Parkinson’s disease is a progressive debilitating disease of the elderly. The basic pathophysiology is rather complex but it has to do with a neurotransmitter–dopamine. This chemical molecule allows communication between cells in the body. Once dopamine is depleted/blocked people start developing Parkinson’s Disease symptoms. While dopamine can be modulated with many different allopathic and naturopathic agents (Bromocriptan, Levodopa-carbidopa, or Pramipexole in the allopathic world or naturopathicly with Mucuna prurient) these agents are not getting to the underlying cause. They are simply just a BandAid.
I always say use food as your medicine and medicine as your food. This simple concept laid down from the father of western medicine sets the basic foundation for healthy living. There is a recent study out of Europe that seems to link coffee drinking to a reduction in risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease. This is do to a gene encoded in your DNA (GRIN2A). This gene has to do with the award section of your brain.
While I am not advocating for everyone to go out and get genetic testing (can be really expensive) I am advocating for everyone to follow their blood type/genotype diets. Certain blood groups (blood type A’s) do really well with black coffee intake (most blood type O’s do not). There is also the question of Acetylation. Some genotypes do better with this and other do not. This plays a role into how caffeine effects you and thus possibly if coffee would have a beneficial effect of prevention of Parkinson’s Disease.
Needless to say an ounce of prevention goes a long way.
Stay Heathy.
Please read the article here: Parkinson’s Disease and Coffee
