It’s heartbreaking to see your elderly family member falling and injuring themselves due to impaired balance and coordination and experiencing tremors and cognitive decline. You might disregard them as signs of aging, but these are actually symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Following Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder in the U.S. About 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with this progressive brain condition. The World Health Organization reveals that the prevalence of this condition has doubled in the past 25 years.
Genetics plays a role in the development of PD, but researchers increasingly believe that environmental factors impact the onset of this condition.
In this article, we’ll explore the environmental contributors of PD and share some tips to help you minimize your risk of this condition.
Environmental Contributors of Parkinson’s Disease
For decades, studies have linked Parkinson’s to genetics. But recent epidemiological studies reveal that environmental factors play a crucial role in the development of the condition. Here, we’ll discuss some environmental contributors associated with the development and progression of PD:
1. Trichloroethylene
An international team of researchers postulated that trichloroethylene is an invisible cause of Parkinson’s.
Trichloroethylene, or TCE, is an industrial solvent widely used in a number of consumer, industrial, military, and medical applications. This chemical is used to degrease metal, decaffeinate coffee, and dry clean clothes.
The link between TCE and Parkinson’s was first hinted at more than 60 years ago in case studies. Animal studies also demonstrate that this chemical causes selective loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells—a characteristic of Parkinson’s disease in people.
A newly published study reveals that Camp Lejeune veterans are at an increased risk of Parkinson’s. Researchers of the study link this disease with exposure to the TCE solvent that was present in the base’s water supply more than 40 years ago. TCE levels in the base’s water were greatest, with monthly median amounts more than 70 times the permissible limit.
Sailors and Marines who showered in the water and drank it unwittingly had a 70% greater risk of developing Parkinson’s than those stationed at a base where water wasn’t contaminated. Those stationed at the East Coast base were at high risk of Parkinsonism, and the diagnosis of tremors, anxiety, or erectile dysfunction was also high among them.
However, the passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) of 2022 paved the way for veterans to seek compensation for the damages sustained due to exposure to contaminated water. Parkinson’s disease is considered a presumptive illness for Camp Lejeune claims. Thus, veterans can file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit and recover damages.
According to Reuters, the first trials are expected to address claims over Parkinson’s. Determining the payout per person is hard since no Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s lawsuit has been settled yet. However, TorHoerman Law estimates it could be between $10,000 and over $1,000,000.
2. Pesticides
UCLA Health and Harvard University researchers have identified ten pesticides that significantly harmed neurons implicated in the development of PD. Their research provided new clues about the role of environmental toxins in the condition.
Four insecticides, namely propargite, naled, endosulfan, and dicofol, and three herbicides, such as trifluralin, endothall, and diquat, are among the ten pesticides identified as toxic to the dopaminergic neurons. Two fungicides—folpet and copper sulfate [basic and pentahydrate]—are also linked with Parkinson’s.
3. Illicit Substances
Prolonged illicit drug use has been associated with abnormal changes in the morphology of the substantia nigra, a brain region critical for movement control and dopamine production.
Drugs that block the action of dopamine—a type of neurotransmitter and hormone—can cause Parkinsonism.
Recent research reveals that methamphetamine abusers are at high risk of developing Parkinson’s. Amphetamine and cocaine abuse can also increase a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s. Abuse of these three types of drugs damages the brain’s dopamine neurons, which might result in the onset of Parkinson’s.
How to Minimize Your Risk of Parkinson’s Disease? 3 Tips
Preventing Parkinson’s disease isn’t possible, but certain strategies can help minimize your risk of developing PD through environmental exposure. We’ll discuss some of them here:
1. Increase Coffee Intake
Emerging evidence indicates that consuming coffee reduces the risk of developing Parkinson’s to a great extent. The caffeine in the coffee is believed to minimize the risk or delay the development of this brain condition.
The death of dopamine-producing cells results in PD. In a number of animal models of Parkinson’s, caffeine treatment reduced motor impairment, neuronal death, and dopamine depletion. Thus, you should increase your coffee consumption. Try to drink two to three cups daily.
2. Exercise Regularly
You can reduce your likelihood of developing PD by exercising regularly. Consider engaging in aerobic activities and strength training and perform balance exercises.
Exercising regularly will help with balance and how you walk (gait), improve motor function as well as promote strength in individuals diagnosed with PD. A new study suggests that regular exercise can cut a woman’s chance of getting PD by 25%.
3. Go Organic
Exposure to pesticides and herbicides can increase your risk of PD. Steer clear of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. That is because they contain pesticide residues, some of which have been linked to Parkinson’s.
Instead, switch to organic fruits and vegetables. Organic farming practices prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, minimizing your exposure to potentially harmful pesticides and helping you support a healthy lifestyle.
To wrap things up, several environmental factors, such as TCE exposure and illicit substance abuse, contribute to the development and progression of PD. Fortunately, you can minimize your risk by making certain lifestyle changes.
Increasing your caffeine intake, staying physically active, and switching to organic fruits and vegetables can help minimize your exposure to environmental toxins, reducing your risk of PD. However, if you suspect you have this condition, consult a healthcare provider right away.
