Vitamin Duo Provides HOPE for Huntington’s Disease
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 12, 2021
Huntington’s disease is a rare nerve disease that affects the lives of thousands of Americans each year.
This genetic disorder can lead to loss of control of movement, sleeplessness, depression, and dementia.
What’s even more tragic? While the symptoms set in for folks in the prime of their lives – their 30s and 40s – living with this condition doesn’t get easier, regardless of your age.
And if you’re a senior living with Huntington’s right now – this is a fact of life.
Thankfully, an exciting new discovery has been made.
In this new study, researchers have found that this vitamin duo can provide hope for folks suffering from Huntington’s disease.
You’ve probably heard of Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) or Percent Daily Values (%DV). These are part of the nutrition panel found on vitamin bottles and food packages.
The RDAs were calculated years ago, and technically, they’re still relevant for 97 to 98 percent of people.
But if you have Huntington’s disease, you could be in that small percent that the RDA doesn’t work for.
In a study, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, researchers found people with Huntington’s disease don’t absorb thiamin (vitamin B1) and biotin (B7) from their diet into their brain cells like the rest of the population.
Strangely, blood tests don’t show a deficiency… but damage to brain cells show that these two vitamins aren’t getting to where they should be.
The researchers identified an altered gene not previously linked to Huntington’s, called SLC19A3, which is a thiamin transporter gene. If you have the disease, the transporter doesn’t work like it’s supposed to, meaning people with this genetic defect need much more thiamin than most people.
So, the researchers developed a study in which they fed high levels of thiamin and biotin to mice. They found that upping the levels of this vitamin duo slowed brain cell damage and even improved motor skills.
This is still tentative research, however.
It may turn out that there is no way to simply eat enough thiamin-containing foods or even take a supplement to overwhelm the problem with the gene, but it’s still an exciting development for a disease that’s been deemed hopeless by the mainstream.
In the meantime, make sure you have a good support system for managing Huntington’s disease, including physical therapy and talk therapy for depression.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...