Parkinson's disease is a severe neurological condition that is increasing in our population. The actual cause is not clear but it does involve a depletion of dopamaine in the brain due to spontaneous destruction of dopamine neurotransmiter producing cells. Symptoms include unstable gait, rididigy, shaking, slow movement and speech impairment. As the disease progresses Parkinson's dementia can result. Eventually it causes death. Early symptoms can be controlled through the use of dopamine supplementation in drug therapies like levodopa or dopamine antagonists but recent research is showing that these drugs can actually speed the development of the disease.

Gluathione is the most prevalent and important antioxidant that the human body produces. It is essential for the proper functioning of a number of metabolic pathways. As the body ages glutathione production naturally decreases as much as up to 10 percent per decade after the age of 20. Glutatione is responsible for a well functioning immune system and glutathione supplementation has the reputation of frequently assisting in managing a number of distressing symtpoms common to aging. These include fatigue, depression, anxiety, neurological pain, arthritis, ulcers, alzheimers and most important to this article, Parkinson's disease. It is also reported to be defensive against cancer and aging. It is antibacterial and antiviral and is known to assist in detoxifying your body.

Glutatione can not be taken orally with good results. The stomach acid destroys the molecule, so those suffering from defeciency require supplemention by intravenous infusion. Some people can boost their glutathione levels by taking supplements that are considered glutathione precursors. In other words these supplements support the body in the manufacture of its own gluatione. These supplements are cysteine, n-acetlycysteine and glycine in combination. It is also reported that a good whey product can also promote the formation of glutatione. One such product is Immunocal but a quality whey product such as produced by Jarrow may help also. Generally IV supplementation can be provided by licensed naturopathic doctors.
Suzanne Sommers recently put out a new book telling of the gluathione patch where glutathione is delivered transdermally. You can look for this book at the library or on Amazon. The patch us costs about $77 per month and in very early Parkinson's it may be a sufficient self treatment. It could be worth a try.

Dr David Perlmutter MD has found that IV injections of 600mg of glutathione given to Parkinson's disease patients result in profound benefical results. Patients have almost immediate improvement in gait, stability, speech and facial effect. Improvement for some patients is so profound that they appear almost normal and they state that they feel quite well.

Glutathione injections can be obtained through medical doctors, licensed naturopathic doctors and chiropractors, but from chiropractors only in the states of Idaho, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

There may be evidince in of promise for oral administration of glutathione in a liposomal preparation. I will be keeping my eye on this as it is a new exploration in supplement administration.

In the following youtube videos Dr Perlmutter states his case and presents come remarkable clinical studies.

Case Report on Glutathione use with Parkinson's Disease

Dr Perlmutter's Youtube Report on Glutathione in long term Parkinon's Disease, part one