Today I saw an inquiry in the HSI Research mailbox: “Do you have any information about Parkinson’s disease?” We get that question frequently, and unfortunately, we usually don’t have much new information to share. But recently I saw a study in the Journal of Neurochemistry that reveals an exciting new line of research – and suggests some simple steps we all might take to protect ourselves from Parkinson’s disease (PD).
We’ve known for several years that PD patients typically have elevated levels of homocysteine, the amino acid that has been implicated as a critical marker for heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and other serious diseases. But scientists weren’t sure which came first – if homocysteine levels rose as a result of the PD, or vice versa.
Study shows high homocysteine can lead to Parkinson’s disease
This new research shines some much-needed light onto the matter. Through animal and laboratory tests, scientists at the National Institute on Aging Gerontology Research Center found what they call “the first direct evidence” that elevated homocysteine levels increase the risk of Parkinson’s.
Most of us are aware of Parkinson’s disease, and the body tremors and stiffness it can cause – but don’t fully understand what causes it. Parkinson’s disease is caused by the progressive degeneration of the neurons, or nervous system cells, in the part of the brain that controls voluntary movement. The nerve degeneration results in a shortage of dopamine, the brain hormone or neurotransmitter, which is produced in this brain region.
In this study, the researchers divided a group of laboratory mice into two groups: one group received a standard diet, while the other was given a folate-deficient diet, for three months. (Folate deficiency is the leading cause of elevated homocysteine levels.) Not surprisingly, the mice on the folate-deficient diet showed an eight-fold increase in plasma concentrations of homocysteine compared to mice on the normal diet.
Folate-deficient diet makes brain cells vulnerable to damage
But here’s the significant finding: at the end of the three months, the scientists tested the mice’s motor skills. At first, there were no differences between the two groups. But then, both groups were given the same amount of MPTP, a drug that induces Parkinson’s-like symptoms at certain dosages. The mice who ate a normal diet did not display any changes in motor function after taking MPTP – but the folate-deficient mice showed “profound motor dysfunction” after taking the drug. They also found that the folate-deficient mice had lost more than half of the neurons in the key brain region, and had lower levels of a critical dopamine-producing enzyme after taking MPTP – while the control mice showed no differences in brain chemistry.
In further testing, the same scientists found that homocysteine makes human brain cells more susceptible to the deadly affects of toxins like iron and the pesticide rotenone, which are known to cause some cases of Parkinson’s disease. In laboratory tests using human tissues, homocysteine “significantly enhanced [cell death] induced by rotenone and iron.”
At HSI, we’ve written about homocysteine many times. In fact, we were one of the first to write about it – a full year before it was “discovered” in the mainstream medical journals. We’ve told you many times how important it can be for early heart disease detection – and recently (2/19/02), explained how elevated levels may increase your risk of Alzheimer’s, as well. So if you still haven’t had your homocysteine level tested, this study gives you yet another reason to schedule the test TODAY. It’s a simple blood test that can be performed in any lab or doctor’s office.
And if you find that your homocysteine levels are too high (most doctors recommend keeping levels below 12 micromoles per liter), you can easily address the problem with a natural, simple, and easily accessible solution. Foods and supplements rich in vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid are the best ways to address elevated homocysteine levels. We’ve long recommended CardioSupport (formerly Cardiocysteine) from Advanced Nutritional Products, which is a combination of these vitamins specifically designed to address homocysteine levels. For more information and to order CardioSupport, you can call Advanced Nutritional Products directly at 1-888-436-7200.
I’m glad to have some positive, actionable findings to report about Parkinson’s disease, a condition that affects so many people around the world. If you’re concerned about Parkinson’s disease, or have already been diagnosed, talk with your doctor about adding a B-complex supplement to your regimen.
Source: Journal of Neurochemistry 2002; 80:101-110
Copyright 1997-2002 by Institute of Health Sciences, L.L.C.
