Can You Prevent Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological (brain) disorder that is caused by the breakdown of nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls movement. These nerve cells die or become damaged, losing the ability to produce an important chemical called dopamine. Studies have shown that symptoms of Parkinson’s develop in patients with an 80% or greater loss of dopamine-producing cells.

While there is no proven way to prevent Parkinson’s, there are some ways to slow the progression of the disease and reduce the severity of symptoms. Research has shown that lifestyle interventions may help prevent progression of Parkinson’s.

Exercise and Parkinson’s

A recent study explored the benefits of aerobic exercise for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Results suggest the benefits of regular physical exercise include:

• Boosting neuroplasticity, or the ability of the brain to adapt to changes, overcome injuries and learn new information
• A reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease
• Improvement of tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement

For those with Parkinson’s disease, exercise is more than healthy — it is a vital component to maintaining balance, mobility and independent daily living. Research shows that exercise and physical activity can not only maintain and improve mobility, flexibility and balance but also ease nonmotor Parkinson’s symptoms such as depression or constipation.

The Parkinson’s Outcomes Project shows that people with Parkinson’s who start exercising earlier in their disease course for a minimum of 2.5 hours per week experience a slowed decline in quality of life compared with those who start later. Establishing early exercise habits is essential to overall disease management.

There has not been much solid evidence that dietary supplements have any effect on Parkinson’s symptoms.

Environmental Triggers for Parkinson’s

There is some evidence that your environment can contribute to your developing Parkinson’s. Exposure to metals, pesticides and certain drugs have been strongly linked to the onset of Parkinson’s. When metals build up in the cells, the body’s physical balance is disturbed. This metal toxicity stops the brain cells from working properly. Some metals are key to normal body function, but in high levels they become toxic. These metals include iron, copper, manganese, zinc, aluminum, lead and mercury.

You can be exposed to heavy metals by:

• Industrial exposure, if you work in a factory or industrial setting that uses these metals in processing
• Air and water pollution
• Food and medication
• Ingestion of lead-based paint

What Worsens Parkinson’s Disease?

There is some evidence that your environment can contribute to your developing Parkinson’s. Exposure to metals, pesticides and certain drugs have been strongly linked to the onset of Parkinson’s. When metals build up in the cells, the body’s physical balance is disturbed. This metal toxicity stops the brain cells from working properly. Some metals are key to normal body function, but in high levels they become toxic. These metals include iron, copper, manganese, zinc, aluminum, lead and mercury.

You can be exposed to heavy metals by:

• Industrial exposure, if you work in a factory or industrial setting that uses these metals in processing
• Air and water pollution
• Food and medication
• Ingestion of lead-based paint

There has been some research that suggests traumatic brain injury (TBI) may contribute to the onset of Parkinson’s. TBI is a significant nongenetic risk factor for developing Parkinson’s later in life. Researchers believe inflammation may play a significant role in developing Parkinson’s following TBI. More research is needed, but it may help doctors treat TBI more effectively in the future so it decreases the likelihood someone might develop Parkinson’s later in life.

The severity of Parkinson’s symptoms varies from person to person, but patients have noted that symptoms get worse with:

• Lack of exercise
• Stress
• Poor sleep
• Certain medications
• Poor nutrition

What Are Likely Causes of Parkinson’s Disease?

Doctors don’t know what causes Parkinson’s disease, but several factors appear to play a role, including:

• Genes: There are specific genetic changes that can cause Parkinson’s disease, but these are rare — except in some cases with many family members affected by Parkinson’s disease.

• Environmental triggers: Exposure to certain toxins or environmental factors may increase the risk of later Parkinson’s disease, but the risk is small.

Research has shown that the brains of people with Parkinson’s have certain changes, but it is not clear how those changes affect the disease. People with Parkinson’s have:

• Misfolded alpha-synuclein: Alpha-synuclein is a naturally occurring protein in the body, much of it in the brain. A mutation in this protein causes it to fold in on itself, forming a clump.

• Lewy bodies: These are abnormal microscopic clumps in brain cells. Lewy bodies are made up of several substances, but the main component is misfolded alpha-synuclein.

Researchers believe these Lewy bodies hold an important clue to the cause of Parkinson’s disease.

Risk factors for Parkinson’s include:

• Age: People typically develop Parkinson’s around middle age or later in life, and the risk increases with age.
• Genetics: Having a close relative with Parkinson’s disease increases the chances that you’ll develop the disease. However, your risks are still small unless you have many relatives in your family with Parkinson’s disease.
• Gender: Men are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease
• Exposure to toxins: Ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides may slightly increase your risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Diet for Parkinson’s Disease

Following a healthy balanced diet is good for anyone, but are there things you should or shouldn’t eat if you have Parkinson’s? Your diet can affect general well-being and your body’s ability to deal with symptoms of the disease. That said, you should be aware of some special considerations.

• Constipation: Sometimes Parkinson’s disease causes constipation due to a slowdown of the digestive system. Constipation is annoying, but more severe cases can cause the large intestine to become impacted. A high-fiber diet and staying hydrated can help ward off constipation.
• Dehydration: Besides helping to combat constipation, staying hydrated can help you feel more energized and alert. Chronic dehydration can lead to confusion, balance issues, weakness and kidney issues. Fruits and vegetables have a naturally high amount of water, so they can help keep you hydrated.
• Medication interaction: What you eat can be as important as when you eat when it comes to medication. The most commonly used medication for Parkinson’s disease, carbidopa-levodopa, is absorbed in your small intestine. That absorption can be disrupted if you take your medication shortly after eating a high-protein meal, since it involves the same process. To help maximize effects of the medication, you should eat high-protein foods at other times of the day.

Foods you can incorporate freely into your diet include:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains
• Seeds
• Nuts
• Olive oil
• Plant-based foods

Foods to add to your diet in moderate amounts:

• Seafood
• Dairy
• Chicken/Turkey
• Eggs

Foods that should rarely be included into your Parkinson’s diet:

• Red meat
• Sweets like cookies, candy and cake

There is no known cause or cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are many ways to manage symptoms and possibly to keep symptoms at bay for longer. Talk to your doctor about risk factors for Parkinson’s disease and answers to your questions about this condition. Make an appointment through Norton MyChart

Care That’s Focused on You

It’s part of Norton Neuroscience Institute’s goal to care for the whole person, not just the condition.

• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers offer ways to improve your access to care, provide valuable information on managing your disease and address your quality of life issues. The Norton Healthcare Foundation funds this important service, so patients don’t need to pay.
• Dedicated patient navigators can help schedule follow-up appointments, coordinate prescription assistance, create customized diet plans and provide guidance on disability benefits, housing, financial and employment concerns and more.
• Patients can access support groups, exercise classes and other educational events to connect with others and learn how to make the most of life while managing a neurological condition. 
• Access an on-demand video library of educational content across a variety of condition-related topics is available.
• We want to help prevent illness. Get help quitting smoking and learn the signs of stroke.
• Communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions and more anytime from a computer or mobile device with a free Norton MyChart account.

A Louisville Leader in Neurological Care

More patients from Louisville and Southern Indiana seek their neurology and neurosurgery care from Norton Neuroscience Institute’s nationally recognized specialists than any other providers in the area.

Your Norton Neuroscience Institute medical provider has the expertise, experience, diagnostic tools and sophisticated treatments to provide care tailored to your needs.

• More than 75 medical, surgical and research specialists are dedicated to providing innovative care to those with brain, spine and nervous system conditions.
• Advanced, minimally invasive neurosurgery equipment can speed your recovery and minimize pain.
• Multidisciplinary clinics provide easy access to care in one convenient appointment for your neurological condition, with specialists in oncology, cardiology, orthopedics and behavioral health.

• Norton Healthcare was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as high performing for stroke care, exceeding national averages.
• Norton Healthcare’s four adult-service hospitals in Louisville each were awarded a 2023 American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines – Stroke designation for stroke care. Norton Brownsboro Hospital received the highest possible award — Gold Plus.
• Norton Healthcare’s four adult-service hospitals in Louisville are certified by DNV.
  • Norton Brownsboro Hospital is recognized as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, representing the highest level of stroke care.
  • Norton Audubon Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center.
  • Norton Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center.
  • Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital is an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute’s multiple sclerosis (MS) program has been designated a Center for Comprehensive MS Care by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
• The National Association of Epilepsy Centers has recognized Norton Neuroscience Institute Comprehensive Epilepsy Center as a level 4 epilepsy center, providing the highest level of medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy.
• Norton Hospital’s neurosurgical intensive care unit is recognized with a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center navigators help educate patients and their families about new diagnoses, available treatments and ways to manage their disease.
• We are listed by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of 100 great neurosurgery and spine programs.