Several members of a PD Facebook group I belong to have been extolling the virtues of Mannitol. They say it reduces tremoring and improves balance.
Mannitol is a sweetener, usually made from fructose and hydrogen. It increases blood glucose to a lesser extent than sucrose, and so it is commonly used as a sweetener for people with diabetes or sugar intolerance. The fact that it can be produced artificially is the only reason that it is often referred to as an ‘artificial sweetener’, but it does not fall into the same class as proper artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame. It is available on Amazon and at health food stores.
Mannitol’s potential relating to PD was first discovered by Israeli scientists in 2013.
I haven’t tried it yet and I’m not sure that I will because it is not a cure and has a long list of side effects, including:
- headaches
- dizziness
- chest discomfort
- cough
- difficult or labored breathing
- dry heaves
- runny nose
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- tightness in the chest
- troubled breathing
- vomiting
- wheezing
Mannitol is not a cure but it may offer relief from symptoms. If you have had experience with it, please let us know.
Wishing you a blessed day!
FredPhillips 
Hello Fred, hello Everybody,
It happens that I began the Mannitol protocol a few days ago. I went on the CliniCrowd site, get registered, responded to the detailed questionnaire, and was advised 9 g of Mannitol a day.
I was interested because Mannitol is supposed to dissolve the alpha-synuclein aggregates that are supposed to be the cause of the lack of dopamine in the brain. So it could be something of a cure.
Mannitol works in vitro, on drosophiles, and on mice. But it’s too cheap a molecule to ever have any lab funding clinical trials… hence the CliniCrowd idea.
Today, day 5 for me, I suffer from bloating like never. Hope it will stop – or I will have to discontinue 😦
It is supposed to make a difference after 18 days to a month, minimum.
Thank you for sharing your experience Richard! Please keep us posted on your progress! Cheers! Fred
Fred Thank you for covering this. I was a bit interested but then after checking your site and looking at the research ( which is minimal) and then checking on nutritionfacts.org I have decided to try erythritol instead. Erythritol has anti oxidant properties so I figure maybe it might work the same as mannitol without the side effects. Also I was a bit perplexed that no one on the FB page would answer my question as to why they had to buy it from a specific place when it is readily available on amazon for a lot less money. This seems a bit suspicous to me. Anyway I knew that if anyone had the real skinny it would be your sight. Also thanks to the commenter on his/her experience. Very helpful indeed. I will let you know if erythritol helps at all. Though I am using inositol which was recommended to me from a PD patient and it has been amazing expecially for anxiety.
Thank you for this Cam! Yes, it would be helpful for you to share your experience. Cheers! Fred
tHANK YOU RICHARD AND CAM…..I FOUND THIS Although mannitol and other sugar alcohols have been linked to gastrointestinal discomfort, according to the American Diabetes Association, it usually produces no negative effects if taken in small quantities. Mannitol is found in pineapples in large quantity and provides between 50 and 70 percent sweetness compared to sugar. Carrots are another optimal source of mannitol
http://www.ehow.com/list_6922759_vegetables-fruits-contain-sugar-alcohol_.html
https://www.ynhh.org/services/nutrition/sugar-alcohol.aspx
Thank you for this Jimmy!
I read this line in your article “ I haven’t tried it yet and I’m not sure that I will because it is not a cure and has a long list of side effects” so I decided to share my father’s experience with mannitolbalance which he buys online from mannitolbalance.com. He has been taking about 2-3 tablespoons daily for the past 3 months and so far his speech has improved while tremors has reduced considerable. He has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for the past 5 years. I would have to further observe him for the symptoms you listed in this article because I have not heard him complain of any of the side effects you listed above
Thank you for your message Latoya! Your father’s experience is very encouraging! Please keep us posted on his progress! Wishing you an awesome day!
Most of those side effects are from much higher doses. I have tried it for a year and it certainly has resolved my tremor, softness of voice, improved sleep and certainly resolved constipation. All this with one small heaped teaspoon per day, in coffee with coconut oil and turmeric. You need to be well hydrated when you take it though.
Check out healthunlocked -> parkinson’s movement. I’d say a sizeable minority report benefits from this.
Thank you for this Alex!