Vitamin C Forum

After trying many forms of bodywork during my journey with Parkinson’s disease, I found that Bowen therapy, combined with the Aqua Hydration Formulas and self-help activities, brought the greatest benefit, providing I (or my patients) were fully engaged in all other self-help activities discussed in this book.

Bowen therapy: “Pumping water”

Bowen therapy is very gentle bodywork developed by Thomas Ambrose Bowen in Geelong from the 1950s through to his death in 1982. It consists of gentle movements across muscles, tendons and ligaments to relieve pain, spasm and stiffness of movement. Tom Bowen was intuitive in his diagnosis and could often correct dysfunction with a single treatment or, at the most, three. He was extremely busy, reportedly treating up to fourteen patients per hour at times; this equated to approximately 11,000 patients per year. He successfully treated all sorts of conditions ranging from intractable pain, muscle spasm, sporting injuries, respiratory problems to arthritis and other chronic disorders.3,4 Most Bowen therapists today do not see patients at the rate that Tom Bowen did during his busiest years. While some therapists may have two rooms in operation at once, many see one patient only at a time and spend from half an hour to one-and-a-half hours in treatment. A Bowen therapy session consists of light movements across the bellies of muscles, tendons or ligaments, then pauses for two or more minutes to allow the patient’s body to make adjustments.

There are a number of hypotheses concerning the way Bowen therapy works. Current research indicates that there are probably two major effects created by the therapist’s moves during a Bowen therapy session. The first is the movement of water through the fascia (thixotropy – the property of becoming less viscous, or more fluid under the influence of an applied stress such as pressure or movement), and changes in fascia.5 Fascia is a protein substance, like the white of an egg, made up of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, contains collagen and reticulin fibres, and fills all the apparent spaces in our body between organs, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, and the brain (the dura) – the “gaps” between the various parts of our body that appear separate in anatomy charts.6 Fascia carries fluids, immune system cells and other elements vital to our wellbeing.

During times of illness, injury, fatigue or stress, fascia can become “cooked”, like an egg white, and firmly attached to the muscle or bone it surrounds, no longer allowing free movement of fluid and nutrients. This can create discomfort, stiffness or pain and inhibit our return to wellness.7

The second major effect of a Bowen therapy treatment is a movement of electrical energy throughout the body. This can be thought of as electrical current, qi, prana or life-energy, depending on the philosophy you accept. However we view it, it is vital to have a balanced electrical energy flow throughout our bodies for us to feel well rather than traditional massage.

Despite my training, however, I did not have formal treatment from a Bowen therapist until late in 1997 when I went back to Rick for treatment on my frozen right shoulder. I started treating people with Parkinson’s disease using Bowen therapy and Aqua Hydration Formulas in the second half of 1998. This was very much an experiment because I had used a large number of therapies to obtain my own recovery. However, intuitively and intellectually, I believed that Bowen therapy and hydration were the major therapies instrumental in my full recovery.

Piezoelectric Effect is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress. The word Piezoelectric is derived from the Greek piezein, which means to squeeze or press, and piezo, which is Greek for “push”.

Vitamin C (everyone needs vitamin C supplementation – no exceptions)

Take from 4000 mg per day to bowel tolerance (the level that may cause your stools to become soft or loose in divided doses throughout the day of possible.

Folinic acid (5-formyltetrahydrofolate) or folate (5-methyltetrahydrofolate)

800 mcg (micrograms) to 1000 mcg per day are required for nerve health and function, to protects nerve cells and mop up homocysteine. Taking folinic acid or folate is critical if you are taking levodopa drugs (Madopar, Sinemet, Kinson or Stalevo in Australia). It is synergistic with vitamin C in this task. Folinic acid and folate are active forms of folic acid that do not require methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) to be utilised by our body. This means we get more bang for our buck, our body uses less energy to absorb and utilize the folate, and those challenged with MTHFR SNPs (genetic mutations) that inhibit this conversion can still gain the benefits of folate. The metabolism of dopamine creates over forty metabolites, one of which is homocysteine. While we are healthy, this homocysteine is mopped up, converted to methionine which is then used in a variety of sulfation and, indirectly, methylation processes – part of our detoxification and immune function. This prevents an excess of homocysteine which may be cardiotoxic and neurotoxic.

When taking a dopamine supplement (i.e. levodopa drug), our body is not nearly as efficient at mopping up homocysteine, thus creating a risk of hyperhomocysteinemia (an excess of homocysteine). Taking additional folinic acid or folate will greatly reduce this risk.

Vitamin B complex or a multi vitamin/mineral complex with high-dose B vitamins

It is best to find a supplement including the active forms of the B vitamins. Most members of this group of nutrients require energy to convert to active, usable forms, unless we take the active form directly. Vitamin B1: thiamin diphosphate Vitamin B2: flavin mononucleotide or flavin adenine mononucleotide Vitamin B3: nicotinmide adenine dinucleotide Vitamin B5: pantothenic acid converted to coenzyme A Vitamin B6: pyridoxal 5’-phosphate Vitamin B9: 5-methyltetrahydrofolate Vitamin B12: methylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin – may assist in handling stress, maintenance of energy levels and metabolic function.

Magnesium

Take up to 5 grams daily in powder form. Magnesium citrate is the best researched and, as shown in that research, the best utilized of all the forms of magnesium available. However, magnesium citrate supplements can be expensive and are not always readily available; I have found, in clinical practice, that mixed forms of magnesium can be helpful for most patients. Many powdered supplements contain mixtures of several types including citrate, malate, orotate, and glycinate. Magnesium powder supplementation can also help improve bowel function. More recent research (2018–19) is indicating that magnesium threonate may be more efficient at crossing the blood/brain barrier and so be useful in treating neurodegenerative disorders.4 Magnesium in sufficient quantity reduces spasm and cramping, is required for brain health and many other body functions, may assist with rigidity and promotes a better response from bodywork. While it is best to obtain our required magnesium from foods, this is not always possible as our needs increase vastly with inflammation, stress, illness and some medications.

Mag Phos tissue salts (magnesium phosphate prepared as homeopathic dilutions but without potentisation) is also helpful in specific circumstances, especially as a first aid therapy for cramping, stiffness and some pain. While soaking in Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) or magnesium chloride baths is excellent for detoxification, and rubbing with magnesium oil may help relieve muscle pain, transdermal absorption of magnesium is very poor. An Israeli study comparing no supplementation, oral supplementation and transdermal application by measuring serum magnesium levels showed no increase in serum magnesium when applied transdermally, while a literature and data review found no good evidence for claims made for transdermal magnesium absorption.5

Vitamin D3

Many of us are deficient in vitamin D now that we are so frightened of sunlight. Campaigns such as “Slip, Slop, Slap” in Australia, and the apparent war against sunlight exposure waged by cancer authorities and organizations around the world has reduced sun exposure below healthy levels for many people. It seems ridiculous that, in a sunny country like Australia, we have an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency with its associated health challenges of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, some cancers, mood changes, neurodegeneration and bone disorders. It is sensible to avoid sunburn or other skin damage from over-exposure to hot sun so, in hot climates, limiting time of skin exposure and covering up at other times is a sensible strategy. However, many sunscreens contain carcinogenic chemicals so are best avoided. It has been shown that we need early morning sun exposure over about 90 per cent of our body for ten to fifteen minutes daily to create sufficient vitamin D for health. This is critical when we are otherwise unwell.6 Sensible sun exposure can have a profound effect on our mood and willingness to participate in healthy life activities.

A disorder called SAD (seasonal affective disorder) occurs most often in the northern hemisphere in countries where sunlight is scarce during winter months. Treatments include light therapy and vitamin D supplementation. I see some patients in Australia with signs of SAD because they avoid sunlight as much as possible. It is often useful to supplement with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and monitor your blood levels annually, aiming for the very high end of the standard/normal range. Take 1000iu (4000mcg/4mg) daily or 5000iu (10,000mcg/10mg) three times per week, or as advised by your healthcare practitioner.

Zinc

This is a mineral often deficient in most Western diets. It is particularly so in Australia where zinc has been leached from our soil over many millions of years. Zinc is required for thousands of enzyme functions, cognitive function, prostate health, skin health and immune integrity. Many people with Parkinson’s display a high concentration of copper, above levels recommended for health. While we need trace amounts of copper, higher levels can be damaging. Healthy levels of zinc in our diet or moderate zinc supplementation can block the absorption of copper in the gastrointestinal tract, thus reducing our copper burden. Where zinc appears low on hair or urine mineral analysis (or copper is high) zinc supplementation is a useful strategy and may obviate the need to remove copper by more assertive means.

Take 30mg of elemental zinc or as advised by your healthcare practitioner. Zinc citrate is an easily utilised form.

Probiotic

There is a great deal of focus these days on the performance of our gut microbiome (the bacteria that live in our gastrointestinal tract). The number of bacteria and other microbes existing in our gastrointestinal tract possibly equals, or even outnumbers, the number of cells that compose our body! Trillions of microbes living together in harmony, all working to create a healthy environment for digesting food, creating neurotransmitters and other micronutrients, and keeping us healthy. Or so we hope. In practice, complete harmony is rare in our modern world. Food production methods, eating habits, stress and pollution all conspire to create imbalance and disharmony in our gut. We often see overgrowth of undesirable microbes, or those that should exist in very small numbers for balance, while more beneficial microbes are destroyed or suppressed. Microbe numbers can be closely defined through stool tests, but symptoms of imbalance are often present yet overlooked. Gut imbalance can produce fatigue, digestive discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, yeast overgrowth (candida is common), increased flatulence, indigestion, reflux, abdominal and back pain, headache, brain fog, reduced production of neurotransmitters (such as dopamine, serotonin, anandamide and others), anxiety, depression, skin disorders, halitosis, body odor and general malaise. Food is, of course, our first choice to balance our gut function and reduce symptoms. Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, or yogurt/kefir made from coconut or almond milk (unpasteurised and with no added sugar) may be helpful

For mild symptoms and/or suspected imbalance, a general maintenance probiotic from the local health food store may be sufficient. However, where symptoms are significant and are not corrected with dietary adjustments, it is best to consult a healthcare practitioner skilled in the management of gut microbiome. In general, this means a naturopath, holistically trained nutritionist, integrative doctor with training in nutrition and microbiome or a dietitian with post-graduate naturopathic training. Conservative practitioners such as medical doctors, gastroenterologists, conservative dietitians and medically trained nutritionists tend to focus on symptom reduction by using drugs or .....


A recent addition to the available probiotic range of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 as a single strain in modest numbers is proving to be most helpful in balancing gut and bowel function. L. reuteri DSM17938 has proven helpful for those displaying both constipation and loose stools, plus assisting with general gut dysregulation. There are other L. reuteri supplements marketed, so make sure you get only L. reuteri DSM17938.

Coleman, John C. Rethinking Parkinson's Disease: The definitive guide to the known causes of Parkinson's disease and proven reversal strategies (p. 161). Hybrid Publishers. Kindle Edition.to the known causes of Parkinson's disease and proven reversal strategies (pp. 160-161). Hybrid Publishers. Kindle Edition.

One of the great pioneers of vitamin C supplementation for many disease states was Dr Frederick Klenner (1907–84) from North Carolina in USA. Dr Klenner treated many thousands of seriously ill patients, adults and children, using mega-doses of vitamins, including vitamin C. Dr Klenner used high-dose oral and injectable sodium ascorbate, even though many of his papers speak of ascorbic acid. His wife, Annie (née Hill Sharp) has stated that Klenner did, indeed, use primarily sodium ascorbate, but his papers describe the active therapeutic substance which is ascorbic acid.1,2

I was desperate for information on vitamin C therapy in 1980 when my son was diagnosed with leukemia, and I was lucky enough to speak for over an hour with Dr Klenner via telephone. Dr Klenner was most helpful, gave me a great deal of information about how best to use vitamin C for my son, and rejected any idea of payment.

One rather surprising piece of information was his warning about using high-dose mineral ascorbates and their effect on mineral balance. Klenner’s experiments had showed that, when sodium ascorbate is absorbed by the body, it splits into ascorbic acid (which is what we want) plus an ion of sodium which is unstable, links to another sodium molecule, and is eliminated. He found that, when using very high doses of sodium ascorbate, his patients lost sodium, sometimes to a worrying level, and needed sodium supplementation. He later found similar effects when using calcium ascorbate orally.

My treatment incorporates mainly DMSO, ....

Since '06-14 have infused approx. 50K 2.8 gm vials of Glutathione from Wellness in treating various diseases besides Parkinson. I am used to seeing magical effects within 5 mins, mostly improving tremor, reducing rigidity etc. Now I have switched to a DMSO push, since it has far more benefits, most mentioned earlier, one important to me is it's detoxifying chemicals, heavy metals, artificial ingredients, in our daily lives to which are exposed too.


Today after having done with a patient with Parkinson's, on road to a cure, I decided why not give myself another 8 mL push. I witnessed its results in less than a min. My stiffened muscles relaxed, peristaltic movements began, mind calmed and neuronal hyper excitation, mood elated, like if I was turbocharged/ running on NOS could run a marathon, sudden surge in libido and my dark colored skin turning lighter all this in 1-2 mins and lasting.

Another cause for Parkinson is UNCONTROLLED, both lytic and non lytic NETosis.

Every PD patient differs in clinical symptoms, but if one understands and takes ALL the steps mentioned it is easily controllable, and curable in 3-6 months.


How is DMSO so effective in curing it (Parkinson's), Diabetes, Cardiac disorders etc...that was and is the question?

Thanks for the idea, BUT not interested.

Too bad. Sounds like you could have a budding Nobel prize, but how do other's benefit from your discoveries? People read your success stories, and while you might be able to help a tiny fraction of those suffering, what if they can't use you? Where can they go to get a DMSO push or infusion "cure"

As you know, you can't user normal IV tubing with DMSO, and I'm sure there are other factors that keep the average alt doc from trying anything but oral and topical.

If this lifewave age-rejuvenation therapy does result in my living longer younger, maybe we can work on an AI system for utilizing DMSO like I was trying to interest you in

Anyway, in this thread or another you asked why Coleman recommended vitamin D3, and having almost finished the book I think he does say why. The reason is that he recommends sunlight, for its known capability of stimulating various neurotransmitters. I'll be posting that quote nearer your question.

Any guess, thoughts why he recommends D3?
I don't incorporate in my patients plan, though.

eDOC!!

“the following supplements are recommended specifically for MS. They’ll help reduce pain and protect your myelin sheath as you heal from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV):

EPA & DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid): omega-3 fats to help protect and fortify the myelin nerve sheath. Be sure to buy a plant-based (not fish-based) version.

L-glutamine: amino acid that removes toxins such as MSG from the brain and protects neurons.


Lion’s mane: medicinal mushroom that helps protect the myelin sheath and support neuron function.

ALA (alpha lipoic acid): helps repair damaged neurons and neurotransmitters. Also helps mend the myelin nerve sheath.

Monolaurin: fatty acid that kills virus cells, bacteria cells, and other bad microbes (e.g., mold) in the brain.

Curcumin: component of turmeric that reduces inflammation of the central nervous system and relieves pain.

Barley grass juice extract powder: contains micronutrients that feed the central nervous system. Also helps feed brain tissue, neurons, and the myelin nerve sheath.”

― Anthony William, Medical Medium: Secrets Behind Chronic and Mystery Illness and How to Finally Heal

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/4 ... cal-medium

Monolaurin is a chemical derived from lauric acid and glycerin, and is a byproduct of coconut fat. For the past two decades, research scientists have been investigating possible applications for monolaurin in medicine, sanitization, and food preservation.

Light therapy (phototherapy):

There is a great deal written about bright light therapy in various forms, and many claims of benefits in a wide range of illness conditions. Light, especially sunlight, plays a very important role in promoting health and wellbeing. Seasonal affective disorder is well known, especially in areas far from the equator where seasonal light variations are more extreme, and light therapy (phototherapy) can be very helpful in resolving this.

Ideal sun exposure is around fifteen minutes per day during the morning while exposing 90 per cent of our body. This produces sufficient vitamin D, serotonin, melatonin and other neurotransmitters for our needs. Of course, it is very rare to find people with sufficient time and courage to sunbathe almost nude in the early morning. More often, I see people who have been discouraged from sun exposure by cancer authorities who say that we must shun the sun because of the fear of melanoma.5 Of course, we must avoid exposure during the hottest hours of the day and avoid sunburn at all times. However, the fear of sun exposure created by anti-cancer campaigns (as opposed to sensible education strategies) has led to an increase in a number of sun-deficiency syndromes, including osteoporosis and mood disorders. Many sunscreens also contain chemicals that are either carcinogenic or neurotoxic, or both.

Light, in sunlight frequencies, affects production of serotonin, melatonin and, indirectly, a number of other neurotransmitters, hormones and enzymes. This, in turn, affects production of ATP, our energy “packages”. When we are deprived of sunlight – either because we live in areas with long, dark winters, or we are confined indoors for some reason (perhaps working long hours in a windowless office, or our home is an apartment with difficult access and little natural light) – chemical changes may present as depression, fatigue, loss of motivation, withdrawal from social interaction or even increased symptoms of illness. These are circumstances in which it is important to take action and increase light exposure. The first choice, of course, is to increase natural sun exposure when that is possible.

Coleman, John C. Rethinking Parkinson's Disease: The definitive guide to the known causes of Parkinson's disease and proven reversal strategies. Hybrid Publishers. Kindle Edition.

If this cannot be achieved, an appropriate “light box” or mechanism can be usefully applied to substitute for the sun (albeit incompletely). Light therapy for the above circumstances and symptoms has been shown to be successful and helpful. However, light therapy, as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease, can only reduce some symptoms, and will not slow or reverse the illness process. A number of claims have been made in journals and learned publications that phototherapy will reverse the Parkinson’s disease process and may represent a “cure”. This is simply not the case. Used as directed, phototherapy may relieve some symptoms related to serotonin and melatonin production, and that may be helpful as part of an overall package of recovery strategies, but will not cure or permanently “fix” your health.

Light boxes/mechanisms are, occasionally, available on loan from hospitals or universities that have an interest in this therapy. However, those available at retail are often quite expensive to achieve the light frequencies and lumen output required. If you are handy in the workshop, there are details online for making efficient light boxes/mechanisms for a fraction of the purchase cost. Light therapy may help you if you are unable to achieve appropriate sun exposure, but will not cure or fix your health.

Coleman, John C. Rethinking Parkinson's Disease: The definitive guide to the known causes of Parkinson's disease and proven reversal strategies . Hybrid Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Monolaurin: fatty acid that kills virus cells, bacteria cells, and other bad microbes (e.g., mold) in the brain.

It’s good for every single brain and neurological disorder. Coconut water can greatly benefit people with Parkinson’s, and it’s also a must for those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Coconut water provides vital glucose and critical mineral salts, including potassium and sodium, to the bloodstream. This is a fundamental component of our neurotransmitter chemical production. If we don’t have the neurotransmitter chemicals we need, it can lead to insomnia, neurological sleep apnea, and other sleep disturbances.

The best thing you can do to avoid these issues is to drink coconut water—it is the best tool of all time for neurotransmitter support.

For those who struggle with infertility or other disorders of the reproductive system, take note that coconut water’s trace minerals and electrolytes nourish your reproductive tissue.

Coconut water is also incredibly important for people with hypoglycemia and other blood sugar disorders, including diabetes. It’s critical for people with over- or underactive adrenals.

It’s incredible for helping to prevent the onset of seizures and offers special support for eye conditions.

Coconut meat (and the oil derived from it) is antipathogenic due to its lauric acid content combined with other antioxidants present in it, so turn to coconut when you’re in need of an antibacterial and antiviral food. When coconut drops from the stomach into the intestinal tract, it kills off any pathogen it touches.

Plus, its medium-chain fatty acids break loose other fats and aid in pushing them out of the body.

William, Anthony. Medical Medium Life-Changing Foods: Save Yourself and the Ones You Love with the Hidden Healing Powers of Fruits & Vegetables (pp. 240-241). Hay House. Kindle Edition.

A REVOLUTIONARY BREAKTHROUGH

Steve Newport, an accountant in his mid 50s, began experiencing problems at work. As the months went by he became increasingly disorganized, error prone, frustrated, and depressed. “I didn’t know what was happening to me, I was confused,” says Steve. He eventually consulted a neurologist who diagnosed him with early-onset Alzheimer’s. He was prescribed Aricept, the first of several drugs he would eventually take. The drugs didn’t seem to do much good, and the disease continued to get worse.

He eventually developed hand and face tremors and began to have difficulty keeping his balance and walking. His wife, Mary Newport, MD, was constantly on the lookout for new therapies that might help. She came across a notice seeking volunteers for a clinical study on a new Alzheimer’s drug. Preliminary studies had produced unbelievable results. It not only stopped the progression of the disease but also produced actual memory improvement, which was something no other drug had ever done.

She tried to enroll Steve into the study but he was rejected because his condition was too severe. He was considered hopeless and beyond help, even for this new miracle drug. “We were devastated,” she said.

While researching the new drug, Dr. Newport discovered that the active ingredient was a special type of oil known as medium chain triglyceride oil or MCT oil. MCT oil is derived from coconut oil, which is composed of 60 percent medium chain triglycerides. “And then it hit me,” she said. “Why don’t we just try coconut oil as a dietary supplement? What have we got to lose?”

So she went to the health food store, picked up some coconut oil, and began giving it to Steve every day. Miraculously, it seemed to “lift the fog.” By the fifth day, there was tremendous improvement. “He said it was like someone had turned on a light bulb,” says Dr. Newport. “He was alert, smiling, joking. He was Steve again. He was back!”

Over the following months his tremors subsided, the visual disturbances that prevented him from reading disappeared, and he became more social and interested in those around him. He still speaks in halting sentences, but he is reading again, volunteering at his wife’s hospital, and mowing the lawn. Before the dietary intervention, he would dismantle the mower, pour oil in the gas tank, and forget about the lawn.

Steve Newport was diagnosed with severe Alzheimer’s disease two years ago. Today, after dietary intervention, much of his cognitive skills and memory have been restored. Steve was fortunate enough to be married to a physician who was able to lead him in the right direction. “I’ve got living proof that this will help people,” says Dr. Newport. “I want to just tell everybody."

Fife, Bruce. Stop Alzheimer's Now! (pp. 11-12). Piccadilly Books, Ltd. Kindle Edition.

NATURAL NEUROTOXINS

Some plants used as food contain natural neurotoxins that can promote neurodegeneration and have been associated with Parkinson’s, ALS, and Alzheimer’s disease. For years scientists were perplexed by an epidemic of Parkinson’s disease in the French West Indies in the Caribbean, particularly on the island of Guadeloupe. An epidemic of Parkinson’s disease gripped the island’s population. Investigators discovered that the culprit was one of the popular foods on the island—a heart-shaped, yellow-green fruit known as soursop or pawpaw (Annona muricata).3 A similar epidemic on the island of New Caledonia in the South Pacific was attributed to the same fruit—which was transplanted from the French West Indies and commercially cultivated.

Various species of pawpaw are native to the Caribbean as well as North and South America. It has been cultivated in many tropical countries around the world. In Spanish-speaking countries it is called guanabana and in Portuguese-speaking Brazil it is called graviola. Caption: Pawpaw (Annona muricata) commonly found in the Caribbean and South America. The fruit is sold in local markets. Tea is sometimes made from the leaves, and the slightly sour-tasting fruit pulp is made into drinks and sherbets. Historically, the native people used all parts of the tree in herbal medicines for a variety of remedies. The fruit was used to expel worms and parasites. The bark, leaves, and roots were used as sedatives.

Pawpaw is a member of the annonaceae family of plants. These plants contain a chemical toxin called annonacin. Annonacin has been investigated for a number of years as a possible treatment for cancer because it is highly toxic to cancer cells. Unfortunately, it also kills brain cells. It is particularly toxic to neurons in the substantia nigra—the brain cells that produce dopamine. Annonacin is 1,000 times more toxic to neurons than MPP+, the toxic chemical associated with synthetic heroin.4 Fortunately, the fruit contains much smaller doses than typically used in recreational drugs. An average fruit is estimated to contain about 15 mg of annonacin. A can of commercial nectar contains 36 mg. As an indication of its potential toxicity, an adult who consumes one fruit or can of nectar a day is estimated to ingest over a period of one year the amount of annonacin shown to induce brain damage in lab animals.5

While pawpaw is infrequently consumed in the United States, some varieties of the fruit are native to North America, ranging from Florida to the Midwest as far as Nebraska. The most popular is the species Asimina triloba, which produces a sweet fruit similar in texture to a banana. It is sometimes called the Indiana banana. The state of Ohio recently declared the pawpaw its “official native fruit.” It isn’t seen in stores much because it doesn’t ship or store well. However, there is a movement to make the fruit more commercially available. It is enticing to growers because most insects and animals avoid the tree, reducing the need for pesticides. Annonacin, which is most concentrated in the leaves and bark, is marketed and sold as a “natural” insecticide and animal repellent. The pulp of the fruit is often combined with other fruit juices and sold commercially. Its historical medicinal properties are often touted as a “healthy” reason to eat the fruit. Several companies sell it in the form of a dietary supplement and market it as a natural aid to cancer treatment. It is often promoted in various forms on websites under the Brazilian name graviola. While most Americans are still generally unfamiliar with pawpaw, it appears that it will become better known in the future as marketing efforts increase. Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) species native to North America has a banana-like texture with large seeds.

Pawpaw isn’t the only plant used for food that contains neurotoxins. The grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), a legume that grows in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East contains a neurotoxin called beta-N-oxalylamino-L-alanine (BOAA). This toxin causes a neurodegenerative disease in animals and humans called lathyrism, which is very similar to ALS. While not a normal food item, the grass pea is eaten in times of poverty or famine. The disease is prevalent in some areas of Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, and Nepal. T

he toxic effect of the cycad plant that grows in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world is well known. It is believed to be the cause of a severe form of neurodegenerative disease that progresses to Parkinson’s, ALS, and Alzheimer’s disease. Epidemics of the disease have appeared on the islands of Guam and Rota, on the Japanese peninsula of Kii, and among the coastal people of West Papua (New Guinea). The cycad contains various toxins, some that provoke liver disease and some that attack the brain. The seeds of the cycad contain a high concentration of a neurotoxin known as BMAA, a compound that resembles BOAA found in grass peas. Animal studies have shown that large doses of BMAA cause ALS-like symptoms and somewhat lower doses cause Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms. Both can progress to Alzheimer’s-like dementia. The cycad is a common source of food in the South Pacific. The seeds are often ground into flour and made into mush or flatbread. Ordinarily, the toxins are washed away during processing, reducing the amount to very low levels. A particularly severe epidemic of this ALS/parkinsonism dementia complex (ALS/PDC) occurred on the American governed island of Guam.

Fife, Bruce. Stop Alzheimer's Now! (pp. 89-91). Piccadilly Books, Ltd. Kindle Edition.