Caffeine is used every day by millions of people, usually in the form
of coffee. You hear both good and bad about caffeine every day. Now it
is possible to help those with Parkinson's Disease with caffeine.
Parkinson's Disease: Is Caffeine the
Cure?
by M. Kushner
Once a medical study was published on the
application of caffeine for treating Parkinson's disease, it stirred up
a lot of controversy. Yet, I look at caffeine as a two edged sword, a
risky thing to use regardless of any contribution it might make. In my
book "The Truth about Caffeine" I explain that extravagant caffeine
intake depletes the dopamine neurons. An individual will continue to
want bigger quantities of caffeine, no matter what amount he started
consuming. Just like other substances, our body adapts itself to
caffeine, negating its potency so that only heightened amounts still
provide an effect. Yet, huge amounts of caffeine invites destruction
and possible fatalities.
Motivation, alertness and even emotional
peaks stem from dopamine being released by the highly desired caffeine,
as it energizes the brain. Caffeine is one of the most sought after
brain stimulates, that many people take to release a sudden burst of
dopamine, just like other brain stimulants. Dopamine is the brain's
neuro-transmitter that is in charged of messages effecting our reaction
speed, mental alertness, spontaneity, watchfulness and energy
capabilities. Moreover, dopamine is responsible for our stimulant
addiction.
Large quantities of caffeine can quickly
expend the levels of dopamine and diminish the production of dopamine
creating brain cells. This results in feeling tried and out of energy.
And, consume more caffeine in order to feel better. Dopamine levels
fall repeatedly with this relentless cycle.
Dopamine declines with age, however caffeine
and other stimulants accelerate the dopamine decline and speed up the
process of the brain aging. Parkinson's disease is defined as a severe
lessoning of dopamine neurons. Due to caffeine's stimulating effect on
dopamine output, people with Parkinson's disease can benefit. Previous
to seeing any signs of this diseases, 70 to 80 percent of dopamine
neurons have vanished.
Various other health difficulties are caused
by caffeine. The tension hormone output by the adrenal glands is
dangerously accelerated by caffeine. A single caffeinated drink is
plenty to start the brain, pituitary gland, sending messages to the
adrenal gland to let out the tension hormones adrenalin and cortisol
directly into our bloodstream.
We feel a surge of blood as tension hormones
are send out, typically while in an extreme situation. The burst of
energy we get from caffeine is actually a tension hormone rush.
Caffeine is a powerful stimulant along with being an irritant that asks
the body's defense system to respond by releasing our tension hormones.
Later on, this defense response gets worn out.
As caffeine intake relentlessly sends its
artificial adrenalin, the glands become spent and lose their capacity
to release sufficient hormones. The caffeine consumer starts to
increase larger amounts, adding additional tension on the glands, that
can't keep up with the demands of the addiction. These events will not
go on without consequences.
The adrenal gland of heavy caffeine
consumers becomes emptied, as the time goes on. Negative changes happen
in the correct operation of the immune, endocrine, and nervous system
as daily overproduction of tension hormones, which too much are
poisonous, gradually altering the blood makeup.
Any or all of these situations may
eventually happen; chronic fatigue, higher levels of blood sugar and
insulin, weight gain, heightened blood pressure, irritation, tension,
depression, sleeping disorder, common viral infections, ulcers,
thinning of the skin, bone loss, thyroid problems, and other dangerous
signs of severe health difficulties.
Author Biography:
Marina Kushner is the founder of the
Caffeine Awareness Alliance, a non-profit organization, which sponsors
National Caffeine Awareness Month and is held annually in March across
America. Ms. Kushner is an authority on caffeine and the detrimental
effects it has on the body and mind. Her latest book called "The Truth
About Caffeine" explores the historical and social impact of the drug
throughout the ages while offering healthy alternatives to its usage.
Blog at www.TruthAboutCaffeine.com
About the Author
Marina Kushner is the founder of the
Caffeine Awareness Alliance and author of Truth About Caffeine,
explores the historical and social impact of the drug throughout the
ages while offering healthy alternatives to its usage. . {{{More
information is available at worthwhilecause(at)yahoo.com|
If
you have Parkinson's Disease, or know someone who does, it would be
worth it to look into using caffiene as an alternative treatment.
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