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The Environment in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease
Friday, November 7, 2008
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are two of the most common degenerative brain diseases. The exact cause of these diseases has perplexed researchers for several years. Understanding the causes and risk factors for these diseases are especially important now because the population over the age of 65, which is highly vulnerable to these diseases, is expected to nearly double in the U.S. by 2030 - from about 38 million to over 71 million. With this increase will come a dramatic escalation of chronic diseases unless steps are taken now to reduce the risks.
A recent report, Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, evaluating environmental factors in Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s, may shed some light on the idea that the diseases are caused by our environment. The report thoroughly reviewed research studies that looked into the lifetime influences of the environment on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It is possible that over our lifetime the exposure to these factors will add up and increase our risk. The environmental influences studied were:
Diet
- Higher saturated fat intake increases the risk of dementia by two to three times.
- Infant soy formula or formulas fortified with the highest levels of iron may potentially increase the risk of subsequent Parkinson's disease.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids are associated with lower risk for Alzheimer's.
In Alzheimer's-prone laboratory animals, a high omega-3 diet begun in late life reduced markers of Alzheimer's disease in the brain by more than 70 percent.
- The Mediterranean diet, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, nuts, and olive oil, is linked to substantially reduced risks of both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Toxic chemical exposures
- Lead: recent evidence links environmental lead exposure in the community to increased risk of cognitive impairment in both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- Air pollution is harmful to the brain, in addition to the lungs, heart, nose and blood vessels. This evidence is drawn from studies of brains of people living in highly polluted cities compared with those living in clean air cities. These studies found evidence starting at young ages of inflammation and cellular damage associated with both early Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
- Pesticides: evidence also links chronic low dose exposure to a number of pesticides, (primarily in the work setting) with a history of occupational exposure to pesticides more than doubling the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Inadequate exercise
- Exercise is linked to substantial reductions in the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. One study found that subjects who were physically active at least twice a week in midlife had more than a 50 percent reduction in the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's diseases in later life.
The report demonstrates that the risks for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's can be dramatically reduced, but only if we work to change how we live and what we expose our bodies to.
Post a comment below to share with the community.
Adapted by The OurHealth Writing Team from the Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Science and Environmental Health Network
The full report, Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, is available online at: www.agehealthy.org.
A recent report, Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, evaluating environmental factors in Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s, may shed some light on the idea that the diseases are caused by our environment. The report thoroughly reviewed research studies that looked into the lifetime influences of the environment on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It is possible that over our lifetime the exposure to these factors will add up and increase our risk. The environmental influences studied were:
Diet
- Higher saturated fat intake increases the risk of dementia by two to three times.
- Infant soy formula or formulas fortified with the highest levels of iron may potentially increase the risk of subsequent Parkinson's disease.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids are associated with lower risk for Alzheimer's.
In Alzheimer's-prone laboratory animals, a high omega-3 diet begun in late life reduced markers of Alzheimer's disease in the brain by more than 70 percent.
- The Mediterranean diet, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, nuts, and olive oil, is linked to substantially reduced risks of both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Toxic chemical exposures
- Lead: recent evidence links environmental lead exposure in the community to increased risk of cognitive impairment in both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- Air pollution is harmful to the brain, in addition to the lungs, heart, nose and blood vessels. This evidence is drawn from studies of brains of people living in highly polluted cities compared with those living in clean air cities. These studies found evidence starting at young ages of inflammation and cellular damage associated with both early Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
- Pesticides: evidence also links chronic low dose exposure to a number of pesticides, (primarily in the work setting) with a history of occupational exposure to pesticides more than doubling the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Inadequate exercise
- Exercise is linked to substantial reductions in the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. One study found that subjects who were physically active at least twice a week in midlife had more than a 50 percent reduction in the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's diseases in later life.
The report demonstrates that the risks for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's can be dramatically reduced, but only if we work to change how we live and what we expose our bodies to.
Post a comment below to share with the community.
Adapted by The OurHealth Writing Team from the Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Science and Environmental Health Network
The full report, Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, is available online at: www.agehealthy.org.
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