesses.
As for what to do about lingering effects of tetanus inoculations … keep in mind this may not be an issue for you, though several independent resources have found it to be problematic for a surprisingly large proportion of persons – perhaps as high as 25% to 30%. There are two options as I see it. The first requires that you work diligently to strengthen your immune system so that your body can address the issue naturally. The second is to use sound or light frequencies to invite the little critters to depart your body.
Of course there are many other approaches which can be also effective. Know that there are alternatives out there that are helping people reverse the neurological symptoms that they currently experience that have been caused by a wide spectrum of factors. The connection between meditation and the brain helps sort what therapies can be useful to any recovery program.
Hooray! I just released my new book Language of Recovery.The book offers specific guidance about the words that facilitate recovery and those that impede it. It is a companion to Five Steps to Recovery.
I continue to be amazed at how we all have such crafty ways of sabotaging our best of intentions. I hope reading the book will be as helpful to you as writing has been to me.
Dr. Kristen Allott, a naturopath doctor and Acupuncturist from Dynamic Paths, specializes in non-pharmacological interventions for anxiety and depression relief as well as addictions and Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). Her passion is to empower persons to reclaim their health
What do you do when you wake up at 3 am and cannot sleep? What tools can you use to address anxiety, depression and fatigue? Listen to the show and discover all of Dr. Allott secrets for restoring balance and health the natural way.
Below is Dr. Kristen Allott’s handout for how to achieve anxiety and depression relief by optimizing your brain health. The handout provides excellent guidelines that make it possible to achieve depression relief and reduce anxiety by eating small amounts of protein throughout the day.
Below is Dr. Allott’s overview for how the right nutrition for anxiety and pain relief that offers welcome relief from depression.
Please consult with your doctor before changing your diet.
Healthy Protein Sources
Legumes Nuts
Firm Tofu 1/2 c 20 g Nuts 1/4 c 8 g
Tofu 1/2 c 10 g Seeds 2 T 3 g
Tempeh 1/2 c 16 g Nut butter 2 T 8 g
Lentils 1/2 c 9 g Seed butter 2 T 5 g
Refried beans 1/2 c 8 g Milk Products
Whole beans 1/2 c 7 g Cottage cheese (LF) 1/2 c 12 g
Gardenburger 1 patty 11 g High Protein Yogurt 1/2 c 8-9 g
Seed Grains Not Milk or cheese
Quinea 1/2 c 11 g Eggs
Barley 1/2 c 10 g Egg, whole 1 7 g
Dark rye flour 1/2 c 9 g
Millet 1/2 c 4 g
Oats 1/2 c 3 g Note: Egg yolks contain nutrients that
are excellent for mental health.
Brown rice 1/2 c 3 g
White rice 1/2 c 3 g
Dairy Substitutes Protein powder 1 T 9-15 g
Soy milk 1 c 6 g Yogurt (LF) 1 c 8-14 g
Soy cheese 1 oz 4-7 g Wild fish 3 oz 21 g
Soy yogurt 1 c 6 g
Chicken, Turkey, Beef, Pork 3 oz 21 g
Protein for Mental Health
Small frequent meals with protein help the brain synthesize dopamine and serotonin and stabilize blood glucose to help you feel better. Be sure to also eat vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
How much protein should I eat?
The quick calculation for your target protein intake is 8 grams of protein for every 20 lbs of body weight, or one-third of your caloric intake is protein. Most people feel better when they eat at least 20 grams in the morning, 20 grams in the afternoon and 20 grams in the evening. The maximum amount of protein per day is 120 grams.
Your Weight (lbs) Target Grams protein Acceptable Range Protein
100 40 36-45
120 48 43-54
140 56 50-63
160 64 57-72
180 72 64-81
200 80 71-90
Portion control
Here are some visual clues to help you keep servings to the proper size:
3 oz of any meat= a deck of playing cards
½ c cooked grain = a small fist
1 oz cheese = a thumb
1 oz nuts = a golf ball
1 T nut butter or nuts = a silver dollar or a walnut
Benefits of eating enough protein
Less fatigue, particularly in the afternoons
Better sleep
More energy
Hungry less often
Better and more stable moods
Higher metabolism from having more muscle mass
Lizard Brain Treat
1/4 cup of fruit juice
1/4 cup of nuts (almonds, cashews, hazelnuts)
Use the Lizard Brain Treat for anxiety and depression relief when you are …
Anxious, irritated, or agitated.
Anticipating something that makes you anxious, irritated and/or agitated.
Not hungry after waking in the morning. Try having nuts and juice on your bed stand and consume the treat prior to getting out of bed
Hungry, having gone too long (more than 4 hours) without eating
Having 3 AM committee meeting: waking at 3 AM and being sure that sleep will not come for 2 hours.
Three Day of Ridiculous Amounts of Protein: Protein Every Three Hours
7 AM Breakfast: (14 grams of protein) within an hour of waking
Two eggs, 1 piece of toast, one apple or pear
10AM Snack: (6-7 grams of protein)
1/4 cup of nuts: almonds, peanuts, cashews, and hazelnuts
Or 1/4 cup cottage cheese
Or 2 TBS of nut butter-peanut, almond, and/or cashew
12 to 1PM Lunch: (21 grams of protein) meat the size of a deck of cards
This can be a sandwich, wrap, salad, or soup.
Plus 1 cup of veggies or 1 cup of whole real grain-brown rice, quinoa, and bulgur
Be sure that there is a little veggie fat– avocado, nut oil and/or olive oil.
3 pm Snack: (6-7 grams of protein)
1/4 cup of nuts-almonds, peanuts, cashews, and hazelnuts
Or 1/4 cup cottage cheese
Or 2 TBS of nut butter-peanut, almond, and/or cashew
6 PM Dinner: (21 grams of protein) meat the size of a deck of cards
This can be a sandwich, wrap, salad, or soup.
Plus 1 cup of veggies or 1 cup of whole real grain-brown rice, quinoa, and/or bulgur
Be sure that there is a little veggie fat– avocado, nut oil and/or olive oil.
What follows is an email I received from Linda, a reader of the Parkinsons Recovery blog where I addressed the question – what is the key to recovery? My suggestion was quite simple. I suggested it was helpful to simply forget about the fact you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. As you will read below. Linda found that suggestion helpful.
If you have not already done so, sign up for my free newsletter by entering your email address on the newsletter form here on the website. After confirming you want to receive the newsletter in a subsequent email you will receive you will be placed on the list to receive future newsletters.
Thank you so much for sharing your insights into the key to recovery. It will be very helpful, I am sure. In my case, and at this time in my life, and with the kind of PD condition that I have, what you are saying is what I believe to be true as well.
Just forgetting about this condition, not giving it power, being as positive, and getting on with my life works for me. And (touch wood) I am going into my 13th year, diagnosed in 1998 (some symptoms before that) of having symptoms of PD. I do realize that every PD case is different, and that my case may be quite simple compared to that of others. I can only report from where I am in this condition.
When I travel from BC to visit family and friends in Ontario, they ask me how I am doing with Parkinson’s. I just say I really do not give it much thought. And other than my most noticeable symptom, a tremor being obvious at times, some folks do not even ask.
A new couple who moved into my building six months ago, said that they heard that I hadPD and if it were true? Here again I could have built a real sympathetic case around this situation, because they looked so sad when they asked me. However, I said, yes, I do have symptoms of PD but I am OK. Putting a positive spin on my response helps me and also gives PD less power.
I just returned from my yearly visit to my neurologist at U of BC. He says that I am doing very well. He said to keep on doing whatever it is that I am doing, and did not prescribe any more drugs nor increase my dosages.
I take Axilect, the drug touted as “one that slows the progression of PD “. I also take 100 mg of Sinemet 5x a day, a surprisingly low dosage. So meds at this time are “helping” for sure.
My goal for the future, although a big one, is to heal myself of this condition. I have a good feeling about being successful in attaining this goal. I plan to follow the procedure or recipe of those who have been successful in doing so.
Until then, I will continue to be active, lead a healthy lifestyle, stay involved in life, keep a positive attitude and push faithfully forward to the day when I will experience complete recovery.
Thank you for passing on your very important message, about the Power and Results of being Positive, to your readers. It is the key to recovery.
One approach for reversing symptoms of Parkinsons is to provide boosts of dopamine whether through natural dopamine supplements or through prescription medications. Most people are familiar with prescription medications such as Sinemet that rely on this approach. Prescription medications work beautifully for some people. Others cannot tolerate the side effects. Fermented Papaya for Parkinsons is a natural option that works beautifully for Aunt Bean.
Aunt Bean explains in this video how fermented papaya is one among other natural dopamine supplements which has helped enormously with providing relief from the troubling symptoms of Parkinsons disease she has experienced.
Below Aunt Bean provides a detailed demonstrated of how she prepares the fermented papaya that offers her welcome relief from her own symptoms.
Why Fermented Papaya for Parkinsons Helps
Antioxidant Properties: Fermented papaya is rich in antioxidants, particularly carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene, which have been shown to neutralize harmful free radicals. Since oxidative stress plays a role in the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in Parkinson’s disease, these antioxidants help protect brain cells from damage.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Chronic inflammation in the brain is another key factor in Parkinson’s progression. The compounds found in fermented papaya have anti-inflammatory effects, reducing inflammation and supporting brain health.
Enhancing Dopaminergic Function: Some studies find that fermented papaya helps improve dopamine levels or the function of dopamine receptors. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is depleted in Parkinson’s disease.,
Gut Health: There’s growing recognition of the importance of gut health in neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. The fermentation process can increase the bioavailability of beneficial compounds and may support the gut microbiome, which has been linked to brain health through the gut-brain axis.
I have had micrographia for the past 2 yrs, tremors since Nov 2011, just diagnosed with Parkinson’s last month and am 43 years old. I work as a nurse and find myself extremely frustrated that I can not just write what I want with ease and quickness while on my job. I also drop my pen easily out of my hand. Unfortunately, the side that is affected is my dominant side. Any suggestions on recovery back to the “old” me as far as quickness and handwriting goes? I don’t see how I can keep in this profession if I can’t keep up with the pace. I’m extremely embarrassed by my symptoms because as I feel pressure from coworkers or patients to be quicker, my symptoms flare up. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Liz
I believe that our body is always communicating with us and attempting to convey a message we are not able to understand any other way. Clearly, your body is slowing you down with the challenge of Micrographia. The question for you to consider is why?
Why not have a conversation with your hand to see what is up. Ask your hand a series of questions about Micrographia and see what comes up.
Why are you forcing me to slow down?
What is up here? You worked so well for so long – and now this.
How about asking your body some even larger questions:
Am I doing the work that gives me inner pleasure?
Am I doing the nursing work that gives me joy and rewards beyond measure?
Am I doing in my life what I always dreamed of doing?
Is there another type of nursing that I should be doing?
Is there another type of work that I should be pursuing other than nursing?
I am just suggesting here that perhaps you are not doing the work that you need to be doing (which could mean a different type of nursing or even a different type of work entirely).In short why is Micrographia slowing you down?
I am well aware that this is not the response you probably expected, but if I have learned anything in the six years of continuous research on ways to reverse Parkinson’s symptoms, it is that the major role player in provoking symptoms is stress. Clearly – stress is smacking you in the face every minute of your work day. If you are doing what you love to do, stress dissolves like a snowball in the sunshine.
As for practical suggestions – the first is to use your intention to become mindful of each and every moment. It may take a few minutes to write the notes in the medical charts, but if you do this mindfully (without feeling as though you are being rushed by anyone – including yourself) stress will not pop out and your ability to write will be sustained. I am guessing that you are creating most of the stress here – not others.
The second suggestion I have for you to consider is to give your body time to heal. It sounds like you want an immediate fix to the problem. Give your body a little time to come back into balance. The fix will not be immediate.
The third suggestion is to consider diet as a solution. The problem you outline above may be created by a variety of factors – for example, the presence of tetanus infection or myelin sheaths (the fatty tissue that insulates the nerves) which have become emaciated. Such causes can be addressed through a healthy diet.
The fourth suggestion is to visit the Parkinsons Recovery Fava Bean website. Aunt Bean has invented some fascinating home made remedies for helping your body produce dopamine that you might find to be of interest. As a nurse, I am confident you are well aware of the prescription medicines that are available. As a researcher, I am not qualified to address which of these might be suitable to address your concerns,
May you be inspired with learning more about what your own body has to say about you current challenges. I can assure you that you can always trust your body to know what is best.
I’m afflicted w/ PD since 2006, I’m 46 years of age. I’ve searching for ways & means to heal myself of PD. I’m taking Sinemet & Requip right now but I’m still regressing. I’ve tried many traditional & alternative healing for PD but nothing works. A friend suggested using Opal or Amethyst crystals in healing my PD. Can opal or amethyst help in curing my PD.
Thanks!
Willy
Over the past six years of research I have marveled at the many and varied options that are helping people get relief from the symptoms associated with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. I have not heard any specific reports on these two particular crystals, but to be sure, crystals emit healing frequencies. Why not experiment and see what helps?
I also note that you use the word “cure.” The people who are recovering are using a variety of approaches to control stress as well as release toxins, trauma and bacterial infections. The factors that cause neurological difficulties are truly multi-faceted. A wide variety of approaches are typically required to bring the body back into balance.
What helps one person may not necessarily help another. You have to figure out what is best for your own body. There is only one of you in the world.