Hi Here-Now,

I though I'd contribute some thoughts from Michael Greger's Book; How not to Die. This is my summary Chapter 14; How not to Die of Parkinson's Disease. I would be interested in your comments and any changes you think I should make.

What are the causes of Parkinson's Disease and how can we reduce our risk?

1. Head Trauma
2. Industrial Pollutants
3. Diet.

1. Head trauma.

It's repeated head trauma, rather than a one off concussion that puts people at risk. Professional boxers and contact sports enthusiasts are at most risk.

2. Industrial Pollutants

There have been reported Parkinson’s cases among people who have worked for years in pesticide production plants. There may be a link between dairy product intake and risk for Parkinson’s disease, caused perhaps by low levels of neurotoxic chemicals in cheese and banned pesticides in contaminated dairy products. Hexachlorobenzine a pesticide banned 50 years ago is still found in meat and fish and dairy. PCBs a set of banned chemicals used in electrical insulation is still found in fish, fish oils eggs and dairy and some meats. It is least found in the bottom of the food chain, in plants.

Beta-carboline neurotoxins, which can be found in beef, chicken, pork, and fish, have been linked to cases of Parkinson’s disease, tremor, addiction, and cancer. A USDA study found about one in six U.S. lambs infected with the parasite toxoplasma, which has been linked to risk for Parkinson’s. Excess iron intake and nitrites, found in cured meats, appear to be linked with Parkinson’s. BMAA, a neurotoxin that can be found in seafood may be linked to risk for Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Diet

Parkinson's is linked with the accumulation of heavy metals in the brain. Autopsy studies have also found elevated levels of heavy metals in brain tissue.
Which foods contribute the most heavy metals?

1. Arsenic - Poultry and Tuna
2. Lead - Dairy
3. Mercury - Seafood and Fish oils. The oceans are essentially humanity's sewer. Everything eventually flows into the sea.

Reducing Dioxin Intake

Dioxins are highly toxic pollutants that accumulate in the fat of animal tissue. 95% of human exposure comes from eating animal products. The dioxins are a product of contanimated animal feeds.
In 1997 the FDA called on feed manufacturers to stop using dioxin-tainted ingredients. However tests in 2013 found that in catfish, 96% of tested samples still contained dioxins. How to avoid dioxin intake? The Institute of Medicine suggests trimming fat from meat and avoiding recycling animal fat into gravy. However reducing intake of meat would appear most prudent.

Milk

Neurotoxic chemicals like Tetrahydroisoquiniline a compound used to induce parkinsonism in primates in laboratory studies is found in low concentrations in cheese. A lifetime of consumption however may explain the elevated levels found in the brains of Parkinson's patients.

One paper describes a "clear-cut" link between dairy and Parkinson's. A suggestion is that galactose, the sugar in milk is the culprit. Those who are unable to detoxify galactose may suffer from neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Huntington's disease.


How can we reduce our Risk?

Pesticicides such as DDT have been long been banned but persist in the environment and creep up the food chain into animal fats we eat. Researchers have found that “vegans were considerably less polluted than omnivores” including Dioxins and heavy metals. Those with plant based diets had levels of mercury in heir hair 10 times lower than fish eaters. However those starting a plant based diet, avoiding meat fish dairy and eggs, found their mercury, lead and cadmium levels dropped significantly within 3 months.

Simply living or working in high spray areas increase your risk. The use of common household pesticides such as insect sprays or anti bacterial sprays are also associated with greater risk. Therefore lower your exposure to them.

If pesticices are killing your brain cells , what can you do to prevent that…

Berries

Certain Phytonutrients called favanoids found in fruit and vegetables have protective effects. Berries in particular counter the effects of pollutants. Blueberries and Strawberries most effectively. Also apples for men. Regular intake of cooked or sprouted beans may also help lower risk against neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and Alzheimer’s.

Constipation

Constipation was noted by James Parkinson to be associated with PD. His pateints would never complain of being thirsty. The idea is that the longer the neurotoxic chemicals are held in the body the longer they are absorbed. The soltion is to drink more water and take in more fibre.An oat/porridge breakfast would be ideal.

Coffee

Coffee has been show to protect against Parkinson’s. Caffiene has also shown to be effective in improving movement symptoms within 3 weeks.


To reduce the risk of Parkinson’s reduce the consumption of meat, fish and dairy products including eggs in your diet. Stop taking fish oils, replace with algae oils or Flax seed for sources of Omega 3. Take a diet rich in water and fibre to avoid constipation. Minimise the use of sprays at home.

Many modern drugs, including those used to treat Parkinson’s, are derived from plants. A whole foods, plant-based diet, may help in the treatment of Parkinson’s symptoms.