Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that causes movement disorders in the body. This disorder causes a variety of Parkinson’s symptoms which are generally motor-related, so the sufferer will find it difficult to carry out daily activities. Therefore, the prevention of Parkinson’s disease really needs to be done to avoid these unwanted things. So, can this disease really be prevented? Are there specific ways to prevent Parkinson’s disease?
Various ways to prevent Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease occurs when the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine become disrupted, lost, or even die. The dopamine itself is a chemical in the brain that plays a role in helping control body movements. When these nerve cells are disrupted, dopamine in the brain is reduced so that disturbances in body movement control occur.
However, the cause of the disruption of these nerve cells is not known for sure. Thus, there is no surefire way to prevent Parkinson’s disease. However, you can still reduce your chances of developing Parkinson’s by avoiding the various risk factors.
Here are some ways that you can do to reduce your risk of developing Parkinson’s, which may be a preventative against this disease:
1. Aerobic exercise
Not only to improve the health of the heart, lungs, and bones, exercise is also beneficial for the health of the human brain. One type of exercise that is good for brain health is aerobics, such as walking, swimming, or cycling. Regular aerobic exercise is believed to reduce inflammation in the brain, which can also be a cause of Parkinson’s disease.
A study conducted at the University of Illinois in 2011 showed that regular aerobic exercise can improve overall cognitive health. In the study, participants who walked for 40 minutes, three days a week for a year, experienced an increase in the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in memory and learning.
In contrast, adults who do not exercise actually experience a decrease in hippocampus size by about one to two percent each year. People with Parkinson’s often experience impaired cognitive function and memory during the development of the disease. Therefore, this method can be one way to prevent Parkinson’s disease in the future.
2. Avoid exposure to toxins
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, environmental factors, such as exposure to pesticides, herbicides, air pollutants and metals, can increase a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, one form of prevention of Parkinson’s disease is to avoid exposure to these harmful compounds.
As is known, pesticides, herbicides, and metals are often used in plantations and industrial factories. If you work in one of these areas, you can wear gloves, shoes and protective clothing while working. Then wash and place the tools in a special place so they don’t pollute the environment, equipment, or even the food around them.
However, you should as much as possible reduce or not use these chemicals. If necessary, choose organic foods, especially vegetables and fruits, which are much safer and free from pesticides and herbicides.
3. Eat more vegetables
Vegetables are well known for their health benefits. Not only that, eating more vegetables is also known to be one way to prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Studies show that increasing levels of folic acid in the body, especially those from vegetables, can significantly reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. As for some vegetables that are the best sources of folic acid are green vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, or asparagus. In addition, this content can also be obtained from other foods, such as avocados or nuts.
4. Consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids
Several studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids play a role in preventing degeneration and cell death, which may be beneficial for preventing Parkinson’s disease. The omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from several foods, such as salmon and mackerel, eggs, and walnuts.
One of these studies was conducted in Canada in 2008, where a group was given omega-3 supplements for 10 months. The result, this group of mice did not experience a decrease in dopamine levels in the brain and did not show any signs of Parkinson’s.
5. Increase consumption or exposure to vitamin D
The researchers found that about 70 percent of untreated early-stage Parkinson’s patients had low levels of vitamin D. Therefore, consuming vitamin D in sufficient levels is considered to be one way to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
However, additional research is needed to prove more about vitamin D as a prevention against Parkinson’s disease. But certainly, vitamin D from sun exposure or consumption of animal fats can provide a number of good benefits for the body, such as improving bone health, immunity, energy and mood, or protecting against dementia.
6. Caffeine consumption
You may often hear that consuming too much caffeine can increase the risk of various diseases. However, several studies have shown that people who consume caffeine from coffee, tea (including green tea), or soft drinks, are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than those who don’t drink them.
However, it is still not known whether caffeine can actually protect you from Parkinson’s disease. There isn’t enough evidence at this time to suggest that you drink this drink as a way to prevent Parkinson’s disease.
7. Maintain normal uric acid levels
Having high uric acid levels in the body can cause gout and kidney stones. However, researchers have found that men with above-normal uric acid levels are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than those with lower. However, the same was not observed in women.
8. Take NSAIDs if necessary
Although the exact cause is unknown, several studies have shown that people who regularly take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, have a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s. However, you should not just take this drug. Always consult a doctor if you need to take it because of certain symptoms.
9. Reduce stress
Reducing stress is believed to support long-term health in the human body. The reason is, stress can cause inflammation and various long-term damage throughout your body. Therefore, in addition to taking the preventive steps above, you also need to reduce stress in an effort to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease in the future.