From the ketogenic diet, with very low or almost zero carbohydrate content, to the role of vitamin D and the microbiota, the army of bacteria that live in the intestine. “Science is wondering whether there is a particular diet that allows us to prevent the onset of Parkinson's disease” and has already collected elements on schemes that could combat it, explains the Italian Parkinson's Association (Aip) which – on the eve of World Parkinson's Day scheduled for April 11th – try to shed light on the most promising strategies and those still debated. As research progresses, the guidance of the medical specialist remains crucial. No to 'do it yourself', is the message of the experts who will meet in Rimini on Saturday 13 April for the 44th national AIP conference aimed at patients and family members.
Let's start with the keto diet. “There are numerous – recalls the AIP – scientific studies that highlight the positive effects of the ketogenic diet on neurodegenerative diseases and in particular on Parkinson's disease, thanks to an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect”. In people who follow this 'no carb' regime, “the brain does not derive energy from glucose, generally the body's first energy source, but from ketone bodies, substances deriving from fats, with numerous beneficial properties for the body”. Among other things, “a clear improvement in the functionality of the mitochondria”, the energy plants of the cell. The AIP underlines “the importance of the doctor evaluating whether to adopt this dietary regime which, through a normocaloric ketogenic diet or external supplementation, can bring benefits to patients with Parkinson's disease”.
There are also “several studies underway to verify any effects of dairy products and coffee” in the prevention of Parkinson's, “but there are still conflicting results”, warns the AIP. However, there is “greater agreement on the importance of vitamin D. Since low levels of it are found in the blood in Parkinson's disease, as well as in Alzheimer's and other chronic pathologies, many specialists correlate the lack of this vitamin with these pathologies”. A link to check out.
“An equally widespread interest” finally concerns “a possible role of the microbiota. The involvement of the nervous system of the intestine in Parkinson's disease – experts recall – is quite well known. The appearance of alpha is observed rather early in the nerve cells of the intestine -synuclein, the protein that accumulates in the neurons of Parkinson's patients. Furthermore, 60% of patients “have constipation which can appear many years before motor difficulties. This evidence therefore appears in line with the hypothesis that the disease may originate from the intestine and from there it can spread to the brain. Since the microbiota has an important effect on regulating intestinal activity, numerous researchers are studying whether this set of bacteria can actually influence the onset of the disease “.
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