Research scientists have not yet discovered a way to prevent Parkinson's disease.
One of the theories as to the cause of Parkinson's disease is that free radicals may contribute to nerve cell death, thereby leading to Parkinson's disease. Free radicals are unstable and potentially damaging molecules generated by normal chemical reactions in the body.
Normally, free radical damage is kept under control by antioxidants, chemicals that protect cells from this damage. Many naturally occurring antioxidants or substances are thought to have antioxidant properties. Some of these include:
Vitamin E
- Works along with vitamin C to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease and postpone the need for drug therapy. These antioxidants are free radical scavengers that work to protect the brain from free radical damage. Large amounts of both vitamin C & E are recommended for the disease. These amounts can not be gotten from food sources so must be gotten through supplementation.
Vitamin C
- An antioxidant that may slow the progression of the disease and postpone the need for drug therapy.In a 1979 study of patients with early Parkinson's disease who were given 3,000 mg of Vitamin C and 3,200 IU's of Vitamin E daily, progression of the disease was slowed for up to three years.
B Vitamins
- Extremely important in brain function and enzyme activity.
Vitamin B5
- Aids in speeding messages from one nerve cell to another.
Vitamin B3
- Improves brain circulation. Caution: do not take B3 (niacin) if you have a liver disorder,gout or high blood pressure.
Vitamin B6
- Brain dopamine production depends on adequate supplies of this vitamin. Caution: Do not take this supplement if you are taking a levodopa preparation.
Coenzyme Q10(CoQ10)
- Is a powerful antioxidant and also increases oxygenation of cells and is involved in the generation of cellular energy.
Ginkgo biloba
- Over time improves circulation and delivery of oxygen to improve brain function, minimize leg cramps and tremors, and increase a feeling of well-being.
Selenium
- A powerful antioxidant.
Calcium
- Works with magnesium. Needed for nerve impulse transmission.
Magnesium
- Works with calcium. Needed for nerve impulse transmission.
Antioxidant versus free radicals Nerve cells are the main source of Parkinson's disease. Since their destruction can be blamed on free radicals, there is good reason for those looking for preventive ways to counter the free radicals which are potentially damaging molecules that enter our bodies through unnoticed sources. Antioxidants are known to keep these free radicals away from the body in order to minimize the damage caused to nerve cells. Preventive Medicine Scientists believe that a dose of antioxidants can have good reason to predict the destruction of the molecules that cause damage to nerve cells. Parkinson's syndrome comes by when the destruction of nerve cells has reached a situation when the person is virtually brain-dead. This situation is a gradual development that is unfelt when the destruction begins and strikes only when the disease has taken over one's mental faculties. Otherwise except for a few visible initial symptoms it is hard to tell. Caffeine is also a food source of antioxidants and helps in keeping free radicals away. besides that,there are other certain ways that you can take,such as :
Make sure that three-fourths of your dietary intake comes from raw food sources (seeds, nuts, grains, raw milk for example).
Since the amino acid L-phenylalanine may help alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease include foods such as almonds, Brazil nuts, fish, pecans, pumpkin, sesame seeds, lima beans, chickpeas, and lentils in your diet.
Limit your the amount of protein in your diet to seven grams per day. Instead of meat and poultry eat other sources of protein such as barley, tofu, yogurt, beans, lentils, etc. If you are taking levodopa concentrate your protein consumption in the evenings as some of the amino acids in these foods may prevent the levodopa from reaching the brain.
B6 may interfere with the potency of this drug so if you are on levodopa monitor your intake of B6 foods such as bananas, fish, beef, liver, oatmeal, peanuts, potatoes, and whole grains. Do not take supplemental B6 if you must take levodopa.
If you have Parkinson's disease take seven grams of carbohydrates to one gram of protein.
This bean contains dopamine and eating more than 1/2 cup of these beans along with a daily dose of the drug levodopa can cause symptoms of a dopamine overdose. The fava bean is primarily used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.
Physical therapy and daily moderate exercise can help maintain normal muscle tone and function. Choose exercises such as walking, jogging, stretching, swimming, etc. that get the muscles moving and the heart pumping.
Pesticides, cleaners, and other chemicals routinely used in household cleaning, and in agriculture and lawn care have been linked to Parkinson's disease. Although exposure may be very minimal, even small amounts can cause problems in children, elderly, and people already ill. When these substances are avoided there is a better chance that symptoms will improve.Research on possible preventionExtensive research is on regarding finding a way to prevent Parkinson's disease. According to medical opinion it is quite a challenge and tests involve a number of complicated procedures to filter out, find a pattern or anything that can help doctors find a uniform way to prevent it in all human beings. One of the advanced techniques called the positron emission tomography (PET) is expected to expand the scientists' findings at a faster rate and allow scientists to come to a stronger position in finding a prevention method. Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning may lead to important advances in our knowledge about Parkinson's disease. PET scans of the brain produce pictures of chemical changes as they occur in the living brain. Using PET, research scientists can study the brain's dopamine receptors (the sites on nerve cells that bind with dopamine) to determine if the loss of dopamine activity follows or precedes degeneration of the neurons that make this chemical. This information could help Parkinson's disease research scientists better understand the disease process and may potentially lead to improved treatments and eventually prevention of Parkinson's disease. |