What causes Parkinson’s Disease? Research suggests its pesticides and toxins.

By Devin Wilson, NMD

Despite the fact that Parkinson’s Disease is the World’s fastest growing neurodegenerative disorder, and its been two centuries since Dr. James Parkinson’s first described it, the exact cause is still unknown. Researchers now believe that the cause of Parkinson’s disease is likely a complex interaction involving multiple biological factors, and environmental factors including pesticides.

“Parkinson’s disease is the world’s fastest growing brain disorder, and exposure to environmental toxicants is the principal reason”.

The conclusions of numerous articles and the results of many studies point to pesticides as being a cause of Parkinson's Disease. A recent article published in the Journal of Parkinson’s elucidated the connection between environmental exposure and the risk of Parkinson’s. “Parkinson’s disease is the world’s fastest growing brain disorder, and exposure to environmental toxicants is the principal reason”. The article provides a thorough review of the research and identifies certain pesticides, the solvent trichloroethylene, and air pollution as ubiquitous causes of Parkinson’s.

research demonstrates a clear link between environmental exposure of pesticides and Parkinson's

A study published in 2016, found that “organophosphate pesticides were more strongly associated with PD among participants with variant genotypes in NOS1”. Their research demonstrates a clear link between environmental exposure of pesticides and Parkinson's and also underscores the importance of oxidative stress-mechanisms.

A study in central California revealed that the occupational use of fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides increased the risk of Parkinson’s between 110-211%. Their research also showed that occupational use of any pesticide greater than 10 years double the risk of Parkinson’s.

“individuals with high exposure to household pesticides have two times more risk of developing PD”.

Don’t use pesticides at work? Even household use of pesticides has been shown to increase the risk of Parkinson’s Disease. A study in 2013 revealed that frequent use of any household pesticide increased the odds of Parkinson’s by 47% and frequent use of organophosphate containing pesticides increased the odds by more than 70%. A separate study investigating the use of pesticides and Parkinson’s disease showed that “individuals with high exposure to household pesticides have two times more risk of developing PD”.

Due to the lack of specific tests, the vast majority of individuals at risk for Parkinson’s are not being screened early or accurately enough. Because of limited approved treatments, those with Parkinson’s disease are not being offered comprehensive treatments.

Valley Integrative Health offers early screening, thorough assessment and comprehensive evidence based treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.

Dr. Devin Wilson incorporates newly released, advanced laboratory tests to fully assess his patient’s biology. Detecting mis-folded synuclein proteins (Hallmark signs of Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Disease) as well as fragmented tRNA allows for early detection, comprehensive understanding of a patient’s disease, and guides treatment decisions more effectively.

In addition to using conventional treatments, Devin Wilson, NMD uses evidenced based therapies that have been shown to be effective. He has compiled scientific data, clinical studies and published protocols along with over 10 years of clinical experience into a therapeutic model to support individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.

Learn more at www.VIHclinic.com

Dorsey ER, Bloem BR. Parkinson's Disease Is Predominantly an Environmental Disease.J Parkinsons Dis. 2024;14(3):451-465. doi:10.3233/JPD-230357

Paul KC, Sinsheimer JS, Rhodes SL, Cockburn M, Bronstein J, Ritz B. Organophosphate Pesticide Exposures, Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Variants, and Gene-Pesticide Interactions in a Case-Control Study of Parkinson's Disease, California (USA).Environ Health Perspect. 2016;124(5):570-577. doi:10.1289/ehp.1408976

Narayan S, Liew Z, Bronstein JM, Ritz B. Occupational pesticide use and Parkinson's disease in the Parkinson Environment Gene (PEG) study. Environ Int. 2017;107:266-273. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2017.04.010

Narayan S, Liew Z, Paul K, et al. Household organophosphorus pesticide use and Parkinson's disease. Int J Epidemiol. 2013;42(5):1476-1485. doi:10.1093/ije/dyt170

Moura DD, Borges V, Ferraz HB, et al. History of high household pesticide use and Parkinson's disease in Brazil.Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2023;113:105493. doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105493