mbg Health Contributor
mbg Health Contributor
Gretchen Lidicker earned her master’s degree in physiology with a focus on alternative medicine from Georgetown University. She is the author of “CBD Oil Everyday Secrets” and “Magnesium Everyday Secrets.”
Image by Ivan Gener / mbg creative
May 26, 2023
Parkinson’s disease—a degenerative brain condition that causes tremors and other mobility-related symptoms—is estimated to affect nearly 8.5 million people1 worldwide. A recently published study2 found that one lifestyle practice can reduce your risk of developing the condition by 25%. Read on to learn one more reason to consider incorporating exercise into your lifestyle if you don’t already.
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New study explored exercise and Parkinson’s disease
There’s no shortage of reasons to exercise; just a little bit of Googling will reveal its numerous physical and mental health benefits. And according to this new study from researchers at Université Paris-Saclay, we can add Parkinson’s prevention to the list of exercise benefits.
The team of researchers analyzed over 95,000 women who did not have Parkinson’s disease in 2000. They followed the group of women for over 17 years and found that at the end of the study period, about 1,000 of the women developed the condition. The researchers also collected data regarding the type and intensity of physical activity the women did and assigned each participant a physical activity “score” based on that information.
Can exercise reduce your risk of Parkinson’s?
The researchers found an inverse correlation between exercise and Parkinson’s disease, meaning that the women with the highest exercise rates had the lowest Parkinson’s rates. In fact, the study showed that Parkinson’s incidence rates were 25% lower for women who exercised the most compared with women who exercised the least.
Study author Alexis Elbaz, M.D., Ph.D., professor at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris explained in a statement, “Our results support the creation of exercise programs to help lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease.” The best news? Unlike expensive pharmaceutical interventions that can come with side effects, exercise is free. “Exercise is a low-cost way to improve health overall, so our study sought to determine if it may be linked to a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating disease that has no cure,” Elbaz continued.
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How to support brain health today
Exercise: This study demonstrates that one of the best ways to support your brain is to find a physical activity you love, and it doesn’t matter what you do or when you do it. So whether it’s gardening, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, yoga, or pickleball, it’s important to get moving.
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Stock up on brain-supportive nutrients: Just like probiotics are good for gut health and vitamin D is good for immunity, certain nutrients support brain health. These include nutrients like omega-3s, citrulline, and B vitamins. Try one of these 16 memory-supporting supplements that offer effective doses of nutrients for your brain health, cognition, and memory.
Meditate: Research shows that meditation boosts parts of the brain associated with memory, learning, attention, and self-awareness. Studies have also shown that meditation can help improve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Eat brain-supporting foods: Foods like dark chocolate, kefir, and lentils all contain super brain-supportive nutrients that can protect cognition throughout your life. Here’s a list of seven foods that support brain health.
Manage your stress levels: Studies show that psychological stress is a risk factor for Parkinson’s disease. Make an effort to schedule your days so they feel doable, and invest in stress-relieving practices that help you find relief. You can start by considering these 10 natural remedies for stress.
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The takeaway
A new study shows that being a frequent exerciser can reduce your risk of Parkinson’s disease by 25%, adding to a growing pile of evidence that exercise is one of the best things you can do for your long-term health.