Supplements: a healing boost

There is a lot of information out there about supplements and their possible effects on PD. It can be a challenge to know which are effective and, out of those, which will be right for you. My method for determining what to use is this: research first, then experiment. Even when there have been reports on a supplement’s effectiveness, there is still no guarantee that it will effect everyone who takes it in the same way. As with anything else related to our individual systems, each body has its own unique way of responding. For instance, some people swear by Cq10, but for me, it didn’t do anything—though to be fair, I only tried it briefly.
The supplements I am listing here are those that I found helpful in increasing my overall state of health, vitality, and mobility. I have included links to the supplier I use but do shop around for the brand and price that appeals to you. Keep in mind that you should look for products that have the fewest excipients and binders. I have also included links to pertinent (though not always peer reviewed) research when available.
Feel free to send me information on what works for you and I will add it to the list. See what has worked for others below my regimen!

MY REGIMEN:
Probiotics; 1 in the morning, 1 at night, to build my body’s ability to heal:
http://experiencelife.com/article/functional-wellness-part-3-digestive-health/
http://experiencelife.com/article/good-bacteria-welcome/
http://www.vitacost.com/megafood-megaflora-20-billion-cfu-60-capsules

Serrapeptase; 2 in the morning, before food, to break down scar tissue from a previous frozen shoulder:
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2003/sep2003_report_aas_01.htm
http://www.vitacost.com/doctors-best-serrapeptase-40000-units-90-vegetarian-capsules

Magtein; 2 in the morning, before food, for brain health:
http://www.nature.com/news/testing-magnesium-s-brain-boosting-effects-1.11665
http://www.vitacost.com/doctors-best-brain-magnesium-75-mg-60-veggie-caps

Royal Jelly; 1 in the morning, with my shake, to restore vitality:
http://www.vitacost.com/ys-eco-bee-farms-royal-jelly-1000-mg-30-softgels

Chloroxygen; 1 dropperful in the morning in my shake, to increase oxygen in my cells:
http://www.drramsey.com/chlorophyll-easy-inexpensive-tasty-and-healthy/
http://www.vitacost.com/herbs-etc-chloroxygen-alcohol-free-2-fl-oz

Biosil; 13 drops in the morning in my shake, to lubricate and nourish my joints:
 http://www.biosilusa.com/en/page/175/why-is-collagen-important
http://www.vitacost.com/natural-factors-biosil-1-fl-oz-1

*Wild Blueberry extract; 2 in the morning, with my shake, for brain health:
 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK3869/  (see the specific passage from the article below)

*Spirulina; 4 in the morning, with my shake, for brain health:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK3869/  (see the specific passage from the article below)
http://www.vitacost.com/christophers-spirulina-500-mg-100-vegetarian-capsules

Omega3 fish oil; 2 in the morning, with my shake, for brain health:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21906664
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/teen-recovers-coma-thanks-fish-oil-article-1.1584519
http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2014/01/18/ac-gupta-omega-3-help-for-brain-injuries.cnn.html
http://www.vitacost.com/natrol-omega-3-fish-oil-lemon-1000-mg-150-softgels-5

Tulsi/Holy Basil tea; I drink a cup of this at least once per day, it’s a wonderful tea that is both relaxing and energizing:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA346157/holy-basil-to-combat-stress.html
http://www.vitacost.com/organic-india-tulsi-tea-original-18-tea-bags-1

I put plenty of fresh organic ginger and organic turmeric powder in my morning shake. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16117603
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22211691

I describe my shake and the diet I am on in my post Diet: feeding the brain.

*Blueberries and spirulina have also been shown to be neuroprotective in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. In one study by Strömberg et al. [145], blueberries and spirulina both improved the recovery from a neurotoxic 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion of dopamine projections to the striatum. In this study, there was a reduced lesion area 1 month following 6-OHDA administration; however, the lesion was similar in size to controls at 1 week following the neurotoxic insult, suggesting that what the dietary supplementation was doing was to improve the recovery and regeneration of the dopamine terminals in the striatum following the lesion, rather than preventing the initial damage. One mechanism by which this might occur is through an interaction with microglial activation in response to the injury. This study reports that 1 week following the injury, there was an increased microglial response to the injury. In this early period, the microglia are phagocytotic and aid in repairing the damage caused by the neurotoxic insult; the increased microglial response at this time may help to prepare the brain for regeneration of the dopamine fibers into the lesioned area (Figure 15.2). A second finding of this study was that microglial reaction to the injury continued to increase over time in the lesioned rats fed a control diet but was reduced at during later time points in rats fed the supplemented diet. This chronic phase of the microglial response may actually be detrimental; reducing this later phase of inflammation correlated with the smaller lesion size in the rats that consumed the supplemented diet. Green tea catechins have also been studied for their potential actions in Parkinson’s disease. For example, EGCG attenuates 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell death in neuronal cultures [146,147].

2016 Update: I have cut down on and modified which supplements I am taking. I have found that less is more where supplements are concerned.

A soil based probiotic/prebiotic called Prescript-Assist; 1 in the morning before food
(My source is Amazon.com but Peaceful-planet.com also offers it with no tax and free shipping)

Magtein; 2 in the morning before food
http://www.vitacost.com/doctors-best-brain-magnesium-75-mg-60-veggie-caps

Royal Jelly; 1 capsule in the morning with my shake
http://www.vitacost.com/ys-eco-bee-farms-royal-jelly-1000-mg-30-softgels

Omega3 fish oil; 5 capsules in the morning with my shake
http://www.vitacost.com/natrol-omega-3-fish-oil-lemon-1000-mg-150-softgels-5

Black Seed oil; 1 teaspoon in the morning with my shake
http://www.vitacost.com/amazing-herbs-black-seed-oil-8-fl-oz-1

Vitamin D; 6 drops in the morning with my shake
http://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-vitamin-d-drops-2000-iu-per-serving-1-fl-oz-5

L-5MTHF-Methylfolate, with B12; 1 capsule in the morning with my shake
http://www.vitacost.com/pure-encapsulations-b-12-folate-with-metfolin-l-5-mthf

I am now taking three herbs, 1 capsule in the morning and 1 at night for each of them: FoTi Root, Magnolia Bark, and Corydalis Root.

WHAT HAS HELPED OTHERS:

‪Chris M‬: I have started drinking Zeal by Zurvita. It helps. Google it (link provided). Doesn’t cure but helps many things.
Hollis Y: I have started a regime of Coconut Oil and feeling a little bit better! 30 MG three times a day. Started with a teaspoon 7.5 MG 3 times a day and have increased it to 2 tablespoons 30 MGs three times a day. I suggest the extra virgin all natural (organic coconut oil) in the oil form. Two tablespoons in my morning coffee is great! Then at lunch I take two tablespoons spread on bread or a sandwich and then for dinner I will tale the two tablespoons straight or in a cup of non-caffeinated hot tea! Here is a link to how I take it.This particular clip ins an Alzheimer’s patient, but the evidence is the same for Parkinson’s!