Parkinson's Breakthrough: Researchers Discover Spice Stops Disease Progression

Americans were shocked and saddened when Robin Williams committed suicide following a long history of depression. Another shock followed; the beloved comic was fighting Parkinson's disease, a devastating condition that causes tremors and problems walking.

There is no cure for Parkinson's, but a common spice — cinnamon — may be able to help stop its progression.

Cinnamon has been used for flavoring everything from toothpaste to herbal teas— including mom's apple pie — and it has been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to help improve circulation and digestion. Modern studies are finding even more uses for the versatile spice, including putting the brakes on Parkinson's disease.

According to studies, cinnamon's healthy effects may be due to its ability to reduce inflammation and to have antioxidant effects, or that it may fight bacteria. Below are studies that show some of the conditions cinnamon can help combat:

• Parkinson's disease. A study at Rush Medical Center suggests that cinnamon can reverse changes in the brain seen in Parkinson's patients. Researchers found that when cinnamon was consumed, it was metabolized into sodium benzoate, which reversed biochemical, cellular, and anatomical changes in the brain. Mice that were fed the spice showed better brain function and motor skills, which are often affected in Parkinson's patients. "This could potentially be one of the safest approaches to halt disease progression in Parkinson's patients," said Floyd A. Davis, professor of neurology at Rush University.

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