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Info about Parkinson and NADH by Dr Whittaker further down in article.(long) [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: Chip <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, December 03, 1999 10:29 AM Subject: Re: CSDRWHITAKER received a request Dear Mr. McCarthy: Thanks for emailing us. It's wonderful that you are taking control of your health and pursuing a better quality of life! Dr. Whitaker can't answer a specific medical question without first examining a patient. To help you safely and nutritionally on the road to health, I have attached an article from Dr. Whitaker's writings. (To order additional back issues of Health & Healing newsletter call 800/539/8219) If you wish to pursue medical treatment for your condition, you can contact the Whitaker Wellness Institute Medical Clinic in Newport Beach, California for cutting edge theerapies. Call 800/488-1500. Dr. Whitaker's Guide to Improved Brain Function: How to Enhance Your Memory and Mental Edge -- 1998 Part III: Specific Therapies for Specific Conditions Chapter 9 -- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Conditions Mary had an illustrious career as a high-level secretary with the Department of Defense, spoke three languages, and lived in Europe for several years while on assignment. When she was 65, she left the DOD and moved to a retirement community in Arizona where she played golf three times a week and was involved in church activities. Although Mary had had high blood pressure for many years, she had no real health challenges until her early 70s, when she suffered a series of small strokes. She recovered without any overt deficits, but her family was concerned. When they called Mary, who had never married and lived alone, she seemed "spacy." This bright, articulate woman repeated herself, searched for words, and was often unable to recall a conversation held just the day before. This went on for months until the family got a call from the emergency room of the local hospital saying that Mary had superficial burns from a minor kitchen fire started when she left a burner on. It was clear than Mary could no longer live on her own, and her niece, Darlene, offered her a room in her house. For the next five years, Mary lived with her niece's family in California. In the early months she was an engaging companion, generally lucid with memory lapses that were more humorous than anything else. By the third year, the lapses outweighed the lucid moments, and Mary could not be left alone. Still, even though it was becoming a burden and strain on the family, Darlene was reluctant to relinquish the care of her beloved aunt. After five years, however, Darlene realized that they could no longer handle Mary. Even when attended, Mary would manage to get out and wander off, causing hours of anguished worry until she was found. She was occasionally verbally abusive to Darlene and her two sons. Worst of all, she was increasingly incontinent and had to almost be forced to eat. Mary was placed in a nursing home, where she lingered for two more years before she died, becoming increasingly less aware and more passive. Not surprisingly, an autopsy revealed that she had Alzheimer's disease. Health and disease, as I emphasized in the previous section, involve your whole body and being. Good diet, exercise, and nutritional supplementation promote health in all spheres, while disease often affects more than a single organ. Although Alzheimer's is considered an illness of the brain, as Mary's story illustrates, it ravages the whole person--body, mind, and soul. In this chapter I'll give you an overview of some of the most common medical conditions that affect the brain: degenerative diseases and injuries. Degenerative Diseases of the Brain The quintessential degenerative disease of the brain is Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's Disease As I mentioned in an earlier chapter, the disease Americans fear most is Alzheimer's. I'll be the first to admit that Alzheimer's disease is scary, but except in the "oldest of the old," those 85 and over, it's much less common than you might think. While it's true that over 4 million Americans are afflicted with the disease, it is rare in people under 50 and uncommon in people under 65. However, after the age of 65, the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's doubles every five years, to almost 50% at age 85. This well-known cause of dementia was first described in 1907 by a German neurologist, Alois Alzheimer, who reported on a 51-year-old woman who died of progressive dementia. Alzheimer's is indeed a progressive disease, developing over 10 to 20 years, although it is generally not recognized in its very early stages. Alzheimer's disease is marked by a loss of neurons, dendrites, and synapses and significant atrophy of the brain. There is a critical decrease in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, caused by degradation of the hippocampus and reduced activity of choline acetyl transferase, the enzyme needed to produce acetylcholine. The brain on top shows Alzheimer's disease. The brain on the bottom is normal. However, the definitive markers of Alzheimer's disease, which can only be determined on brain autopsy after the death of the patient, are neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques. Neurofibrillary tangles are paired, knotty filaments located inside neurons that eventually destroy the cells. Neuritic plaques, sometimes called senile plaques, consist of a core of a protein called beta amyloid surrounded by dead and dying cellular debris. The areas of the brain most rapidly affected are the hippocampus and the amygdala, areas that, as you recall, are important in memory processing. Alzheimer's disease begins with short-term memory loss, but as the disease progresses, the neocortex erodes. Patients eventually become impulsive, agitated, and irrational, requiring full-time care. The end stages of Alzheimer's involve degeneration of the cerebellum, so basic motor skills, continence, and even self-feeding are lost. This stage can last as long as seven years, and the emotional and financial tolls it takes on families are indescribable. The strongest most definitive risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is age. As noted above, incidence of the disease increases after age 65, and almost half of those 85 and older have it. Each and every one of the processes of aging I discussed in Chapter 3--oxidation, glycosylation, inflammation, and methylation defects--are involved in Alzheimer's disease. The female gender, lack of education, head trauma, and myocardial infarction, or heart attack, are also associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Let's take a closer look at the genetic link. We know that a family history of Alzheimer's increases your likelihood of developing the disease, but only in the last three or four years have we understood why. The culprit has been identified as a specific gene pair on chromosome 19 known as APOE4, and carriers have a high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by age of 80. According to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Madrid, Spain, in people who carry this genotype, the nucleus of senile plaque that junks up the brains of Alzheimer's patients is deposited more easily and earlier. However, only 2 to 3 percent of the population has this particular genotype, and it accounts for only a small fraction of those afflicted with the disease. The most heartening news about genetics and disease is that tremendous advances are being made in this branch of medicine. Someday, perhaps in the not-so-distant future, we will be able not only to map out genes and identify the ones that put us at risk for various diseases, but to actually manipulate those genes and eliminate risks factors. For now, I recommend that patients with Alzheimer's disease immediately begin a comprehensive program of nutritional supplementation, incorporating as many of the nutritional, supplemental, hormonal, and nootropic agents as possible, along with a well-designed, consistent program of physical and mental exercise. Parkinson's Disease Parkinson's disease was first described in the medical literature in 1817 by James Parkinson in a paper entitled, "Essay on the Shaking Palsy." Now diagnosed in 40,000 patients per year, Parkinson's disease is characterized by rhythmic trembling and, in its later stages, stiff, jerky movements, difficulty with balance, appetite loss, and voice impairment. Parkinson's is caused by a decrease in brain levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which stimulates the brain and helps control movement. Neurons in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra are destroyed, and with them the production of dopamine. Parkinson's is sometimes brought on by head trauma or drug toxicity, and it is believed that environmental toxins may contribute to its onset. Treatment of this disease is geared toward raising dopamine levels. One way to do this is to give the patient l-dopa, which is converted in the brain to dopamine. Another, more effective treatment, is the smart drug deprenyl, which we discussed in Chapter 6. As I explained, deprenyl (prescription name Eldepryl) inhibits monamine oxidase-B, the enzyme that breaks down dopamine in the brain, thus leaving more dopamine available to perform its necessary functions. Another effective treatment for Parkinson's disease is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), a coenzyme that facilitates the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine to dopamine. NADH is a natural substance that facilitates energy production and is produced in all of your cells . It is especially active in the brain and central nervous system. Researchers at the University of Graz, Austria, administered NADH to 885 patients with Parkinson's disease, half orally and half intravenously. In both the oral and IV groups, 80 percent experienced clinical improvement, rated as very good in 19.3 percent and moderate in 58.8 percent. The recommended dose of NADH is 5 mg per day. If the person is already taking an l-dopa drug, consult a physician, as all these therapies boost dopamine production. Other natural therapies for Parkinson's disease include the supplements recommended earlier in Chapter 4. Of particular help are antioxidants, especially vitamin E (800 to 2,000 i.u. per day) and vitamin C (2,500 mg per day), and Ginkgo biloba (60 mg two to three times daily). Injuries to the Brain Head trauma, stroke, and brain tumors could all be classified as injuries to the brain. Although I've discussed the first two in Chapter 3, I want to return to stroke, as it is such a significant contributor to memory loss and dementia. Stroke Stroke is a leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death in the U.S. As I mentioned in Chapter 4, a stroke, also called a cerebrovascular accident or infarct, deprives an area of the brain of oxygen when an artery is blocked or ruptured. This leads to brain cell death and brain damage. Common warning signs of stroke are sudden vision impairment, dizziness, weakness on one side, confusion, numbness, paralysis, loss of bowel or bladder control, severe headache, and loss of consciousness. Identifying and treating a stroke at once is vitally important, as most brain damage occurs in the first few hours following the stroke. The most common deficits resulting from a stroke are speech and coordination problems. Depending on the degree of damage, these are either reversible or permanent. The best way to approach stroke is to take measures to avoid having one. High blood pressure significantly increases the likelihood of stroke, and other risk factors include atrial fibrillation, diabetes, age, prior stroke, smoking, and use of oral contraceptives. The diet, supplementation, and exercise recommendations in this report offer protection against stroke. For more information on stroke, you might want to refer to my special report on hypertension (see the Resource section). Brain Tumor Brain tumors, whether they are benign or malignant, invade the brain and impinge on brain tissue, impeding its function. Malignant brain tumors are, as a rule, especially fast-growing and virulent, and the patient's prognosis is usually grave. As in all cancers, chemotherapy and radiation are the primary treatments, but they are largely ineffective in brain cancer, and the damage the therapies themselves do to the brain makes the treatment sometimes worse than the disease. It is not my intent to offer a discourse on brain cancer, but because the traditional therapies for brain malignancies are so dismal, I want to make you aware of one "alternative" therapy. Stanislaw Burzynski, M.D., of Houston, Texas, has discovered what I consider to be the biggest breakthrough in cancer treatment of this century, antineoplastons. Antineoplastons are small, naturally occurring, nontoxic particles that enter cells and alter their genetic programming, turning off oncogenes that cause cancer cells to proliferate, and activating tumor suppressor genes that stop cancer from growing. Dr. Burzynski has had a growing number of documented clinical successes with this therapy, and his most consistent results have been with brain malignancies. Because of unreasonable harassment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Burzynski is limited to administering antineoplastons in his Houston clinic, and the FDA must approve every patient who starts on his protocol. However, because they recognize the deadliness of this type of cancer, and the dearth of conventional treatment, they approve most requests for treatment of brain malignancy. For more information on Dr. Burzynski's clinic, see the Resource section. Common Clinical Features of Alzheimer's Disease by Stage Early Intermediate Late Cognitive Memory Poor recall of new information Remote memories affected Untestable Language Mild loss of fluency Difficulty finding words Poor comprehension Impaired repetition Almost no language Visual-spatial Misplacing objects Difficulty driving Getting lost Difficulty copying figures Untestable Behavioral Delusions Depression Insomnia Delusions Depression Agitation Insomnia Agitation Wandering Incontinence Rigidity Recommendations 1. If you or a loved-one is at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or may be showing symptoms, and you have ruled out other causes, consider implementing as many of the recommendations as possible for improving brain function described in Part II. 2. For people suffering from Parkinson's disease, try the prescription drug, deprenyl, discussed in Chapter 7. You might also consider NADH. The recommended dose is 5 mg per day. If you are already on an l-dopa drug, consult a physician as these therapies boost dopamine production. 3. The supplements described in Chapter 4 are effective, natural therapies for Parkinson's symptoms, especially the antioxidants vitamin E (800 to 2,000 i.u. per day) and vitamin C (2,500 mg per day), and Ginkgo biloba (60 mg two to three times daily). 4. The best way to approach a stroke is through prevention, especially in controlling risk factors such as hypertension. See the Resource section for information on this subject. 5. Don't give up hope when faced with a diagnosis of a brain tumor. Learn as much as you can and consider alternatives such as the antineoplaston treatment developed by Stanislaw Burzynski, M.D. You can write to him at his clinic, 12000 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77082, 281/597-0111. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- TABLE OF CONTENTS Dr. Whitaker's Guide to Improved Brain Function: How To Enhance Your Memory and Mental Edge Introduction Part I:Understanding Your Brain, Memory and Cognitive Function Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Part II: Dr. Whitaker's Program for Improved Brain Function Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Part III: Specific Therapies for Specific Conditions Chapter 9 Part IV: Your Program to Improve Your Memory and Mental Edge Chapter 10 Part V: Glossary, References and Resources Glossary References Resources About the Author Additional Information and Ordering Whitaker Wellness Institute Medical Clinic, Inc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- © Copyright 1998, Phillips Publishing, Inc. Photocopying, reproduction, or quotation strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher. Health & Healing cannot offer medical services; we encourage our readers to seek advice from competent medical professionals for their personal health needs. Dr. Julian Whitaker's Health & Healing (ISSN 1057-9273) is published monthly by Phillips Publishing, Inc., 7811 Montrose Road, Potomac, MD 20854-3394, telephone 800/539-8219. I hope you find this article helpful. Thanks again for your email, Shawn ----- Original Message ----- From: dr whitaker cs <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, December 02, 1999 3:40 PM Subject: Fw: CSDRWHITAKER received a request > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: ReplyNet <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 1999 6:21 PM > Subject: CSDRWHITAKER received a request > > > > A message was received in your account. > > > > Account........: CSDRWHITAKER > > Date...........: 12/01/1999 > > Time...........: 18:21:56 (US Eastern Time) > > Message from...: [log in to unmask] > > Message subject: Parkinson > > > > This message has a "Reply-To" tag in the header so you should > > be able to reply directly to the person just by hitting reply. > > > > ============ > > MESSAGE BODY > > ============ > > > > > > Dr. Whitaker, sometime in the past year you wrote in your newsletters > about > > Parkinson benefits with NADH. Is there any new information on this > subject? > > Does your clinic have any case histories of Parkinson and possible > results? > > I like your natural approach and would like to pursue it. I have recently > > started on Sinemet. Any response would be appreciated. Thank you > > [log in to unmask] > > >