Dial Down Parkinson's Risk

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted July 7, 2023

“There’s nothing you can do to avoid getting Parkinson’s.”

If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard some version of THAT bit of “wisdom,” I’d be a very wealthy man. The only trouble is, it’s pure rubbish!

The fact is there are PLENTY of steps you can take to support your overall brain health.

Plus, research reveals starting this one thing TODAY could significantly slash your risk of developing Parkinson’s in the FUTURE.

Even better, it’s free and requires no special pills, equipment, or skills.

Aging, inflammation, and stress are the biggest risk factors for Parkinson’s disease.

You can’t halt the hands of time, of course. But you CAN work on those other two.

And now, new research published in the Journal of Neurology has confirmed one more GIANT step you can take to SIGNIFICANTLY slash your risk.

For three decades, the researchers followed 95,354 women who didn’t have Parkinson’s at the start of the study.

And the scientists found that the participants who were the MOST physically active during that time had a 25 percent LOWER risk of developing this devastating disease compared to their couch potato peers.

The exercisers weren’t all super athletes and didn’t live at the gym either.

Instead, they stayed moving in a VARIETY of ways, including cycling, walking, gardening, cleaning, and playing sports. In other words, the activity itself didn’t matter… only that they STAYED active.

Now, to be clear, this wasn’t a cause-and-effect type study. It was observational, so it revealed LINKS.

That means more research is needed to shed additional light on the exact relationship between exercise and Parkinson’s risk.

But where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. And there’s every reason to believe that being more active can significantly reduce your risk for the disease.

After all, we KNOW exercise supports brain health. It improves blood flow and reduces inflammation.

And regular physical activity can increase the thickness of your cerebral cortex, improve the integrity of the white matter in your brain, and form new neural connections. Plus, it’s associated with better memory and a lower risk of dementia.

But don’t stop with exercise. You can support your brain health and potentially reduce Parkinson’s risk with certain nutrients too.

• Creatine is an amino acid that supports dopamine and mitochondrial energy production.
• Omega-3s are essential fatty acids in fish oil that support brain function and neuron growth while reducing inflammation and protecting against oxidation.
• CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that protects dopamine-producing regions in the brain and boosts mitochondrial energy production throughout the body.
• B vitamins boost the production of neurotransmitters and supply your nerves with energy. B1 vitamin deficiency is common with Parkinson’s and is linked with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
• Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E fight off the oxidative stress that leads to cell damage and inflammation.
• Herbs curcumin and bacopa decrease inflammation and act as powerful antioxidants.

And another thing…

Here’s what else we’ve discussed this week in Living Well Daily…

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P.S. For more on reducing inflammation… and potentially your Parkinson’s risk right along with it… see my earlier report HERE.

Source:

“Physical Activity and the Risk of Parkinson Disease: Moving in the Right Direction.” Neurology. doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000207527.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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