Parkinson's Disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. In the U.S. it has increased 35% in the last 10 years and expected to double over the next 25 years. Research has shown the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) used in many household cleaning products might be one culprit with increasing cases of Parkinson's. The other is the chemical herbicide Paraquat used in agriculture. In short, these chemicals get into our bodies killing good bacteria or microbes. Basically, microbes make things that go into your blood to the brain, so what you eat feeds microbes.
Parkinson Resources of Oregon (PRO) had a virtual conference today on nutrition and the gut-brain connection presented by Dr. Heather Zwickey. She stressed the need to avoid inflammatory foods, such as dairy, meats, sugars, and produce that have been grown with pesticides and go more for a plant-based diet, mostly with organics vegetables, nuts, herbs, etc.
The second speaker was Dr. Caroline Tanner presenting a public health approach to preventing Parkinson's. Parkinson's can be caused by pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, head injuries, chlorinated solvents, military service ( agent orange), age, welding/metals, physical inactivity, and air pollution. Constipation, sleep disorders, anosmia, anxiety, depression could be the prodromal stage of Parkinson's diagnosis before any symptoms start showing.
The dilemma is can we change our diet, behavior pattern, and environment to prevent or slow the progression of Parkinson's?
I had no idea there were known links between Parkinson’s and household cleaners or pesticides. We usually just clean with baking soda and vinegar but since the pandemic have started using stronger stuff. I will be checking the labels from now on.
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