Mediterranean Diet and Parkinson's Disease

Everyone knows that what you eat can influence your health. If you eat junk food you are sooner or later going to feel it in terms of reduced fitness. But what about risk for Parkinson's disease?

Scientists have shown that a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fish, and poultry and a low intake of saturated fat and a moderate intake of alcohol may protect against PD —- in other words the more fruit, veggies, beans and fish you eat the lower your risk for PD. Some scientists call this sort of diet (add a splotch of garlic and a glass of red wine!) the ‘Mediterranean diet’ because it is generally what people eat when they live around the Mediterranean sea.

Researchers from Greece and Italy carried out a meta-analysis on data from more than half a million participants in 50 previous studies to determine the effect of the Mediterranean diet on MS and its individual components, including blood pressure, waist size, and blood sugar levels.

The team found an associated reduction in overall and cardiovascular mortality in the incidence of some types of cancer and death from cancer and in the incidence of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's diseases. Also, the diet affected participants’ waist measurement, HDL-cholesterol levels, triglycerides levels, blood pressure levels, and glucose metabolism, MNT reported.

There are lots of theories as to why such a diet would be protective against PD but probably one common effect of this sort of diet is that it reduces the overall level of ‘oxidative stress’ your system sustains on a daily basis. It prevents free radicals, or small molecules of unattached oxygen, from harming cells. Whatever the causes of the PD protective effect of a Mediterranean style diet, its clear that the diet is good for most people’s health. Speak to your doctor about your diet. He or she may recommend you see a nutritionist in order to find the right diet for you.

For more information about nutrition and How to Fight Parkinson's Disease, please visit our website at http://www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org/ we will be featuring a workshop session focusing on nutrition and Parkinson's disease at our Annual Educational Conference on Monday, March 28, 2011 in Tampa, Fl. We hope to see you there. As always, please consult your physician before beginning a new diet or health care regimen. Thank you for your continued support.

References:http://parkinsons.about.com/od/parkinsonsdiseasebasics/a/diet_and_PD_risk.htm
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/health/mediterranean-diet-helps-reduce-metabolic-syndrome-risks-study-52608.html

Link Between Parkinson's Disease and Ibuprofen...

People who take ibuprofen two or more times a week are considerably less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those who don't take the drug, according to a study published online March 2 in the journal Neurology.The finding suggests this common over-the-counter painkiller (sold under brand names that include Advil, Motrin and Nuprin) may actually protect the brain against the degeneration that produces the symptoms of Parkinson's, including shaking, muscle stiffness and other difficulties with movement and coordination.

The latest analysis examined health and medical reports from a study group of 98,892 female nurses and a group of 37,305 male health professionals, following them for six years beginning in 2000. Those who took ibuprofen regularly had a 38 percent lower risk of ending up among the 291 patients diagnosed with Parkinson's during that time. The likelihood of getting Parkinson's dropped with increasing weekly doses of ibuprofen.

For years scientists have suspected that painkillers in a class called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a group that includes ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen, protect the brain from the damage associated with diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's by controlling inflammation.

The investigators speculate this distinction could be due to ibuprofen's special ability to act on a particular signaling pathway in the brain that involves inflammation, the accumulation of destructive molecules called free radicals, and programmed cell death.

An accompanying editorial says doctors should "absolutely not" begin prescribing ibuprofen for patients with Parkinson's disease. Why? Because it may be that ibuprofen protects against the "initial insult" that leads to Parkinson's but is useless once symptoms appear, or it may be it's not ibuprofen at all but some separate characteristic of ibuprofen users that actually protects against the condition, explains the lead editorialist, James H. Bower, M.D., associate professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Meanwhile, he says, long-term ibuprofen use comes with the risk of serious side effects. These include irritation and stomach bleeding and increased risk of heart and kidney problems.

In his editorial, Bower compares the findings on ibuprofen to similar observational findings on smoking, caffeine consumption and high blood levels of uric acid, all of which have been associated with lower risk of Parkinson's. Rather than suggest people try these approaches, he says, scientists have incorporated them into research that tests their effect in a safe form and controlled environment.

Mya Schiess, M.D., director of movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, says she has followed research on the issue closely, and does recommend ibuprofen for patients who have a sharply increased risk of developing Parkinson's — for example, those with a rare and disruptive problem called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, in which they act out their dreams.

Schiess says although she screens patients for problems that could make ibuprofen riskier, and watches them for side effects, the amount linked to reduced risk for Parkinson's is generally not dangerous. "This study is based on whether people use ibuprofen a minimum of two times a week, and that's not an excessive amount of medicine," she says. "It's not a daily, scheduled amount of medicine. I would think that that has to be strongly taken into consideration."

Resources:http://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-03-2011/ibuprofen-may-protect-against-parkinsons-disease.2.html
Written by: Katharine Greider

For more information about the Parkinson Research Foundation or to learn more about How to Fight Parkinson's Disease, our upcoming conference is on Monday, March 28th, 2011 in Tampa, Fl. Please visit us at http://www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org/ As always please consult your physician before beginning a new health regimen. Thank you for your continued support.

New Study Discovers Link Between Pesticides and Parkinson's Disease...

According to new research there shows a link between use of two pesticides, rotenone and paraquat, and Parkinson's disease. People who used either pesticide developed Parkinson’s disease approximately 2.5 times more often than non-users.The study was a collaborative effort conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)‎, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, and the Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center in Sunnyvale, Calif. The authors studied 110 people with Parkinson’s disease and 358 matched controls from the Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME) Study(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/epi/studies/fame/index.cfm) to investigate the relationship between Parkinson’s disease and exposure to pesticides or other agents that are toxic to nervous tissue. FAME is a case-control study that is part of the larger Agricultural Health Study (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/epi/studies/ahs/index.cfm), a study of farming and health in approximately 90,000 licensed pesticide applicators and their spouses.There are no home garden or residential uses for either paraquat or rotenone currently registered. Paraquat use has long been restricted to certified applicators, largely due to concerns based on studies of animal models of Parkinson's disease. Use of rotenone as a pesticide to kill invasive fish species is currently the only allowable use of this pesticide.The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov. Stay tuned for more information regarding this study. To learn more about the Parkinson Research Foundation, please visit us on the web at http://www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org/ Thank you for your continued support!

Resources:Tanner CM, Kamel F, Ross GW, Hoppin JA, Goldman SM, Korell M, Marras C, Bhudhikanok GS, Kasten M, Chade AR, Comyns K, Richards MB, Meng C, Priestly B, Fernandez HH, Cambi F, Umbach DM, Blair A, Sandler DP, Langston JW. 2011. Rotenone, paraquat and Parkinson’s disease. Environ Health Perspect; doi:10.1289/ehp.1002839 [Online 26 January 2011].

PARKINSON’S DISEASE: NEUROPROTECTION AND DRUGS OF THE FUTURE

Learn How to Fight Parkinson's disease!! Our Annual conference will be on Monday, March 28th, 2011 from 9:00am-4:30pm at the Tampa Westshore Marriott in Tampa, Florida.The conference is a unique educational opportunity for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, families, and caregivers to learn about the latest advances in PD research, medication and treatment innovations that greatly improve quality of life.

What makes our event unique? Participation! We complement informational presentations from leaders in the Parkinson’s field with interactive elements, encouraging attendees to share questions, concerns, and ideas with nationally known Parkinson’s experts, local doctors, fellow patients and caregivers. Useful hands-on workshops such as “Mobility for PD patients” and “Voice AerobicsTM” will present time-tested techniques and ideas that encourage a more active and comfortable lifestyle for PD patients.

This 1-day program will have general session presentations beginning in the morning followed by breakout workshops in the afternoon, exhibition sessions during the sponsored snack breaks, and a question and answer session at the end of every speaker’s session.Speakers and presenters include some of the most notable and prominent names in the Parkinson’s community, including Conference Chair, Dr. Juan Sanchez-Ramos, Dr. Robert Hauser and several others.

Morning Sessions will include:
• Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
• Treatments of the Future

Afternoon Workshops include:
• Mobility
• Voice Aerobics TM
• Dance for Parkinson’s disease
• Nutrition

To register or for more information about the March 26th Educational Conference, please contact Ms. Rosa Seminario at: rseminario@parkinsonresearchfoundation.org or call (800) 869-1551 ext. 0. I look forward to seeing you at the conference. To learn more about the Parkinson Research Foundation, please visit us on the web at http://www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org/ Thank you for your continued support!

Yoga for Parkinson's Disease..Keeping the Mind and Body Physically Active

Yoga for Parkinson's Disease...Keeping the body physically active on a daily basis is important for everyone and especially people with Parkinson's and other neurological and muscular disorders. Physical activity can improve overall health as well as emotional well-being. Yoga may be a perfect type of exercise for Parkinson's patients because of its gentle and slow movements. According to the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Society, yoga can help people with Parkinson's better manage and live with the disease. Additionally, the Parkinson's Hope Digest reports that a number of Parkinson' patients have reported diminished symptoms and improved motion and emotional spirits after taking yoga classes.Since yoga involves stretching the body, this factor may help people with Parkinson's improve their mobility and range of motion. Some yoga classes that are designed for students with special needs, such as those with Parkinson's disease, incorporate balance training and gentle yoga poses, including back strengthening postures, shoulder movements and meditation. Yoga also stresses the importance of proper breathing techniques into its movements to enhance lung function.The various body poses that are performed in yoga will not stop the progression of Parkinson's disease from progressing, but it can lessen its symptoms and enhance both physical and mental strength. Yoga can have an uplifting emotional impact on people with Parkinson's. It is recommended that people talk to their doctor before starting a yoga practice or any other exercise routine. For more information about exercise or to learn more about the Parkinson Research Foundation, please visit us on the web at http://www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org/ As always please consult your physician before beginning a new health regimen. Thank you for your continued support!

Research and New Evidence Suggests: Amphetamine use Increases the Risk of PD

The drugs Benzedrine and Dexedrine, prescribed for hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, traumatic brain injuries, and in the past for weight loss were found in a study to boost the chances of Parkinson's disease, compared to study participants who never used the drugs.Participants who reported using Benzedrine and Dexedrine were 60 percent more likely to have developed Parkinson's disease. No association between weight loss drugs and the disease was found.The authors say more research is needed to understand how amphetamines increase the chances of developing Parkinson's disease. Van Den Eeden explains it may be the result of dopamine uptake in the brain, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in Parkinson's disease that is also affected by amphetamines. To learn more about new research or about the Parkinson Research Foundation, please follow us on the web at http://www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org/ Keep checking back for more information about this article and anything pertaining to this studying. As always please consult your physician before beginning a new diet or health regimen. Thank you for your continued support!

Resources: http://www.emaxhealth.com/1020/amphetamine-use-linked-parkinsons-disease

Nutrition and Parkinson's disease....

Can any foods decrease or increase the risk of PD?
There have been a few studies that suggest that caffeine consumption may decrease the risk of PD, though this is far from proven. There have also been some studies that suggest that excessive carbohydrates, lipids or dairy products could increase risk but, again, this is very preliminary data and is not a good basis on which to make changes in one’s diet.

What are some other nutritional concerns in PD?
Patients who are just beginning to take levodopa are often asked to take it with food to decrease the nausea that sometimes results. Later on in the disease, many patients note that their levodopa does not work as well when taken at or near mealtimes. This can be because protein and levodopa compete to get into the brain. The patient may have to take the medication ½ to one hour before eating or an hour after eating to avoid this. Since some PD patients are at risk for falls, it is often advisable to get checked for osteoporosis and to follow the treatment suggested by the primary care provider. Vitamin D is important for bone health and low levels of this vitamin has recently been implicated as a possible factor in PD. Calcium is important as well. Weight-bearing exercise may also help bone strength.

Do any plants or foods actually contain levodopa?
Fava beans contain levodopa. However, the quantity is probably not consistent enough to be used as a therapeutic option. Mucuna Pruriens is a seed that was used thousands of years ago in Ayurvedic medicine in India. The seeds have been shown to contain levodopa but again, the quantity that might have therapeutic benefit is not known.

Can any foods decrease or increase the risk of PD?
There have been a few studies that suggest that caffeine consumption may decrease the risk of PD, though this is far from proven. There have also been some studies that suggest that excessive carbohydrates, lipids or dairy products could increase risk but, again, this is very preliminary data and is not a good basis on which to make changes in one’s diet. For more information about nutrition or to learn more about the Parkinson Research Foundation, please visit us on the web, at http://www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org/ As always please consult your physician before beginning a new diet or health regimen. Thank you for your continued support!

Resources:
Eat well, Stay well with Parkinson’s Disease by Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD Cook well, Stay well with Parkinson’s Disease by Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD