People with Parkinson’s disease usually feel quite healthy in the early stages of their disease. Other than the tremor that leads to the diagnosis, there may not be any other symptoms or difficulties at first. So, they continue to lead their lives as well as they can for as long as they can. This included continuing to drive. Of course, most people who feel physically unable to drive will stop, but sometimes the loss of the ability isn’t as obvious, even to the most careful of people.
Actor Michael J. Fox, arguably the most famous person in North America with Parkinson’s …read more

Who thought the doctor might prescribe a video game to help with a disease?
Dr. Ben Herz, a Medical College of Georgia (MCG) researcher, says that the Nintendo Wii could help treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Herz says that since the Wii requires visual perception, eye-hand coordination, figure-ground relationships and sequenced movement, it’s a big treatment tool for occupational therapy.

The pilot Wii study involved 20 Parkinson’s patients spending an hour playing the Wii three times a week for four weeks. Preliminary study findings were presently recently, and participants showed “significant improvements in rigidity, movement, fine motor skills and energy levels.” Also, …read more

/>According to an animal study recently published in the online edition of the FASEB Journal, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may protect against Parkinson’s disease, degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that affects motor skills and speech.
The researchers observed that when mice were fed an omega-3 rich diet, they seemed immune to the effect of MPTP, a toxic compound that causes the same damage to the brain as Parkinson’s. “This compound, which has been used for more than 20 years in Parkinson’s research, works faster than the disease itself and is just as effective in …read more

A team of Spanish researchers have discovered that melatonin neutralizes oxidative damage and delays the neurodegenerative process of aging. Melatonin is a natural substance produced by the body and is also available in small amounts in foods such as onions, cherries and bananas, and in cereals like corn, oats and rice, as well as in some aromatic plants, such as mint, lemon verbena, sage or thyme, and in red wine. It is also available as a dietary supplement to help promote sleep.
The authors administered small amounts of melatonin to mice and observed that not only did this substance neutralize the …read more

What’s your preferred pep-me-up elixir in the mornings? Mine is coffee. Freshly brewed, fragrant coffee. Can’t start the day without it!
Unhealthy? Think again. Gone are the days when coffee and caffeine would be considered the villain. Contrary to popular belief, and although there are studies indicating that caffeine consumption leads to aortal stiffness, and may therefore increase the risks of contracting cardiovascular disease, a large-scale long-term study demonstrates to the contrary.
After approximately 20 years of follow-up there were 4427 recorded cases of coronary heart disease. After adjusting the results for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, and BMI, the researchers found …read more