Big Pharma makes big BUCKS preying on Parkinson’s patients

Cutting-edge research shows you have safe, effective, science-backed alternatives instead

Parkinson’s disease (PD) rates are skyrocketing around the world. In fact, it’s the fastest-growing neurological disease, affectingly nearly 10 million men and women worldwide.^1,2

And you’d better believe Big Pharma knows about this tragic trend—and has a well-developed business plan to capitalize on it.

You see, the drugs for PD only help “manage” symptoms. As usual, they don’t cure the disease. But this apparent shortcoming actually works to Big Pharma’s advantage…

It allows them to create lucrative, lifelong customers who are willing to try just about anything for relief, comfort, and hope—often jumping around from drug to drug to slow the ravages of the progressively debilitating disease.

Currently, the PD drug market rakes in an estimated $5 billion annually. But experts expect that numbers will double to $10 billion in less than 10 years!³ Here’s why…

First, Big Pharma will pour billions into direct-to-consumer advertising. In fact, in 2022 alone, they spent more than $8 billion on it—using most of the blood money to promote drugs for chronic diseases, like PD, with no cure.⁴

Second, they’ll push their PD drugs onto doctors, nurses, and even so-called “patient influencers” who “hype up” and promote the drugs directly to victims and their families on social media channels—including TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.⁵ Then, those “influencers” sit on Big Pharma’s advisory boards, though they have no medical training whatsoever.

Without a doubt, Big Pharma makes a killing with this approach—because it’s far cheaper and ultimately more beneficial to pay these influencers than it is to pay for ads on TV networks and elsewhere.

But to me, this strategy is unethical, as followers of these “patient influencers” probably don’t understand they’re watching a paid ad. And worse yet, the sneaky marketing tactics help ensure that you and your loved ones never learn about the effective, natural options that can help slow the progress of the disease.

But that’s why I’m here… to put these effective, affordable, and natural solutions into your hands. The good news is, I have FIVE science-backed ways to control—and even reverse—the effects of PD without resorting to drugs.

First, let’s back up…

A progressive disease with few mainstream options

PD is a neuro-inflammatory disorder with neuro-immune components, which means it stems from inflammation in your neurological and immune systems. (See page 6 for more about the dangers of inflammation.)

It tends to begin slowly with mild symptoms, like tremors or shaking in the hands, arms, or legs. But it’s a progressive disease—meaning, over time, the symptoms can worsen and impair walking, speaking, and even cognition.

Most experts agree PD symptoms result from a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine. And levodopa (also called L-dopa), which works by increasing concentrations of dopamine in the brain, is the most common drug (and often the first) prescribed to PD patients.

But L-dopa’s side effects can be severe—ranging from nervousness, headaches, and nightmares to depression, heartbeat changes, and hallucinations.⁶ Worse yet, over time, it STOPS working and instead causes dyskinesia, or involuntary jerky movements.⁷

Dopamine agonists are another class of PD drugs. They’re newer and work by stimulating parts of the brain influenced by dopamine. In a way, they “trick” your brain into thinking it’s getting enough of the neurotransmitter.

They’re often taken in combination with L-dopa. But, as with L-dopa, side effects can be severe and include leg swelling, visual hallucinations, and impulse control disorders.⁸

Fortunately, there are some science-backed ways to control the effects of PD, without resorting to these, or any other, drugs…

Natural ways to prevent and slow disease progression

Men and women with PD suffer often from a devastating decline in muscle control. And this places them at a very high risk of falling. In fact, in this year alone, about 50 percent of people with PD will suffer a fall.⁹

But one simple lifestyle habit seems to really make a difference… exercise.

In fact, studies show just 2.5 hours a week of exercise can help slow symptom progression. And in one impressive study, researchers followed a group of PD sufferers who had greater physical activity overall than their peers—and who had not yet started taking drugs.

It turns out, these active, non-drug users had a slower progression of their motor symptoms as well as better balance and walking scores. They even had less depression and anxiety!¹⁰ Plus, in animal studies, exercise even appeared to have a neuroprotective effect. (Not to mention, getting some regular exercise helps prevent you from developing PD in the first place!)

Research also suggests that it really doesn’t matter what kind of physical activity you engage in—as most types seem to “significantly improve” outcomes in PD patients.

That being said, progressive resistance strength training appears to be most helpful in improving stability and reducing falls. The Parkinson’s Foundation also suggests focusing on strengthening muscle groups below the waist. Tai chi is another excellent choice, as PD patients who practice it have “significantly better” postural stability and fewer falls in scientific studies.¹¹

Another lifestyle habit that’s essential for PD sufferers is adopting a healthy, Mediterranean-type diet.

As a reminder, this kind of wholesome diet focuses on nutrient-dense, whole foods—including grass-fed and -finished meat, organic poultry, wild-caught fish and seafood, fresh produce, and healthy fats from nuts, avocados, eggs, and more. It also eliminates processed carbs and sugars, which cause inflammation and contribute to progressive neurodegeneration in PD patients.¹²

You should also focus on eating lots of fresh berries, as they’re jam-packed with all-important flavonoids called anthocyanins, which may help PD patients improve their longevity.

In fact, in a recent study, people diagnosed with PD who consumed the most flavonoids, as found in berries, had a staggering 70 percent lower chance of dying over a 34-year-period than those who consumed the least.

Now, I guarantee if Big Pharma had a drug that came ANYWHERE CLOSE to making that kind of claim, they’d get their social media “influencers” to scream it from the rooftops!

Oldest antioxidants in the book

A few supplements can also benefit people with PD…

Vitamin C, which you find abundantly in fruits and vegetables, is perhaps the oldest antioxidant in the book. It goes after harmful free radicals, which cause the oxidative stress and inflammation associated with PD. Plus, studies suggest vitamin C can help counter the toxicity associated with L-dopa.¹³

As I often explain, you should ignore the federal guidelines on dosing, which call for a measly 65 to 90 mg of vitamin C daily. Instead, based on the years of research I’ve been following and my own personal experience in my medical practice, I’ve found that up to 3 grams of vitamin C is the optimal daily dosage.

You should also take a high-quality vitamin B complex daily. It’s another classic, well-studied antioxidant. Plus, we know the B family of vitamins, called neurovitamins in Europe, protect neurons under attack in PD patients by inhibiting oxidative stress.

In fact, case studies show that supplementing with niacin, also known as B3, helps improve rigidity and bradykinesia (slowness of movement) in PD patients. In addition, a major 2018 study found that people with lower levels of B12 have more rapidly developing symptoms compared to those with higher levels. And another study found that supplementing with B12 improves balance and walking.¹⁴

Look for a B complex that has at least 55 mg of B3 and 12 mcg of B12.

Last but certainly not least, I urge patients with PD to give cannabidiol (CBD) oil a try. Clinical trials reveal that PD patients who took 300 mg/day of CBD saw improved mobility, communication, emotional state, body discomfort, and communication compared to those who received a placebo treatment. And another study found that PD patients taking CBD substantially improved their non-motor symptoms, such as pain and anxiety.¹³

I like CBD oil because the dosing can be individualized. Start with a small amount and slowly increase until you notice an improvement in symptoms. (CBD is safe and non-addictive, meaning you can’t overdose on it.)

You can also opt for CBD capsules. But remember to only ever use CBD from a brand you trust—and make sure it comes from full-spectrum hemp.

We’ve come a long way

In my view, even though we still don’t have a cure for PD, we’ve come a long way in understanding what causes it and what helps slow its progression. And we certainly, unsurprisingly, now know you don’t need to rely exclusively on Big Pharma’s disastrous solutions.

In the end, I urge anyone with PD to adopt the simple lifestyle modifications discussed here and find a physician who has success working outside of mainstream medicine’s drug approaches.

References:

1. “Parkinson’s disease.” Mayo Clinic, accessed 4/23/23. (mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055)
2. “Parkinson’s disease.” Subcell Biochem. 2012;65:389-455. doi.org: 10.1007/978-94-007-5416-4_16.
3. “Parkinson’s Disease Drug Market.” Allied Market Research, accessed 8/19/23. (alliedmarketresearch.com/parkinsons-disease-drug-market)
4. “The top-10 pharma drugs ad spenders for 2022.” Fierce Pharma, 5/1/23. (fiercepharma.com/special-reports/top-10-pharma-drug-brand-ad-spenders-2022#:~:text=In%20all%2C%20spending%20across%20the,even%20keel%20year%20on%20year.)
5. “’Patient influencers’ are being paid by big pharma to mislead TikTok and Instagram followers about drugs for HIV, Parkinson’s and migraines, experts warn.” Daily Mail, 3/21/23. (dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11868945/Patient-influencers-paid-big-pharma-mislead-TikTok-users-drugs-like-Wegovy.html)
6. “Levodopa and Carbidopa.” Medline Plus, accessed 8/19/23. (medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601068.html)
7. “Researchers Discover Why L-DOPA Stops Working in Parkinson’s, Seek Prolonged Treatment.” Parkinson’s News Today, 8/4/16. (parkinsonsnewstoday.com/news/researchers-discover-why-l-dopa-stop-working-parkinsons-seeking-prolonged-treatment/#:~:text=After%20a%20couple%20of%20years,has%20mystified%20researchers%20for%20decades.)
8. “Parkinson’s Disease Treatment.” Very Well Health, 6/21/23. (verywellhealth.com/parkinsons-disease-treatment-7508055)
9. “A Balancing Act—Freezing and Fall Prevention in Parkinson’s.” Parkinson’s Foundation, 4/28/23. (parkinson.org/blog/awareness/freezing-fall-prevention)
10. “Chasing Protection in Parkinson’s Disease: Does Exercise Reduce Risk and Progression?” Front Aging Neurosci. 2020; 12: 186. doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2020.00186
11. “Complementary & alternative management of Parkinson’s disease: an evidence-based review of eastern influenced practices.” J Mov Disord. 2014 Oct;7(2):57-66. doi.org/10.14802/jmd.14009.
12. “Parkinson’s Disease and Sugar Intake-Reasons for and Consequences of a Still Unclear Craving.” Nutrients. 2022 Aug 8;14(15):3240. doi.org/10.3390/nu14153240.
13. Benefits of Vitamins in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. Oxid Med Cell Longev. Feb 20;2019:9426867. doi.org/10.1155/2019/9426867. PMID: 30915197; PMCID: PMC6402202.
14. “Low Levels of Vitamin B12 May Worsen Walking, Cognition in Parkinson’s Patients.” UCSF, 3/8/18. (ucsf.edu/news/2018/03/409991/low-levels-vitamin-b12-may-worsen-walking-cognition-parkinsons-patients)
15. “Cannabidiol for Parkinson’s disease symptom management.” News Medical Life Sciences, 5/17/22. (news-medical.net/news/20220517/Cannabidiol-for-Parkinsons-disease-symptom-management.aspx)