Prudent diet associated with reduced risk of PD

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject: News: Prudent diet associated with reduced risk of PD

Dear Friends, No diet has been proven to prevent PD, nor to slow its progression. The following study shows an association between a Mediterranean-type diet and lowered risk for PD; this is not proof, but it is encouraging, and certainly is a wise choice. Best, Kathrynne ======= Eating More Fruits, Vegetables, Legumes, Whole Grains, Poultry, and Fish May Reduce the Risk of Parkinson's Disease Reference: "Prospective study of dietary pattern and risk of Parkinson disease," Gao X, Chen H, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2007; 86(5): 1486-1494. (Address: X Gao, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. E-mail: xgao@hsph.harvard.edu ). Summary: In a prospective study involving 49,692 men and 81,676 women, results indicate that greater adherence to dietary patterns characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, fish, poultry, legumes, whole grains, and nuts, a low intake of saturated fat, and a moderate intake of alcohol may reduce the risk of Parkinson's Disease (PD). Using principal components analysis, two dietary patterns were identified: 1) prudent dietary pattern, characterized by high intakes of fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fish; 2) Western diet, characterized by higher intakes of red and processed meats, sweets and desserts, french fries, and refined grains. After adjusting for potential confounders, subjects in the highest quintile of adherence to the prudent dietary pattern showed a 22% reduced risk of PD, compared to subjects in the lowest quintile. Similarly, using the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), subjects in the highest quintile of AHEI score, suggesting the highest diet quality, showed a 30% reduced risk of PD, compared to subjects in the lowest quintile. Furthermore, using the alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED), the highest quintile of aMED score was associated with a 25% reduced risk of PD, compared with the lowest quintile. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "Dietary patterns with a high intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fish, and poultry and a low intake of saturated fat and a moderate intake of alcohol may protect against PD." http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/_________________Best regards, Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD