How to Prevent Parkinson's Naturally

Parkinson's, a neurological disease with symptoms including tremors and difficulty moving, affects about a million Americans. While its cause is unknown, studies suggest some natural measures may help prevent or slow progression of the disease.

Foods common in the Mediterranean diet were associated with a slower progression of Parkinson's disease symptoms, according to a study in the journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.

These include:

• Fresh vegetables
• Fresh fruit
• Nuts and seeds
• Nonfried fish
• Olive oil
• Wine
• Coconut oil
• Fresh herbs and spices

Coenzyme Q10 and fish oil nutritional supplements also were associated with a reduced progression of the disease.

Conversely, foods that were associated with a more rapid progression of disease symptoms include canned fruits and vegetables, soda, fried foods, beef, ice cream, yogurt, cheese, and iron supplementation, according to the study.

Eating more fish may promote neurological health and prevent Parkinson's disease, according to a study released in April by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden.

The study pointed to the way the protein parvalbumin, which is common in fish, interacts with a human protein alpha-synuclein, known as the "Parkinson's protein," which can become harmful when it aggregates into amyloids.

"Parvalbumin collects up the 'Parkinson's protein' and actually prevents it from aggregating, simply by aggregating itself first," Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede, a lead author on the study, said in a release.

Alert: Brain Doctor's Secret Weapon for 'Shrinkage'

Herring, cod, carp, sockeye salmon and red snapper are among fish with particularly high levels of parvalbumin, which is highest at the end of summer, the study said.

Peppers are another food that may help prevent Parkinson's, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which cited a University of Washington study.

"I think the research still needs to show whether it’s one compound or several specific compounds and specific ratios to reduce the risk for Parkinson’s disease," neurologist Michal Gostkowski said, according to the Cleveland Clinic. "We will also need to know whether raw peppers are best versus cooked peppers."

While eating sweet peppers may be beneficial, Gostkowski urges patients not to overlook medications, exercise and such foods as berries, apples and oranges, which also have been linked with lower risk of developing Parkinson's.

Exercise may be one of the best natural ways to prevent Parkinson's according to Harvard Medical School, which cited studies that showed a correlation between exercise early in life and a reduced risk of developing the disease later in life.

High-intensity exercise three times a week may slow the progression of Parkinson's disease symptoms, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association Neurology.

• Role of Diet in Parkinson's Disease
• Parkinson's Disease: An Overview