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Can Ashwagandha Help Parkinson’s Disease

Ashwagandha And Diabetes Mellitus

Ashwagandha helps the liver release more insulin in the blood in diabetic patients, and it improves insulin sensitivity; this will further help regulate the blood sugar level. Ashwagandha plays an important role in protecting the insulin-producing cells and for increasing insulin levels. The synergy of both helps in reducing diabetes risk.

Before You Take Ashwagandha

Talk to your doctor before taking any herbal supplement. They could cause problems with other youâre taking. And they may not be safe if youâre or have certain health conditions.

African Journal of Traditional, Complimentary, and Alternative Medicine: âAn Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana of Ayurveda.â

PLoS One: âNaturopathic care for anxiety: a randomized controlled trial,â âTriethylene glycol, an active component of Ashwagandha leaves, is responsible for sleep induction.â

Mayo Clinic: âHerbal supplements: What to know before you buy.â

Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine: âEffect of Withania somnifera root extract on amelioration of oxidative stress and autoantibodies production in collagen-induced arthritic rats.â

Indian Journal of Medical Research: âEfficacy & safety evaluation of Ayurvedic treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a pilot prospective study.â

Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine: âAn Alternative Treatment for Anxiety: A Systematic Review of Human Trial Results Reported for the Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha .â

Andrologia: âComparative evaluation of the effects of Withania somnifera with pentoxifylline on the sperm parameters in idiopathic male infertility: A triple-blind randomised clinical trial.â

FDA: âQuestions and Answers on Dietary Supplements.â

The University of Texas at El Paso: âHerbal safety.â

How Can It Improve Brain Health

Our brains are always on the go! There are approximately 100 billion neurons in our brains that are sending signals regularly. This is why its important to take care of our brains. Especially with the rising prevalence of memory loss diseases, its important to think about our brain health. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a decline in mental abilities is one of the earliest signs of Alzheimers disease.

Over a dozen studies have been conducted with ashwagandha and diseases like Parkinsons, Huntingtons and Alzheimers. Results show that this natural supplement can help to slow, stop, and even reverse memory loss.

In addition, in an 8-week study, 50 adults took ashwagandha daily. Results showed that it significantly improved participants memory, executive function, attention, and information processing.

Summary Of The Literature Cited

There are over 140 studies published in the last 10 years associated with the beneficial effects of plant- derived natural products and PD. This review included electronic searches of the PubMed, Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, PsycInfo, CNKI, 7 Korean Medical Databases, J-East and Web of Science with the search terms as follows: Parkinsons disease therapy, natural products parkinsons disease, phytochemicals, antioxidants and plant extracts in various combinations. The Dopamine and PD section is provided since the etiology of PD is thought to be due to an imbalance in brain dopamine levels. This review presents a summary of literature on the relationship between dopamine levels and motor function in PD, and the beneficial effects of natural products which demonstrate potential anti-PD properties. This also review summarizes recent progress in determining the potential mechanism of action on PD.

 

Optimise Your Diet Reduce Your Toxic Load

Can Ashwagandha Supplement Help Fight Alzheimers Disease?

While the cause of Parkinsons is not known, environmental toxins such as pesticides and herbicides are implicated. Researchers have found levels of these chemicals to be higher in the brains of Parkinsons sufferers and incidence of Parkinsons is higher in areas with greater use of these chemicals. It makes sense to avoid any environmental toxins that you can. Also, consider your intake of dietary toxins such as alcohol and caffeine avoiding or reducing these may reduce the load on your bodys detoxification pathways.

Important Chemical Constituents Of Ashwagandha

The major bioactive constituent of Ashwagandha is alkaloids composed of anahygrine, anaferine, isopelletierine, and cuseohygrine. Ashwagandha also contains steroidal lactones such as withanolides, withaferins, and saponins. Ashwagandha is rich in anti-stress agents like acylsterylglucosides and Sitoindosides. 

Ancient Ayurvedic Remedy For Many Disorders

Ancient Ayurvedic physicians understood the healing power of Ashwagandha, as they used it clinically to promote healing and stimulate the immune system. They knew of the power of Ashwagandha as they applied the herb for many ailments, including anxiety, depression, wound healing, immunosuppression and many others.

Clinical and laboratory research has increasingly supported these effects. For example, in 2009, the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine conducted a study of 91 people with anxiety found that Ashwagandha and deep breathing exercises significantly helped people with their anxiety.

Laboratory research has shown Ashwagandha may improve cognition and help prevent or improve neurological disorders such as Parkinsons disease as well. In fact, a number of laboratory studies have confirmed its ability to improve motor function for treating catecholamines, oxidative damage and physiological abnormalities, according to one study.

 

Dopamine Levels And Parkinsons Disease

DA is a neurotransmitter produced from the dietary amino acid tyrosine and plays significant roles in a variety of motor, cognitive, motivational, and neuroendocrine functions . The rate-limiting enzyme responsible for DA synthesis is tyrosine hydroxylase , which catalyzes the hydroxylation of tyrosine to DA. The biosynthetic pathway leads to the production of a number of different catechol monoamines, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine. These products play significant roles in many brain functions, including attention, memory, and cognition. Therefore, deficits in catecholamine synthesis can lead to several deleterious processes, such as hypertension, depression, and dystonias . As TyrH is the slowest enzyme in this pathway, its mechanisms of regulation are of considerable interest to neuroscientisits.

DA is unstable and cannot cross the blood brain barrier . It is formed in the brain by conversion of its precursor L-DOPA. In PD, L-DOPA can be administered in conjunction with a DA agonist, or the decarboxylase inhibitor carbidopa, which increases plasma concentration of L-DOPA by blockage of peripheral degradation of L-DOPA to DA. This allows more L-DOPA to BBB . L-DOPA is naturally found in beans, especially Mucuna spp, which has been proven experimentally to enhance DA levels in the brain .

 

Atents Of Extracts Of Mucuna

The proprietaries over certain techniques of Mucuna extractsWO 2004039385-A2 and US 7470441-B2 are very prestigious researchers. They have developed specific techniques to extract various substances from Mucuna , not only levodopa. As they have detailed, many of the ingredients are indicated for preventing, alleviating or treating neurological diseases, for general use as a pharmaceutical combination for neuroprotection or neurostimulation, and, more specifically, for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. They have left little to no chance.

Beneficial Effects Of Mucuna

Mucuna is recommended in Ayurveda to treat more than 200 diseasesas a vital tonic, an aphrodisiac, a remedy to reduce stress, a good diuretic, etc.and is also used against parasites, to control diabetes and lower cholesterol. And, of course, it is a treatment for kampavata . Western science seems to confirm many of these effects. Mucuna improves libido, semen quality, etc., and even works against snake bites.

Mucuna increases the adaptation and regeneration of tissues in general and has been shown to increase growth hormone . It has an anabolic effect and increases muscle mass; it also has antioxidant properties and favors the protective functions of the liver .

Diabetics and people with high cholesterol may benefit from Mucuna . In rats it has been shown to lower cholesterol by 61%, and glucose was reduced by 39% . Mucuna enhances the recovery of diabetic neuropathy induced in animals . In humans it delays the onset of diabetic nephropathy.

Mucuna also protects the stomach to relieve gastric mucosal lesions induced experimentally in rats . Mucuna contains prurienine which increases intestinal peristalsis and is a good remedy for constipation, so prevalent in Parkinsons disease patients. It usually enhances motility and gastric emptying, although some patients assert otherwise.

Why Are There No Frequent Major Problems

Mucuna is not a placebo but, rather, has important effects. However anyone can buy it without a prescription, and most are taking it without medical supervision. These patients are not sufficiently familiar with the properties of Mucuna ; they do not know the side effects or complications that may arise; they do not take into account the interactions with other medications or the differences between individuals.

While this scenario suggests a public health issue, it fortunately does not usually cause serious problems. Why? I think that one reason is the safety of the components of Mucuna , which has been used for millennia in thousands or hundreds of thousands of patients in India without significant harmful effects. Another issue is that the products are sold often in small doses as a dietary supplement. That is not, however, always the case: there are some preparations with excessive doses especially when combined with carbidopa , dopamine agonists, or other antiparkinsonian drugs. It is necessary to use extreme caution.

/8benefits Uses And The Best Way To Consume It

Theres no denying that Ayurveda has been a treasure trove of miracles that healed several diseases with simple amalgamation of herbs and spices. Interestingly, theres one medicinal herb, which is believed to heal almost every ailment so much so that there has been a mention of this ancient herb even in the books of mythology. The word Ashwagandha is derived from Sanskrit word Ashwa which means horse and Gandha means smell, it is believed that this herb can help in boosting energy levels and improves overall health. Heres all you need to know about it.

Ayurvedic Remedy For Paralysis And Parkinsons Disease

CBD For Parkinsons Disease Symptoms

With the advancement of technologies, certain modern equipments and treatments has been discovered as their own characteristics. Here we will be talking about one of the ancient treatment which was discovered approximately 5000 years ago. Can you guess whats it!

Yes, it isAyurveda also termed as The science of life. This was originated in the holy land of India by saints and experts. With the advancement in technologies, this treatment got many progress and lately many more procedures were discovered.

This treatment is free from painful procedures and surgeries; in addition the medicines provided is fully natural and free from side-effects. So now, lets march to the divine world of Ayurveda. It has its own characteristics and remedy for all the diseases.

Well, one can say that Ayurveda is simply a process which is about to provide you a good style of living in a natural way. So, lets move to the treatment of Parkinsons disease and paralysis in the versatile method of Ayurveda-

Review Of Natural Products On Parkinsons Disease Pathology

M.M. Essa1,2, N. Braidy3, W. Bridge4, S. Subash1,2, T. Manivasagam5, R.K. Vijayan1, S. Al-Adawi2,6, G.J. Guillemin7

 

1. Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Marine, Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman; 2. Ageing and Dementia Research Group, Sultan Qaboos Unviersity, Oman; 3. Centre for Healthy Ageing, School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; 4 School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; 5. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India; 6. Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman; 7. Neuropharmacology group, MND and Neurodegenerative diseases Research Centre, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia

 

Kampavata Is Parkinsons Disease

In India there were Parkinsons disease patients three thousand years before the birth of James Parkinson. These were diagnosed as Kampavata , a disease characterized by trembling . In Ayurveda this process was classified within the group of neurological disorders ( Vata Rogas

They obviously lacked Sinemet and Madopar but were treated naturally with levodopa, obtained by crushing Mucuna seeds, which they later diluted and administered as a beverage . For thousands of years; this therapy has worked, these patients have improved and, above all, according to that we know, showed fewer side effects than people taking synthetic drugs.

/8may Help Reduce Stress And Anxiety

Since ages Ashwagandha has been known for its healing properties and it is believed that taking it in the right ways helps in improving mental health and physical well being. It helps in reducing stress and anxiety by blocking the stress pathways in the brain by managing the chemical signaling to the nervous system. It has been observed that a daily intake of this herb can significantly lower the stress and anxiety levels. It has also been observed that it helps in improving depressive symptoms and diseases like Insomnia naturally.

Forget Fava Beans For Parkinsons

Fava beans contain an amino acid known as levodopa. Levodopa is an active ingredient in some Parkinsons medications. Seems like a good reason to eat a lot of fava beans, right?

Nope. Dr. Gostkowski explains that the amount in the beans is tiny compared to whats in your medication. You cant eat enough fava beans to have any effect on your symptoms, he says.

Bananas also have levodopa in them, Dr. Gostkowski says. But, like fava beans, its not possible to eat enough bananas to affect PD symptoms. Of course, if you like fava beans or bananas, enjoy! But dont go overboard or expect them to work like medication. Eat a variety of fruits, veggies, and whole grains for balance.

How Does Ashwagandha Help Balance Hormones

As mentioned above, this herb has many benefits for women and men because it can reduce levels of stress. An important factor in infertility is the prevalence of psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and stress. A recent literature review concluded that 25-60% of infertile individuals had significantly higher levels of stress.

Effect On Neurodegenerative Diseases Such As Parkinson’s Huntington’s And Alzheimer’s Diseases

In patients with Alzheimer’s disease, neuritic atrophy and synaptic loss are considered the major causes of cognitive impairment, as based on the results of neuropathological post-mortem studies of the brain . In the brains of patients suffering from other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease, the atrophy of neurites has also been observed as a significant part of the etiology. There are dozens of studies that show that Ashwagandha slows, stops, reverses or removes neuritic atrophy and synaptic loss. Therefore Ashwagandha can be used to treat Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and other neurodegenerative diseases at any stage of the disease, even before a person has been diagnosed and is still in the state of mild forgetfulness, etc. Glycowithanolides withaferin- A and sitoindosides VIIX isolated from the roots of Ashwagandha significantly reversed ibotenic acid induced cognitive defects in Alzheimer’s disease model .

Ashwagandha has been described as a nervine tonic in Ayurveda and that is why it is a common ingredient of Ayurvedic tonic. Tonics, rejuvenators and vitalizers of Ayurveda appear to allay disease and induce immunity and longevity in the users.

What Is The Nutritional Profile Of Ashwagandha

A study from the Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture in India conducted research to analyze the nutritional profile of ashwagandha.

Their analysis shows that for every 100 g of ashwagandha root powder, there are

  • 245 kcal
  • 32 g of crude fibre
  • 0.3 g of fat
  • 76 mg of carotene
  • 4 mg of vitamin C

Looking deeper into the nutritional information, you can see that this herb is an excellent source of many important nutrients and a great source of fibre. To reap the benefits of these nutrients, its helpful to take it with black pepper to enhance and improve absorption. Including black pepper in certain supplements and drugs improves absorption in the intestines.

Clears Protein Clumps In The Brain

Can Neurofeedback Help Parkinson

The accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain depends on the passage of the protein across the blood-brain barrier  a membrane that separates blood from the cerebrospinal fluid. This passage is again controlled by the amount of another protein a soluble LDL receptor related protein in the BBB cell surface. sLRP binds with 7090% of beta-amyloid in blood plasma and keeps it from entering the brain. LRP in the liver, on the other hand, removes beta-amyloid from plasma.

Ashwagandha increases the number of a certain type of protein that helps clear out beta-amyloid proteins from the brain. This can even reverse the symptoms of Alzheimers.

In AD patients, however, both the level of sLRP and the level of binding are low, leading to the buildup of amyloid plaque. Ashwagandha increases the LRP in the liver, which helps clear beta-amyloid proteins from the brain. This even reverses the behavior-related symptoms of Alzheimers.

Ashwagandha Both Prevents And Cures Nerve Damage

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers are a result of damage and death of cells in the brain, typically caused by oxidative stress and inflammation. Ashwagandha, with its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and nerve-protecting properties, not only helps prevent such damage but also repairs, recovers and heals nerve cells, if damage has already occurred. This makes it a wonderful option to include, either on its own, or as a complementary medicine, in the treatment of often difficult-to-treat diseases of the brain such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers.

References

Bioactive Molecules Derived From Parasitic Plants And Fungi

Cistanche salsa is a parasitic plant used as a Chinese traditional medicine containing acteoside, echinacoside, and tubuloside as its major phenylethanoid glycosides . C. salsa extracts containing these bioactive molecules have been shown to restore behavioral deficit and dopamine depletion in strata of MPTP induced C57 mice . They has also been demonstrated to protect dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of PD model mice, which correlated with neurobehavior improvements and TH positive neuronal levels .

Gastrodia elata blume is a saprophytic perennial herb used traditionally as a medicine due to its wide range of therapeutic benefits. Protective effects of GE extract against MPP+-induced cytotoxicity in human dopaminergic SHSY-5Y cells demonstrated that GE extract dose dependently improved cell viability maintenance, attenuated oxidative damage, modulated expression of Bcl-2 and Bax, caspase-3, and limited poly polymerase proteolysis . Recently, MPP+ induced MN9D dopaminergic cells were shown to exhibit antiapoptotic effects following GE extract treatment. The v anillyl alcohol present in GE was considered to act by attenuating the MPP+ induced elevation of ROS levels and decreasing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and poly polymerase .

 

Improves The Function Of Your Thyroid Gland

Being an adaptogen herb, ashwagandha is good for people with an underactive thyroid gland. A research featured in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine observes that this ayurvedic herb can help people with subclinical hypothyroidism. During this 8-week study, study participants who received 600 milligrams of ashwagandha root extract every days experienced an improvement in their thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroxine levels.

Current And Future Developments

Current pharmacotherapies for PD do not provide the much desired permanent curative benefits to patients. Scientists in the field of nutrition have identified natural products as potential adjuvant treatments to conventional drug therapy to attenuate the PD symptoms and reduce the dose of anti-Parkinson drugs and the incidence of associated adverse events. There is a high rate of dyskinesia and relapse of Parkinsonian symptoms following long-term treatment with levodopa . Combination therapy with natural herbal products has demonstrated substantial benefits in lowering levodopa- related complications . However, the long term effect of combination therapy has not been investigated, and potential interactions with drugs that are currently used in the PD treatment remain unclear. The dosage regimen for anti-parkinsons drug is of major clinical importance of anti-parkinsons drug due to its lifelong requirement. Adjunct therapy with natural products may ultimately prove useful for reducing the dose of levodopa for managing PD symptoms.

 

Bump Up Your Fiber Intake

A diet is a proven way to avoid constipation, a common problem for people with PD.

Parkinsons can slow down the intestines and cause , Dr. Gostkowski says. Fiber helps keep things moving. There are plenty of high-fiber foods out there, so choose your favorites. Women should aim for 25 grams of fiber per day, and men should get 38 grams.

Classical Uses Of Ashwagandha

Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine practiced in India can be traced back to 6000 BC . For most of these 6000 years Ashwagandha has been used as a Rasayana. The root of Ashwagandha is regarded as tonic, aphrodisiac, narcotic, diuretic, anthelmintic, astringent, thermogenic and stimulant. The root smells like horse , that is why it is called Ashwagandha . It is commonly used in emaciation of children , debility from old age, rheumatism, vitiated conditions of vata, leucoderma, constipation, insomnia, nervous breakdown, goiter etc. . The paste formed when roots are crushed with water is applied to reduce the inflammation at the joints . It is also locally applied in carbuncles, ulcers and painful swellings . The root in combination with other drugs is prescribed for snake venom as well as in scorpion-sting. It also helps in leucorrhoea, boils, pimples, flatulent colic, worms and piles . The Nagori Ashwagandha is the supreme among all Ashwagandha varieties. Maximum benefit appears when fresh Ashwagandha powder is used .

The leaves are bitter and are recommended in fever, painful swellings. The flowers are astringent, depurative, diuretic and aphrodisiac. The seeds are anthelmintic and combined with astringent and rock salt remove white spots from the cornea. Ashwagandharishta prepared from it is used in hysteria, anxiety, memory loss, syncope, etc. It also acts as a stimulant and increases the sperm count .

Prescription Medications American Pharmaceutical Drugs

Before I go to precautions with Ashwagandha, lets look at the side effects of some commonly prescribed medications before we judge the side effects of this powerful herb.

Lets compare. Then you decide which is safer.

What I see as the alternatives being prescribed daily in our traditional healthcare system carry MORE serious concerns.

Many traditional medicinal prescriptions carry side effects ranging from leading to addiction to causing dementia or increase risk for suicide. Yet the medical community is concerned about recommending Ashwagandha because why????

Commonly prescribed medications that carry serious side effects include:

Important Remedy Solutions For Treatment Of Parkinsons Disease And Paralysis

Stages of Parkinson

  • Pranayama is the best remedy to cure neural problems. It relax your mind as well as soul making you free from disorders. Anulom-vilom Pranayama, Kapalbhati pranayama etc should be performed in a daily basis. It will take 45-60 minutes with a great determination. One should have patience while doing this as it will take 6-12 months for total recovery. In the cases of polio, if its is in first stage then it will be cured easily with pranayama in few months only.
  • Use the flour made of wheat, gram and barley.
  • Mukta vati; an Ayurvedic remedy can be taken that will heal the disorder.
  • On a daily basis, take a glass of juice prepared using cucumber, bitter gourd and tomato. You can have it twice a day.
  • Neem is the good remedy for neurological diseases. You can have it in raw form or cooked. Make a juice of it and have in a daily basis.
  • Shilajeet and Ashwagandha; is the remedy that works best on polio and Parkinsons disease. In severe cases, the dosage of shilajeet can be increased.
  • Take the food stuffs that strengthen your brain cells; you can have a glass of milk with almonds which will help to cure the disease.
  • Keep in mind, cows milk is useful to cure the disease whereas buffalos milk can increase the symptoms.
  • Take the badam rogan in nostrils for 2-5 drops . Swallow it inside the oesophagus and it will be helpful to cure the disease.
  • Triyodashang guggal; Shilajeet and Chandraprabha vati, Medha vati. Have these twice a day with milk.
  • Citius Altius Fortius Et Durabilius

    The Olympic motto can be applied to Mucuna , because, in comparison to Sinemet, it acts more rapidly , produces a greater elevation of the plasma level of levodopa , and appears to be stronger . In addition, the improvement achieved is more durable . Therefore, it can be described as citius, altius, fortius durabilius

    We have seen that the Mucuna seed extract naturally contains levodopa. If we quantify and compare it to the same dose of synthetic levodopa contained in tablets of Sinemet , we find that levodopa from Mucuna is approximately twice as powerful in controlling parkinsonian symptoms .

    The efficacy of synthetic levodopa has been compared to that of natural levodopa using rats with experimentally induced parkinsonism. The natural levodopa proved to be two times as effective at improving symptoms . This test maintained the following proportions: 125 and 250 milligrams of synthetic levodopa were compared with the equivalent dose of natural levodopa . Then the test was repeated, this time adding 50 mg of carbidopa to the two types of levodopa. Again, Mucuna proved to be more efficient.

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