Is the cure for Parkinson’s just a supplement away? Researchers say vitamin B12 can inhibit a key Parkinson’s enzyme

Can Parkinson’s disease be treated with supplements? A study published in the journal Cell Research suggests that it can be possible to treat hereditary Parkinson’s disease with the help of vitamin B12.

The study found that an active form of vitamin B12 called AdoCbl (5’-deoxyadenosylcobalamin) could reduce the effects of dopamine loss in Parkinson’s disease caused by genetic mutations in the LRRK2 gene. The finding suggested that this form of vitamin B12 could be used to develop therapies for treating Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease is the most common chronic neurodegenerative movement disorder. It affects one percent of people 70 years old and above globally. Currently, this disease can’t be cured – the available treatments only focus on addressing its symptoms, but not its progression. (Related: New treatment for Parkinson’s is nonsurgical AND reduces need for meds; focused ultrasound will treat symptoms noninvasively.)

Hereditary Parkinson’s disease is mostly associated with mutations of the gene that encodes the LRRK2 enzyme. However, increasing evidence suggests that this enzyme may also contribute to the progression of Parkinson’s caused by environmental factors.

Increased activity of the enzyme contributes to the accumulation of toxic alpha-synuclein fibers in dopamine-producing neurons of the substantia nigra, which is a part of the brain that plays a role in controlling voluntary movements, and one of the most affected areas in Parkinson’s disease.

In the study, the researchers found that AdoCbl can effectively regulate the activity of the LRRK2 enzyme. They first tested the vitamin B12 form in experimental cell line models. From here, the team discovered that AdoCbl could significantly decrease the activity of the LRRK2 enzyme, even when it was genetically altered to carry the G2019S mutation – the most common LRRK2 variant associated with Parkinson’s.

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After further analysis, the team confirmed that AdoCbl was able to directly bind to LRRK2, altering its structure, and disrupting its normal function. This indicated that AdoCbl worked as a strong inhibitor of the enzyme.

The research team also explored the therapeutic potential of AdoCbl in worms carrying the G2019S mutation. They found that treatment with the vitamin could prevent the death of nerve cells that produce dopamine and the occurrence of symptoms associated with neurodegeneration. In addition, the researchers found that the natural variant of vitamin B12 could protect against neurotoxicity and dopamine deficiency in fly and mouse models carrying various LRRK2 mutations associated with Parkinson’s.

“[This active form of vitamin B12] could be used as a basis to develop new therapies to combat hereditary Parkinson’s associated with pathogenic variants of the LRRK2 enzyme,” Iban Ubarretxena, director of the Biofisika Institute and co-author of the study, said in a statement.

Preventing Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease, like many other diseases, is preventable. One way to avoid it is to get the nutrients that protect the brain as early as now. These include:

1. Vitamin B6 – In a Japanese study, low levels of vitamin B6 can increase the risk of Parkinson’s by half. Therefore, it is important to get enough of the vitamin. Eat bell peppers, eggs, grass-fed beef, and wild salmon to increase your vitamin B6 intake.
2. Polyphenols – Polyphenols fight oxidative stress and damage. Drink  polyphenol-rich tea such as white tea to protect your brain from diseases like Parkinson’s.
3. Healthy fats – Healthy fats protect the brain from Parkinson’s. The DHA in fish oil prevents the improper folding of proteins in brain cells and prolongs the lives of brain cells.
4. Vitamin D3 – Most people with Parkinson’s have vitamin D deficiency. Increasing your vitamin D levels can help slow the progression and prevent symptoms of Parkinson’s. You can get vitamin D3 from wild salmon, mushrooms, and eggs.
5. Nicotine – You read that right, but don’t be too quick to grab a stick of cigarette. You should obtain nicotine through foods, such as peppers. They contain small amounts of nicotine, which has been found to prevent Parkinson’s disease.

You can read more articles about natural supplements that support brain health at BrainFunction.news.

Sources include:

ScienceDaily.com

PDLink.org

EHU.eus

InstituteForNaturalHealing.com