Q. Dear Terry, “Any ideas for someone with recently diagnosed Parkinson’s disease?”– Cole M., Mission, TX

A. Dear Cole, I strongly encourage you to discuss any supplementation with your healthcare practitioner. With that being said, I believe there are some natural ingredients that could be very beneficial.

Curcumin has been shown in scientific research to help protect the brain from oxidative stress and damage, which play a significant role in the development of neurological conditions. Curcumin has also been shown to help stimulate a process in the brain called neurogenesis – the creation of new neurons. Keep in mind that curcumin can be poorly absorbed. I prefer curcumin that is combined with turmeric essential oil because it significantly increases absorption. I would take 750 mg of curcumin enhanced with turmeric essential oil per day.

Another very helpful, natural nutrient is glutathione – virtually every person dealing with a chronic disease is depleted of glutathione. Glutathione is naturally produced in the body, but levels can drastically decline due to age, health challenges, environmental factors, genetics, or a combination of factors. I recommend taking 300 to 600 mg per day of the reduced, active form of glutathione that is orally absorbed and has been stabilized in a patented process with protective antioxidants.

I also recommend vitamin B6 (as P-5-P) and magnesium (as magnesium glycinate chelate), and zinc (as zinc glycinate chelate). I prefer vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P), which is the bioactive form. Many people (some estimate up to 30%-50% of the population) cannot fully utilize B-vitamins from food and supplements because these forms of B-vitamins must be converted into the active form before they will function. By using the form of vitamin B6 that is identical to the kind your body utilizes, you bypass this problem entirely. In addition to optimizing vitamin B6 metabolism, the magnesium in the glycinate form delivers a good dose of magnesium to help with muscle relaxation and resistance to nerve excitability. Zinc works synergistically with vitamin B6 and magnesium to support cellular function and muscle recovery. Look for a zinc that is also in the glycinate form. I recommend taking 10 mg of vitamin B6 (as P-5-P), 100 mg of magnesium (from magnesium bisglycinate chelate), and 5 mg of zinc (from zinc glycinate chelate) three to four times daily.

Lastly, CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10) is needed by virtually every cell in the body because it is a crucial element for cellular energy production in the mitochondria – the cellular “engine.” Two forms of supplemental CoQ10 are available, and that may lead to some confusion about which is best. My answer is: they are both good choices. The ubiquinol form is referred to as reduced or bioactive CoQ10. This form of CoQ10 is a good option for people who are older, may have liver issues, or other health conditions. There is also an enhanced absorption CoQ10 (as ubiquinone) using a plant-based starch that can increase CoQ10 absorption by 800%. I recommend 100 mg of ubiquinol or ubiquinone CoQ10 per day.

Healthy Regards!

Terry . . . Naturally