Archive for January, 2010

Jan 24 2010

Genetic Testing for Parkinson’s

Published by admin under genetic testing

Have you heard about an opportunity to get comprehensive genetic testing for $25 if you have Parkinson’s. The project is being funded by a grant from Google.  As I understand it, the woman who founded 23andme is married to one of the founders of Google who has a genetic predisposition to Parkinson’s.  Everything is connected in one way or another in this terribly interesting world of ours.

Calls for participants from the company are reported below:

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

At 23andMe we’re committed to making breakthrough discoveries in Parkinson’s disease. But we can’t do it without your help.

Whether or not you have Parkinson’s, your responses in our Parkinson’s survey are vital to our research efforts. If you haven’t already done so, please take a few minutes to complete this survey: https://www.23andme.com/you/pd/surveys/pdbackground/

Individuals who have the Parkinson’s-associated LRRK2 G2019S mutation are particularly important for research. Their participation could significantly advance our understanding of the disease and aid in the search for new treatments and preventive measures for all forms of Parkinson’s. If you have this mutation (find out in your Parkinson’s Clinical Report), your family members are eligible for free genetic analysis. To learn more about this offer, please contact us today.

In March we launched the 23andMe Parkinson’s Disease Research Initiative, an unprecedented effort to understand the causes and improve the treatment of Parkinson’s. This December — less than a year later — we are presenting our research progress and findings at Partnering For Cures and the National Institutes of Health (we’ll share the results with you as well — stay tuned!). Our scientists are hard at work analyzing the data from over 3,000 people with Parkinson’s who are participating in the program, and we have several exciting preliminary findings.

But our research could be even better if more people — both with and without Parkinson’s — participate.

Thank you,

The 23andMe Team

P.S. If you know anyone who has Parkinson’s and may be interested in participating in the 23andMe Parkinson’s Disease Research Initiative, please encourage them to do so. People with Parkinson’s can request a discount code for the $25 price at https://www.23andme.com/pd/codereq/.

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Jan 21 2010

Healing from the Inside Out

My radio show interview with Dr. Steve Fenwick today was fascinating.  Are you aware of ways that you sabotage your own recovery from the symptoms of Parkinson’s?  We all sabotage ourselves, but sabotage is serious when it impedes our ability to recover from symptoms that are debilitating. As a psychologist, Dr. Fenwick helps people heal from the inside out.

It takes an hour to hear My interview with Dr. Fenwick but it is well worth the time to listen. Visit the Parkinsons Recovery radio Network page below to hear today’s program:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Weekly Reader
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas

Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

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Jan 19 2010

Tai Ji Tears

Published by admin under poem

Below I have posted a marvelous poem written by Daniel Loney who is virtually symptom free from Parkinson’s today thanks to his practice and dedication to Tai Chi. You can hear my interview with Daniel Loney by visiting:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery

Once on the Parkinsons Recovery radio program website above. scroll down to my December 3, 2009 interview with Daniel.

Daniel is a Tai Chi instructor who will be offering a free tai chi workshop for everyone who will be joining us on the 7 day Parkinsons Recovery Cruise to Alaska that departs May 3rd from Seattle. His gift has been to adopt tai chi to the needs of persons with the symptoms of Parkinsons. Click on the link below to discover more about the Parkinsons Recovery cruise to Alaska.

http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me/alaska

You must sign up by February 12th to take advantage of the heavily discounted fare of $699.  That price amounts to $100 a day and covers everything – cabin, food, entertainment and of course all of the free Parkinsons Recovery workshops.  You can still sign up for the cruise after February 12th, but the cost will be higher.

Robert Rodgers Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Below is the poem Daniel Loney wrote this week,

Tai Ji Tears

Exhausted from the fight
And weary of the journey,
I find rest upon a city bench
Parked, like a statue in the square.
Ignored and invisible to passersby
Who scurry through their lives,
They move with quickness and with ease,
A pace I can no longer keep.

Yet, there is still a hidden place
Where I am king.
A world where every move
Becomes a gift of praise.
A place where tears flow freely
In thanks for heaven’s grace.

Stillness is my solace,
And slowness is my sanctuary
Where every muscle, joint, and sinew seeks its rightful place,
And every limb and organ finds harmony in the whole.
Where I am quiet as a mountain,
Yet, flowing like a river great.

With the grace of a white crane spreading wings,
I move,
And with the firmness of a golden pheasant on one leg,
I stand.
Using the guile of a snake creeping down,
I fight,
And with the stealth of a tiger seeking prey,
I conquer.
Like a horse jumping over a stream,
I soar in victory,
And with the surety of a sparrow returning to its nest,
In triumph I fly.

So, if in your daily journey
Rushing from place to place,
You happen upon a man
Dancing an ancient dance,
And diamond drops rest on his cheeks

Know that he is immersed in tai ji prayer,
Crying tai ji tears of faith,
Worshiping through movement in awe of his Creator.

Daniel Loney

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Jan 18 2010

Fava Beans for Parkinson’s

Published by admin under fava beans

The following are questions I asked Sandra who grows her own fava beans and harvests them herself to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Can fava beans be used in conjunction with other medications?

They do not appear to conflict with sinemet, but there is a fine balance between not enough l-dopa and too much.  If my friend eats too many beans with her sinemet dose..she appears to be drunk and tends to fall.

It would be great if each person’s body metabolism were the same and a clear dose could be established, but it doesn’t work that way. It has been our experience that most doctors are not familiar with fava beans and other natural remedies, and will likely advise sinemet or other PD meds.    I have chosen to stay away from synthetic l-dopa & stick with what I know and consider natural, so that my body can  stay at it’s optimal health.

Do doctors prescribe fava beans??

In Europe, people have used favas for PD therapy for a long time. Favas are also a very popular food in Europe. In the United States, most people have never heard of favas. However, there is a product called Balance D that is available in the US, a supplement containing fava, by Neuroscience. It was recommended to my friend by her doctor.

Do you have a website that would help people understand the use of fava beans and how to grow them?

No, but there is a man in Canada, Ken Allan, who has been so much support to me in this adventure with the favas. He also has PD and has grown and used them to supplement his sinemet for several years now. Here is his website:

http://home.cogeco.ca/~allan/

Is there a fava bean support group where people can get answers to their questions about growing and using the beans?

No,  not that I am aware of, but it is a great idea.  Could Parkinsons Recovery start an online support group where people could share valuable information about fava beans and their uses and how to grow them?

I am happy to share the little bit of information that we have gleaned over the past 12 months. I pray that many of your listeners will be encouraged to grow their own favas and that we will find people interested in doing valuable research on these amazing fava beans.    May God Bless You   .    Sandra

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Weekly Reader
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas

Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

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Jan 17 2010

How to Grow Fava Bean

Published by admin under fava beans

The following are answers by Sandra who grows her own fava beans as a remedy for the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Are fava beans hard to grow?

They were a pleasure to me, but some people would consider them difficult. Some of the plants become tall, depending on the variety of fava and on the composition of the soil. Ours had to be staked to prevent them from falling over when they reach about 4 foot. (Falling over can break the plant/ or they sometimes start getting discolored leaves and beans because of close contact to the ground..neither of which I wanted). So, I hammered stakes in each row with about 6 plants in between, and did what is called a Florida weave to secure them in upright position.

I learned to do this when growing a field of tomatoes one year. When  done properly, a whole field can be tied  in a very short time. A couple of weeks later. A second level of string is used to envelope the plants as they grow taller.

The biggest time consumer is hammering stakes if you grow a large crop. The plants are very hardy and ours survived temperatures down to 26 degrees here in Tennessee. When it dropped lower, they were hit hard……though it looks like they may come back from the roots possibly if the weather ever warms up again.

This is the coldest winter I have seen here. Favas like cool weather. They are actually in the pea family/ and not a bean. They do not tolerate very hot weather. I plan to plant my spring crop, Lord willing, in the end of February or first of March.  Once you look at the beautiful, and prolific  flowers on the plants, you will see why the bees and other insects migrate to your favas…they are amazing.

I found that soaking the seeds for about 2 days, until they begin to sprout, is best and then setting them directly out into the soil about 10 inches apart and 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep. Once they have developed their first 2 leaves, the root is close to a foot long.  They are a good soil builder and bring a lot of nutrients up to the surface from deep in the ground. They are used as “cover crops” in some places plowed under to fertilize the soil, and then the area is replanted.

Where can a person get fava beans if they cannot grow their own?

We have not yet located a source for young/ green/ immature pods. I have come across dried beans in several markets, and even full sized bean pods in Earth Fare…but neither of these will give the l-dopa we need for PD.

You may find a local farmer who would be willing to raise a crop for you. You would have to specify the length you want the beans / or go pick them yourself & come home & process them immediately… so as not to loose the medicinal qualities of the beans. It is best to grow/ harvest & process your own and this will be a priority for me as long as I am able.

The beans (seeds)  themselves , whether green or dry,  contain very little levadopa….it is the leaves, stems, and the pods surrounding  the bean seeds that contain the levadopa.

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Jan 16 2010

How to Prepare Fava Beans

Published by admin under fava beans

What follows is Sandra’s answer to my question about how she goes about preparing  fava beans:

I have found that picking the immature pods at about 2 1/2 inches is the best for us. They have a great buttery taste and no strings.  We steam them for about 6 minutes, then freeze them on cookie sheets for about 15 minutes, then place them in  freezer bags and return them to the freezer. My friend enjoys  them the right from the freezer…2-4 pods with her sinemet dose .. Bean chips & cookies were made by putting large favas (past the stage of eating the pod) through a Champion Juicer, which takes out all the indigestible fiber, etc. ..and using that juice to make tasty l-dopa treats. We keep our “treats” frozen and use them to ward off symptoms.  They are great also for car trips, just to carry along if needed.  The possibilities are endless.

You prepare a tincture from the fava beans you grow in your grow. Tell us more about how you make your tincture

I wanted something that would capture the essence and l-dopa of the plant, and preserve it. Mainly, because there is the problem of having to grow a year’s supply of pods and freeze them. There is always a possibility of a power outage and a years supply would be lost. Since I have been making Echinacea tincture for years from my garden I wondered,

Could the same could be done with the fava plant?

A specific part of the plant captured my attention, so I went through-out the garden harvesting these little “tops”…a little hidden, protected part of the plant. They were placed in a dehydrator to dry and then into a jar with brandy. This was shaken for a month, several times a day. Then, it was strained.

It looked good, and I played the part of a white experimental rat and took several drops to see what would happen. I didn’t see any change right away, but later, went outside and was coming up the steps and noticed that I didn’t halt on my right hip/leg like I always did. I went back down & climbed up the steps again. It wasn’t my imagination.  Started trying other things that I usually couldn’t do…and kept noticing other improvements…..it was easy to drive the car, my reaction time was much improved. The list went on on.

I decided to take another drop at bedtime…and actually got a good night’s sleep. I have been using the tincture now since October 9th. Still no side effects,  besides lack of Parkinson’s disease symptoms.  If I feel symptoms starting…I just take a couple of drops and in about 15 minutes I don’t notice them anymore.

Ken Alan…a fellow PD patient has been growing favas for a few years. I sent him some of my tincture and he “kitchen tested it”. He wrote back that there was approximately 1 mg levadopa in 2 drops tincture. I have been taking this  small dose 3 to 4 times a day to alleviate my symptoms.

Can you provide tincture to other people?

No.  I feel that much research needs to be done on the tincture, and perhaps a better base can be found to draw out even more of the levadopa than brandy.  I plan to experiment in the spring with wine vinegar for tincture. But, I cannot test for levadopa and each batch will be slightly different, because of the soil area in which the favas are grown / the time of year the top is harvested/and the chosen liquid base for the tincture.

I want to make a plea for someone, or perhaps a medical school to take on the fava project that I started. I will help in any way I can to make this valuable way of using favas available to other people with Parkinson’s disease who would benefit from it, as I have.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Weekly Reader
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas

Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

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Jan 15 2010

Fava Beans and Parkinson’s Disease

Published by admin under fava beans

Sandra has been growing her own fava beans. They give her wonderful relief from the symptoms of Parkinson’s. I asked Sandra a series of questions about fave beans.  Here are her answers:

1. How did you come to try fava beans as therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

I started searching books for possible natural treatments for Parkinson’s disease in January 2009. Came across a book “Green Pharmacy” by James A. Duke PhD. He spoke of favas for Parkinson’s disease & that started the ball rolling…lots of research and a search for seeds to plant. I am an organic gardener and am fascinated with herbs and natural medicine … so this was a new challenge for me.

2. Why are fava beans supposed to give relief from PD symptoms?

The whole aerial plant contains l-dopa. Especially, the immature green pods.  Since it is a natural form of l-dopa, the body recognizes & utilizes it very efficiently. Part of this is because it is a whole food, not a synthetic, man made form … just God given.

3. How have fava beans helped you and your friend?

My friend takes a small amount of sinemet and a couple of beans at medication times.  The favas are supplying most of her l-dopa. This seems to be giving her longer “on” times. Taking less sinemet seems to mean less withdrawal time from sinemet. She tries to take all of her sinemet before lunch time and then supplement in the afternoon with bean products dries bean chips/bean cookies/tincture, etc.

Personally, I am not on any pharmaceuticals for PD,  and just taking a few drops of tincture when I feel PD symptoms coming on, is enough to let me get through the day symptom free.

4. Can everyone use fava beans?

No.  Some people have  a genetic condition called favism. People with favism have an deficiency that makes it very dangerous to use favas…consumption can be fatal.  There is a simple blood test called a G6PD which detects if you have this condition and should not use fava beans. The test cost me $65. and was well worth it.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Weekly Reader
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas

Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

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Jan 14 2010

Music Medicine

Published by admin under music medicine

My interview with Dr. Suzanne Jonas was aired earlier today on the Parkinsons Recovery radio show. You can listen to the program by clicking on the link below (or clicking on the blog talk radio icon to the right).

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery

Suzanne Jonas is recruiting research volunteers to participate in a study that evaluates the impact of music medicine on the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Her goal is to recruit 100 study volunteers who have the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

There is a small cost involved to participate [$50] in the study.  Each study volunteer will receive a music CD and is asked to complete a questionnaire several times over the course of the study. The CDs you will receive as a study volunteer are that same CDs that are prescribed by doctors in Holland and Germany where they cost $350. The $50 fee to participate in the study may sound like lot, but it only covers Dr. Jonas’s costs to undertake the study.

Research in Europe shows that Music Medicine CDs have as much positive impact as medicine that is taken by mouth. Suzanne Jonas will evaluate the impact of music medicine on the symptoms of American, Canadian and South American study subjects. Anyone can participate however, regardless of where you live.

Dr. Jonas will compile the results. I will post them here on the Parkinsons Recovery newsletter and the Parkinsons Recovery blog. This is an exciting opportunity for research to evaluate whether music medicine has the potential to be as effective as medicine by mouth.

Music medicine is safe, natural and nonintrusive. The only side effect you can expect is improved health on some level.

Please consider volunteering. Listen to the interview for yourself  so you can discover why this technology shows much promise.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery

These are exciting times for everyone on the road to recovery.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Weekly Reader
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas

Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

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Jan 12 2010

Discounted Fare on the Parkinsons Recovery Cruise to Alaska

Published by admin under cruise to Alaska

I have just finished a conversation with Trucky Robertson who is handling all of the travel arrangements for people who have signed up to join us on the seven day Parkinsons Recovery Cruise to Alaska which departs Seattle May 3rd. I arranged for the early departure date because the rates are unbelievable bargains.

I had originally thought that the low rate would be revoked January 1st, but the cruise line has extended the offer of the discounted rate until February 12th,  the final deadline to take advantage of the discounted rate. The contract Parkinsons Recovery has with the  cruise line is a rate of $699 for the seven day cruise. That is only $100 a day for seven days which includes food and of course lodging and entertainment.  I quite frankly do not know of any vacation you can take anywhere for $100 a day.

The scoop on the cruise is here:

http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me/alaska

Parkinsons Recovery activities and workshops on board the cruise are free to all who join us. Our mission is to jump up the pace of every one’s recovery.

If you are thinking about joining us but can not decide, call our travel agent Trucky Robertson

(360) 987 – 2333.

I do not know how much the fares will jump after February 12th, but if you think you might join us, the best strategy is to sign up and buy travel insurance. That way if you are unable to join us, you can get a full refund. Obviously you can sign up after February 12th, but I am told the fares will be higher.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources

Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Weekly Reader
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network
Aqua Hydration Formulas

Books

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery
Meditations for Parkinsons

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Jan 11 2010

Experience Tai Chi on the Parkinsons Recovery Cruise to Alaska

Published by admin under cruise to Alaska, tai chi

I have exciting news to share. Daniel Loney has now confirmed his appearance as a presenter on the seven day Parkinsons Recovery Cruise to Alaska which leaves Seattle May 3rd. You can hear my radio program interview with Daniel by visiting the Parkinsons Recovery radio Program page and scrolling down to the December 3rd program:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery

I have received a mountain of positive feedback on my radio program interview with Daniel Loney. He was critically ill with the symptoms of Parkinson’s eight years ago but is virtually symptom free today thanks to his commitment to practice (and teach) Tai Chi every day.

Because Daniel Loney has first hand experience with Parkinson’s symptoms, he has invented a series of Tai Chi movements and exercises that are specifically designed to help people who have Parkinson’s.

Today Daniel Loney is a teacher of Tai Chi for individuals who have the symptoms of Parkinson’s. His free Tai Chi workshop on the Parkinsons Recovery Cruise to Alaska will be a special treat for everyone.

Discover the scoop on the cruise to Alaska by clicking on the link below. It will be a transformative experience for us all:

http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me/alaska

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

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