Dr. Mercola October 11 2007 66,817 views
(Watch This Video – 3 minutes, 26 seconds)
The Back to the Future series were some of my favorite movies to watch. Michael J. Fox had such incredible vitality. In this video he’s discussing stem cell research, but that’s NOT why I’m posting it.
In Michael’s case, I suspect that the two largest issues contributing to his Parkinson’s disease were an omega-3 deficiency, and an extraordinary intake of artificial sweeteners. Stem cells are not the answer for this, PREVENTION is. Often times people choose artificial sweeteners because they are deceived into believing that they are making a healthy choice in doing so. And they couldn‘t be further from the truth.Unfortunately you will likely see more and more celebrities coming down with incurable degenerative diseases because they are simply unaware of what it means to live a healthy lifestyle.
Approximately one million Americans suffer with Parkinson's disease; a neurodegenerative disease caused by a steady depletion of nerve cells, particularly in the area of your brain referred to as the substantia nigra.
Related symptoms include slow movements, tremor when at rest, muscle rigidity, and abnormalities in your walk. It’s also linked with decreased levels of dopamine in your brain.
What Causes Parkinson’s?A host of factors has been attributed to the onset of Parkinson’s, including:
As you can see, ALL of these are lifestyle-related, which is why making simple, healthy lifestyle changes can be so powerful.
Healthy Living Tips to Avoid Parkinson’s
To reduce your risk of this disease, prevention really is your best route. Here's what can help:
I hope you will use Michael J. Fox’s example as powerful motivation to start to Take Control of Your Health.
For more information about how you can protect yourself from Parkinson’s disease, and how you can deal with your disease without resorting to dangerous drugs if you’ve already been diagnosed, please review my related articles below.
Hi,
Patty D, can you elaborate on how you improved "incurable, irreversible degeneration of the spine". My MIL has stenosis and if an alternative treatment is available, she would much prefer that over sugery. If you don't feel comfortable posting, you can e-mail me privately at flatino@optonline.net
Thanks, Maria
I would like to reply to the person who said, "even the most religious person would let his own child die if it could be saved with cells from an embryo that would be discarded anyway." I would beg to differ. As much as I dearly love my family, I would not choose to benefit from the results of scientific research done by murdering infants, i.e. embryonic stem cell research. It is morally wrong to knowingly benefit from unethical and immoral methods of research.
If someone came to you and said, "Hey, I killed a guy and stole his money. Want half?", you would (hopefully!) say "No!!" because the money was gained unethically. Anyone who said, "Hey, he's dead anyway. Why not?" would be unutterably despicable. So too it is with embryonic stem cell research.
If we removed all ethical boundaries from research, we could gain immeasurable scientific knowledge. Why not use infants as guinea pigs? Or murder babies to get organs? We are already using aborted babies as vaccine media and for experimental purposes. But in doing so we are slowly losing our souls.
There are things more important than scientific progress, and keeping our humanity is one of them.
According to my medical neuroscience class, the type of Parkinson's disease that Michael J. Fox has may be linked to a genetic mutation (hence the young onset.) While most (85%) PD is idiopathic and occurs later in life, there are a minority of cases that are genetic and can be passed down to offspring. The protein alpha synuclein has been found to be accumulated in neurons in the form of Lewy Bodies in both types, surprisingly. I agree with Dr. Mercola that idiopathic PD is strongly correlated with environmental toxins and food additives, considering the increase in people with the disease, and Fox's use of such toxins may have contributed to an earlier onset than what should have occurred. My grandfather died this summer due to PD related symptoms, but I'm not sure what may have set his disease in motion. Sadly, more research has been focused on finding mutations in idiopathic PD rather than looking at the many drugs and toxins in our society that may cause it. PD is a terrible disease and watching someone slowly not be able to walk, speak, or eat is heartbreaking. I hope that with the knowledge we do have right now we will be able to influence those around us to drop the aspartame (and other toxins) and take control of their health, as Dr. Mercola aptly says.
Amen, amen amen! I whole heartedly agree with you on the stem cell issue. I do remember reading an article that you can harvest your own stem cells instead of relying on an unborn aborted baby for theirs. Thank you for having the guts to say what you believe in!
I just want to say that I applaud the effort that Mercola.com makes to encourage people to lead a healthier lifestyle and I have appreciated much of the information provided on this website. However, I am very uncomfortable with the focus on Michael J. Fox as some sort of negative example for health and the subsequent dive into stem cell research. None of us knows why he has this illness and I don't think it's very kind to be talkinging about him. If this article intended to elicite a discussion on Parkinsons and other degenerative neuroligical conditions and how to prevent them, it seems to have missed the mark.
Great point as to where it's hidden. It seems since the public has become aware of the health links to Aspartame, food manufacturers have instead decided to hide it rather than remove it. It's in almost any gum you pick up at the grocery store. I couldn't believe when I picked up a package of children's "upset tummy tablets" and it was in there too.
Are any of the writers here aware that it is the pluripotency of stem cells that makes them potentially valuable for treatment of various physical ailments? Other stem cells can only form a limited number of cell types and this limitation stifles research that should be being conducted in the most vigorous manner possible. Sure proper nutrition and exercise are critical. Equally critical to exercise and proper nutrition is having the right genes and not inheriting a degenerative disease by luck of the draw. The actions of the current administration in denying the use of embryonic stem cells is the equivalent of imprisoning men who proved that the earth was not the center of the universe thousands of years ago.
Glutathione is the secret, but not from supplements. The oral ones are worthless and the inhaled or IV glutathione breaks down into a sulfite that can do MORE harm than good.
Another thing to consider is that most synthetic CoQ10 supplements are being made in China (some from tobacco) and they are quinones. The synthetic molecules do not resemble the natural ones and rather than helping can do MORE damage to the neurological system and the heart.
The same is true of synthetic B's and Vitamin E. The B's are often made from naptha/petrochemical/methane by products and the Vitamin E is from soy. Often they will do more harm to the neurological function than good.
My husband was diagnosed with Parkinsons at age 34. Calcium AEP has been miraculous for him as has the Weston A Price diet. I think that because in our culture we are obsessed with avoiding fat, that we do not realize that our bodies MAKE plenty of stem cells, in FAT. My husband has experienced neurological healing that dozens of neurologists told him was impossible. Other than the Calcium AEP, cod liver oil, Black seed oil and high Vitamin butter and a traditional diet (westonaprice.org) he does not take or do anything differently.
What brand Black Seed Oil, Calcium AEP , Vitamin B,s, CoQ10.
I am looking for non synthetic vitamins. Would love to get
them all from food but I have thyroid and adrenal issues
and I need to supplement right now. Thanks !
There now is a supplement that creates Glutathione from a patented blend that is able to enter your cells. I have been taking it for several months and having good results.