When the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling movement gets damaged, Parkinson’s Disease is said to have occurred. It is a condition of the central nervous system. This degeneration of the brain is thought to result in much higher levels of dopamine in the brain and that is the chemical that is responsible for controlling and coordinating the movements of an individual.
Parkinson’s affects about 1.5 million people just in the States alone. The primary symptoms of this disorder include tremors of the body, slower movements, limbs that are rigid, bad memory, etc.
What factors cause it and how can we prevent it?
It is important to note here that there is not a known cure that exists for this disorder and what causes the disorder is also not fully known. However, what we can confirm is that aging really is the number one factor that can be considered as being the most important risk factor for developing this disorder. Stress and inflammation also contribute to cell damage.
Due to the fact that there are no known cures for this disease, it is very important that we try to prevent the disease before it gets a hold of a person. There are some modern surgical methods that are able to mitigate some of the damages caused by the disorder but still, it is best to not get it in the first place.
The purpose of this article is to give you some pointers as to how you can keep yourself in proper health condition so that you do not become a victim of Parkinson’s.
#1: Eat organic and local foods
The pesticides and herbicides that are used in commercial farming have already been badly implicated in being a major cause of Parkinson’s. Researchers have been able to determine that the brains of the people who have this disorder have a lot of these pesticides and herbicides in them. It is also very much worth pointing out that the agricultural workers generally find themselves suffering from PD much more than the general population.
This is why it may be vitally important to eat organic produce in order to reduce the risk of PD. This is a particular reason why knowing where your food comes from is so important. It will be a good idea to get to know the farmers that you have in your vicinity and get your produce from them. If you have space, you can even start your own little garden, which is the absolute best form of local food production.
#2: Make sure to eat raw and fresh vegetables
If ever there was a reason to properly eat vegetables, this should be right at the top of the list. A lot of studies have been able to determine that the higher levels of vitamin B folic acid found in vegetables have the potential to significantly lower the chances of getting PD.
You will also then be pleased to know that some of the best sources of folic acid are also some of the healthiest foods out there. This includes things such as vegetables that are dark green like spinach, broccoli, collard greens, etc.
#3: Make sure that you are getting enough Omega-3s
PD is a condition that is by its very nature, inflammatory. Therefore, researchers have really looked into the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 acids to see how they can help. Omega 3 acids are things that are a very important part of making sure that cell degeneration and death do not happen. The benefits of these fatty acids are not restricted to preventing PD only. There are a whole other host of benefits of these acids as well.
A study that was conducted in 2008 in Canada was able to prove the effectiveness that these acids have in being able to combat the onset of PD.
#4: Vitamin D3
First of all, when we talk about Vitamin D, we have to make sure that we mention that natural Vitamin D is available from only two sources. There are also other sources of artificial sunlight which can give you ample amounts of Vitamin D, such as light therapy. The two natural sources are:
Sunlight- It is with the help of vitamins and cholesterol that vitamin D gets changed chemically and then is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Animal Fat – Making sure that you get good animal fat from animals that have been grass-fed is another excellent way to make sure that you are getting the right amount of Vitamin D.
When there is not enough vitamin D in the body, you are unable to absorb the proper amounts of phosphorus or calcium that your body needs in order to function properly. This can result in a whole host of problems that will get worse progressively as we age. Research has been able to show that most people that experience early onset of PD have very low levels of vitamin D in their system.
One thing that you can try to make sure that you are getting the right amounts of Vitamin D in your system is to make use of light therapy which is also known as photobiomodulation. The purpose of light therapy is pretty simple. The main function of these light therapy devices is to be able to provide light that stimulates the natural light of the outdoors. These devices can really come in handy if you are not sure that you are getting enough amounts of vitamin D into your system.
In regions of the world where sunlight is scarce, this may be one of the best ways to make sure that you are getting your daily required dose of vitamin D. In order to make sure that you are making the most of these light therapy devices, it is advised that you talk to your doctor first.
Some other benefits of Vitamin D:
- Helps with immunity
- Better bone health and reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- Essential for absorbing minerals in the body
- Protects against booth dementia and cancer as well
- Has the potential to boost both mood and energy.