Originally Posted by CTenaLouise

PARKINSON’S DISEASE - THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT
Parkinson’s disease is a neuro-degenerative condition that affects the nervous and muscular systems. Lucille Leader Dip.ION describes how dynamic nutritional management – incorporating knowledge of drug-nutrient interactions, diet and nutritional supplementation can influence the health of the Parkinson’s disease patient.

Parkinson’s disease is not just a disease of the elderly. In the UK there are more than 120,000 sufferers ranging from teens through to old age. People with Parkinson’s disease often present initial symptoms of tremor, rigidity, unsteadiness and bradykinesia (slow movement). A mask-like facial expression and shuffling gait may also be present. The reason for this impaired muscular control and function has been attributed to a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine which is manufactured by neurones in the substantia nigra area of the brain.

Possible reasons for insufficient dopamine production may include: cell degeneration, mitochondrial inadequacy, enzyme malfunction, deficient cellular nutrition, cell death (apoptosis), disease, free-radical destruction, environmental toxicity, pesticides and insecticides, drug use, genetic factors, stress or just idiopathic manifestation.

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