Parkinson’s Disease Summer School – alternative therapies included 60-80 ng of Vitamin D – Sept 2019

The Top Things I Learned in Parkinson’s Summer School

$5,000 for 1 week conference/summer school
Laurie K. Mischley, a naturopathic doctor, assembled approximately 60 people with Parkinson’s for a conference at Bastyr University’s Seattle campus in August. The six-day “summer school” included lectures, exercise classes, and nutrition advice designed to improve each patient’s experience with Parkinson’s and possibly slow progression

Part of a project “Complementary & Alternative Medicine Care in Parkinson's Disease (CAM Care in PD)

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3. Disease progression may be slowed with some supplements
Mischley recommends the following to potentially slow disease progression:

Glutathione: intranasal is better than capsules, but much more expensive;
CoQ10: has mitochondrial/cellular protection properties;
Turmeric/curcumin: curcumin exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and may be neuroprotective;
DHA: has anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Absorption of nutrients and medications is important
Just taking medications and vitamins is not enough. The body must properly absorb them. Even though I was taking a lot of supplements (B, D, omega-3 fatty acids), my lab results showed that I was deficient in these substances, which may indicate that my body is not properly absorbing them. I have always felt that the carbidopa/levodopa (C/L) I was taking did not really help my symptoms. Perhaps my body was not absorbing that medication properly, either.

A suggested way to optimize C/L absorption is to take nonbuffered vitamin C, such as Emergen-C, with medication. CDP-choline and a digestive enzyme supplement were also recommended to possibly improve nutrient and medication absorption.

5. People with Parkinson’s typically show common nutrient deficiencies
Through her research, Mischley has found that there is some commonality in out-of-range lab test results among people with Parkinson’s:

vitamin D* (Mischley recommends maintaining a level between 60 and 80 ng/ml, which is higher than the common reference range of 20-50 ng/ml.)
homocysteine*
high-sensitivity C-reactive protein*
EPA/DHA (omega-3 fatty acids)*
arachidonic acid* (The ratio of EPA omega-3s must be in line with this value.)
HbA1c*
uric acid
serum B12*
* I was out of range in these areas

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• Parkinson’s patients 50X less likely to get even a little sun– meta-analysis Jan 2019
• Alzheimer’s, Parkenson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis – vitamin D may prevent and treat – Oct 2017
• Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s need more than 30 ng of Vitamin D – review Nov 2017
• Parkinson patients: 60 pcnt taking Vitamin D – Dec 2019
• Parkinson’s risk increased 2 to 7 times depending on Vitamin D Receptor – Sept 2016
  • Note: A poor Vitamin D receptor is NOT noticed by a Vitamin D test.
  • Note There are many low-cost ways to improve a Vitamin D Receptor
• 1000 IU per kg Vitamin D for autoimmune diseases – Coimbra Aug 2013
• 20 X more Parkinson's and 100X more Autism with GMO soy in China

Overview Parkinsons and Vitamin D in Vitamin D Life contains the following summary
Parkinson's Disease proven to be TREATED by Vitamin D (Many Meta-analyses of trials)

• Parkinson's disease stabilized with just 1200 IU of vitamin D – RCT May 2013
  First RCT to report results - +anticipate far better results when more vitamin D is used.
     (Belief based on the results with vitamin D on MS and Diabetes)
  Additonal proofs that vitamin D treats or prevents diseases
• 6 clinical trials for PD with vitamin D intervention as of Jan 2016
  A person could wait a few years to get the results of the clinical trials, but
• Based on reading more than 4,000 studies of vitamin D at Vitamin D Life
• A (loading) dose of 20,000 IU of vitamin D daily for the 3 weeks should provide observable benefit
  To avoid a rare reaction to Vitamin D
  take 1,000 IU of vitamin D first, and stop if you you have an allergic reaction withiin 3 days
  When continuing to take vitamin D you should also take cofactors
  There is virtually no need have a vitamin D test in first 2 months
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