Parkinson’s Disease Prevention
PD – Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological disorder caused by a degeneration of cells in the part of your brain that produces the neurotransmitter dopamine which is a chemical messenger. The traditional treatment can involve medication that is primarily aimed at increasing dopamine activity. Although dopamine is made in the body from amino acids that are the building blocks of protein, a healthy diet can play a key role in ensuring that the right nutrients are available in order to support your body’s ability to produce dopamine.
Till date, there is no known cure for PD. But, great strides have been made in research into the prevention as well as the improvement of Parkinson symptoms even without drugs. The natural interventions have been shown as the counter aspects of the pathological aging process which accelerate the senescence and death of neurons under attack from Parkinson’s Disease.
This is how Parkinson’s disease look like in your brain
PD is characterized by loss of motor control such as
- Slowness of movement
- Tremor (shaking or trembling)
- Rigidity
- Balance problems
- Depression
- Non-movement type symptoms
- Sleep and memory problems
- Constipation
- Fatigue
Causes
- Age is the huge risk factor for the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease. Most of the people who develop PD are older than 60 years of age.
- A small number of individuals are at increased risk due to family history.
- Men are affected about 2 times more often than women.
- Head trauma, illness, or the exposure to environmental toxins like herbicides and pesticides may be a risk factor as well.
Always Prefer Fresh Vegetables
If you need more reasons to eat your daily veggies, then this should be the clincher. The increased amounts of Vitamin B – folic acid, found primarily in vegetables which can significantly reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Sources Of Folic Acid
Of course, some of the healthiest foods on the planet! Dark green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, okra (Ladies finger) – All of these veggies can be grown in your backyard! Vitamin B can also be found in avocado, lentils, and legumes.
Avoid Toxins
Exposure to specific toxins may be directly responsible for triggering Parkinson’s disease. In a recent study where 11 people’s blood was tested, researchers found 44 chemicals as an average were found present.
Every one of us is a walking polluted lake of chemicals. Be it air pollution, bug killers, metals, PCBs, drug use, smoking, and radiation! We’re immersed in and surrounded by known neurotoxins almost every day. Avoiding toxins will preserve your brain and overall health.
Include Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Your Diet
Parkinson’s disease is inflammatory in nature,. And Omega-3 fatty acids are strongly implicated in the prevention of cell degeneration as well as death, with their benefits going well beyond the prevention of Parkinson’s.
Omega-3s have the added benefits of balancing your cholesterol levels, enhancing cardiovascular health and boosting immunity.
Primary sources of Omega-3 fatty acid
Wild-caught fish such as mackerel, cod, salmon, walnuts and pastured eggs. If you are looking for any alternate solutions then you can opt for Omega-3 supplements.
Green Tea
The antioxidant properties of green tea are very well known, when you consider the benefits of this tasty drink, it seem to be boundless:
- Improves brain function
- Nutrient-dense
- Reduces risk of cancer
- Anti-inflammatory
- Increases ability to burn fat
Several studies have shown that the specific compounds in green tea have countless protective benefits on the neural network of our brain. Without a doubt, green tea has also been shown to sustain dopamine levels in ailing brain tissue and reducing the severity of PD’s symptoms for those already diagnosed.
CoQ10
CoQ10 is nothing but a coenzyme found in the bodies of most of the animals, including humans. Your cells use it to produce the energy for cell growth as well as maintenance, functioning as an antioxidant and protecting those cells from damage caused by free radicals.
So, the deficiencies in CoQ10 have been shown to contribute to the age-related neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Patients with Parkinson’s have been shown to have lower levels of this crucial coenzyme in their platelets, vital and plasma regions of the brain. Multiple studies have demonstrated that CoQ10 supplementation can slow the Parkinson’s progressive deterioration and prevent dopamine loss.
Primary Sources Of CQ10
organ meats like kidney, liver and heart, wild-caught fish and grass-fed beef. Of course, there is an option for vegans too! Vegetables like spinach, cauliflower and broccoli contain CoQ10 as well.
You should consume it along with healthy fat if you want to enable absorption of it. Also, you can consume it as a dietary supplement.
Exercise
People who engage in vigorous to moderate physical activities have a significantly lower prevalence of Parkinson’s disease. Unfortunately, once someone has developed Parkinson’s, then there is a strong likelihood that the benefits of exercise won’t be fully realized because of the lower levels of neurotransmitters in their body.
Sleep
Sleep is certainly essential for your brain in order to work proper Young man sleeping in his bedroom. Man sleeping with an alarm clock in foreground. A calm man in his bed before waking up in his room. Close up of alarm clock on bedside table.
ly. During sleep your brain will be busy processing information, making connections, consolidating memories, and clearing out the toxins. When you are sleeping, your brain does its housekeeping and not having ample time to do this could potentially accelerate the neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s.
The most crucial thing we can do for our long-term physical and cognitive health is to reduce the stress in our body. No matter if it is physical, emotional or chemical, the causes inflammation and long-term damage throughout will be the same. Whether you are seeking Parkinson’s prevention techniques or the ways to alleviate symptoms, the above lifestyle and dietary practices can have long-term health benefits.
Similar to cutting the risk for dementia, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and other diseases, your best bet in preventing Parkinson’s disease is in adopting a proactive, brain-healthy, lifestyle.