I saw this article and was wondering if anyone has tried taking zinc supplements. If so, did you experience any benefit?
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
“Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have made a discovery that, if replicated in humans, suggests a shortage of zinc may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which have been linked to defective proteins clumping together in the brain.”
I take a combined tablet with calcium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D for muscles. It seems to help with muscle cramps. Started taking before PD symptoms.
What brand is it? I get cramps in my feet in the morning.
Thank you for your consideration.
Spring Valley Calcium, Magnesium & Zinc plus Vitamin D3 Coated Caplets
Note the bottle says "Bone and Muscle Health," thus important minerals to go with exercise.
I can still get cramps if I exercise more than usual, but have better control of them. Ususally, I can feel them about to occur and stop them before by relaxing the muscle.
Does your potassium level test OK?
If you're still taking this - does it have K2 ? I gather that's essential for making sure the calcium is laid down in bones and teeth rather than arteries.
A tale of two studies at odds about zinc and PD.
This first study says that PWP have elevated levels of zinc :
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/327...
This next study is actually a meta analysis and says that PWP have lower serum zinc levels.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/281...
Which are we to believe?? Should we put 007 on this?
I'm going with the meta analysis since it is a compilation of results from multiple studies!
Art
I was looking over my old blood tests and noticed that about the same time I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s my alkaline phosphatase level was low. I looked up reasons why this might happen and zinc deficiency was a possibility. Other symptoms of zinc deficiency seem to overlap with PD like ataxia, tremors, loss of smell, etc. I wonder if low zinc is a symptom of PD or one of the causes.
One thing that makes it confusing is that Levodopa can act as a zinc chelator!
Art
I am not taking any meds. Just trying different supplements for now. So can’t attribute low zinc to levodopa.
Since you are without meds I wish to give you some suggestions.
First heal the gut (dysbiosis And inflammation- consider sea a water isotonic drinks therapy - it is a natural gut regulator)
Consider also to change food-> remove carbo as much as possible. (Look for Terry Wahls story and protocol)
Then high levels of vit. C and vit B6? (Years ago I found a study of the 60’s Claiming to have cure a old Parkinson With vit. B6 IM).
Also Gluthatione IM may be to try (I tried it at the beginning and it was effettive against my symptoms for 2 days every IM of 1200 mg)
Curcuma (take with butter to maximize absorption) is an effective Natural and safe MAO inibitor (like selegiline) and much more. Also Resveratrolo coffe dark chocolate)
You may find this useful too.
fightingparkinsonsdrugfree.... (This guy claims he cured himself in 9 months without meds)
Or this also: pdrecovery.org
If you’ll decide to use meds. Try with mucuna pruriens only for at least 4 or 6 months with very low dosage and increment every 1,5/2 months. Effect is cumulative and may take time to manifest.
LevoDOPA In the meds is really too much and addictive in the long term.
Last but not least : if you think about heavy metals and kelation consider fasting and liver health and light detox (During 7 days fasting I did my aluminum escretion in urine was same as during Kelation therapy EDTA IV - fast is safe while kelation risks to create a minerals’ depletion)
Thank you so much Somic67. I will definitely give it a try. I have been taking all the vitamin B’s and blood work showed them all very high. I added to this 3g vitamin C, sublingual glutathione, zinc lozenge, and adding half teaspoon Mucuna to my matcha. Also avoiding red meat. I need to stop gluten. Today I am feeling better than in a long time. Tremors are negligible and limited to left hand. Gait is much better.
For a long while I was taking probiotics namely BioKult Mind (B. subtilis). Also tried detoxing using chlorella and spirulina.
I also exercise but not regularly. Friends push me so on weekends I do a ten mile bike ride with them.
It feels like this regimen is starting to work.
Happy for you. Don’t give up.
Definitively read the two sites I gave you. The second offers a psicologic cause and solution to this disease plus a tons of info more which may be fodamental to your way to recover.
Actually not so confusing - Levadopa being a zinc chelator can cause further zinc deficiency, so you should definitely consider supplementing, no more than 50mg, ideally around 35mg depending on your diet and your Cu status. Both studies Charist listed consistently found low serum zinc level in PD patients despite the incorrectly written study conclusion which you'll notice if you see the study highlight and the drawn conclusion despite the wrong statement, which you'll notice if you actually read the study. Zinc deficiency and dyshomeostasis (where average supplementation doesn't help) is noticed in many illnesses, especially neurodegenerative disorders.
"The serum concentration of Zn and Cu in healthy subjects was significantly higher than that in PD patients....
the results showed that the antioxidant content of the body can be linked to PD."
My blood test showed low in Zinc. Because of this I was put on Zinc. Also my hair was falling a lot and my Naturopath put me on Thyro-HPA FORTE N. I don't take them regularly but my hair seems to fall less.
I have been taking Zinc as part of the multi vitamins and mineral complex everyday for years and I haven't seen definable benefit to my PD
A natural path encouraged me to take zinc a few years ago. When I consistently take 35mg/day, I can smell some things and my rosacea (inflammation causing redness in my face) calmed down.
35mg/day....are you worried about copper levels dropping?
I've been doing it for over 3 years and no significant changes in my Copper levels so far, but it's important to monitor.
Zinc is easily measured, so a lab test might be a great idea before taking more supplements. We all take so many pills trying to combat so many things. I'm vowing to not take anything new unless there is sound evidence to do so in my own body.
B12 Deficiency closely linked to PD. 
Testosterone and PD
Anesthesia and PD
