We’re trying vitamin B1 for help in treating Parkinson’s disease

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with vitamin B1, as well as other supplements and treatments. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy.

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a magic pill that combated the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? Or all chronic illnesses, for that matter?

When my husband, Arman, was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2009, I started reading about alternative therapies. I was shocked at the number of products that promise miraculous results for many diseases and conditions. Thanks to the internet, I’m now bombarded with constant advertisements about curing everything I’ve ever searched for. Back pain? No worries, there’s a cure! Parkinson’s? There’s a pill for that, too! How amazing!

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In recent years, the world seems flooded with information about an integrative approach to health, with so many opinions and options that it can make my head spin. Since Arman is a medical doctor, we’ve never bought into the holistic approach to medicine. He was trained to believe in science-based treatments for disease, as little formal data or regulations exist for most alternative therapies.

But Arman has always been a strong believer in taking vitamins and well-researched supplements. He feels that they’re vital additions to his Parkinson’s medications. Slowly, he’s started to open his mind to learning about other therapies beyond those traditionally recommended for Parkinson’s.

Considering B1 therapy

At my caregiver support group a few months back, someone brought up the topic of B1 therapy for Parkinson’s. I wasn’t familiar with it, but I was excited to learn. I knew this vitamin wasn’t in Arman’s regimen.

Several spouses in my group had been experimenting with B1 for some time, and some claimed they were experiencing positive results. I immediately told Arman about it, and he started in-depth research. He also consulted with his movement disorder specialist, as he always does, before starting any new vitamins or therapies. In addition, we purchased a book about B1 therapy for Parkinson’s.

Although no clinical studies have definitively proven that this type of therapy helps those with Parkinson’s, there’s also no downside for us other than the cost, since B1 is generally tolerated well. After much research, we decided to give it a go.

As of today, we’re not seeing any miraculous (or negative) results from the therapy. Arman is on the lowest dose of B1, and he takes it three times a week. Eventually, he will start taking B1 five days a week at the same dose; we’ll see if that’s more effective.

It’s too early to tell if B1 therapy will ease the symptoms of his early-onset Parkinson’s disease, but I hope we’ll see some positive results eventually. I’m glad that Arman has become open to the idea that other therapies could benefit him. As with everything else in our life, I remain cautiously optimistic.

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.