What can we do to reduce the risk of Parkinson's Disease?

Question

My 74 year old dad has been suffering from it since he was about 70. I don't think my grandparents had it as far as I know. Could it be because he always drank a lot? I hope to enjoy my old age until I keel over. My grandparent's generation of our family mostly lived to 86 or older.

Answer 1

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. It's a tough condition to deal with - both for the patient and the family.

As the Parkinson's came on late in your dad, it's unlikely to be genetic - i.e. you're very unlikely to inherit it.

There are certain environmental factors that may cause the disease. The most common one is MTMP - a contaminant common in street drugs. Obviously if you don't use drugs, you eliminate this risk.

The other risk factors are if you are exposed to certain herbicides or pesticides, though I don't know which ones particularly.

Exposure to heavy metals, especially copper, can cause Parkinson's disease.

Carrying too much weight in middle age has been linked with an increased risk of parkinson's.

Boxing or any head injury can increase your risk of developing the disease.

There are also many drug-induced dyskinesias(abnormal movement patterns) and bradykinesias(slowing or loss of normal movement patterns) that are caused as a side effect of prescribed medications - the most common of these is called tardive dyskinesia. The usual type of medications that cause these symptoms would include antipsychotics and some medicines used for gastrointestinal problems. Look up tardive dyskinesia in Wikipedia for a full list of medications that are relevant.

There have been lots of studies that show if you drink a lot of coffee and smoke, your risk of developing Parkinson's is definitely reduced!

Answer 2

Caffeine will accually prevent it.
A very good way to reducing it is by taking vitamin B6. same with vitamin E.