iron in the blood protects against pd - Cure Parkinson's
iron in the blood protects against pd
I could not get the url provided to load. Igoggled ti. Found a hit that talked about based on the observation that some Patients tended to have low levels of iron in their blood. Were looking at researching the proposal that hgh levels of iron might be protective to catching the disease.? Note, folks who don't have low iron still get PD?
BillDavid
Low levels of iron in the blood but high levels of iron in the brain and probably people with high iron levels in the blood still get Parkinson's. Maybe the low blood iron level occurs after the onset of Parkinson's because the body's homeostasis is disrupted. Cheers
This is a genetic study looking at genes that influence iron levels in the body. This would be similar to asking the question if people with genes leading to high levels of cholesterol have a different risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those without the genes.
The study says it didn't look at levels of iron in the brain, only in the blood.
Hey Bitsy
Hmmm not sure what to make of this. Can tell you I have Hemochromatosis (20 +yr dx)which is excess Ferritin (iron) levels which requires phlebotomy maintenance. Since aggressive phlebotomies past year to alleviate symptoms I've started internal tremors.
A stretch but... decline in iron has exasperated tremors & balance YET helped pain & brain fog???? Can tell you MY doctors see no connection as I continually ask....
Hi BeezyB, Sorry to hear you are having such contradictory results which makes it so difficult to decide what is the best thing to do. I hope researchers can find a connection soon which will help someone in your position. All the best.
Bitsy
It is interesting you mention this, Beezy. I tend to have a higher level of ferritin as well. I have never heard of this link before. Thank you for sharing. PS Your doctors do not have Parkinson's themselves and their level of interest isn't as intense as ours. Once they go home and they forget about their "job" which is meant to pay their bills, think about weekends, playing golf, going on holidays etc..
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
+++
ST. PAUL, MN – People with high levels of iron in their diet are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease, according to a study in the June 10 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology. People with both high levels of iron and manganese were nearly two times more likely to develop the disease than those with the lowest levels of the minerals in their diets. The study compared 250 people who were newly diagnosed with Parkinson's to 388 people without the disease. Interviews were conducted to determine how often participants ate certain foods during their adult life.
Those who had the highest level of iron in their diets – in the top 25 percent – were 1.7 times more likely to be Parkinson's patients than those in the lowest 25 percent of iron intake. Those whose level of both iron and manganese was higher than average were 1.9 times more likely to be Parkinson's patients than those with lower than average intake of the minerals.
Iron and manganese contribute to oxidative stress, a situation where cells release toxic substances called free radicals as part of normal energy consumption and metabolism.
"Oxidative stress may cause degeneration of brain cells that produce dopamine – the same cells that are affected by Parkinson's disease," said study author Harvey Checkoway, PhD, of the University of Washington in Seattle.
People who had higher than average dietary iron intake and who also took, on average, one or more multivitamins or iron supplements per day were 2.1 times more likely to be Parkinson's patients than those who had lower than average dietary iron intake and who took fewer than one multivitamin or iron supplement per day.
Those who had higher than average dietary manganese intake and also took an average of one or more multivitamins per day were 1.9 times more likely to be Parkinson's patients than those who had lower than average dietary manganese intake and who took less than one multivitamin per day.
Additional studies are necessary to confirm these results, Checkoway said.
Foods rich in both iron and manganese include spinach, legumes, nuts and whole grains. Iron is also abundant in red meat and poultry.
Checkoway said that the benefits of eating foods rich in iron and manganese and in taking multivitamins outweigh the risks of developing Parkinson's disease.
"Our findings may improve understanding of how Parkinson's disease develops," he said. "But, there are most likely numerous environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that determine who will develop the disease. It's too early to make any recommendations about potential dietary changes."
Wow...so my premonition could be spot on? I pray to be wrong!! Thanks for the info that I can share with my docs. Very interesting read...appreciate you sharing it.
Do you have to do phlebotomies also? Again doctors failed me on this front too. I started phlebs 20+ years ago but once they got me down to 300 range they said I was fine. I have maintained that range for 20 years NOT realizing I should have been in 50-100 range. My lack of researching it & taking faith in my doctors has left me with irreversible damage. I'm mad at myself because I am educated & should have kept up to date on it but while in my 20's & 30's just wanted to live. Not realizing I needed to be my own advocate & educate myself. Now I know this BUT feel betrayed by my doctors.
Coniston has an interesting and contradictory post. We can only do what we recognise is best for ourselves until the science is really in. Take care and best of luck in working that out for yourself - your instincts may just be right.
You have the valid reason to feel the way you feel. There's loads of evidence online. Do you have a familial iron overload condition? It could be genetic? As for me, I ought to check my level again. Until I saw this thread, I wasn't thinking. Thank you, Beezyb. 🍀🍀🌻
Yes it's called Hemochromatosis & is hereditary..mom has also
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
High iron, copper levels block brain-cell DNA repair
Date:
May 20, 2011
Source:
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Summary:
Excessive levels of copper and iron in the brain and DNA damage by reactive oxygen species are associated with most cases of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative disorders. Researchers have discovered how these two pieces of the neurodegenerative disease puzzle fit together. No one knows the cause of most cases of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative disorders. But researchers have found that certain factors are consistently associated with these debilitating conditions. One is DNA damage by reactive oxygen species, highly destructive molecules usually formed as a byproduct of cellular respiration. Another is the presence of excessive levels of copper and iron in regions of the brain associated with the particular disorder.
Thanks for this information. There are so many contradictory findings but as you say they are fine tuning their understanding and we can only do what our body is telling us makes a difference. Also as Hikoi points out the study is a gene study. In terms of spinach what do you do when you need the folate?
I guess the message is to keep iron levels in the normal range. Cheers
Kind thoughts Bitsy
I think, according to what I read so far, it is your lifetime exposure to high iron which matters. It is a great thread, Bitsy. Thank you. I doubt if I would consider changing my diet though it may be wise not to use any supplements containing iron, copper and manganese.
Yes I would agree and given the niacin issue I have stopped taking all multi vitamins. Cheers and take care Bitsy
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