Parkinson's disease

Scientific studies (review articles) on the relationship between diet/nutrients and Parkinsons's diseases:
A review article (a collection of scientific studies on a specific topic) of randomized, placebo-controlled double blind clinical trials (RCTs) will answer the following question:
"Do taking dietary supplements make sense?" Yes for a positive conclusion and no for a negative conclusion.

A review article (a collection of scientific studies on a specific topic) of cohort studies or case-control studies will answer the following question:
"Should I change my diet?".

1. 15 minutes/week sunlight exposure decreases risk of Parkinson's disease
2. Higher levels of selenium in cerebrospinal fluid increase Parkinson's disease
3. Lower serum zinc levels increase Parkinson's disease

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

• The disease is named after a British physician, James Parkinson, who first described it in “an essay on the shaking palsy” in 1817.
• Parkinson's disease (PD) is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness and difficulty with walking, balance and coordination.
• Parkinson's disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra.
• The substantia nigra (SN) is a basal ganglia structure located in the midbrain that plays an important role in reward and movement.
  Substantia nigra is Latin for "black substance", reflecting the fact that parts of the substantia nigra appear darker than neighboring areas due to high levels of neuromelanin in dopaminergic neurons.
• Nerve cells in the substantia nigra of the brain are responsible for producing a chemical called dopamine.
• Normally, dopamine operates in a delicate balance with other neurotransmitters to help coordinate the millions of nerve and muscle cells involved in movement.
• If nerve cells in the substantia nigra die or become damaged, the amount of dopamine in the brain is reduced.
• Without enough dopamine, this balance is disrupted, resulting in tremor (trembling in the hands, arms, legs and jaw), rigidity (stiffness of the limbs), slowness of movement and impaired balance and coordination - the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson's.
• The loss of nerve cells is a slow process. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease usually only start to develop when 60 to 80% of the nerve cells in the substantia nigra have been lost.
• The cause of Parkinson's disease essentially remains unknown. However, theories involving oxidative damage, environmental toxins, genetic factors and accelerated aging have been discussed as potential causes for the disease.  
• Although Parkinson's disease can't be cured, medications might significantly improve your symptoms.
• There is no standard treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Treatment for each person with Parkinson's is based on his or her symptoms.
• Treatments include medication and surgical therapy. Other treatments include lifestyle modifications, like getting more rest and exercise.
• Three main types of medication are commonly used:
  1. Evodopa
  2. Dopamine agonists
  3. Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors
• When medication is ineffective, surgery may be an option to control symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Only about 10 percent of Parkinson's patients are candidates for surgery.
• Many people with Parkinson's disease have swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and problems with their speech.
• Early signs of Parkinson’s disease are:
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Loss of smell
  • Masked face
  • Small handwriting. Has your handwriting gotten much smaller than it was in the past?
  • Tremor. Have you noticed a slight shaking or tremor in your finger, thumb, hand or chin?
  • Trouble moving or walking
  • Trouble sleeping
• More men than women are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease by almost a 2 to 1 margin.