Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease (PD) belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The four primary symptoms of PD are tremor or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw and face; rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia or slowness of movement; and postural instability or impaired balance and coordination. As these symptoms become more pronounced, patients may have difficulty walking, talking or completing other simple tasks. PD usually affects people over the age of 50. Early symptoms of PD are subtle and occur gradually. In some people, the disease progresses more quickly than in others. As the disease progresses, the shaking or tremor, which affects the majority of PD patients may begin to interfere with daily activities. Other symptoms may include depression and other emotional changes; difficulty in swallowing, chewing and speaking; urinary problems or constipation; skin problems and sleep disruptions. There are currently no blood or laboratory tests that have been proven to help in diagnosing sporadic PD. The disease can be difficult to diagnose accurately. Doctors may sometimes request brain scans or laboratory tests to rule out other diseases.
Causes
The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown. Many researchers believe that several factors combined are involved: free radicals, accelerated aging, environmental toxins and genetic predisposition.
It may be those free radicals unstable and potentially damaging molecules that lack on electronate involved in the degeneration of dopamine-producing cells. Free radicals add an electron by reacting with nearby molecules in a process called oxidation, which can damage nerve cells. Chemicals called antioxidants normally protect cells from oxidative stress and damage. If antioxidative action fail to protect dopamine-producing nerve cells, they could be damaged and subsequently, Parkinson's disease could develop.
Dysfunctional antioxidative mechanisms are associated with older age as well, suggesting that the acceleration of age-related changes in dopamine production may be a factor. Exposure to an environmental toxin, such as a pesticide, that inhibits dopamine production and produces free radicals and oxidation damage may be involved.
Is there any treatment ?
At present, there is no cure for PD, but a variety of medications provide dramatic relief from the symptoms. Divine Noni, the food supplement is giving very good result in this disease by its effective antioxidant property and immune modulating property. Parkinson's disease patients using Noni are experiencing great change and well being after a long term use of it.
Role of Divine Noni in Parkinson's Disease
Free radicals and nervous tissue : A "free radical" is any atom or molecule which has an "unpaired electron" in the outer ring. The electrons move around the central mass (nucleus) made up of protons and neutrons. Protons have positive charge and Neutrons have no electrical charge. Electrons always stay in even number in the orbit surrounding nucleus. Free radicals are atoms or molecules which contain unpaired electrons. Since electrons have a very strong tendency to exist in a paired rather than an unpaired state, free radicals indiscriminately pick up electrons from other atoms, which in turn convert those other atoms into secondary free radicals. It is these free radical molecules which rapidly react with other molecules, setting off a chain reaction of free radical formation, somewhat similar to an atomic explosion. We have now this molecule which is missing an electron and is dying to get its hands on an electron to help fill its need. This free radical now goes and steals an electron from another molecule that is more willing to give one up and thus it becomes satisfied, but now the victim molecule has become a free radical. This goes on for quite some time. We therefore call this process oxidative stress / oxidative damage, the chain reaction of free radicals. This oxidative damage/stress, associated with free radicals is believed to be involved in the pathophysiological role in aging of skin and also in several diseases like heart disease (atherosclerosis), cancer, parkinson's diseases, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spastic paraplegia, alzheimer's diseases etc. Antioxidants slow down the formation of free radicals, protecting the body by diminishing and repairing damage to cells and tissues.
The brain particularly is very susceptible to oxidative damage, because brain and nerve tissue contain relatively low level of antioxidants. In addition, those brain regions that are rich in catecholamines are exceptionally vulnerable to free radical generation. The catecholamine adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine can spontaneously break down (auto-oxidise) to free radicals, or can be metabolized to radicals by the endogenous enzymes such as MAO (monoamine oxidases). One such region of the brain is the substantia nigra (SN), where a connection has been established between antioxidant depletion (including GSH) and tissue degeneration.
Antioxidant property of Noni in Parkinson's Disease
Our body has evolved with endogenous defense mechanisms to protect against free radicals induced cell damage. Glutathione peroxidase, catalase and Superoxide dismutases are three primary antioxidant enzymes in our body, which involved in direct elimination of free radicals from our body. They require micronutrients such as selenium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese as cofactors for their formation and optimum catalytic and effective antioxidant activity. Noni contains all the trace minerals that help for optimum catalytic activity of those three important antioxidant enzymes for an effective antioxidant defense mechanism.
Glutathione, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, bilirubin, selenium, dihydrolipoic acid, melatonin etc., as a whole play a protective role against free radicals tissue damages. Ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene are abundant in Noni. Glutathione (GSH) is the most significant component which directly quenches the free radicals and plays a major role in oxidant and antioxidant reaction. Glutathione is a tripeptide made up of the amino acids gamma-glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. Noni contains all those glutathione making amino acids in abundant number. Thus Noni increases the body's glutathione level. Noni stimulates more melatonin secretion from the pineal body.
Exogenous antioxidants: Contribution from Noni
Flavonoids which are a group of polyphenolic compounds have effective antioxidant property. Noni contains 150 and above phytochemicals including all flavonoids. Flavonoids exhibit several biological effects like antitumoural, anti-ischaemic, anti-allergic, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-ulcerative and anti inflammatory activities. Noni is rich in many flavonoids.
Due to inefficiency of our endogenous defense systems and high exposure to environmental factors like cigarette smoke, air pollutants, UV radiation, and also existence of some physiopathological situations like inflammation, ischaemia/reperfusion, the free radicals are produced in excess and therefore increasing amounts of antioxidants present in Noni will be needed for diminishing cumulative effect of oxidative damage in Parkinson's Disease.
Recommended Dosage
Divine Noni Concentrate
5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then
10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then
15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 15 days. Then
20ml morning and 20ml evening for next 8 months.
