Which Symptoms Can Be Treated With Vitamin D Supplementation What Do Clinical Trials Suggest
Research studies are in the exploratory phase of finding out how vitamin D can help people with Parkinsons disease. The evidence collected so far indicates that its consumption may potentially help to control the non-motor symptoms.
A study included 182 Parkinsons patients and 185 healthy individuals found that patients with Parkinsons had significantly lower levels of vitamin D and these patients were experiencing more falls and sleep problems. They were also suffering from depression and anxiety. The study suggested that vitamin D supplementation could be a potential therapeutic option for non-motor symptoms of Parkinsons disease.
In another study, higher levels of vitamin D was associated with better cognition and better mood.
Similarly, one study involving 114 Parkinsons patients showed that vitamin D supplementation for 12 months inhibit the disease progression for a short period. But this effect was seen in patients that were carrying a certain genotype linked to vitamin D receptor gene.
Role Of Vitamins In Advanced Therapy For Parkinsons Disease: Decoding The Paradox
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 May 2021
- London Movement Disorder Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Mellany Tuesta Bernaola
- London Movement Disorder Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Mandar Jog*
- London Movement Disorder Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- *
- Correspondence to: Mandar Jog, London Movement Disorder Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario N6A 5A5, Canada. Email:
Vitamin K2 As Electron Carrier Molecule Holds Potential As Novel Therapeutic Strategy In Parkinsons Disease
4th International Conference on Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology
Melissa Vos
Abstract :
Biography :
In 2008, Melissa Vos started his Ph.D. in the Laboratory of Patrik Verstreken to find modifiers of the Parkinson?s related gene pink1. During recent years and incollaboration with Dr. Vanessa Morais, he have gained much experience in mitochondrial biology and experimental procedures. Following my Ph.D. graduationand our recent published paper where we find that vitamin K2can improve phenotypes in Parkinson models in flies, he is eager to test if vitamin K2 exerts a positiveeffect in Parkinson?s patients.
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Vitamin K: New Hope For Parkinson’s Patients
- Date:
- VIB
- Summary:
- Neuroscientists have succeeded in undoing the effect of one of the genetic defects that leads to Parkinson’s using vitamin K2. The discovery gives hope to Parkinson’s patients.
Neuroscientist Patrik Verstreken, associated with VIB and KU Leuven, succeeded in undoing the effect of one of the genetic defects that leads to Parkinson’s using vitamin K2. His discovery gives hope to Parkinson’s patients.
This research was done in collaboration with colleagues from Northern Illinois University and was recently published in the journal Science.
“It appears from our research that administering vitamin K2 could possibly help patients with Parkinson’s. However, more work needs to be done to understand this better,” says Patrik Verstreken.
Malfunctioning power plants are at the basis of Parkinson’s.
If we looked at cells as small factories, then mitochondria would be the power plants responsible for supplying the energy for their operation. They generate this energy by transporting electrons. In Parkinson’s patients, the activity of mitochondria and the transport of electrons have been disrupted, resulting in the mitochondria no longer producing sufficient energy for the cell. This has major consequences as the cells in certain parts of the brain will start dying off, disrupting communication between neurons. The results are the typical symptoms of Parkinson’s: lack of movement , tremors and muscle stiffness.
Paralyzed fruit flies
Story Source:
Fad Diets To Avoid Or Be Skeptical Of:
There are many fad diets out there that someone with Parkinsons should be skeptical of such as the Caveman diet, Carnivore diet, Whole30 diet and many more. While these new diets claim to be the best thing since sliced bread many of them are unsustainable and not healthy for you in the long run.
Something else to watch out for are diets specific for Parkinsons. Thats right, you are reading a Parkinsons diet blog warning you of the dangers of Parkinsons specific diets. We do this because there is a lot of small studies out their claiming a specific food or nutrient will help with your Parkinsons while the truth is there really isnt any strong evidence for any of it. Worse yet, some of these foods or nutrients when taken in excess quantities can do more harm than good. The only real evidence-based diets that are shown to be good for Parkinsons are general healthy diets that work for everyone regardless of Parkinsons. The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest diets out there, which is why we recommend it to those with Parkinsons.
*In the past this blog has recommended specific healthy nutrients or foods for Parkinsons, we have since updated the blog to better reflect scientific consensus
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Low Vitamin B6 May Increase Risk Of Parkinsons Disease
12 April 2010
Insufficient levels of vitamin B6 may increase the risk of Parkinsons disease by about 50 percent, according to a new study.In the hospital-based case-control study, intakes of B vitamins were assessed in 249 Japanese people with Parkinsons disease and 368 people without any neurodegenerative condition using a diet questionnaire . The results showed no link between vitamin B2, vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 intake and disease. However, low intakes of vitamin B6 were linked to an increased risk of Parkinsons disease, independent of other factors.The study does not prove that low vitamin B6 levels are the cause of Parkinsons disease, but indicates that additional study should focus on whether increased levels of vitamin B6 may reduce the risk of developing the disease.The link between B vitamin intake and Parkinsons disease is related to homocysteine, an amino acid reported to be potentially toxic to brain cells. Parkinson’s disease occurs when nerve cells are lost in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra.
REFERENCES
Measurement Of The Mitochondrial Membrane Potential
For the measurement of the mitochondrial membrane potential , tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester was added to the cell culture medium for 15 min. To identify the presence of viable mitochondria, the cells were double stained with MitoTracker Green . The cells were then observed under an inverted IX71 microscope system . The fluorescence intensity of TMRM was analyzed using a multi-detection reader at an excitation of 549 nm and emission of 575 nm.
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Understanding The Science Behind Neurobiomedicine And Our Approach To Helping You Restore Proper Function To Ultimately Help You Feel Better Look Better And Recover Your Health
Dr. Farleys Neurobiomedicine Health System can easily be understood when applied to the science of Translational Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine and Somatopsychic Medicine as described from the National Institutes of Health. Please to learn more about Translational Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine, Somatopsychic Medicine. Allopathic Medicine and even Integrative Medicine asks, Whats the diagnosis. Neuro-Biomedicine asks, Why you are personally having this happen?, and, What are your specific multifactorial causes?
Most doctors offices rely on outdated protocols that are 17-20 years behind the basic scientific research. The reason for this is lack of initiative by most doctors, and for medical legal reasons, they will not deviate from typical protocols even when they are outdated and produce terrible results for patients. The focus is not on the individual patient and their unique requirements, instead, the patient is literally pushed from office to office with the goal to just move the responsibility to another doctor or office . We do not treat any disease, instead we focus on your functional neuro-metabolic deficits. We will fight for you and your health! We will provide new possibilities and potential for greater healABILITY, greater depth of understanding, more compassionate listening, and ultimately, superior results aimed at restoring proper function. This, in turn, can have profound and positive improvements for the patients that qualify.
Vitamin D And Parkinsons Disease Is There A Link
Recent research suggests a possible relationship between vitamin D and Parkinsons disease. A postmortem study of the patient with Parkinsons disease has found vitamin D receptors at higher concentrations in the region of the brain linked to Parkinsons disease. The study suggested that the presence of these receptors indicates that vitamin D may be able to protect the brain cells that are lost in Parkinsons disease.
There are also some studies that have shown that low levels of vitamin D may increase the risk of developing Parkinsons disease. A study that involved 388 Parkinsons patients and 283 control subjects has found a significantly lower amount of vitamin D in the blood of patients when it was compared with that of controls one. The study suggested that thousands of Parkinsons patients in North America alone may be vitamin D deficient.
Similar findings were also observed in another study where 25 Parkinsons patients and 25 healthy volunteers were evaluated for their vitamin D levels. The study found that Parkinsons patients carry significantly lower levels of vitamin D in their blood compared to healthy individuals. The study further concluded that such a deficiency has a strong impact on the motor and cognitive symptoms of the patients.
These studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency may increase the chances of developing Parkinsons disease and elevating its levels might provide protection against it.
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S: Data Collection Management And Analysis
Data Collection Methods
Data Management
Statistical Methods
The statistical approach on the primary study endpoint has already been addressed in the paragraph about sample size estimation. The analysis will be performed following the intention-to-treat methodology . All secondary endpoints will be reported as descriptive statistics or as exploratory analyses .
Vitamin K2 In People With Parkinson’s With Mitochondrial Mutation
Over the next three years the Parkinsons Foundation will invest more than $50 million to Parkinsons disease research and clinical care. At the heart of our research initiatives are scientists and researchers who have received Foundation awards to improve our understanding of Parkinsons, which will ultimately lead us to a cure.
Many cellular components are involved in the development and progression of Parkinsons disease. One component is the energy factory of the cell, called mitochondria. Certain genetic changes are known to impair the function of mitochondria.
Vitamin K2 has been shown to be safe in previous studies of people with PD with osteoporosis. The vitamin is known to play a role in supplying cells with energy.
Dr. Prasuhns goal is to determine if vitamin K2 can increase energy levels and improve symptoms in people with mitochondrial-related Parkinsons.
To achieve this goal, he will study 130 people: 26 people with PD who have mitochondrial mutations 52 people with PD with idiopathic PD, and 52 people without Parkinsons. They will be randomly assigned to receive vitamin K2 or a placebo for six months. All participants will undergo brain imaging before and after the study, and they will undergo medical exams five times throughout the study.
Whats Next: Reporting Our Findings
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Vitamin B12 And Folate
Vitamin B12 is an antioxidant. It helps keep red blood cells and nerve cells healthy and helps produce DNA. Sources of vitamin B12 are typically red meat, chicken, sardines, eggs, fortified cereals and bread, and nutritional yeast.
Researchers discovered that patients with early-onset Parkinson’s disease had lower vitamin B12 levels, which reduced motor and cognitive functions. In some cases, taking a multivitamin that included vitamin B12 slowed the loss of those functions.
Folate is found in organ meats , yeast, and leafy green vegetables. Folate plays several roles in the body and brain.
Both B12 and folate are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, an amino acid. High levels of homocysteine are seen in various cognitive disorders. Studies show that Parkinson’s disease patients taking levodopa for the condition are also more likely to have elevated homocysteine.
In one meta-data analysis, researchers investigated the correlations between cognitive function , homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in patients with Parkinson’s disease. They discovered that patients with cognitive dysfunction had high levels of homocysteine and lower levels of folate and vitamin B12.
How About The Motor Symptoms
Its not yet clear whether its consumption can also treat the typical motor symptoms of Parkinsons. So far only one study has reported that it may help improve balance in patients who are younger. In this study, a high dose of vitamin D supplement for 16 weeks was found to cause a significant improvement in the balance of those patients who were 66 or younger, compared with the placebo group or those patients who were 67 and older.
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The Serum Levels Of Vk2 In Different Stage Of Pd Group
PD patients were further stratified into early stage group and middle-late stage group based on H-Y stages. We found that the serum level of VK2 in the early stage group was significantly higher than that in the middle-late stage group . And this observation was irrelevant to the age of patients . We further did curve analysis and observed that the VK2 level was anti-correlated to the H-Y stage . Altogether, our research showed that with the progression of PD, the serum VK2 level was gradually decreased.
The serum levels of VK2 in different H-Y stages of PD. Serum VK2 level is negative corelated with the PD stage.
Medications For Parkinson’s Disease
After youve received a diagnosis of Parkinsons disease, your doctor will develop a treatment plan based on the diseases progression at the time you were diagnosed. Current pharmaceutical treatments include:
- Levodopa is a primary treatment for movement, tremors, and stiffness. Levodopa helps nerve cells make dopamine. This medication is also taken with carbidopa so that levodopa can reach the brain and stop or reduce side effects from the drug, such as vomiting, nausea, and low blood pressure.
- Dopamine agonists mimic dopamine in the brain but are not as effective as levodopa in controlling symptoms like muscle movement and rigidity.
- Catechol O-methyltransferase inhibitors block an enzyme that breaks down dopamine. They are taken with levodopa and slow the bodys ability to get rid of levodopa.
- MAO B inhibitors block monoamine oxidase B , a brain enzyme that breaks down dopamine. This allows dopamine to have longer-lasting effects.
- Anticholinergics aid in reducing tremors and muscle stiffness.
- Amantadine was first developed as an antiviral agent and can reduce involuntary movements caused by levodopa.
- Istradefylline is an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist. It is used for people taking carbidopa and levodopa but who experience off symptoms.
These drugs can have a variety of side effects. Be sure to discuss your medications with your doctor so you understand how and when to take them, what side effects may occur, and when to report any concerning side effects.
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Measurement Of Ros Generation
A reactive oxygen species assay kit was used to detect the intracellular generation of ROS. The cells were incubated in serum-free media with 10 mol/L 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate at 37 °C for 20 min. Next, the cells were washed three times with serum-free medium. Samples were analyzed at an excitation wavelength of 488 nm and an emission wavelength of 522 nm using a flow cytometer .
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healABILITY: Preservation of health and wellness through the promotion of well-being prevention of disease, and promotion and support of the inherent or innate recuperative abilities of the body.
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Dr. James F. Farley, DC, BA, BS, MS, BCIM, FAAIM, FAIS
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Parkinsons Patients Might Find Hope In Study That Unravels Effects Of Vitamin K2 On Fruit Flies
May 14, 2012
Rangaswamy Nathan Meganathan
A team of researchers that included two Northern Illinois University scientists has used vitamin K2 to successfully undo the effect of one of the genetic defects that leads to Parkinsons disease.
The research study, conducted on fruit flies, is published in the latest edition of the prestigious journal Science on its Science Express website .
The team included NIU Department of Biological Sciences professor and noted vitamin K expert Rangaswamy Nathan Meganathan, as well as his former student, Janaka N. Edirisinghe, who completed his Ph.D. in December. The two collaborated with 10 other scientists from two Belgian institutions, the VIB Center for Biology of Disease and the Center for Human Genetics and Leuven Research Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Leuven.
Study leader Patrik Verstreken, a neuroscientist associated with the Belgian centers, said the discovery gives hope to Parkinsons patients.
It appears from our research that administering vitamin K2 could possibly help patients with Parkinsons. However, more work needs to be done to understand this better, Verstreken said.
Vitamin K2plays a role in the energy production of defective mitochondria, the researchers said. If cells were likened to small factories, then mitochondria would be the power plants responsible for supplying the energy for their operations. They generate this energy by transporting electrons.
Vitamin D For Parkinsons Disease What Does The Research Say
Vitamin D is commonly known for its ability to build and maintain healthy bones. But research suggests that it may also be useful in Parkinsons disease. Several clinical studies have shown a link between vitamin D deficiency and Parkinsons disease and suggest that increasing its level in the body might provide protection against Parkinsons disease.
Parkinsons disease is a motor disorder that develops when there is a loss of certain cells in the brain that produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for controlled movement. The most common signs of the disease include hands trembling, stiffness, slow movement, and balance problem.
Several studies have highlighted a possible role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of Parkinsons disease. It is estimated that around 55% of the patients suffer from vitamin D insufficiency, which suggests that increasing its levels might help to protect from developing this disease.
But what is vitamin D? does it treat Parkinsons disease symptoms and does it cause any adverse effects?
Here, you will know the answers to these questions.
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