Parkinson’s disease is a disorder that causes nerve cell damage in the brain, leading to a drop in dopamine, the “feel good” hormone; lower levels of dopamine cause atypical brain activity that can lead to impaired movement. Every year around 13 out of 100,000 people in the United States against the disease. Although it can be due to genetics, head injuries, and some other environmental factors, Parkinson’s will not only affect the person diagnosed, it will also affect their loved ones.
Once you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, there are ways to help manage symptoms. This includes changing your diet and even taking medication prescribed by your doctor. there is even supplements that can help provide you with the extra nutrients that your body is lacking and that can affect your disease. According to lisa r youngPhD, RDNauthor of Finally full, finally slimY The portion cashier plan and a member of Eat This, Not That! board Of Medical Experts, the best supplement you can take to help with Parkinson’s disease is one with vitamin B12.
“Although I’m a fan of the food-first approach, taking a vitamin B12 supplement can slow the loss of reduced cognitive function,” explains Dr. Young. “People with early-onset Parkinson’s disease tend to have lower levels of vitamin B12, which can decrease cognitive function.”
Subscribe to our newsletter!
The importance of vitamin B12
Dr. Young suggests that B12 (also called cobalamin) helps keep nerve cells healthy. If you’re taking the food-first approach, vitamin B12 can be found primarily in animal products. For example, Red meat, chicken, fish, dairy and eggs, but also in nutritional yeast. However, if you want to make sure you’re getting the right amount of vitamin B12, you can take a supplement.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommended daily amount of vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms. The Mayo Clinic further states that vitamin B12 plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function, and DNA production, linking dementia and low cognitive function to this vitamin deficiency.
what science says
A study published in International Society of Parkinson and Movement Disorders suggests that patients in early stages of Parkinson’s disease showing low levels of vitamin B12 experienced faster motor and cognitive decline. This suggests that vitamin supplements may help slow the progression of these symptoms.
In the study, researchers measured vitamin B12 and other factors related to vitamin B12 in 680 participants with early, untreated Parkinson’s disease. They then followed with 456 samples. The results showed that 13% of these participants had borderline low B12 levels and 7% had elevated levels of homocysteine, an amino acid whose levels are inversely related to vitamin deficiency. Elevated homocysteine can increase your risks of dementia, heart disease, and stroke without treatment.
Therefore, the study showed that low B12 levels were common in people with early stages of Parkinson’s disease. Low B12 predicted further worsening of mobilitywhile elevated homocysteine predicted greater cognitive decline.
So if you are in need of a vitamin booster, a vitamin B12 supplement can help solve the problem. As always, check with your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
Kayla Garritano
Kayla Garritano is a staff writer for Eat This, Not That! She is a graduate of Hofstra University, where she majored in Journalism and double majored in Marketing and Creative Writing. read more
