Best Supplements for Parkinson’s Disease

Many are now using natural alternative treatments to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. And for prevention of the progression of Parkinson’s.

In this article, we will explore some of the best supplements for treating Parkinson’s Disease, based on scientific research and anecdotal evidence from those who use them.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a debilitating and progressive brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s include a variety of problems with movement such as tremors, rigidity, and difficulty with every day things like walking, eating, speaking and sleep.[i]

Other symptoms include cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety.[ii]

What Parkinson’s looks like in the brain

Decades of imaging studies have shown what happens in the brain of those with Parkinson’s Disease.

The main problem common to all forms of Parkinson’s is damage to the substantia nigra area of the brain. Showing substantial decreases in the concentration of dopamine neurons.

A large part of the problem with Parkinson’s is it is often not diagnosed until 70 – 80% of the brain’s dopamine neurons are lost.[iii]

Studies show that the aggregation and misfolding of α-Synuclein plays a critical role in the development of Parkinson’s Disease. And regulation and reduction of α-Synuclein levels may slow its progression.[iv]

Causes of Parkinson’s Disease

The loss of dopamine neurons in Parkinson’s is well known. But more recent research has shown what may be causing this cell death.

Parkinson’s Disease can be caused by exposure to metals, carbon monoxide, solvents, and agricultural and gardening chemicals.[v]  

Working with the herbicide paraquat has been shown to increase the chances of developing Parkinson’s by three-fold.

The insecticide rotenone, which is toxic to mitochondria, increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reduces the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Contributing to the development Parkinson’s.[vi]

More recently a genetic cause has been discovered that may account for 3 – 5% of all Parkinson’s patients.[vii]

The use of certain drugs, and even other neurodegenerative diseases can lead to Parkinson’s-like symptoms.

Studies have shown the traumatic brain injury (TBI) can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease. Mild TBI (concussion) increases your risk by 1.5-times, and severe TBI increases your risk by 1.8-times.[viii]

Natural Remedies for Parkinson’s Disease

The following are a list of natural nootropic supplements for Parkinson’s with a brief description for each that have been shown to help either avoid, slow down the progression, or to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

I do not suggest using all of the supplements on this list. Instead, click on the link and read the full review for each of the supplements that resonate with you.

Follow dosage recommendations and make sure you read the side effects section for each to ensure that supplement is not contraindicated with any med you are currently using.

L-DOPA (Mucuna Pruriens)

L-DOPA (Mucuna Pruriens extract) – 500 – 1000 mg 3-times per day – is as a natural alternative to Carbidopa (Lodosyn, Sinemet, Atamet) to increase brain dopamine levels – this is a natural precursor to the synthesis of dopamine – I recommend: Cur EASE^® L-DOPA 99% (Amazon)

Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)

Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) – 500 mg twice per day – helps transport of fatty acids into mitochondria to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – a required cofactor for acetylcholine synthesis – boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) needed for brain cell repair and neurogenesis –  a study conducted at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York found that ALCAR has potential in treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.[ix] By directly affecting mitochondrial respiration and assisting dopamine neurons and the use of dopamine in the brain. – I use and recommend: Superior Labs – Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) (Amazon) or Performance Lab^® Energy

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha – 250 – 500 mg per day – helps prevent, and repair damage caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s[x] – reduces cortisol – helps regenerate axons and dendrites and reconstruct synapses by increasing BDNF – lowers blood sugar – reduces LDL cholesterol – I recommend: Nutricost Ashwagandha Root Extract (as KSM-66^®) (Amazon)

Black Seed Oil

Black Seed Oil – 1 teaspoon 3-times per day –  studies show Black Seed Oil helps with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s,[xi] depression, brain inflammation, epilepsy, reduced blood flow, glial tumors, and traumatic brain injury (TBI)[xii] – I recommend: Amazing Herbs – Black Seed Oil (Amazon) (NOTE: Black Seed Oil tastes particularly nasty. It reminds me of turpentine).

CDP-Choline (Citicoline)

CDP-Choline (Citicoline) – 750 – 1500 mg per day – contributes to the synthesis of phospholipids, which are essential for the assembly and repair of brain cell and mitochondrial membranes – studies have shown using CDP-Choline can help reduce the dose of L-DOPA by 50% without any reduction in symptom control[xiii] – likely because it helps the reuptake of dopamine in synapses and activates the enzyme needed for increased dopamine production –  I recommend: Mind Lab Pro^® or Zazzee CDP Choline (Citicoline) (Amazon)

CoQ10

CoQ10 – 1200 mg per day – a study at University of California, San Diego showed that CoQ10 can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.[xiv] I recommend:  Pure Encapsulations CoQ10 (Amazon)

Creatine

Creatine – up to 5 grams per day – used to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesized within mitochondria and is critical for maintaining cellular energy levels – has been proven for neuroprotection in a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases. Including Parkinson’s, ALS, Alzheimer’s, and stroke[xv] Note that a 2016 large study showed that if you are using 300 mg or more of caffeine per day you should NOT use Creatine or you will increase the progression of Parkinson’s. – I recommend: Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate (Amazon)

Turmeric (Curcumin)

Curcumin – recent research has demonstrated that Curcumin helps prevent the aggregation of α-Synuclein that plays a role in Parkinson’s Disease[xvi] – I use and recommend: Health Thru Nutrition – Curcumin (as BCM-95^®) with Carlyle BioPerine (Amazon) to improve absorption

Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Lion’s Mane Mushroom extract – 1,000 mg twice per day – prevents and treats nerve damage in the brain. Once past the blood-brain barrier, Lion’s Mane stimulates enzyme production that releases Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Nerve regeneration helps relieve neurodegenerative disease symptoms such as Parkinson’s Disease. – I use and recommend: Real Mushrooms – Lion’s Mane (use my discount code for 10% off: Nootropics10)

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC)

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) – 500  mg 3-times per day – NAC has the unique ability to enable dopamine neurons to recover their function including in those dealing with Parkinson’s[xvii] – I use and recommend: Life Extension – NAC

Passionflower

Passionflower extract 250 mg per day – helps with panic attacks, seizures, headaches, menstrual pain, and Parkinson’s Disease[xviii] – I recommend: Puritans Pride Passionflower extract (Amazon)

Pine Bark Extract

Pine Bark Extract – 350 mg twice per day – increases cerebral blood flow and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation helping to prevent Parkinson’s Disease and its progression[xix] – I recommend: Zazzee French Maritime Pine Bark Extract (Amazon)

Polygala Tenuifolia

Polygala Tenuifolia – boosts the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) – has also been found to increase dopamine neurons and improve motor impairment in Parkinson’s Disease[xx] – I recommend: Polygala tenuifolia 20:1 Extract Capsules

PQQ

PQQ – 20 mg 3-times per day – prevents the formation of a-synuclein proteins that contribute to the development of Parkinson’s Disease[xxi] – I recommend: Performance Lab^® Energy or  Doctor’s Best PQQ (with BioPQQ^®) (Amazon)

Saffron

Saffron –  88.25 mg per day – some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease originate from under-utilization of dopamine in the substantia nigra area of the brain. Studies show Saffron helps protect the substantia nigra dopamine neurons associated with Parkinson’s[xxii] – I recommend: Double Wood Supplements Saffron

St. John’s wort

St. John’s wort – 300 mg 3-times per day – several studies show that the main active ingredient in this herb lowered substantia nigra DNA fragmentation, and prevented damage of substantia nigra dopamine neurons – and conclude “these findings reveal the beneficial effect of H. perforatum via attenuation of DNA fragmentation, astrogliosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress”[xxiii] – I recommend: Nature’s Way – St. John’s wort (Perika^®) (Amazon)

Sulforaphane

Sulforaphane – 35 mg per day – protects against cell degeneration that causes diseases like Parkinson’s and may help reduce its progression. By acting as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic (healthy brain cell cycle)[xxiv] – I use and recommend: AVMACOL^® (Sulforaphane with Myrosinase) (Amazon)

Taurine

Taurine – 1.000 mg twice per day –  is particularly effective for those using levodopa to treat Parkinson’s Disease because the drug depletes natural taurine levels in your body[xxv] – I recommend: Life Extension – Taurine

Valerian

Valerian – 200 – 600 mg before bed – stacked with Lemon Balm for sleep – Valerian is a very potent supplement so be careful with dosage – some say Valerian helps calm the symptoms of Parkinson’s and clinical studies back this up[xxvi] – I recommend: American Standard – Valerian (Amazon)

Vinpocetine

Vinpocetine – 10 mg 3-times per day – please click through to my review of Vinpocetine and scroll down to the section called “Vinpocetine is an anti-inflammatory” because it is too detailed to explain here but is very much worth reading if you are dealing with Parkinson’s Disease[xxvii] – I use and recommend: Life Extension – Vinpocetine

Tips and Takeaways

Parkinson’s Disease is often not diagnosed until the disease is well established. By then the substantia nigra region of the brain has lost 70 – 80% of its dopamine neurons which by then are very difficult to recover.

You may slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease by using some of the natural nootropic supplements detailed above. I highly recommend reading the full linked review for each supplement including how it works, dosage recommendations, side effects, and timing during the day before you begin using the supplement.

But there are no guarantees that they will work. Success depends on many factors including the progression of the disease, how your body and brain react to these supplements, genetics and more.

However, many with Parkinson’s have experienced a better quality of life when using these supplements.

Get started by choosing from the list of supplements above, do your research including Nootropics Expert^®, follow dosage recommendations and timing during the day, and get started.

There is hope for a better life. We know because of the science, and many have reported their own experience that these nootropic supplements can work. Don’t wait and get started today.