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---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 9 Mar 96 15:59:08 CST From: Gerald Pierson <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Welcome Barbara, March 12, 1996 My aunt has recently been diagnosed with PD and I wanted to learn as much as I can. My interest lies in the nutrition side of the disease. I am a chemist by training and I am currently a researcher in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Minnesota. I currently work on plant hormones. I also have done some research on bone formation, including aluminum toxicity. I am by no means an expert in either area but I do understand some of the problems researchers go through to find answers. I was wondering if anyone has done any clinical studies looking at fatty acids in the diet. Or if any one in the group has done a survey looking at the diet, specifically at fatty acid intake? Since the human diet has increasingly changed over the last few decades to more hydrogenated fats, I would think this must play a significant role in the progression of the disease. If I were to make a diet suggestion for all humans it would be to limit saturated fats and increase the diet in something like flax seed which is rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids(oils). The only problem is that these oils degrade so they must be properly processed and stored so as not to destroy the stucture of the molecules. Most good health food stores carry flax seeds, oil, and/or meal. It sure would be a simple solution if all we had to do is alter our diets to slow the disease. Later, Gerald (Jerry) Pierson ([log in to unmask])