Just as important as taking antioxidant-rich nutritional supplements to help the body's immune system fight Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is trying to avoid metal-containing supplements - especially those containing iron and manganese.
This information is valid for those with Parkinson's disease and also should be for those with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
In a 1995 article of Toxicology, University of Arizona College of Medicine researcher Dr. Erwin Montgomery reviewed the role of heavy metals such as iron and manganese in Parkinson's disease. According to his report, the combination of high iron and the nerve transmitter dopamine may result in free radical damage in the brain's substantia nigra. Also, dopamine may break down and produce free radicals in the presence of iron and other heavy metal, such as manganese and copper.
A number of other investigators concur with this finding, while still others have ferreted out evidence of elevated iron levels and enhanced oxidative damage in the substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease patients. Examination of brain tissues of patients verified as having Progressive Supranuclear Palsy or Parkinson's Disease generally show abnormally high tissue levels of iron. It is known that high levels of iron interfere with the protective effects provided by antioxidants generated by the body and allow increased oxidative cell damage caused by the action of free-radicals.
Based on these and other findings we feel that those with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy or Parkinson's disease should not only step up their intake of antioxidants, but also steer away from supplements of iron, manganese - all of which have been shown to worsen the progression of the diseases or to be connected with developing the diseases in the first place.
It would also be wise for those over 40, in good health and showing no trace of any degenerative disease to adopt a nutritional supplementation program that would include the daily taking of several antioxidants. There is evidence that such a plan will lower the chance of developing degenerative disease and will improve general health.