A Giant Leap in Recovery live class with me each week during 2025 devoted to each of the 14 steps, one by one
Take a Giant Leap in Recovery
Take 14 small steps each week to celebrate a successful recovery. They each address how to support your body’s ability to heal from the inside out by …
Eating the right foods
Transforming thoughts
Releasing trauma
Reducing stress
Eliminating Toxins
Reversing dementia
Fourteen classes with the Robert Rodgers, PhD, Founder of Parkinsons Recovery, convene Tuesdays starting September 9th at 12:00 noon pacific time and continue throughout 2025. This is my way also of offering ongoing support and coaching during the remainder of 2025.
Replays are posted for each class on the online course available 24/7.
Visit this link for more information and to register:
I have known for several years now that there is a strong connection between diabetes and Parkinsons. I suspect however you are thinking this is not my problem. This is the response I hear from most people.
My agenda with this class is first to convince you there is a strong and compelling association of neurological symptoms and diabetes and second to offer some ways to address the problem.
Below I list the symptoms associated with Type 2 Diabetes. All of them have been reported to me by persons diagnosed with Parkinsons, Alzheimers or dementia since 2004.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Do you experience any of the symptoms listed below associated with Type 2 diabetes?
Frequent urge to pee. High blood sugar levels cause excessive urination
Excessive thirst
Unexplained weight loss (the body uses glucose for energy rather than fat)
Fatigue due to high blood sugar levels
Wounds that are slow to heal. High blood sugar levels impair the body’s immune system
Chronic Infections
Numbness or tingling in hands and feet due to high blood sugar levels
Frequent yeast infections (candida)
Fatty liver disease
Regulation of Blood Sugar Levels
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels.
Functions of Insulin:
Facilitates glucose uptake: Insulin binds to receptors on cells, allowing glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream to enter the cells and used for energy.
Lowers blood sugar levels: By promoting glucose uptake, insulin helps reduce blood sugar levels after meals.
With Type 2 Diabetes, insulin resistance compromises the ability of the body to convert sugar into glucose.
In the website listed below. Dr. Ben Bikman argues insulin intolerance is involved with all chronic illnesses including Parkinsons and Alzheimers.
The following article discusses using GLP-1 receptor agonists as a potential treatment for Parkinsons. These are medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and, increasingly, for weight management in individuals with obesity. They mimic the action of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Unresolved Emotions Associated with Diabetes and Neurological Challenges:
A great need to control.
Hopelessness and helplessness
Deep sorrow.
No sweetness left in life.
There are always unresolved emotions associated with chronic diseases which have to be acknowledged and cleared before resolution is possible. The key questions to ask yourself that beg to be answered are:
Why am I experiencing troublesome neurological symptoms? What is the life lesson I must learn from this suffering before recovery becomes a reality? What do I not want to remember?
Meditate on answers to these questions by acknowledging unresolved feelings that are calling out to be released now and forever more.
Diabetes and Parkinsons Recommendations
My research over the past 20 years reveals a majority of persons with Parkinsons symptoms or dementia have a pre-diabetic condition which is unacknowledged. If diabetes happens to be a challenge for you, what can you do about it?
First, because this is an emerging stream of research, most clinicians will be unaware of the research as they are not researchers. You may get a referral to a endocrinologist from your neurologist, but the chances of such a referral are slim.
Second, there is actually little evidence that prescription medications for diabetes will help address the problem and offer in turn relief from Parkinson symptoms, though that of course is a possibility.
Third, I recommend a dietary solution which admittedly is difficult for most people to do. My question for you to ponder is: Do you want to get well? If so, you will have to make huge adjustments to your diet.
Eat no processed or packaged foods – all of which contain sugars of one description or another.
No juices which are high in sugars.
Eat only non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, and peppers by steaming them or juicing them.
Eat fish and meat. With meat, eat only the equivalent size of a deck of cards. You need protein, but large amounts convert to sugars.
Eat small amounts more frequently.
Fourth, there is a supplement I take on a regular basis to address my own pre-diabetic condition which works really well: Glucose Tolerance II with Glucevia from Allergy Research Group.
Below I post a selected body of studies published in 2025 that identifies the role of Type 2 diabetes in creating and sustaining neurological symptoms. The evidence is compelling. Study abstracts listed below represent a small portion of the research on diabetes and neurological conditions published in 2025.
Critical point: Reduce dependence on glucose to fuel your brain and celebrate neurological symptom relief.
Abstracts of Studies that Report on the Relationship between Diabetes and Parkinsons
Int J Mol Sci . 2025 Jan 10;26(2):542.Associations Between Diabetes Mellitus and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and neurodegenerative diseases/disturbances are worldwide health problems. The most common chronic conditions diagnosed in persons 60 years and older are type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cognitive impairment.
It was found that diabetes mellitus is a major risk for cognitive decline, dementia, Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Huntington’s disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative disorders.
An impaired intracellular insulin signaling pathway, together with hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, may cause pathological changes, such as dysfunction of the mitochondria and oxidative stress inflammatory responses.
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J Parkinsons Dis. 2020;10(3):775-789. The Association Between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Parkinson’s Disease
Abstract
In recent years, an emerging body of evidence has forged links between Parkinson’s disease (PD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In observational studies, those with T2DM appear to be at increased risk of developing PD, as well as experiencing faster progression and a more severe phenotype of PD, with the effects being potentially mediated by several common cellular pathways.
The insulin signalling pathway, for example, may be responsible for neurodegeneration via insulin dysregulation, aggregation of amyloids, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and altered synaptic plasticity.
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Brain. 2025 Apr 3;148(4):1389-1404. Machine learning reveals connections between preclinical type 2 diabetes subtypes and brain health
Abstract
Previous research has established type 2 diabetes mellitus as a significant risk factor for various disorders, adversely impacting human health. While evidence increasingly links type 2 diabetes to cognitive impairment and brain disorders, understanding the causal effects of its preclinical stage on brain health is yet to be fully known.
We employed a robust machine learning algorithm with cross-sectional clinical data to identify underlying subtypes and stages for preclinical type 2 diabetes. Our analysis revealed one subtype distinguished by elevated circulating leptin levels and decreased leptin receptor levels, coupled with increased body mass index, diminished lipid metabolism, and heightened susceptibility to psychiatric conditions such as anxiety disorder, depression disorder, and bipolar disorder.
Individuals in the second subtype manifested typical abnormalities in glucose metabolism, including rising glucose and haemoglobin levels, with observed correlations with neurodegenerative disorders. A 10 year follow-up of these individuals revealed differential declines in brain health and significant clinical outcome disparities between subtypes. The first subtype exhibited faster progression and higher risk for psychiatric conditions, while the second subtype was associated with more severe progression of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease and faster progression to type 2 diabetes.Our findings highlight that monitoring and addressing the brain health needs of individuals in the preclinical stage of type 2 diabetes is imperative.
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J Ethnopharmacol. 2025 Feb 10;338(Pt 3):119095. Exploring the therapeutic potential of Chinese herbs on comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus and Parkinson’s disease: A mechanistic study
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are chronic conditions that affect the aging population, with increasing prevalence globally. The rising prevalence of comorbidity between these conditions, driven by demographic shifts, severely impacts the quality of life of patients, posing a significant burden on healthcare resources.
Chinese herbal medicine has been used to treat T2DM and PD for millennia. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that medicinal herbs effectively lower blood glucose levels and exert neuro-protective effects, suggesting their potential as adjunctive therapy for concurrent management of T2DM and PD.
Aim of the study: To elucidate the shared mechanisms underlying T2DM and PD, particularly focusing on the potential mechanisms by which medicinal herbs (including herbal formulas, single herbs, and active compounds) may treat these diseases, to provide valuable insights for developing therapeutics targeting comorbid T2DM and PD.
Materials and methods: Studies exploring the mechanisms underlying T2DM and PD, as well as the treatment of these conditions with medicinal herbs, were extracted from several electronic databases
Results: Numerous studies have shown that inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, impaired autophagy, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and ferroptosis are shared mechanisms underlying T2DM and PD. Thirty-four medicinal herbs, including 2 herbal formulas, 4 single herbs, and 28 active compounds, have been reported to potentially exert anti-T2DM and anti-PD effects by targeting these shared mechanisms.
Conclusions: Traditional Chinese medicine effectively combats T2DM and PD through shared pathological mechanisms, highlighting their potential for application in treating these comorbidity conditions.
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Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Feb 11;26(4):1516. Targeting Ferroptosis in Parkinson’s: Repurposing Diabetes Drugs as a Promising Treatment
Abstract
This review explores the promising potential of repurposing type 2 diabetes (T2D) medications for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD), highlighting the shared pathophysiological mechanisms between these two age-related conditions, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ferroptosis. The overlap suggests that existing diabetes drugs could target the common pathways involved in both conditions.
The connection between ferroptosis and existing treatments, including diabetes medication, are only beginning to be explored. The limited data can be attributed also to the complexity of mechanisms involved in ferroptosis and Parkinson’s disease and to the fact that the specific role of ferroptosis in Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis has not been a primary focus until recent. Despite the promising preclinical evidence, clinical findings are mixed, underscoring the need for further research to elucidate these drugs’ roles in neurodegeneration.
Repurposing existing diabetes medications that have well-established safety profiles for Parkinson’s disease treatment could significantly reduce the time and cost associated with drug development and could offer a more comprehensive approach to managing Parkinson’s disease compared to treatments targeting a single mechanism.
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Mov Disord. 2025 Jan;40(1):67-76. Insulin Resistance Is a Modifying Factor for Parkinson’s Disease
Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common, and the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder with unclear etiology in most cases. An increasing number of evidence suggests that central insulin resistance might have an essential role in PD pathology. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether insulin resistance arises from external factors/lifestyle, comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes or it can occur in a PD patient’s brain independently from peripheral insulin resistance.
Objective: We aimed to investigate insulin resistance and its role in GBA1 mutation-associated PD pathogenesis and phenotype severity.
Methods: Midbrain organoids, generated from induced pluripotent stem cells Of PD patients carrying the GBA1-N370S heterozygous mutation (GBA-PD) and healthy donors, were exposed to different insulin concentrations to modify insulin signaling function. Transcriptomics analysis was performed to explore insulin signaling gene expression patterns in GBA-PD and to find a potential target for GBA-PD-associated phenotype rescue.
Results: The insulin signaling pathway genes show dysregulation in GBA-PD. Particularly, we highlight that a knockdown of FOXO1 mitigates the loss of dopaminergic neurons and cellular death in GBA-PD. Additionally, our findings suggest a promising therapeutic potential of the anti-diabetic drug Pioglitazone in decreasing dopaminergic neuron loss associated with GBA-PD.
Conclusion: Local insulin signaling dysfunction plays a substantial role in GBA-PD pathogenesis, exacerbating dopaminergic neuron death.
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Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2025 Mar;83(3):1-10 Modifiable risk factors associated with the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease: a critical review
Abstract
The etiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and multifactorial, depending on interactions involving environmental/lifestyle and genetic factors. The genetic aspects of the disease are becoming well characterized, while the environmental factors still need further investigation.
In the present narrative review, we have described the most concrete evidence of associations between environmental factors and the risk of developing PD.
Physical activity, healthy dietary patterns, smoking, and caffeine intake are protective factors against PD.
Head trauma, consumption of milk and dairy products, and pesticide exposure were associated with a higher risk of developing PD.
Several studies strongly suggest that diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for the development of PD, as well as the pre-diabetic state. Lower serum levels of uric acid were associated with an increased risk of developing PD and with worse clinical features and faster progression of symptoms.
Several other factors were potentially associated with the risk of developing PD: environmental pollutants such as organic solvents, exposure to sunlight, vitamin D deficiency, bullous pemphigoid, bipolar disorder, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, certain infections and agents, and essential tremor. Environmental factors are important risk markers for the development of PD.
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Neural Regen Res. 2025 Nov 1;20(11):3113-3123. Understanding the link between type 2 diabetes mellitus and Parkinson’s disease: role of brain insulin resistance
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus and Parkinson’s disease are chronic diseases linked to a growing pandemic that affects older adults and causes significant socio-economic burden. Epidemiological data supporting a close relationship between these two aging-related diseases have resulted in the investigation of shared pathophysiological molecular mechanisms.
Impaired insulin signaling in the brain has gained increasing attention during the last decade and has been suggested to contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease through the dysregulation of several pathological processes. The contribution of type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance in neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease, with emphasis on brain insulin resistance, is extensively discussed in this article.
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Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2025 Mar 28;18(4):486. Overview of Metformin and Neurodegeneration: A Comprehensive Review
Abstract
This comprehensive review examines the therapeutic potential of metformin, a well-established diabetes medication, in treating neurodegenerative disorders. Originally used as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, recent studies have begun investigating metformin’s effects beyond metabolic disorders, particularly its neuroprotective capabilities against conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Key findings demonstrate that metformin’s neuroprotective effects operate through multiple pathways: AMPK activation enhancing cellular energy metabolism and autophagy; upregulation of antioxidant defenses; suppression of inflammation; inhibition of protein aggregation; and improvement of mitochondrial function. These mechanisms collectively address common pathological features in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, including oxidative stress, protein accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Clinical and preclinical evidence supporting metformin’s association with improved cognitive performance, reduced risk of dementia, and modulation of pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases is critically evaluated.
Has your doctor recommended that you take CoQ10 along with your regular medications? Some doctors do. It is deficient in most persons diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Some health care professionals I have interviewed report medications deplete the availability of CoQ10 in the body which is why supplementation becomes necessary.
CoQ10 is no doubt a key anti-aging nutrient. It prevents free radical damage to the DNA in the mitochondria. Supplementation is also recommended for persons with heart issues.
A 10 year longitudinal study published in the European Journal of Heart Failure reported that taking CoQ10 improved the survival for patients who confront the constant threat of heart failure.
Research that has examined the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on Parkinson’s disease has reported conflicting results. Recent meta-analytic reviews find little effect. I suspect an explanation resides in the fact most CoQ10 supplements have minimal penetration.
What brand of CoQ10 has high penetration?
There are so many choices on the market today. Natural compounding pharmacist Ross Pelton directed me to a source of Coenzyme Q10 that is worth taking seriously. It is produced by Pharmanord of Denmark.
Why do most Coenzyme Q10 products sold in the marketplace have negligible absorption rates? We are talking 1% at best. The melting point of CoQ10 is 10 degrees above body temperature. Most of the supplements you buy – even those in oil, have crystallized and cannot be absorbed by the body
Why Bioavailability of CoQ10 Matters
Bioavailability measures the ability to absorb and utilize a substance like CoQ10 in the tissues and blood of the body. CoQ10 is fat soluble with a high molecular weight which is why its absorption is very limited.
Pharma Nord https://www.pharmanord.comhas developed the most studied brand of CoQ10 globally. A proprietary heat treatment process greatly facilitates its absorption. The molecular structure of the Pharmanord CoQ10 is transformed from rough crystals to a snowflake like shape. More than 75 studies have now been published that document its superior absorption when compared to other brands.
The price is also reasonable. You can order the Pharmanord CoQ10 directly on their website. Their professional staff generously set up a 20% discount for members of my audience. You can claim this discount only if you ship to a USA destination. Enter the coupon code “PRQ10WEB“ to claim a 20% discount (not case sensitive).
Are you prone to experience respiratory problems including pneumonia? Have you ever had lung infections that were difficult to treat? Did you struggle to overcome a Covid infection?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions and currently experience Parkinsons symptoms, you want to provide protection again a pneumonia infection which is a leading cause of death among persons diagnosed with Parkinsons.
A new study offers a treatment found to offer respiratory support. The study evaluated a new photobiomodulation device – the Vielight RX-Plus – used as a treatment for 294 subjects experiencing COVID symptoms. Details of the study are reported below.
If you have confronted respiratory challenges in the past and decide to acquire the new Vielight RX-Plus device, there are two ways the company reduces the risk involved. First, they offer a 10% discount on all orders (coupon code healing4me). Second and most importantly, you are invited to use the device up to six months. If it does not offer the relief anticipated, you can return the device for an 80% refund.
Bottom line; Pneumonia is a serious health threat. The CODIV study results reported below suggest to me that the new photobiomodulation is a new treatment option for pneumonia worth serious consideration.
The primary focus was on recovery speed in patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms. Patients with symptom durations of 0–7 days experienced significantly faster recovery when treated with PBM and standard care (SOC) compared to SOC alone. However, those with 8–12 days of symptoms did not show significant improvement.
Recruitment
Recruitment began in September 2020, with 701 adults who tested positive for COVID-19 assessed for eligibility. Of these, 407 did not meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria: 406 participants either had severity scores outside the required 4-7 range on the WURSS-44 scale or were outside the age range of 18-65, while one couldn’t complete forms in English. This left 294 eligible participants. Recruitment ended on July 5, 2021, due to the availability of monoclonal antibodies, declining interest, and sufficient numbers for statistical power, after which the datasets were locked.
Results summary
This study evaluated the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, specifically the Vielight RX Plus, in accelerating recovery from COVID-19 for non-hospitalized patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms. In patients experiencing symptoms for 0–7 days, PBM significantly reduced recovery time compared to standard of care (SOC) alone. However, in those with longer symptom durations (8–12 days), PBM did not produce a statistically significant improvement.
PBM was particularly effective in alleviating respiratory symptoms and reducing adverse effects like tachycardia and dysgeusia. It also contributed to a quicker recovery in specific symptoms such as headache, chest congestion, and body aches for patients in the 0–7 day symptom group. In contrast, the 8–12 day group showed slower recovery from fatigue and other energy-related symptoms, though they did experience milder symptom severity for some issues.
The study attributes the benefits of PBM to its anti-inflammatory effects, which have been linked to reduced cytokine levels in past research.
There have been few new groundbreaking therapies to treat neurological diseases since the 1970’s – until now. Research discoveries are popping out right and left in 2025. Groundbreaking therapies for Parkinsons never before possible have been helping more and more people celebrate symptom relief.
Join with Robert Rodgers PhD who will introduce these new discoveries and natural therapies during live classes that begin Monday, August 18th and continue consecutive Mondays for 10 classes.
Live classes convene at 12:00 pm pacific time. Replays are available for all 10 classes.
Visit the registration link below for more information about this exciting new course:
Robert Rodgers PhD robert@parkinsonsrecovery.comRoad to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me Olympia Washington 877-526-4646
The future of medicine rests with innovative therapies that utilize light and sound to bring the body back into balance and harmony. Photobiomodulation (or light therapy) is one such delivery system. This turns out to be the Parkinsons breakthrough of 2025.
I first learned about photobiomodulation in 2018 from my interview with the CEO of Vielight, Dr. Lew Lim. At that time, there was only one photobiomodulation study of five Alzheimers subjects that reported positive outcomes. There was no research evidence at the time for Parkinsons subjects so the jury was out at that time.
Still, I encouraged members of my audience to begin using the Neuro Gamma Vielight device which was recommended by Dr. Lim as the best device to address Parkinsons symptoms. He offered at that time the opportunity to use this Vielight device for six months. If users did not celebrate positive outcomes, they were invited to return the device to claim an 80% refund.
Many hundreds from the Parkinsons Recovery audience began using the Vielight Neuro Gamma photobiomodulation device. Users reported a variety of benefits. Nine out of ten users kept their units. One out of ten returned them. In short, home use turns out to benefit most users.
About Photobiomodulation
Different from electrical and magnetic stimulation, photobiomodulation uses light energy (or photons) of specific wave lengths and power densities to simulate cellular function. Photobiomodulation energizes the mitochondria of neurons. This triggers a cascade of beneficial cellular functions including …
Neuro-protective effects.
Self-repair mechanisms.
Enhanced functionality.
Photobiomodulation (known also as PBM) has multiple clinical benefits due to an enhancement of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and subsequent increase in ATP output. It modulates cellular signaling and it reduces inflammation.
The photobiomodulation Vielight devices use an Intranasal delivery of the light therapy which is the most efficient method for delivering light energy to the brain and body.
Photobiomodulation Parkinsons Breakthrough Research
An independent Parkinsons study by Ann Liebert and her colleagues from the University of Sydney found the Vielight Neuro Gamma produced statistically significant clinical results.
Twelve participants diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease were enlisted for the study. Documented reductions in symptoms far exceeded expectations of the researchers. Measures of mobility, cognition, dynamic balance and fine motor skill for the 12 Parkinson’s research subjects were significantly improved (p < 0.05) with 12 weeks of home photobiomodulation treatments.
Individual improvements varied but many continued for up to one year with continued home treatment.
The design of this study was eloquent. Participants were assessed for mobility, fine motor skills, balance and cognition before treatment began, after 4 weeks of treatment, after 12 weeks of treatment and the end of the home treatment period.
Researchers drew the following conclusions:
“PBM (photobiomodulation) was shown to be a safe and potentially effective treatment for a range of clinical signs and symptoms of PD. Improvements were maintained for as long as treatment continued, for up to one year in a neurodegenerative disease where decline is typically expected.”
A five year follow-up study that tracked 6 of the 12 subjects found improvements were sustained with continued use.
This study provides evidence that photobiomodulation therapy reduces motor signs and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease patients. The best news was that improvements were sustained over several years.
Dramatic Explosion in Photobiomodulation Research
Since 2018 hundreds of researchers have published studies evaluating photobiomodulation therapy for a wide variety of brain disorders. A search on pubmed.gov lists over 11,000 studies have focused on photobiomodulation as a treatment modality. Over one hundred (100) studies focus specifically on photobiomodulation for Parkinsons. All of the studies conclude it is a viable therapy that offers symptom relief.
Vielight Devices Discount and Warranty
Vielight is the gold standard company that invents photobiomodulation devices. They offer a 10% discount off orders on any of their devices. Enter the coupon code healing4meon the shopping cart when ordering. The website: www.vielight.com
Do not hesitate to call the company. They always provide five star service and are happy to answer all of your questions. 1-877-355-8012 (Main line). The company is located in Toronto Canada.
Vielight is so confident in its devices that you are invited to use any of their devices for up to six (6) months. If for any reason you are not satisfied, you can return the device for an 80% refund – no questions asked. I have never heard of a company that is so confident in their product that such a generous warranty is honored. They obviously have high confidence that people who use their devices will find them to be beneficial and well worth the cost.
After interviewing hundreds of individuals diagnosed with Parkinsons who succeeded in reversing symptoms of Parkinsons, I have a rich understanding of what a successful recovery entails.
Is it possible for symptoms of Parkinsons to resolve quickly?
I so wish I could say yes, but the honest answer is no.
Is there a recovery program that works for everyone?
Unfortunately no. Everyone who has succeeded followed a different path.
Everyone of course wants to suppress symptoms which is why medications have been so popular. For some, they succeed in offering temporary relief. For others they flop. The best outcome for everyone is for symptoms to fade into the sunset forever.
What have people done to make recovery happen?
They acknowledge there are no quick fixes.
They accept that the journey down the road to recovery will be rocky. Some days will be awesome.
They launch a journey of discovery to heal from the inside out which will take time and patience.
They honor the fact that what has helped others may well not help them, but there are therapies that can succeed for them.
They experiment. They keep what helps and discard what does not.
I invite you to take a six month journey down the road to recovery. The course reveals everything I have learned over the past 20 years about recovery from those who have succeeded in reversing some of not all symptoms of Parkinsons.
You get guidance on how to figure out the cause of your symptoms and natural therapies to resolve it.
You get natural therapies for specific symptoms.
You get a roadmap of how to recover from the inside out.
You get the scoop on all of the cutting edge therapies over the past several years.
You get six months of daily recordings (and the accompanying text) for each day’s topic
A decade of hosting 250 guests on Parkinsons Recovery Radio has made it possible to document a variety of natural treatments to tame tremors that have proven successful. They fall into a various categories including herbs, certain foods, essential oil tinctures, ketone esters, light and sound therapies, energy medicine and many home made remedies.
It is surprisingly helpful to embrace natural methods that tame tremors. Unchecked they sustain unrelenting stress. When we are unable to reduce the intensity of stress, tremors always get worse. The cycle is endless unless checked. The vicious cycle is familiar to everyone.
Tremors cause reoccurring stress.
Stress inflames the tremors.
Taming tremors helps reverse this vicious cycle.
The challenge for members of my global Parkinsons Recovery audience is that natural treatments for tremors are scattered all over the place, buried in my many thousands of blog posts and replays of 260 Parkinsons Recovery radio show interviews that have aired over the past several decades.
My new online course covers natural therapies that have been successful to tame their tremors. It organizes, explains and updates the most successful strategies, therapies and treatments that have been reported by persons who themselves experience tremors. Some of the methods have just emerged over the past decade. Some have been practiced for centuries. I want everyone to know about both ancient and new discoveries.
Included in the course is a download of my book Seven Secrets to Healing which is available when you register for the class. For more information and to register visit:parkinsonsrecovery.org/tame-tremors
P.S. The course does not address prescriptions medications which fall into the domain of medical doctors, so any issues or questions about medications will need to be addressed with your doctor.
Robert Rodgers PhD Founder 2004 Parkinsons Recovery Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me Olympia, Washington USA 877-526-4646 robert@parkinsonsrecovery.com
Brendan Thorson—an experienced energy healer, teacher, and founder of Vital Energy Medicine, a self-empowering healing system designed to restore vitality and support those living with chronic illness and neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease.
Brendan brings over 24 years of experience in energy medicine, with a background in acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and therapeutic bodywork. But what truly sets his work apart is his ability to activate the body’s internal energy systems in ways that help people reconnect their mind and body, recharge their system, and awaken deep healing potential.
His method blends ancient energetic principles with modern understanding of health, helping individuals strengthen their internal wiring, improve symptoms, and transform their long-term well-being.
Today, we’ll be diving into Brendan’s unique healing approach, the success he’s seen working with individuals with Parkinson’s and other chronic conditions, and the hope this work may offer for those still searching for answers.”
Questions I asked Brendan
Personal Journey & Background
Can you share a bit about your personal healing journey and what led you to develop Vital Energy Medicine?
You hold a Master’s in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine—how did your path evolve from traditional training into the energy healing work you now do?
Vital Energy Medicine – How It Works
What is Vital Energy Medicine, and how is it different from other healing modalities like Reiki, acupuncture, or Qigong?
Can you explain what happens during an energy healing session with you? What might someone expect to feel or experience?
You often talk about “restoring the body’s internal wiring”—what do you mean by that, and how is it connected to healing?
You do both online and in person healing sessions and training. Is there a difference in effectiveness?
Healing Chronic Illness & Parkinson’s
You’ve worked with individuals with Parkinson’s and other chronic illnesses—what types of improvements have you seen?
Are there particular symptoms or challenges—like fatigue, tremors, or anxiety—that your work tends to support especially well?
How does your energy work complement or differ from approaches like physical therapy or medication?
Can you work with non-mobile people? If yes, how do you do that? Can you give me an example of how you work with people? Can you give me a short sample of what you do?
You mentioned something about planning to do research. Can you share more about your research plans?
Hope, Healing & Transformation
For people who feel like they’ve “tried everything,” what makes your work a different kind of opportunity?
Can you talk about the role that grounding, energy awareness, or inner connection plays in the healing process?
Why do you think so many people don’t know about this kind of energy work—and what needs to change?
Energy Medicine Next Steps for Listeners
If someone is curious to try your work, what’s the best way to begin? And what kind of commitment or mindset helps people get the most out of it?
Can you lead a brief sample exercise or session so people can see what your work looks like?
My guest today is Dr. David Berceli, PhD, creator of TRE® (Tension, Stress & Trauma Release Exercise) which is an innovative series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma.
TRE® safely activates a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system. When this muscular shaking/vibrating mechanism is activated in a safe and controlled environment, the body is encouraged to return back to a state of balance.
What are the seven secrets to healing that solve the mystery behind healing chronic diseases? How can you heal from the inside out so that disabling symptoms are reversed and imbalances in your body restored?
When we become ill we lose energy and get depressed. The gut instinct is to find treatments that offer a promise of making symptoms magically disappear. There are certainly medical options that are no secret to anyone which offer temporary relief from symptoms.
To be sure there are options to suppress symptoms but you will not find them in my new book. Why? These quick fixes are not secrets!
What are the seven secrets to healing illness? I am confident you would never guess the seven secrets because the path to authentic healing is unknown to most people.
Is one of the Seven Secrets to Healing all about the importance of eating a healthy diet? No! Certainly eating the right food is one of the pillars of maintaining good health and helping heal chronic diseases. But, this truth is no secret to anyone!
Is one of the Seven Secrets to Healing about the importance of getting regular exercise? No! Certainly exercise is also one of the pillars of reversing illness but this tidbit of wisdom is no secret to anyone.
Is one of the Seven Secrets to Healing all about the role stress plays in creating illness? No! Certainly stress plays a foundational role in creating and sustaining chronic diseases but researchers have already published hundreds of books that reveal this truth. The connection between stress and illness is no secret to anyone. .
Is one of the Seven Secrets to Healing all about the impact of economic hardship on a persons overall health? Duh? Now, no one would ever find this observation to be a secret to healing.
OK. Enough. My point is simple. You will be surprised by the Seven Secrets to healing because they are indeed exactly that – secrets. Until now.
The truth is that the body can reverse any illness and heal any disease as long as the condition has not progressed to the point of no return. How do you make this happen for yourself? It happens by healing from the inside out rather than dampening symptoms from the outside in. Take the revelations of the seven secrets seriously. You will be dazzled to discover the results.
Seven Secrets is available as a print book and a download.
The Print Book
Click on the link below to purchase the print book you can hold in your hands
Just released for the price of one mocha cafe a month … everything you need to know to manifest a successful recovery from Parkinsonsin 2025
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What are causes of Parkinsons disease winds up being the question many people believe has already been answered. Simple. It is all about a deficiency of dopamine.
Really I say? Is the body really that simple? Are we like a car? When our car stops running we need only fill it up with more gas and bingo – it runs again?
The body transmits thousands of instructions every second to keep us alive. It truly is a miracle. When symptoms emerge, there is no simple fix. If we were like a car, we could simply fill ourselves up with gas.
Compounding Pharmacist Randy Mentzer explains the cascading array of factors that contribute to the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Sharry Edwards has a big picture view to describe the many causes of Parkinsons.
By way of further explanation, studies show that one answer to the question “how Parkinsons disease is caused” is exposure to certain pesticides. Many people know this and get tested for the presence of these toxins in their body. Often, the tests are positive.
Great. So now the person knows the cause is pesticides. Of course, a regimen is then initiated to detox the pesticides. But wait a minute here.
Why are pesticides stored and stuck in the body which is eloquently equipped to get rid of any and all toxins. What happened here?
Are kidneys compromised? Maybe an origin of the problem is not pesticides but a kidney which is not functioning a full capacity.
Or, perhaps the liver is compromised? Maybe the origin of the problem is not pesticides but a liver problem which is not functioning at full capacity.
Let’s assume we know the problem is the liver. Why is the liver compromised?
Is it because of an alcoholic addiction? That will inevitably cause liver problems. If in fact this is the case, the contributing cause is not the pesticides per say or a liver that is diseased but an addiction to alcohol.
Or, is it because of the side effects of multiple medications that are taken? It is well documented that certain medications cause liver damage.
Or, is it because of a Hepatitis C infection? A hepatitis infection can cause liver disease. My uncle Gordon was treated for Parkinson’s disease for 15 years before he died in 2009. An autopsy revealed he did not have Parkinson’s. He had Hepatitis C.
The point of course is that when a decision is make that the cause is pesticides of Hepatitis C, treatments will focus on detoxing pesticides or treating the Hepatitis C infection.
But wait here. Can the liver tolerate the chelation of the pesticide toxin or antibiotic treatment of Hepatitis C?
Not if the side effects of medications caused liver disease.
Not if an alcoholic refuses to stop drinking alcohol.
I have talked with dozens of persons with Parkinson’s symptoms who have pursued methods to detox toxins with limited success. Why are they unable to succeed with getting the toxins out of their body?
One or more of their elimination organs (kidneys, liver, colon, skin) are compromised. These organs have to be brought back to full functionality before any detox regime can succeed.
The above possibilities illustrate what I have presented in the video and what Randy Menzter discussed in the clip of my interview with him.
When symptoms emerge, most people conclude that their body is broken. The body’s natural state is one of harmony, balance and wellness. We simply need to support its ability to succeed at helping us heal from the inside out.
Feldenkais Practitioner Cynthia Allen discusses the guiding principles of Feldenkrais for Parkinsons as she guides us through several fascinating movement experiences.
Movement often becomes more difficult as we age. When we add Parkinson’s Disease to that mix, we can feel trapped. Let’s examine how we can reclaim functional and pleasure in movement using the Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education. Learn how working with curiosity and movement experiments awakens your brain to possibilities that were unavailable just a few moments ago. You will get a chance to do small movement experiments within this session from a seated position. Experience what Feldenkrais for Parkinsons is all about. Come ready to be surprised!
Cynthia Allen has been working in wellness practices, healthcare management, and organizational consulting for over 35 years. In 2001, she became a Certified Feldenkrais® practitioner and, more recently, a Senior Trainer in Movement Intelligence. She is the co-creator of the Integral Human Gait theory and the creator of Your Learning Body, an online Feldenkrais community
She has found Feldenkrais Method and Bones for Life to be a vital part of finding personal health despite life challenges. In her private practice, she has had the privilege of working with many people with Parkinson’s Disease, helping them to move through daily life with increased ease.
Cynthia has written about the Feldenkrais Method, pain, and trauma for the Alternative and Complementary Therapies Journal as well as the online Chronic Pain Partners. She has conducted and published a research paper: Alternative Movement Program in Geriatric Rehabilitation in the Functional Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Ergonomics.
She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, business partner and NLP guru, Larry Wells and their new puppy Darby. Today her practice is held online allowing her to serve more people than she ever realized was possible.
Light therapy has floated to the top of the list as a promising treatment for Parkinson’s after reviewing results of my 2022 Parkinsons Recovery holiday survey. A surprising number of respondents to the survey reported that low level laser light therapy (or photobiomodulation) helped them celebrate relief from their symptoms.
Light therapy is not new. It has been researched under a variety of terms for over 40 years: low level laser therapy or LLLT, laser biostimulation and most recently photobiomodulation. This noninvasive therapy has been used in clinical practices to treat healing-resistant wounds, ulcers, pain and nervous system injuries. More recently it is a therapy that has attracted the attention of researchers as a therapy for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
The interview clip below is with Dr. Lew Lim, the CEO of Vielight that has developed several photobiomodulation devices.
A July 2018 a University of California San Francisco study conducted by Linda Chao PhD offered compelling support for its application to treat dementia. Eight adults diagnosed with dementia participated in the study. Four subjects received 12 weeks of self-administered photobiomodulation treatments in their homes. Four were assigned to a control group. Treatments were administered using a commercially available device (Vielight Neuro Gamma). Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, 6-weeks, and 12-weeks.
Findings revealed significant improvement in cognition and functional connectivity. Dr. Chao concluded that photobiomodulation therapy is a safe, non-pharmacological therapy that can be used to treat patients in their homes.
Results of this study are indeed impressive. Large samples are typically required for a study to show significance. Despite its small size, this study showed significant results.
Below Dr. Lim why photobiomodulation is an effective treatment for dementia.
Light Therapy Research
Individuals who responded to the 2022 Parkinsons Recovery survey reported that photobiomodulation (or low level laser therapy) was one of the top five therapies found to be most beneficial. This finding is backed up by a series of research research studies that focus on the beneficial effects of photobiomodulation for individuals diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease. Visit the link below for a listing of these study abstracts:
Since diffuse light does not easily pass through the skull, Dr. Lim’s had the brilliant idea to pass the light through a device clipped to the nose. Now, in my book of creativity, that is inventiveness at its best!
Click the image below to hear the interview and learn more about Dr. Lim’s new photobiomodulation device called the Vielight Gamma.
It would seem at this early stage that you cannot go wrong to be open to allow light to shine brightly on the surface of your body and of course your retina!
What has been the experience of persons with Parkinsons symptoms who have been using the Vielight Gamma Device?
Thus far, several hundred persons who listened to my interview on the Vielight device purchased the neuro gamma device using the 10% discount coupon code (healing4me) Dr. Lim provided to listeners of my Parkinsons Recovery Radio Show interview. Those who acquired the device were invited to return the device to the company for a 80% refund after using it for six months if it did not offer relief from their symptoms.
The company reports to me that 10% of the Neuro Gamma units have been returned. One estimate of effectiveness is that approximately 90% of users are satisfied it helps address some symptoms. The odds are certainly in your favor that the device will be beneficial. Know also that it does not help everyone.
I have also heard from a member of my audience who is connected with a wide community of persons with Parkinsons symptoms. He reports that virtually all users experienced welcome relief from some symptoms. For some, the most pronounced results were seen in the initial 4 months or so, after which the improvements tended to level off.
Anecdotal Reports about the Vielight Photobiomodulation Neuro Device as a Treatment for Parkinson’s Symptoms
Informal feedback from users who are members of my audience is captured below:
One common report from users is that the therapy does not show quick results. You apparently have to apply the therapy over a period of several weeks to a month or longer to celebrate a positive shift in symptoms.
I have heard several specific reports on tremors that were calmed.
It is unclear at this point to what degree the therapy will address balance issues, but I have heard it seems to offer help with gait issues.
Evidence does suggest that this therapy can potentially help with dementia.
One user reported a definite return of smell, but the jury was out on the effect on tremors and other symptoms.
The wife of one 85 year old man with advanced Parkinson’s symptoms reported that after 6 weeks of using the Vielight Neuro device there were no major improvements but several minor ones of some consequence: Her husband reports being more alert, sleeping better, his cough is less, he has been inspired lately to use his automatic peddler and his hallucinations have dwindled. She reports it has been an answer for a better quality of life for both of them and promises to keep me updated.
Of course, it is difficult for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s to attribute an improvement in symptoms directly to the Vielight photobiomodulation therapy when they are taking advantage of other therapies at the same time. Reports above are a general summary of the informal feedback I have received in emails and phone conversations. One person told me it did not offer them the relief they had expected and returned the unit.
Like virtually all natural therapies I have documented over the past several decades, the Vielight Neuro Gamma device will not help everyone. Odds do appear to be in your favor if you decide to try it out.
Dr. Lim has has also invented a device called the X-Plus which delivers light directly to the mid brain. This device is designed to send light to the midbrain which is the location of issues associated with Parkinson’s symptoms.
For more information, visit the Vielight website. If you decide to try out the Neuro Gamma device, be sure to tell them you are a member of the Parkinsons Recovery audience and they will apply a 10% discount (coupon code healing4me) when you order.https://www.vielight.com
An abstract of a 2024 study below finds a link between gut microbes in Parkinson’s patients with decreased levels of two B vitamins: riboflavin ( vitamin B2) and biotin (vitamin B7). Researchers recommend patients supplement Vitamins B2 and B7 for Parkinson’s.
Research shows there is a strong link between the health of our gut and Parkinson’s symptoms.
Researchers have long recommended patients discuss with their doctor the supplementation of B1, B5 and B12 vitamins, largely because medications cause their gradual depletion. This recent study adds to the list of two additional B vitamins: B2 and B7.
Supplementation is possible from eating certain foods as well as taking supplements. Many foods contain B2 (spinach is one) and B7 (such as eggs and salmon)
A deficiency B vitamins has been correlated with a decrease in short-chain fatty acids. These are the molecules that create a healthy mucus layer in the intestines. This leads to a thinning of the mucus layer in the intestines which in turn increases intestinal permeability.
A compromised intestinal layer exposes the nervous system to be assaulted by toxins such as cleaning chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides. This is why toxins are one of the primary causes of Parkinson’s symptoms and why detox protocols are fundamental to a successful recovery.
Below is an Abstract of the Recent Study
NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2024 May 21;10(1):106. Meta-analysis of shotgun sequencing of gut microbiota in Parkinson’s disease
Abstract
We aimed to identify gut microbial features in Parkinson’s disease (PD) across countries by meta-analyzing our fecal shotgun sequencing dataset of 94 PD patients and 73 controls in Japan with five previously reported datasets from USA, Germany, China1, China2, and Taiwan. GC-MS and LC-MS/MS assays were established to quantify fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and fecal polyamines, respectively. ?-Diversity was increased in PD across six datasets.
Taxonomic analysis showed that species Akkermansia muciniphila was increased in PD, while species Roseburia intestinalis and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were decreased in PD. Pathway analysis showed that genes in the biosyntheses of riboflavin and biotin were markedly decreased in PD after adjusting for confounding factors. Five out of six categories in carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) were decreased in PD. Metabolomic analysis of our fecal samples revealed that fecal SCFAs and polyamines were significantly decreased in PD. Genes in the riboflavin and biotin biosyntheses were positively correlated with the fecal concentrations of SCFAs and polyamines.
Bacteria that accounted for the decreased riboflavin biosynthesis in Japan, the USA, and Germany were different from those in China1, China2, and Taiwan. Similarly, different bacteria accounted for decreased biotin biosynthesis in the two country groups.
Why to supplement vitamins B2 and B7 for Parkinson’s
Decreased SCFAs and polyamines reduce the intestinal mucus layer, which subsequently facilitates the formation of abnormal synuclein fibrils in the intestinal neural plexus in Parkinson’s patients. This causes and neuro-inflammation in and compromises the ability of the body to eliminate toxins.
There is a specific feeling that makes recovery so challenging. Unless it is acknowledged and released, the symptoms will undoubtedly persist. What then is the feeling that feeds Parkinson’s symptoms day in and day out?
The feeling that feeds Parkinson’s symptoms is unresolved anger. Are you angry because you are currently experience symptoms associated with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease? You certainly have every reason to be.
Anger of course can be expressed in the most unexpected places and times. The target of anger can be anyone and anything.
Spouses Children Parents A Job Your Body
Of course, anger may not be expressed openly. We often hold it in, fearing an expression of anger will alienate our friends and family. This of course is a realistic fear and why so many of us do not express our anger. We hold it in.
If you have been taking all of the steps needed to recover but continue to experience problematic symptoms, the reason may well be unresolved anger. The first step is to acknowledge your unexpressed and unresolved anger. The second is to release it.
The therapy I have found helpful is Core Energetics. Why not contact a practitioner and see if this therapy might help you resolve anger issues (whether expressed or not).
Liver Detoxes
Unresolved anger compromises the function of our liver to eliminate toxins. A majority of persons in the Parkinsons Recovery audience have issues with toxins. An ongoing detox protocol is recommended when anger issues continue to be unresolved.
Summary
Unresolved feelings lie at the foundation of every chronic illnesses. Often these feelings are unconscious and unacknowledged. What is the feeling that sustains Parkinson’s symptoms? It is anger.
A successful journey down the road to recovery from Parkinson’s disease will be roadblocked until any and all anger issues are resolved. First, acknowledge to yourself anger is an issue for you. Second, take steps needed to release anger that is stuck at the cellular level in your body.
Robert Rodgers PhD Founder 2004 Parkinsons Recovery https://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com