Parkinson's Disease: What You Need to Know

Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease of the brain and nerves. Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. There are four characteristic problems caused by Parkinson's disease, including tremor at rest, balance problems, stiffness and slowness of movement.

Early prevention strategies
Parkinson's disease occurs when areas of the brain, including an area called the substantia nigra, are slowly destroyed. Four causes of this destruction are:

1.     Trauma or injury

2.     Toxins or poisons

3.     Deficiencies

4.     Stress

Further, toxins may be genetic, environmental (especially herbicides and pesticides), or a combination of both. Protection of this area of the brain is often provided by the concentrated, brain-specific antioxidants in green tea, cocoa and certain berries.

Some studies have suggested that certain other factors can help lower your risk of Parkinson's disease. Examples include:

·  Having a higher caffeine intake, especially from green tea and unsweetened cocoa

·  Using anti-inflammatories

·  Eating a Mediterranean diet, which includes plant foods (e.g., fruits, veggies, grains, beans, seeds), olive oil, fish and nuts

·  Regularly engaging in moderate to vigorous exercise

Other risks
A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition. The more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.

Risk factors include:

·  Age: Most people develop Parkinson's disease after the age of 50.

·  Gender: Men are about 1.5 times more likely than women to develop Parkinson's disease.

·  Genetic Factors: A number of people with abnormal genes may develop Parkinson's disease at a younger age. This type of Parkinson's tends to run in families. However, the vast majority of Parkinson's disease occurs in older individuals, and the role of genetics in these individuals is less clear.

·  Environmental Factors: Exposure to chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides, is thought to increase your risk of developing Parkinson's disease. You also have a greater risk of Parkinson's disease if you live in a rural area, drink well water or live on a farm (perhaps due to an increased exposure to herbicides and pesticides).

You may have a higher risk of Parkinson's disease if you have had certain health conditions, such as:

·  A head injury

·  Polio

·  High cholesterol

·  Melanoma skin cancer

The bottom line
Approximately 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease every year. Ninety-five percent of those diagnosed are over 50 years old. At any given time, about 500,000 people, or 1% of those over age 50 in the United States are struggling with this condition.

Protect your brain from trauma and toxins, deficiencies (such as lack of sleep and antioxidant deficiencies) and stress. Help reduce brain inflammation, and include brain-specific antioxidants and stress-busting adaptogens for optimum brain vitality as you age.

Take Control of Your Health ·  Eliminate exposure to pesticides and herbicides ·  Help reduce stress o Practice relaxation o Consider Adaptogen 10 Plus® ·  Exercise daily ·  Eat a “Mediterranean-style” diet ·  Help reduce inflammation; consider Nopalea™ ·  Target brain-specific antioxidants from green tea and cocoa; consider Energy Now!®