Put Parkinson’s brain cell die-off in REVERSE? It’s about ‘thyme.’
Probably the biggest hallmark of Parkinson’s disease is the UNCONTROLLABLE muscle shaking – a.k.a. “tremors.”
But Parkinson’s patients ALSO have to deal with feeling STIFF AS A BOARD…
Moving around SLOWLY…
And even losing their mental EDGE.
That’s because Parkinson’s impact isn’t just ISOLATED to motor control.
It’s a complex condition that WREAKS HAVOC deep inside your brain…
Even KILLING OFF your neurons!
Your doc might focus your treatment on getting you to move around a little better…
But now, there’s some hope for REVERSING Parkinson’s brain damage…
In a totally new way.
Now, here’s a BOLD statement – coming out of Johns Hopkins right here in Baltimore, where HSI is based.
Researchers say they’ve found a way to REVERSE Parkinson’s disease!
And it’s not with a drug… or an invasive procedure.
It’s with a natural compound called farnesol.
Farnesol was first discovered in the Farnese acacia tree (Vachellia farnesiana), where it got its name…
And it’s also found in the essential oils of fruits and certain herbs, like lemongrass (where citronella comes from) and thyme.
Farnesol is probably best-known as a perfume ingredient…
But it turns out it’s more powerful than anyone ever imagined.
Because in cases of Parkinson’s… a neurodegenerative disease… it can help keep certain brain cells from DYING OFF!
You see, in Parkinson’s patients, brain cells called “dopamine neurons” too often SUCCUMB to free radicals.
That’s because their bodies don’t produce enough of a protective protein called PGC-1 alpha.
In fact, their PGC-1 alpha production is SABOTAGED by another protein, known by the acronym “PARIS.”
But according to the latest study on Parkinson’s-induced mice I just mentioned, farnesol helped INHIBIT the actions of that saboteur.
In fact, it worked so well that compared to the group that ate plain ol’ chow, the farnesol-fed group showed improvements in 3 major ways…
- HIGHER levels of PGC-1 alpha
- DOUBLE the number of healthy dopamine neurons in their brains
- TWICE the strength and coordination as measured by physical tests.
This mechanism behind farnesol’s effect on Parkinson’s is TOTALLY NEW.
Existing drugs BOOST dopamine levels…
But that DOESN’T save dopamine neurons from becoming victims of a mass genocide.
Other Parkinson’s drugs ZERO IN on PGC-1 alpha activity… but that can only take you so far, if you haven’t got enough of this protective protein.
Farnesol, however, appears to target the root cause of that DRAINED supply of PGC-1 alpha.
Of course, the study authors are excited to develop farnesol into a drug…
Which means you’d have to wait for multiple phases of clinical trials on humans… and other potentially lengthy stages of drug approval.
Now, you probably already get a little farnesol in your diet, as it’s also found in certain fruits…
But there’s NO current way to know exactly how much you’re getting.
You won’t find farnesol on its own in the supplement aisle (at least not just yet)…
But the good news is that there have been some encouraging studies supporting the use of farnesol-rich thyme in helping Parkinson’s patients.
Besides farnesol, thyme also contains luteolin … baicalein… thymol… and other neuroprotective (and, in some cases, antioxidant) compounds that show promise in the fight against Parkinson’s.
Talk to an integrative doc about how to incorporate herbs… essential oils… or other natural therapies into your treatment.
To “essential” developments in Parkinson’s therapies,
Sarah Reagan
P.S. On Monday, HSI Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Allan Spreen will dig even MORE deeply into Parkinson’s and its root causes… and what you can do to help control your risk. Look for his email in your inbox!
