What Protects Best Against Parkinsons
While Parkinson causes are multiple, researchers have also found what can protect best.
Even for different Parkinson stages and early symptoms of Parkinson, here is what scientists found to be protective against risk factors:
- A diet high in flavonoids and antioxidants
- drinking coffee
- being active and getting exercise 4
Parkinson Causes: Do Genetics Or Environmental Toxins Lead To Parkinson
While Parkinson causes are diverse…
Both genetic and environmental causes of Parkinsons Disease are well recognized in the medical literature.
1) Environmental toxins lead to Parkinsons:
Studies, both of large groups of people and experimental studies show that both pesticides and metal toxicity are Parkinson causes.
- These toxins cause “a-Syn aggregation” which leads to neuro-degenerative diseases including Parkinsons.
2) Genomic defects are among Parkinson Disease causes:
- Yes, family history, or genetics can be a player, but few people get Parkinsons directly from genetic mutation. A number of factors usually combine to trigger the disease.
Which Parkinson Disease Causes Might Affect You?
When Parkinson causes converge — either genomic, or environmental factors or both, these lead to abnormalities in the mitochondria of the cells and there is more “oxidative stress.”
- Toxicity causes inflammation and oxidative stress and eventually the balance of health tips toward disease.
While not a Parkinson cure, we can protect better against toxins, and lower inflammation and oxidative stress.
Neurotoxicity Studies In Experimental Animals
Animal data on lead toxicity are generally considered less suitable as the basis for health effects assessments than are the human data //. No absolutely equivalent animal model exists for the effects of lead on humans. Nevertheless, studies of lead toxicity in experimental animals are important as an adjunct to non-experimental human studies, particularly if a question remains of whether the associations observed in human studies could be attributable to residual confounding. Similar to human studies, research in animals has clearly demonstrated that learning and memory deficits can be a consequence of developmental lead exposure.
A significant amount of CNS myelination takes place during the first 2 months of life, and during chronic lead intoxication, the myelin fraction Pb level increases significantly. Oligodendroglia can impair brain function by direct or indirect responses to lead. In lead-poisoned rats, three months of lead exposure caused morphologic abnormalities in the brain and the oligodendrocytes also appeared grossly abnormal //. The destruction of the myelin sheaths in lead-exposed rats could be secondary to lead-induced damage to oligodendrocytes during early life. Lead also has a direct effect on myelin proteins for example, acute lead exposure decreases the activity of an enzyme preferentially located in myelin, CNPase, which has been shown to be an integral protein for myelin synthesis during development.
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How Dangerous Is Paraquat
Only certified applicators are permitted to use paraquat dichloride. According to the EPA, specialized training is required for those employed in mixing, loading, applying the herbicide.
With this in mind, the main risk for contact with paraquat is occupational exposure. Despite the training applicators undergo, the extreme toxicity of paraquat is still a threat.
Inhalation or ingestion of paraquat can lead to acute poisoning characterized by symptoms such as:
- Pain and swelling of structures in the mouth
- Swelling and pain in the throat
- Severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including:
Exposure to even small amounts of paraquat can be life-threatening, potentially resulting in scarring of the lungs and failure of the heart, kidneys, and/or liver. If you believe you have been exposed to paraquat, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Clothing that has been exposed to paraquat should be removed and placed in sealed bags. You should wash with soap and water any skin that may have been contaminated by paraquat. Emergency workers can assess you for symptoms of paraquat poisoning and assist with the disposal of contaminated clothes.
How Is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed
Diagnosis is difficult at every stage of the disease, but particularly in the early stages. No single test can provide a diagnosis. A diagnosis will likely involve physical and neurological examinations, conducted over time to assess changes in reflexes, coordination, muscle strength, and mental function. Your doctor might also see how you respond to medicine.
You may need to have brain imaging tests to rule out other conditions that might be causing your symptoms. Such tests could include MRI and CT scans and possibly some other types of scans. Blood tests may also be done to exclude other illnesses.
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The Blood Brain Barrier
The brain consists of two cell types: neurons that send/receive messages from the cell body and glia that protect neurons. Glial cells are subdivided into microglia, oligodendroglia , and astrocytes. Synaptic transmission refers to the propagation of nerve impulses from one neuron to another at a junction between neurons through the release of chemical neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, or -amino butyric acid . Following release, neurotransmitters bind to specific receptors on the surface of presynaptic and postsynaptic cells. Structurally, the brain contains three main parts: the cerebrum, which controls voluntary movement, thought, learning, reasoning, emotions, judgment, memory, the senses, and spoken language the cerebellum, which functions to control coordinate body movement and the brain stem.
Experimental Design And Groups
The experiments were performed as reported in Figure 1. Lead animals and controls received daily intraperitoneal injection of either lead acetate or sodium acetate, respectively, during 56 days. Behavioral tests were performed every week during treatment. Another group of rats received an injection of DSP-4 at the dose of 25 mg/kg. DSP-4 solution was administered i.p. once. Behavioral tests were carried out a week after the administration of DSP-4. In a subgroup of lead animals , L-DOPA was injected i.p. at the end of the lead treatment for 4 days. At day 4, 40 min after L-DOPA injection, locomotor behavior, and motor coordination were evaluated using the open field and the rotarod tests respectively. DSP-4 animals received a L-DOPA injection as lead rats and motor behavior was evaluated in the same conditions.
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What Helps Parkinson Causes What Protects Dopamine Cells
Turns out that no, it is not the caffeine!
Researchers at the Kinsmen Laboratory of Neurological Research, University of British Columbia, tested the ingredients in coffee.
- They discovered that a compound called quercetin is in fact the main neuro protective compound in coffee against Parkinson’s disease as well as Alzheimer’s disease.
How does it work?
They found that the quercetin actually reduced the amount of damage to the DNA, and the fats and proteins in the brain cells. .
- The quercetin in the coffee, in turn increased the amount to GSH, or glutathione in the cells.
- It is already known that improving glutathione is very important for PD patients. Glutathione, GSH is the protective molecule that reduces damage inside brain and nerve cells, and keeps them healthy.
So, drink more coffee!!
But protecting your brain is also multi-factoral! You may need a different Parkinson diet and supplements than others.
- Improving the protective molecule in the brain, glutathione is one of the best things you can do against Parkinson causes.
Unfortunately, it is not as simple as taking a pill! You have to take the pre-cursors, or building blocks.
Effect Of Lead On Neurodevelopment
A childs BPb measurement is estimated to account for 2% to 4% of variance in neurodevelopment measures //. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry // cautions, however, that when studying the effects of lead on child development, the influence of multiple factors like treatment by parents or other adult caregivers should be taken into account. A childs family and personal psychosocial experiences are strongly associated with performance on neurodevelopment measures and account for a greater proportion of the explained variance in these measures than BPb levels.
Many studies have examined the effects of lead on childrens development outcomes covering varying ages at which BPb was measured and varying ages over which BPb levels were averaged. Statistically significant associations have been identified between average BPb levels over a specific period and various adverse health outcomes other studies have reported statistically significant associations with a single lead measurement at a specific age or with a peak measurement. In contrast to adults, central nervous system effects are more prominent than peripheral effects in the developing nervous system //. The developmental effects of lead occur during a critical time window .
Low-level BPb and development
In utero lead exposure
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Is It Really That Bad
Lead is a chemical toxicant, which can cause major damage especially in developing brains. Newborns and young children have the greatest health risks and will suffer lifelong problems both intellectually and physically following exposure to the toxin. Studies show that lead exposure leads to reduced IQ in children, and this reduction in IQ carries on into adulthood. It also causes attention deficit disorders and has been linked to both Parkinsons disease and, more recently, Alzheimers. There is consistent literature demonstrating that children are at risk for developing emotional and behavioral problems following even mild exposure. Lead poisoning during childhood undoubtedly poses a significant threat to healthy development.
It is important to note that all levels of lead exposure have adverse effects on the central nervous system. Evidence suggests that if this exposure happens early in life, it can cause neurodegeneration later in life. Like some other types of brain injury, chronic low-level lead exposure is difficult to diagnose. Slightly elevated blood-lead levels often do not produce specific signs or symptoms, and few physicians think to test for toxicity because exposure is generally perceived to be a rarity. Lead has been called a silent toxin in much the same way that traumatic brain injury has been referred to as the silent epidemic.
Dementia With Lewy Bodies
- Dementia with Lewy bodies is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder in which abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein build up in multiple areas of the brain.
- DLB first causes progressive problems with memory and fluctuations in thinking, as well as hallucinations. These symptoms are joined later in the course of the disease by parkinsonism with slowness, stiffness and other symptoms similar to PD.
- While the same abnormal protein is found in the brains of those with PD, when individuals with PD develop memory and thinking problems it tends to occur later in the course of their disease.
- There are no specific treatments for DLB. Treatment focuses on symptoms.
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Can Exposure To Heavy Metal Toxins Lead To Gout
Humans have been mining and using lead which is a heavy metal toxin for thousands of years now. Lead is first thought to be mined around 6500 BC in Anatolia which is modern day Turkey. It is also considered the oldest environmental hazard and one of the oldest known work. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health more than 3 million workers in the US are potentially exposed to lead in the workplace. Lead poisoning which is having a high level of heavy metal lead in the body can potentially damage and is toxic many organs like the kidneys, intestines, heart, bones as well as the reproductive and nervous systems.
Symptoms include headaches, insomnia, cognitive deficits, irritability, seizures, abdominal pain, coma, death and even gout. Once symptoms begin they can usually develop over weeks to months as lead builds up in the body during chronic exposure. The most common cause of lead poisoning is in the workplace but someone can be exposed to lead from the air, soil, food, water and even consumer products.
Gout was prevalent in Roman times and since lead was widely used to develop Romes aqueducts for their plumbing infrastructure, it was believed to be the result of the lead or leaded drinking and eating vessels. Another use of lead was as a compound used to sweeten wine known as sugar of lead. Romans who developed gout due to this, termed it as saturnine gout. Dont complain that you dont learn something new every day.
How You Can Protect Yourself And What You Should Do If You Are Exposed To Paraquat
- Because ingestion is likely to be the primary route of exposure, if poisoning is suspected, avoid any further ingestion and seek medical attention immediately.
- Pre-hospital therapy may include oral administration of activated charcoal or Fullers earth in order to bind ingested paraquat.
- If you think you may have been exposed to liquid paraquat on your clothes or body, remove your clothing, rapidly wash your entire body with soap and water, and get medical care as quickly as possible.
- Removing your clothing:
- Quickly take off clothing that has liquid paraquat on it. Any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead of pulled over the head.
- If you are helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible.
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Environmental Factors In Parkinsons Disease
Here are environmental factors that may play a role in the development of Parkinsons disease:
Although environmental exposure to these and other toxins is of continued research interest, its hard to determine if any one substance is a culprit. Most often, individual cases of Parkinsons disease result from a complex interplay between genetics and environmental and other factors.
Targeting Parkinsons-Linked Protein Could Neutralize 2 of the Diseases Causes
Researchers report they have discovered how two problem proteins known to cause Parkinsons disease are chemically linked, suggesting that someday, both could be neutralized by a single drug designed to target the link.
Immediate Signs And Symptoms Of Paraquat Exposure
- After a person ingests a large amount of paraquat, he or she is immediately likely to have pain and swelling of the mouth and throat. The next signs of illness following ingestion are gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea .
- Severe gastrointestinal symptoms may result in dehydration , electrolyte abnormalities , and low blood pressure.
- Ingestion of small to medium amounts of paraquat may lead to development of the following adverse health effects within several days to several weeks:
- Heart failure
- Liver failure
- Lung scarring
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Common Symptoms Of Drug
The motor features of PD are often very easy to see via a neurologic exam in a doctors office. Rest tremor for example, is seen in virtually no other illness and can therefore be very important in diagnosing PD. But there is one other common condition that induces the symptoms of PD, including a rest tremor, which must be considered every time PD is being considered as a diagnosis, and that is drug-induced parkinsonism.
Parkinsonism is not technically a diagnosis, but rather a set of symptoms including slowness, stiffness, rest tremor, and problems with walking and balance. This set of symptoms can be caused by PD, but also can occur as a side effect of certain prescription medications .
A number of medications can cause parkinsonism because they block the dopamine receptor and thereby mimic the symptoms of PD that are caused by loss of dopamine neurons in the brain. Reviewing a patients medications is therefore a critical step for a neurologist when seeing someone with parkinsonism. Anti-psychotics and anti-nausea treatments make up the bulk of the problematic medications, although there are other medications that can also cause parkinsonism. The primary treatment for this type of parkinsonism is weaning off of the offending medication, if possible.
Dementia From Toxic Substances
Dementia is an umbrella term that describes negative changes in cognitive functioning that may be the result of a number of potential factors.
Unintentional poisoning, either from ingested substances or environmental exposure, can lead to brain damage and eventually, the onset of dementia. Since most forms of this toxic exposure are chronic, the sources can be difficult to detect.
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Do I Have A Paraquat Lawsuit
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of paraquat herbicides. Farmers and agricultural workers who were diagnosed with Parkinsons disease have brought claims alleging that companies such as Syngenta , Chevron/Chevron Phillips Chemical, and Growmark failed to warn them of the neurological effects posed by long-term exposure to low doses of paraquat.
If you worked as a certified applicator of paraquat or worked on or near a farm where paraquat herbicide was used and you have been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, you may be able to bring a claim against the manufacturer and other parties involved in the distribution and sale of the product. You should speak to an attorney as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected.
Dreyer Boyajian LLP has extensive experience handling complex product liability claims. Please call today for a free consultation to find out if you have a paraquat lawsuit.