Considering ‘Alternatives’: Complementary/Alternative Medication and/or Treatments (CAMT)

By: Robert TerSteege, Certified Information and Referral Specialist

I would be lying to say that I have never tried a complementary/alternative medication and/or treatment (CAMT). I’ve tried simple things like home remedies for the common cold and homeopathic treatments for cold sores. I regularly use non-intrusive complementary treatment for pain management, alongside my prescribed regiment of pills. My GP is very aware: he is open to CAMT and willing to share what he does and doesn’t know about a product or treatment.

At the same time, I am a ‘doubting Thomas’, and will not just randomly try any CAMT because it was recommended by a friend of a friend. Sadly, for every disease known to humankind, someone is willing to sell a ‘miracle cure’. Because of charlatans over the years, the process of careful scientific research has been created so that ultimately, the same results should be demonstrated each time.

When we speak of any treatment for Parkinson’s—whether it is conventional Western medicine, or any CAMT—we are careful to base our answers on research that has been published in independently peer-reviewed journals. We neither recommend nor endorse any product or treatment, but provide the information we have, so people can make an informed decision on their own health. We know that the best answers we can hope to give will come from research using the gold-standard of a double-blind study: meaning neither the patient nor the researcher knows whether they are getting the new treatment or a placebo.

Often, I hear people complain about “Big Pharma” making money off of sick people, and that natural is better. There are people in drug development that may be in it for the money, but there are also people providing CAMT who are in it for the money as well. ‘Natural’ does not automatically equal ‘safe’: grapefruit juice is all-natural, but, if taken with certain medications, it will increase the absorption rate, and potentially kill you.

We need to keep in mind that unlike a pill that is consistently 100 mg, CAMT is not regulated by drug legislation, so pills may not be consistent. Similarly, when taking food, e.g., beans or oils, it is extremely difficult to say that there is exactly the same amount of treating component in each dosage.

So where does CAMT fall in a discussion with Parkinson’s? Some CAMT have undergone double-blinded studies, and some are currently being researched. Some have been proven not to work, and on some the jury is still out.

Let’s take a step backward, and see what we do know. Parkinson’s disease was first formally written about in 1817, though there are ancient writings that describe the condition as well. It is a condition that exists worldwide. Levodopa first became available in the late 1960s/early 1970s. It essentially replaces the missing naturally produced dopamine. That’s about a 150-year window of opportunity to come up with something else.

Short of a cure, and short of halting the loss of dopamine producing cells, replacing the missing chemical with a chemical substitute is still the best treatment currently available worldwide.

Even in countries whose traditional medicines include plants that contain certain levels of natural dopamine, levodopa is still the recommended medication: it is standardized dose to dose.

Some CAMT are based on half-truths and misunderstanding. Certain antioxidants have been touted as ‘cures’, and people have demonstrated certain levels of improvement, but not in double-blinded studies. Where the improvement seemed to be coming from was people not only taking supplements, but making a lifestyle change of eating healthier, and exercising—things that we have been maintaining as important as part of overall health! Looking at this from a different angle, we know that there is a lower rate of PD among smokers compared to non-smokers…but we don’t promote smoking, because that comes with its own health issues!

In the absence of proof one way or the other, we consider:

• If the product/treatment makes you feel better;
• If the product/treatment does not interfere with your prescribed medications;
• If the product/treatment does not cost you an arm and a leg... then why not?

You still need to let your doctor(s) and specialists know what you are taking. If it is working, this is the way to get it to the attention of researchers, thus helping other patients. Also, there are certain compounds that may interfere with your normal medications, e.g., iron in a multivitamin may have the same effect as protein in blocking absorption.

Regardless of what therapy options you choose to explore, make an informed decision, and keep your doctor in the loop.

This content was published in the Summer 2014 edition of our quarterly magazine, Viewpoints. The content was accurate as of this publication date.