Parkinson’s still steeped
in mystery

The numbers are likely to grow as the baby boomer population ages, so there is great incentive to find ways to prevent or at least better treat the condition.

The cause of Parkinson's is still a mystery. Although scientists know what goes wrong and physicians know how to manage symptoms, the factors that cause the condition remain unclear.

Q: What biological problem occurs in Parkinson's?

A: A small but very important part of the brain, the substantia nigra, degenerates for unknown reasons. This cluster of brain cells is crucial because it produces the chemical messenger dopamine.

The centers in the brain that control and coordinate movement are dependent on adequate dopamine. When too little is produced, the typical signs of Parkinson's develop: slowness and hesitation in movement, stiffness to the level of rigidity, poor coordination and loss of balance. Even facial expressions, speech and handwriting are affected (interestingly, as Parkinson's develops, handwriting tends to get smaller and smaller).

As the disease progresses, so does the problem of constipation. To make matters worse, some medications used to treat symptoms can cause constipation.

Q: What are some risk factors?

A: The three main areas of concern are genetic, environmental and nutritional. Having the wrong genes will not automatically dictate that you will develop Parkinson's. Many environmental toxins, such as pesticides and nutrients such as iron and manganese, also play a part. It has been proposed that the risk is amplified by amount of exposure to occupational toxins such as pesticides, solvents and heavy metals. A viral connection has also been proposed.

Research shows that people with excessive iron in their diets are more likely to have Parkinson's symptoms. Therefore, individuals with a strong family history of the disease might be wise to avoid excessive amounts of foods or supplements with high iron content.

But that does not mean that a diet low in iron is good. It turns out that an enzyme involved in the normal production of dopamine is dependent on iron. So adequate iron, rather than low iron, is likely best.

Q: Are there other dietary concerns?

A: Those taking medication to control Parkinson's should avoid beverages such as alcohol and kava. Also, high-protein diets and a high intake of vitamin B-6 can decrease drug benefits. To ensure that medications are most effective, it is recommended that high-protein foods be eaten mostly in the evening, because lower drug levels after bedtime are not usually a problem.