About Parkinsons Disease

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Category: causes of Parkinson’s

Sugar and Parkinsons

November 8, 2024 / / 6 Comments

On Saturday night my 30 year old daughter
told me she was afraid she would develop
Parkinson’s Disease at some point in her
life. This put me into a silent fear that
continues to haunt me. I wonder about the
connection between sugar and Parkinsons. 

For me I know I resisted anything and everything
that entered my life that I didn’t like.
Everything from a challenging mother in law
to being told I wasn’t qualified for certain
work related positions.

I used caffeine and sugar at times exclusively
over nutritious food to numb that and any other
self depreciating thought/ pain. I personally
feel this was a huge step into a diseased state.

Is there a history of people who have been diagnosed
with Parkinson’s Disease of body abuse in some way?
I would really appreciate any insight you may have.

Your question asks about the history of
people who have abused their body with poor
nutrition. More specifically, the relationship between
sugar and Parkinsons symptoms.

There are thousands and thousands of studies that
evaluate the effectiveness of one drug or another
on the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Sugar is not
on that list because sugar is not considered a
drug. The idea behind these studies is to identify
a drug that will provide some relief to symptoms.

Sugar is undoubtedly one of the most toxic substance
that exists in the world today. I know of no medical
researcher who believes sugar can provide long term
relief for symptoms. It is clearly toxic to the body and
deadly in its impact on the function of neural networks.
Neurons are the most sensitive cells of the body.

If anyone really wants to begin feeling better, one of
the best things they can do for themselves is to stop
eating unrefined sugar. If you want to have verification
that sugar is toxic and harmful, do an experiment on
yourself.

Indulge Yourself

Eat all the sweet desserts you want for a day. This
is your “treatment.” Sugar stimulates the release of
dopamine, so it mainlines dopamine into blood stream.

Then, see how you feel that evening and the
following day. I have done that experiment many times
myself and I always get the same result. I feel lousy,
depressed and angry at myself for damaging my body.

I do not think you will ever see published studies that
show sugar is harmful. To prove sugar aggravates
your symptoms, just do a study on yourself.

Why do we (myself included) sabotage ourselves? There
are sugar substitutes! There are great alternatives
to raw, unrefined sugar. There are ways to satisfy
our addictions that do not destroy the neural networks
in our body. So, why do we do it over and over?

It is an addiction. It numbs the bad feelings we
are always trying to avoid. Sugar is a great infusion
of warm, cozy feelings for a few minutes because
it triggers the temporary release of dopamine. When
ingested on a regular basis, sugar undermines
the body’s natural capacity to manufacture dopamine.

What is the connection between sugar and Parkinsons?
It ranks at the top of the list of the most harmful toxins
that jolt the body of the balance and harmony.

This is what happens with alcohol and illegal
drugs. They very quickly sabotage the body’s
natural ability to manufacture dopamine and
the other “feel good” hormones. The body then
relies on the alcohol and drugs for a dopamine
infusion which is the physical explanation
for the addiction.

Sugar works in the same fashion. Think of it as
analogous to the effects of heroin. The only
difference is sugar is a legal drug.

Of course the aftermath of ingesting sugar is deadly.
Think of the challenge of sugar cravings as an addiction
which can be acknowledged and treated.

In your introductory paragraph, you mention concerns
about your daughter’s potential to develop the symptoms
of Parkinson’s are putting “me into a silent fear
that continues to haunt me.”

These feelings are associated
with all of the stress hormones that sustain an imbalance
in the body and feed the symptoms of Parkinson’s. When
we are suspended in a continual state of fear, our bodies
are trapped in a continual place of hormonal imbalance.
The good news is that there are a variety of therapies
that help to release the fears that we hold for our
children and loved ones.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Multi-Faceted Causes of Parkinsons

November 5, 2024 / / 1 Comment

Many people wonder what causes the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. What follows is a letter to Howard Shifke from Tom who gave me permission to post it today. Tom’s letter is a true testimonial to the multi-faceted causes of Parkinsons.

There is a second theme in Tom’s letter. The recovery process often involves a period of time when symptoms get worse. Many people believe that when a therapy is pursued, the immediate result should be an improvement in symptoms. If the therapy (whatever it might be) is effective, it is often the case that symptoms will initially get worse before they improve. If the therapy is abandoned prematurely, you are not giving it an opportunity to have the positive effect you had intended.

If you are trying out new therapeutic options which have led to a worsening of conditions, consider having a party to celebrate this (unwanted) outcome. Of course, a therapeutic option may be harming your body and should be abandoned. But if the therapy has no side effects, consider the possibility it is doing precisely what you had hoped for.

A flare up of symptoms may simply mean your body is being cleansed from toxins. Give your body a little time to do this work since toxins can be nasty substances to eliminate from the delicate tissues of the body.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery

What follows is Tom’s letter to Howard Shifke on the multi-faceted causes of Parkinsons.

Since we talked last month I reduced my use of supplements my physical and mental functions have been reduced quite a lot. Not only my PD symptoms increased but a new complication surfaced, daily unexplained vertigo.

This and other factors led to me missing my daily Qigong exercises more and more frequently. I have continued to spiral downward until at now the bottom I have recommitted to a new paradigm:

“A stronger dedicated commitment to recover”

As this was happening several issues pointed me to the premise that my PD is also affected by my diet/nutrition. So I have had some specific tests run. The results were amazing:

    1. The first test was an Alcat food sensitivity panel which showed I was mildly to moderately sensitive to 54 food, spices or additives.
    2. Next I had a 5MTHF panel which showed I am missing two genes (rare to have both sets missing, 1 from father, 1 from mother) which help in the metabolizing of folic acid, a precursor to glutathione production
    3. Next I had Heidelberg test performed.
    4. This measures the HCl content, as well as, the rate of return to an acid state in the stomach when a food is introduced. In my case my stomach does not produce HCL in a manner that allows for the breakdown of trace elements. So I’m digesting only small percentage of my food’s nutrients
    5. Next I was tested on how many elements ( calcium, magnesium, potassium, chromium, etc. ) I was missing. Three critically low elements is considered very serious. I am critically low in 10. I’m currently on an IV replacement routine.
    6. Next I was tested and found I also have ‘Leaky gut syndrome’ This means nutrients are lost and/or not absorbed by my intestines. Also toxins can be let into my bloodstream. Not only am I not absorbing my less than normal trace elements, but my intestines are allowing toxins to be introduced back into my body.

My naturopath feels that once these issues are addressed/repaired I may make substantial improvement with my PD symptoms. It’s my belief that as well.

It’s my plan to introduce repair/relief from gut issues, eat as healthy as possible, reintroduce consistent Qigong (with your help), biking and walking exercises, continue to build a support network and continue to document my recovery.

As you can see I have a way to go but I think I’m on the right path for me. There are indeed multi-faceted causes of Parkinsons.

THANK YOU for your support

Tom

Cure for Parkinson’s at the Forefront?

October 24, 2024 / / 1 Comment

I have a question regarding the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Is a cure for Parkinson’s at the forefront?

A close relative of mine is suffering from what it appears to be a symptom of Parkinson’s. She is at the initial stages right now. E.G:

– resting tremors
– tremors get slightly worst in mid air (whether or not she’s holding onto something)

She is exercising regularly now which is a definitely a good thing, however, I have noticed that when she does a lot of housework or work in general the tremors would get slightly worst…is that a regular symptom of Parkinson’s?

At this point, she is going to be taking the anti-tremor pills prescribed by the doctor which hopefully will reduce or eliminate the tremor for the time being.

She is also not quite receptive to the idea of having to change the hygienic needs (e.g. shampoo, soap etc) to the herbal ones as was suggested in the e-book.

Are there any other suggestions you can provide aside from drinking 8 cups of water a day and more exercise to reduce the tremors? Acupuncture at this point did not seem to help very much…We haven’t tried massage or Bowen Therapy nor have we tried the Aqua therapy (simply coz we don’t know much about it)

Do you know whether there is a cure for the disease with the invention of a new pill at the forefront?

Any suggestions or feedback would be appreciated.

Response:

You ask whether doing a lot of housework or work in general are regular symptoms of Parkinson’s? It is not the housework in itself or work in particular that fuels the symptoms. The issue turns primarily on the presence or absence of stress. When work – no matter the form – is stressful, symptoms will flare up. The more your relative can acknowledge the stress she is under and find ways to release it, less problematic will be her symptoms.

Is sounds like she has decided to medicate her symptoms. An alternative approach is to acknowledge her body is sending her a strong signal that something different needs to happen. Other symptoms will rear their ugly head if the cause of the current challenge is not addressed.

Exercise will certainly make a huge difference. Also consider doing more disciplined exercise like Tai Chi or perhaps yoga. Yes – body therapies that release stress such as craniosacral therapy and Bowen therapy have the potential to help offer her relief from her symptoms because they help her body release the stress that is trapped at the cellular level. Why not give them a trial run? With medicines you incur side effects (which may well be worth the cost). Body therapies are noninvasive and safe.

The Aquas are recommended by Naturopath Doctor John Coleman who himself is now fully recovered from the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Aquas are a homeopathic approach which helps reprogram the body’s mechanism to signal thirst and distribute water throughout the body which gets disabled as we age. You can discover more information at: https://www.aquas.us.

Will there be a cure for the symptoms? No, there will never be a cure because the conditions that create the symptoms are multi-faceted. Each person’s situation is entirely unique to them. That is why the symptoms vary so widely across individuals. If there were a single cause, then it might be possible to see a “cure” down the road, but there is no single factor that causes the symptoms associated with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Trauma creates havoc with the neurological system. Stress damages neural connections. Toxins blow the neurological system up.

I note that your friend does not seem to be worried about toxins. Toxins affect everyone who is alive today. If we do not take the effects of toxins seriously, we will eventually become ill in one form or another.

From my contact with hundreds and hundreds of people who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinsons I have observed the following. The people who are waiting on a  cure for Parkinson’s at the forefront are also waiting for someone out there to fix them. They inevitably feel worse and worse with each passing week.

The people who are taking responsibility for their health and take it upon themselves to figure out what their body is telling them are feeling better week by week.

Is a cure for Parkinson’s at the forefront? Stop waiting! Take responsibility for your life and you get better. Expect someone or something to fix you and you get worse.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

Food Can Fix Things that Drugs Cant

October 20, 2024 / / 2 Comments

Click the arrow below to hear my interview with Bill McAnalley PhD who discusses why food can fix things that drugs can’t. His discussion focuses on explaining the causes of Parkinson’s and lists the foods needed to treat each cause.

Information about Dr. McAnballey’s company, is accessed by visiting Aroga

Below are the talking points that Dr. McAnalley prepared for my interview with him on Parkinsons Recovery Radio where he explains why food can fix things drugs cant

Parkinson’s disease (PD), characterized with bradykinesia, static tremor, rigidity and disturbances in balance, is the second most common neuro-degenerative disorder.  Alzheimer disease is first.

With the global trends in aging, the incidence of PD has increased year by year and the prevalence rate is up to 12% among the elderly over the age of 65 years. So far, there is still no exact cure for PD due to its diversity of etiology and complexity of symptoms.

Currently, Parkinson’s disease is treated with Levodopa and maybe Monamine, Oxidase Inhibitors (MOAs) or Acetylcholine inhibitors. Levodopa makes more Dopamine available for the dopamine receptor, MOAs increase the amount norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin at their prospective receptors and acetylcholine inhibitors make more acetylcholine available to its receptor.

None of which address the physical cause of the disease.

The cause of PD has not been completely elucidated, but it has been generally acknowledged that the improvement of oxidative stress is one of the most important patho-physiological mechanisms.

Dr. Bill’s research has focused on stopping the causes of diseases like Parkinsons by:

  • The inhibition of oxidative stress:

PD patients are in a state of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by the increase of free radicals in the organism, while the ability to eliminate free radicals is decreased at the same time. A large amount of lipid peroxide, such as Malondialdehyde (MDA), hydroxyl, carbonyl, etc., will cause cell death, which leads to neuronal apoptosis ultimately.

The mitochondria is the power plant and energy conversion station of cells. It also regulates the process of gene expression and apoptosis. Recent reports have suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction is closely related to a variety of neuro-degenerative diseases including PD.

  • The reduction of toxic Excitatory Amino Acids (EAA):

Glutamate (Glu), Also, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and enkephalin can can produce excitotoxicity effects on nerve cells. Glutamate creates an excitatory effect on nerve cells, and is toxic when Dopa Amine neurons are fully or partially degenerated.

  • The inhibition of neuroinflammation:

Neuroinflammation is a common and important pathological mechanism in nervous system diseases and different neurological diseases are involved in neuroinflammation at some stage. At present, it is believed that neuroinflammation was involved in an important cascade reaction in neuronal degeneration of PD.

When the central nervous system suffers from exogenous antigens stimulus, such as pathogenic microorganisms or foreign bodies, microglia will be rapidly activated. Then, the activated microglia cells can secrete various cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, etc. The cytokines cause neuroinflammation.

  • The inhibition of neuronal apoptosis:

Parkinsons is caused by the premature death of dopaminergic neurons by abnormal apoptosis activation. Energy for normal activities of brain cells comes directly from aerobic energy, and there is little energy storage. However once brain damage occurs, it will cause nerve cell apoptosis or death.

The Bcl-2 family of proteins regulate apoptosis. It is divided into two categories:anti-apoptosis gene (such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bcl-w, Bcl-1, etc.) and pro-apoptosis gene (such as Bax, Bak, Bad, Bid, etc.). Their ratio regulates apoptosis.

  • The inhibition of abnormal protein aggregation:

Mis-folded and aggregated proteins play a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinsons Disease. Protein aggregates differ from disease to disease. This common characteristic shows that protein deposition is toxic to neurons.

Studies confirmed that the activity of the proteasome dropped substantially in substantia nigra of patients with PD, which weakened the ability of the substantia nigra to degrade α-syn and other proteins.

  • Targeting Nrf2 to Suppress Ferroptosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegeneration:

Nrf2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein that regulates the expression of antioxidant proteins that protect against oxidative damage triggered by injury and inflammation. Several drugs that stimulate the NFE2L2 pathway are being studied for treatment of diseases that are caused by oxidative stress.

Listing of Core Food Ingredients that Address the Structure and Functional Causes of the Disease

  1. The inhibition of oxidative stress:

Brahmi, Bacopa monnieri

Maca root powder, Lepidium meyenii (Walp.)

Tongkat Ali (Longjack), Eurycoma Longifolia

Turmeric root powder, Curcuma longa

  1. The reduction of toxic Excitatory Amino Acids EAA:

Brahmi, Bacopa monnieri

  1. The inhibition of neuroinflammation:

Turmeric root powder, Curcuma longa

Wild Yam root, Dioscorea villosa

  1. The inhibition of neuronal apoptosis:

Noni Fruit, Morinda citrifolia

  1. The inhibition of abnormal protein aggregation:

Amia powder, Emblica officinalis

Turmeric root powder, Curcuma longa

  1. Targeting Nrf2 to Suppress Ferroptosis and

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegeneration.

Chaga Mushroom, Inonotus Obliquus

Milk Thistle Seed Extract, Silybum marianum.

Tongkat Ali (Longjack), Eurycoma Longifolia

Aroga

Dr. Bill offered suggestions on the products he recommended for persons diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He recommended three Aroga products: (1) the Core
(2) the Plus Brain and Nerve
(3) the Bone, Joint and Endocrine (which supports hormones). At a minimum. the Core would take top priority.

Information about these products and the opportunity to order is available at:

https://arogalife.com/parkinsons-recovery

Sadly, Aroga products can only be shipped to locations in the United States.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me

References:

Front Pharmacol. 2017; 8: 634. The Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine Underlying the Prevention and Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.

Front Neurosci. 2018 Jul 10;12:466. Targeting Nrf2 to Suppress Ferroptosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegeneration.

How Parkinsons Disease is Caused

September 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

How Parkinsons disease is caused winds up being the question many people believe has already been answered. Simple. It is all about a deficiency of dopamine.

Really I say? Is the body really that simple? Are we like a car? When our car stops running we need only fill it up with more gas and bingo – it runs again?

The body transmits thousands of  instructions every second to keep us alive. It truly is a miracle. When symptoms emerge, there is no simple fix. If we were like a car, we could simply fill ourselves up with gas.

Compounding Pharmacist Randy Mentzer explains the cascading array of factors that contribute to the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

 

By way of further explanation, studies show that one answer to the question “how Parkinsons disease is caused” is exposure to certain pesticides. Many people know this and get tested for the presence of these toxins in their body. Often, the tests are positive.

Great. So now the person knows the cause is pesticides. Of course, a regimen is then initiated to detox the pesticides. But wait a minute here.

Why are pesticides stored and stuck in the body which is eloquently equipped to get rid of any and all toxins. What happened here?

Are kidneys compromised? Maybe an origin of the  problem is not pesticides but a kidney which is not functioning a full capacity.

Or, perhaps the liver is compromised? Maybe the origin of the problem is not pesticides but a liver problem which is not functioning at full capacity.

Let’s assume we know the problem is the liver. Why is the liver compromised?

Is it because of an alcoholic addiction? That will inevitably cause liver problems. If in fact this is the case, the contributing cause is not the pesticides per say or a liver that is diseased but an addiction to alcohol.

Or, is it because of the side effects of multiple medications that are taken?  It is well documented that certain medications cause liver damage.

Or, is it because of a Hepatitis C infection? A hepatitis infection can cause liver disease.

The point of course is that when a decision is make that the cause is pesticides, treatments will focus on detoxing the pesticides. But wait here. Can the liver tolerate the chelation of the pesticide toxin?

  • Not if there is a Hepatitis infection.
  • Not if the side effects of medications have caused liver disease.
  • Not if an alcoholic refuses to stop drinking alcohol.

I have talked with dozens of persons with Parkinson’s symptoms who have pursued methods to detox toxins with limited success. Why are they unable to succeed with getting the toxins out of their body? One or more of their elimination  organs (kidneys, liver, colon, skin) are compromised.  These organs have to be brought back to full functionality before any detox regime can succeed.

The above possibilities illustrate what I have presented in the video and what Randy Menzter discussed in the clip of my interview with him.

When symptoms emerge, most people conclude that their body is broken. The body’s natural state is one of harmony, balance and wellness. We simply need to support its ability to succeed at helping us heal from the inside out.

Check out my online course that introduces cutting edge methods and therapies that support the body’s ability to heal from the inside out.

Healing from Inside Out Online Course

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

 

 

Why is Parkinson’s Disease Increasing?

September 9, 2024 / / 2 Comments

The truthful answer to the question “why is Parkinson’s disease increasing” will likely surprise you. Is it because of the increasing toxins in our environment? Not really, but that is certainly a factor. Is it because of contaminated water systems? Not really, but that too is a factor. Enough. The answer is …

If you watched my video, you were likely surprised at my answer. There is typically one and only one answer to the question – what causes Parkinson’s disease. The  answer? A lack of dopamine. Everyone knows that, duh.

Take for example the Parkinson’s disease hand tremor. When the right medications or supplements and the right dose for your body that contain L-dopa are taken. the hand tremor is quieted. The L-dopa is converts to dopamine in the body. So maybe the reason Perhaps the answer to Why is Parkinson’s disease is increasing turns on the decreasing supply of L-Dopa?

End of story, right? I say wrong. Parkinson’s disease is caused by a persistent fear people cannot not shake. The fear is familiar to us all: Lack of control over everything and everyone.

Dynamics of the world  spin so rapidly these days many people feel they do not control anything – not their pay check, not the addictions of family members, not the untimely deaths of family and friends, not global warming, not …

In the video I explain how to turnaround the feeling of being out of control with an example of how to react when Parkinsons disease hand tremors become problematic. Do we sit on our hands? Do we tuck them in our pocket? There is another approach.

In summary – More and more people are feeling they are out of control which is the simple and obvious reason why Parkinsons disease is increasing.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

Lock Jaw

June 14, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Slowly her jaw started to cease up. One morning all of her throat and mouth were swollen excessively. She was admitted to hospital sedated and incubated immediately. When the sedation was taken off she was very unresponsive giving the impression of ‘locked-in syndrome’ or ‘brainstem stroke’. 5 months on she is now out of hospital, she has had CT scan, MRI scan, DAT scan and x-rays, given botox into TMJ and treated for tetanus but there is no answer or reason for what happened. All scans came back clear and couldn’t see anything out of the norm for a brain of a PD sufferer and someone of her age 64. She still has lock-jaw and is very weak.

My mum was diagnosed with Parkinsons about 2 years ago. She was using Sinemet but due to dizzy spells and feeling sick she weaned off it. She started to have sore gums so eventually took her teeth out, just upper teeth are dentures.

Could you possibly offer any help or advise,

Nat

As a researcher and not a medical doctor, I am certainly not qualified to suggest and diagnose here. Your Mum’s doctors are certainly working hard trying to figure out what in the world is going on here!

Speaking as a researcher, it looks to me like – speaking simply – there is something inside your Mum’s body that is causing significant inflammation or something that she continues to insert in her body. What is it?

It could be a variety of toxins. It could be an allergic reaction to something she is eating. At a minimum, you could modify her diet and see if there is any change. Something she has loved to eat for years may be the culprit here. It could be side effects of a medication she is taking. There are many possibilities which is why of course her doctors are having such a difficult time figuring out how to help her!

Emotional issues always lie at the foundation of symptoms. You might ask your Mom if there is something she needs to say that she has been withholding. With lock jaw, talking is near impossible. Perhaps you could help her express that she has been unable to say. It could be a life long challenge keeping silent about something she needs to express to you and others. Once the trapped emotion has been cleared the symptom will resolve.

Hang in there. The cause will be found and a treatment used the will lead to symptom relief. One to consider is EMDR. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a mental health treatment technique. This method involves moving her eyes back and forth in a specific way while she process traumatic memories which lie at the root of her lock jaw.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Recovery

 

 

Cause of Parkinson’s Disease

April 24, 2024 / / 0 Comments

What is the cause of Parkinson’s disease symptoms? Are toxins an issue? Many people I have interviewed report their doctor concluded toxins were not an issue for them after doing FDA approved tests. If you have concluded toxins are not an issue for you, please listen to this interview clip.

Dr. Joe Hickey, MD, discusses the approach he uses in his practice to treat symptoms of Parkinsons disease. Many standard medical tests do not detect the presence of toxins embedded in the tissues and organs of the body. He explains in this clip of my interview with him in 2011 the correct way to assess the presence of toxins and how to eliminate them.

It may come as a surprise to discover that toxins are primarily lodged in the bones.

Research summarized below report environmental toxins are triggers for development of Parkinson’s Disease.  Examples of toxins as the cause of Parkinson’s are well documented such as lead, copper,.aluminum, manganese, Carbon Monoxide poisoning, Carbon DiSulfide from the Rayon Industry and MPTP.

Toxins and Parkinson’s Disease

Environmental factors have garnered increasing attention for their potential contribution to symptoms of Parkinson’s.  Among these factors, exposure to certain toxins has emerged as a primary area of investigation. Various industrial chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and pollutants have been implicated in increasing the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Pesticides: One group of toxins that has drawn considerable scrutiny in relation to Parkinson’s is pesticides. Studies have shown that individuals exposed to certain pesticides, such as paraquat and rotenone, have an elevated risk of developing PD. These chemicals are known to interfere with cellular mechanisms involved in dopamine regulation and neuronal function, potentially contributing to neuro-degeneration.

Heavy Metals:  Lead and manganese have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of PD. Chronic exposure to these metals, often through occupational settings or environmental pollution, can lead to the accumulation of toxic levels in the brain. This accumulation may trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, all of which are implicated in the neurodegenerative processes.

Air Pollution: Evidence shows a link between exposure to air pollutants and an increased risk of Parkinson’s. Particulate matter, ozone, and other air pollutants can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, eliciting neuro inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to neuronal damage.

Below is an abstract of the study Dr. Hickey referenced during my interview with him.

Neurotoxicology. 1993 Summer-Fall;14(2-3):225-36. Lead in bone: storage site, exposure source, and target organ. E K Silbergeld, J Sauk, M Somerman, A Todd, F McNeill, B Fowler, A Fontaine, J van Buren

Abstract

The primary site of lead storage is in bone but relatively little attention has focused on this physiological compartment. Recent advances in measurement technology now permit the direct in vivo quantitative measurement of lead in bone, and this measure has great use in clinical and epidemiologic studies.

Lead in bone is not a physiological sink, but can be mobilized back into the circulation in response to normal or pathological changes in mineral metabolism. Bone lead may be a significant source of target organ exposure under certain conditions, such as pregnancy, kidney disease, and menopause. Finally, the accumulation of lead in bone cells may have toxic consequences for bone status, and some of the mechanisms by which lead could affect bone mineral metabolism may also play a role in other target organ effects of lead.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

What Causes Parkinsons?

February 25, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Below I have posted a clip of my 2009 interview with Naturopath Daniel Newman ND who answers my question: what causes Parkinsons?

He offers the common sense observation that environmental toxins cause them. Nonetheless, the conventional treatment protocol focuses on putting new substances and medications into the body, not eliminating the toxins that have created the problem.

Do most medical professionals focus on detoxing their patients who experience Parkinson’s symptoms? You know that answer to this question!

Detoxing is typically not a benign process. If the detoxification process overwhelms the elimination organs (the liver, kidney, large intestine, skin) you can become very ill indeed. Some members of my global audience tell me they were rushed to intensive care at their local hospital because symptoms became so severe.

Before a detox program is undertaken, all the organs required for a successful detox regimen need to be supported and fully functional.

If your elimination organs are not equipped to process the excess of toxins a process of “re-distribution” takes place. A toxic substance residing in a harmless location (like for example your buttock) is mobilized into circulation. Where does it land?

The body does not deposit the circulating toxin in the heart or lungs. These organs are  critical to survival. No. The body wisely deposits the circulating toxin to the extremities – the hands, feet and guess what? The brain. What was originally a harmless toxin lodged in a harmless tissue becomes a toxin that does considerable harm.

Daniel Newman points like that a successful detox program is just like cooking a delicious soup. You need to right ingredients in the right amounts introduced at the right time. Slow cooking is preferred over microwave blasts!

Summary: Is detoxing important for a person experiencing Parkinsons symptoms? Of course! Do you want to get rid of the toxins quickly? Of course. Should you? Duh. No. Best to collaborate with a qualified health care practitioner skilled with successful detox protocols.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Olympia Washington

Solutions for Parkinsons Symptoms

July 19, 2017 / / 1 Comment

On Parkinsons Recovery Radio today. Fred Phillips offered his insights into how he gets immediate relief from a variety of his Parkinson’s symptoms. His solutions for Parkinson’s symptoms are novel and profound. Do you ever have difficulty when walking with:

  • Freezing?
  • Standing up?
  • Shuffling?
  • Slowness?
  • Leg Cramps?

If so, I strongly recommend that You listen to my interview with Fred today. Click the arrow below to hear the replay. Fred has discovered some powerful, yet simple solutions to these
symptoms that have helped him enormously.

One of now over 70 pioneers of recovery I have hosted on Parkinsons Recovery radio, Fred also previews his 10 step protocol for recovery.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

 

 

 

What is Wrong with Me?

February 20, 2015 / / 0 Comments

I recently aired a radio show with guest Ivy Faber, ND, who discussed her approach for ascertaining and treating the cause of chronic illness. Dr. Faber has been my doctor for the past decade, so I am partial to her approach. Why? I have succeeded in reversing whatever symptoms I have experienced over the past 10 years.

Dr. Faber uses a computerized testing approach known as a Bioenergetic Assessment which analyzes a sample of the patient’s saliva. Bioenergetic assessments differ from standard medical testing for many reasons, so I decided to write a book which outlines the differences. The assessment was originally conceived 50 years ago so it is anything but new. Yet, many people are not familiar with this approach to figuring out possible causes of symptoms. Sp, I decided to write a book which explains the assessment approach which has been so beneficial to me and my family.

After months of research and writing. my book, titled What is Wrong with Me: Holistic Health at Its Best, is finally published. Hooray for me!

Order the paperback from Amazon, Kindle or get a download.

Click Here to order the paperback

Click Here to order the download

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Robert Rodgers PhD
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons Recovery

Causes of Parkinson’s

August 30, 2014 / / 0 Comments

When you step away from any diagnosis such as Parkinson’s disease you are in a position to acknowledge there are likely to be many systems which are compromised. Causes of Parkinson’s as evidences by neurological challenges are multi-faceted. This is why symptoms manifest so differently in people.

Pouring more dopamine in your body may provide a temporary relief from your symptoms. Great. If that is all you expect or want, fine. But, why not dig a little deeper and ask the question:

What are some of the the potential causes of my symptoms?

My research over the past decade as reported in part in Pioneers of Recovery reveals that there are many potential causes.

Causes of Parkinson’s

  • Perhaps you have an infection from a tetanus inoculation.
  • Perhaps your liver is clogged with toxins.
  • Perhaps your gall bladder is bloated.
  • Perhaps the healthy flora in your intestines is absent.
  • Perhaps your appendix is infected.
  • Perhaps your tonsils are filled with bacteria.
  • Perhaps your organs are infested with Candida.
  • Perhaps you have a bacterial infection (like Lyme).
  • Perhaps you have manganese in the delicate tissues cells of your brain.
  • Perhaps you have mercury in your kidneys.
  • Perhaps your muscles (not your bones) have too many calcium deposits.

Of course, the above list is a cursory preview of dozens of possible causes. When you
acknowledge that there exist many potential causes, it is easy to understand why talk
of a “cure” for Parkinson’s symptoms is silly. Any “cure” depends on the cause.
Once you know the cause or causes of your symptoms, you can engage a set of therapies
that can potentially help your body heal.

How can infusing your body with more dopamine help your body release manganese in your brain or infection in your liver or bacterial in your tonsils? It obviously cannot.

Most people have a good idea of some of the primary causes of their symptoms. Again, ask yourself this simple question:

What is causing my symptoms?

Become your own doctor. Act on your own hunches whether they come from a PhD (like myself) or anyone else for that matter. Celebrate the result when you focus your attention on addressing a specific reason for the symptoms

Robert Rodgers, PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

Robin Williams, Depression and Parkinson’s Disease

August 14, 2014 / / 0 Comments

The wife of Robin Williams revealed today that he had Parkinson’s disease. The news of a Parkinson’s diagnosis sends most people into a tail spin. Engaging a willingness to live
when confronted with this type of news is a herculean task for most people.

Robin Williams was already prone to depression. He had struggled with drug addiction issues his entire life. Hearing the news that he had Parkinson’s disease may have struck the final blow to his interest in living on this earth.

I have interviewed hundreds and hundreds of persons who have just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Without exception, everyone is devastated. They fear the worst. They foresee no hope of healing. Most people quickly hear that the condition is “degenerative” and prospects for recovery are nill.

No wonder people get so depressed with the news of a Parkinson’s diagnosis! No wonder
such news might well have been the final blow for Robin Williams.

I am immensely saddened if my speculation above is true about the trigger for his Robin
william’s death. Why? My research on Parkinson’s over the past decade reveals that Parkinson’s symptoms are indeed reversible. The condition is not “degenerative” or “progressive.”

This is what most people believe. My research shows it is not true.

  • First, a majority of persons who have been diagnosed with Parkinson”s disease probably have something else – toxins perhaps, bacteria perhaps, trauma perhaps – or perhaps a combination of all three.
  • Second, there are dozens of therapies and treatments that help people reverse  Parkinson’s symptoms. Once a person identifies the primary factor that causes the symptoms they can find a therapy that will help heal the condition.

The search for a cause is not simple. The pursuit of successful therapies does not promise a simple fix. But, a little patience, a great deal of focus and a clear determination
to heal are the magical combination that helps people reclaim their lives.

The world has lost a talent and a spirit that can never be replaced. To prevent such a tragedy from happening to others, please spread the word that Parkinson’s is not degenerative or progressive. It is only through thinking it is that the expectation becomes true.

The body really does know how to heal itself. I only wish Robin Williams had known this last week.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Parkinsons Recovery

Big Picture Science Beats Out Little Picture Science

August 11, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Is big picture science or little picture science the best strategy to pursue if you are determined to reverse the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s Disease? There are two sides to this curious coin of choices.

Little Picture Science

I initially began my research career in the gold standard tradition of all academic research. I constructed a narrowly focused program of research – one that only a few other academics were pursing. The strategy worked for me as it does for all other successful academics – I published in the best journals, worked in excellent universities, was promoted and tenured.

There are two sides to every coin. On the one side of this coin of choices, my narrowly focused research program led to success in an academic setting. On the other side of my coin of choices, my research was so narrowly defined that I investigated a tiny piece of a
very complex puzzle. Yes, I was successful but my university funded research
did not have the impact I had envisioned when I went to all the trouble to earn a Ph.D.

Big Picture Science

Discouraged that the best of my energy and efforts resulted in outcomes of little consequence I quit my academic position a decade ago to pursue big picture science.  I did not want to waste my life away studying narrowly constrained questions.
I chose the most difficult of all diseases to research by setting my research
agenda to investigate what causes Parkinson’s symptoms and what people had done to reverse them.

Having opened the opportunity to consider any and every possibility, I have unearthed many exciting discoveries over the past two decades which are documented in my radio shows, blog and books. I could not have done this work in a university setting while engage in Little Picture Science.

I believe the reason my research has been far more successful this past decade than was the case before then is that I refused to focus my attention on a tiny piece of the big picture. Tackling the big picture is a strategy that produces the most rewarding
outcomes.

Big Picture Science for Parkinson’s Disease

So much for my story. Have you been narrowly focused in your thinking? Have you been chasing after a pill or therapy that will fix everything? Such an approach engages a narrowly focused strategy that, as with my experience, promises a feeble result in most cases.

In this place and at this hour I encourage you to pause and take a step backward for a moment. Ask yourself big picture questions.

  • What is the origin of your symptoms?
  • What happened to you six months to a year before your symptoms became problematic?

By asking yourself big picture science questions like these you will likely discover answers that will help guide you down a steady course to recovery.

Think big.
Ask big questions.
Get big answers.

There is nothing wrong with the small picture scientific approach, but it promises to produce disappointing results. That has certainly been my experience. I expect the same will be true for you.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

 

Candida and Parkinsons

February 19, 2009 / / 1 Comment

When it comes to the cause of Parkinson’s disease, what correlation exists between Candida and Parkinsons Disease?

There is no direct evidence of a connection between candida and Parkinsons, but I personally believe there is a significant link. Thought forms have a pronounced influence on symptoms. When we carry consciously or unconsciously many negative thought forms, it will be virtually impossible to recover.

The little, live critters that reside in our bodies from candida are nourished by negative thought forms. Get rid of the candida and it will be a whole lot easier to dump your negative thought forms. There are marvelous gentle detox programs that can help release candida. Why not go for it?

How much do genetics play in a disease such as PD? I was diagnosed with PD two years ago. I lost a son to suicide and a year later had all of my amalgam dental fillings removed and replaced with porcelain fillings? About 6 months after, I began noticing symptoms that concerned me. My father had PD following a fall where he hit his head pretty hard. He had a long fierce battle with PD for 20 years, and I took care of him for much of that time.

Estimates vary, but 12-17% of people with Parkinsons are found to have a genetic link. Researchers have found over 10 genes that have some link to Parkinsons. There is a lot of interest in one gene in particular.

The question for you is the possibility that you may have taken on the diseases of prior family members out of love.

I am so grateful for the information I have come to read about the possibility of full recovery of PD symptoms by getting the body back into balance. I have enjoyed this site immensely and appreciate the wealth of information it contains, the fact that it is updated continuously and it addresses the cause of Parkinson’s disease.

Thanks for your kind words. That make my day and help to keep my own thoughts positive.

Thank you so much for all you have done to give those of us HOPE where none was thought possible.

With faith anything is possible!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Books
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery

Resources
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Can-C Eye Drops

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