Israeli chemist Yifat Miller and her PhD student Yoav Atsmon-Raz have found a critical link between Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Miller’s research at Ben-Gurion University (BGU) of the Negev in Beersheva revealed, for the first time, the atomic structure of a brain protein fragment called non-amyloid beta component (NAC), known to trigger PD when it clumps together. The same clumping action by an endocrine hormone called amylin harms insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to T2D. Amylin is also found in the brain, and previous studies show that its clumping there, with the aid of the peptide amyloid beta, is related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the death of neurons. Miller suspected that this mechanism explains why people with T2D face twice the normal risk of developing AD later in life. With these findings, she strongly suspected she was closing in on a groundbreaking key to understanding of the mechanism that underlies T2D and neurodegenerative diseases.

Miller’s second goal was to shed more light on Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the reason why people with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk for developing PD and not only AD. Miller’s hypothesis was that amylin can also interact with NAC or alpha-synuclein. This study spanned nearly three years of research using sophisticated computer simulations. The findings were then confirmed through experiments.

http://www.thetower.org/1195oc-israe...nsons-disease/

Parkinson's does appear to be a diabetes of the brain! Diabetes and Parkinson's seem to be eerily similar. Excess Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE) apparently cause protein misfolding followed by alpha synuclein clumping in both cases. AGE are the result of sugar combining with proteins. Perhaps eliminating/reducing glycation would benefit PWP!

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/central/

I've taken anti-AGE substances like carnosine, benfotihamine, B6, alpha lipoic acid, etc for a long time. I can't say it made much of a difference.

I have also taken Carnosine, ALA, B-complex etc. for a year or so with similar non-dramatic results. I wonder if reducing sugar would help. Alpha synuclein build up took years to occur (due to excess High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) which is now in most foods and regular sugar) so maybe it will take years to clear up the damage done. Trehalose sugar apparently doesn't cause AGE build up as it doesn't cause the Maillard effect which results in glycation/AGE to occur.

I take carnosine now and did notice a difference inmy bodys response to it...though I also am practically sugar free diet (have my serving spoon of natural vanilla bean ice cream before bed at night) I bake with stevia/ truVia/ agave and xylitol and it has taken years to develop recipes using these alterate sweetners. Along with exercise , fresh organic vegies and fruits /fermented papya , and lots of beans...I do very well. My body doesn't show signs anymore of a downward spiral with PD ...only my face is showing progression...need a facelift and my eyes stare if dopamine gets too low

That's exciting Aunt Bean. I am convinced that diet plays a large role in the emergence of Parkinson's and it's retreat but we must keep in mind the PD won't disappear overnight as it took a while for the damage to occur! I presently am on Low sugar (which also means low carbs) (Trehalose is a good sugar, but I'm not sure Stevia is), coconut oil (and other good fats), organic foods, carnosine, B-complex, Phosphatidyl Serine, Curcumin and vitamin D. So far I am not taking any meds and it's been four years since I was diagnosed and I feel a little better each day especially since I started reducing sugars/carbs.

Dr. Perlmutter has alot of good information regarding good diet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUGG-dkMLG4