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Filthy Cells May Cause Parkinson's
 09/14/07  Nutrition & Exercise
One possible cause of Parkinson's disease is brain cells that can't clean
themselves. A recent article in The Economist calls it "rubbish-disposal
gone wrong." Cells that can't eliminate poisons naturally degenerate and
die.
Within cells one important garbage collector is called ubiquitin. In
Parkinson's disease scientists have identified a problem with a specific
ubiquitin named carboxyl-terminal esterase L1. When this ubiquitin fail,
prions and other toxins eventually overwhelm the cells, and the neurons die.
This is not just a problem in Parkinson's disease. Neurologists and
neuroscientists suspect a buildup of toxins kill many cells. The disease
that develops depends on which brain cells die.
Why does this matter to people with Parkinson's disease? The body builds
ubiquitins according to the instructions contained in the body's DNA.
Genetic therapy is a promising treatment that could develop into treatments
for some people with Parkinson's. By simply fixing the instructions for
building the ubiquitin proteins, cleansing could restart, helping to fend
off Parkinson's disease. Such treatments may actually have more potential as
a prevention of Parkinson's disease than a treatment.
Another way to help brain cells stay clean is to avoid introducing garbage
and toxins into your body.  Many unhealthy foods contain toxins.
Antioxidants found in blueberries, walnuts, strawberries and other foods,
can help the body eliminate toxins.

Rayilyn Brown
Board Member AZNPF
Arizona Chapter National Parkinson's Foundation
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