Preventing Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the world, second only to Alzheimer's disease. PD involves a malfunctioning and death of neurons, or nerve cells, especially in an area of the brain where chemicals that control movement and coordination, are produced. Frequent symptoms of PD include stiffness, impaired balance, and tremors. It has no cure, and therapies to lessen the symptoms are currently limited. While there is no single cause for PD, it is thought that genetics and environmental factors, such as exposure to pesticides and heavy metals, may play a role. There is also a body of research suggesting that what we eat, and drink and the supplements we take can also affect our risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

It's thought that a diet high in fish, vegetables, whole grains, fruits and legumes can be protective against PD. In fact, both the Nurse's Health Study and Professionals Follow-up Study, two prominent studies for medical and nutritional research, found that diets high in fruit, vegetables, fish, legumes and soy were associated with a 25 to 30 percent lower risk for developing PD. Plant based diets, like the Mediterranean diet, have been gaining a lot of attention in this area because of their possibility to reduce inflammation – another potential cause for PD, similar to many diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Whenever you hear the word inflammation, think antioxidants. Antioxidants, found in whole foods like brightly colored fruits and veggies, are the dietary defence mechanisms for combating inflammation. Food sources of antioxidants from a well-balanced diet can generally meet antioxidant needs and are safer and less expensive than consuming large quantities of supplements.

Speaking of supplements, if you want to prevent PD or even manage symptoms, taking a multivitamin might do some good. People taking vitamin D or with high blood levels of vitamin D have been shown to have anywhere from a 20 to 67 percent reduced risk for PD, compared to those who don't supplement or who have low blood levels of this nutrient. Moderate intakes of vitamin D are thought to be beneficial, but currently there is no recommendation to supplement with this vitamin for PD prevention or treatment. With that said, there is a higher risk for PD as we age, and everyone over the age of fifty is suggested to take a vitamin D supplement of 400IU daily. Here in NL we know producing D from our skin via the sun just isn't an option most months of the year, and the quantity we receive in our diets, compared to what us adults need is relatively low. Are you fifty or older and taking your daily dose of vitamin D?

Consumption of caffeinated beverages like tea and coffee have also been heavily researched in their relation to the development of PD. Caffeine may have a protective effect, as large reviews of scientific research have found that the higher the intake of caffeine the lower the risk of PD, and especially so for men. Because of our genetic makeup however, drinking larger amounts of coffee and tea may be protective for some, and for others large amounts of coffee have been shown to advance PD onset. Drinking large amounts of tea (3 or more cups a day) has been shown to be beneficial by either lowering PD risk, or delaying onset of symptoms.

Eating less food may help too. Caloric restriction of food has been associated with extending life in both humans and animals. It's also been suggested as a way to combat the loss of functioning nerve cells in animals with neurodegenerative diseases, like PD. Watching the waistline is important too. Being overweight, especially in mid life, has been identified as a risk factor for Parkinson's. In fact, in scientists have found that those who have a BMI of 30 (say 5 foot 9 and 203 pounds), have double the risk of developing PD than those with a BMI of 23 (versus 155 pounds at 5 foot 9).

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month. To learn more about Parkinson's disease here in Newfoundland, visit The Parkinson Society of Newfoundland and Labrador at http://bit.ly/RAqmrG.

As seen in The Telegram April 29, 2013