For those who are not familiar with Parkinson’s disease, it is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance, coordination, and walking. Symptoms start gradually, like a mild tremor in the hand, and worsens over time. Currently, there is no cure for the disease, but there are treatments to help relieve the symptoms, and maintain your quality of life. Men are more prone to Parkinson’s, and people usually develop the disease when they reach 60 or older.
Several factors were attributed to the causes of Parkinson’s. Clumps of specific substances within brain cells, genetic mutations (actually rare), and exposure to certain toxins or environmental factors. With these in mind, it seems there is a connection between the disease and pesticides. A study published in the journal Neurology, found out that a broad range of weed killers, insecticides, and fungicides cause a cell detoxifying problem linked to the disease.
Out of 50 chemical pesticides tested, 11 inhibited an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). This enzyme’s function is to detoxify aldehydes to protect dopamine cells. Should this not occur, the dopamine cells float around the body, exposing them to chemicals. This exposure increases the risk of Parkinson’s, according to a professor of epidemiology at the University of California in LA, Beate Ritz, PhD.
There is a genetic variant of the ALDH2 gene in about half the US population that makes them more susceptible to Parkinson’s. The risk depends on the individual’s genetic makeup , and in most populations exposed to pesticides, increases the chances of developing the disease by 2-6 fold.
Study author and professor of molecular toxicology and neurology at UCLA, Jeff Bronstein, MD.PhD, said, “We were very surprised that so many pesticides inhibited ALDH and at quite low concentrations, concentrations that were way below what was needed for the pesticides to do their job.” He continued, “These pesticides are pretty ubiquitous, and can be found on our food supply, and are used in parks and golf courses and in pest control inside buildings and homes. So this significantly broadens the number of people at risk.”
So, it seems the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to eat organic, whole foods as often as possible, use organic lawn care tips, and be meticulous with your bug control measures. Hopefully your exposure to pesticides and insecticides will lessen, and the risk of Parkinson’s will decrease.
While Parkinson’s itself is not fatal, the complications can be serious. Getting pneumonia and having a bad fall are serious enough. So if you feel you or a family member is getting symptoms of Parkinson’s, see your doctor immediately. Symptoms to watch out for are : tremors in your hands, muscle stiffness which limit your range of motion, impaired balance and posture, slowed movements, inability to perform unconscious movements like blinking, smiling, etc., difficulty in writing, and speech changes – slurring, hesitating, and monotone speech.
So live a healthy lifestyle, it will pay off in the long run. There are many diseases, viruses, ailments, that we can contract at any time. If it happens, that is life. But it is always better to be safe.
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