Vitamin Duo Provides HOPE for Huntington’s Disease
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
FDA Finally Admits “BANNED” Soda Ingredient is Unsafe
I’m not a soda fan for MANY reasons. I wrote an entire book on the dangers of sugar, for example. And research links soda drinking to fatty liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s. And the diet stuff is no better. Fake-sugar-filled diet sodas cause “metabolic confusion,” and artificial sweeteners are...
Discover WHY We Accidentally Overeat (and How to Stop)
Picture this… You finish eating a nice meal feeling just fine. But then, 20 minutes later, you’re groaning and clutching your belly because you feel uncomfortably stuffed. If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Most of us have had this happen. Science reveals why accidental overeating occurs… and what we can do to avoid...
Find Exercise Exhausting and Painful? Try THIS Natural Fix
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: “You need to exercise.” And sure, you know how vital it is to healthy aging. But let’s be honest, sometimes it feels nearly impossible to get moving—especially when you know you’ll be sore for DAYS after. However, hold on to your seat because I’ve...
Mailbag: Unsteady on Your Feet? Now What?
“I’ve been having trouble with my balance lately and have fallen a couple of times. Could this be related to osteoporosis or another underlying cause?” – John Hi John, It’s always concerning when someone experiences balance issues or falls. While osteoporosis can contribute to an increased risk of falling, several other underlying causes should also...
Is There Really a Hidden Benefit to BROCCOLI?
Just when we thought broccoli’s resume couldn’t get any more impressive, new research proves us wrong. The phytonutrients in this tasty veggie can lower inflammation… balance blood sugar… and even boost your memory. And you likely already know of broccoli’s legendary prowess in preventing cancer. Now, a new study reveals that sulforaphane, the potent compound...
Belly Trick BOOSTS Brain Function
Boy do I love a cheap and easy solution. And if you can’t resist a good bargain either, keep reading. Because I have a brain-boosting one to share that fits the bill. If you’re like most folks, you intend to stay as sharp as a tack well into your golden years. So, you’re always on...
The Hidden Heart Danger LURKING in Your Gut?
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is no walk in the park. The cramping, the urgency, the endless trips to the bathroom—it’s a daily struggle that can leave you exhausted and frustrated. And here’s the kicker: sometimes, IBD’s vague symptoms can lead to misdiagnosis or even NO diagnosis at all....
Has the Key to Unlocking Better MS Treatments Been Found?
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, Imagine waking up one morning and feeling a strange tingling in your fingers. You brush it off, thinking it’s just a pinched nerve. But then, your vision starts to blur, and your balance is thrown off. Suddenly, you’re faced with a terrifying reality: you have multiple sclerosis (MS). For the...
6 Secret Ways to Spot HIDDEN Processed Foods
“Avoid eating processed foods,”—If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. The reason why is simple. These Frankenfoods are designed to satisfy your taste buds. But they leave your body full of foreign chemicals that can cause harm and in need of more nutrients. But a patient asked me the other day,...
8 Red Flags There’s a Heart Attack in YOUR Future
Humor me and count to 40. Done? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), someone in the United States just had a heart attack. That adds up to around 805,000 people a year. Many of those were a “silent” heart attack, with the victim having no clue it even happened—and they go...