References- Youdim, M. B. H., & Riderer, P. (1997). Understanding Parkinson's disease. Scientific American, 276, 52-59. and Psychology (third addition) Stephen F. Davis and Joseph J. Palladino

Found this interesting article in my college psych. book, and wanted to share....

"Recall that Parkinson's disease is characterized by such motor effects as stiffness, tremors, and slow movements. It is caused by reduced levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. One of the most common treatments is to administer L-dopa, the chemical from which dopamine is synthesized (Youdim & Riederer, 1997).

The fact that Parkinson's disease, the most common neurological disorder after Alzheimer's disease, may have a very strong genetic basis may have caused researchers to decrease their search for other types of causative factors. Recent research indicates that there may well be environmental factors that can cause this disorder.

More specifically, research with rats indicates that a commonly used pesticide, rotenone, kills brain cells and produces the physical symptoms associated with Parkinson't disease. This proposed link between pesticide exposure and Parkinson's disease receives some additional, albeit indirect, support from examining case records. Parkinson's disease strikes about 10% of patients before the age of 50. It is thought that these cases represent genetic causes. In the remainder of the cases, Parkinson's symptoms typically are not shown until the patient is past the age of 60. It is arguable that this latter group represents cases of chronic exposure to toxins such as rotenone.

Rotenone is a widely used agricultural pesticide that is also used to kill fish in reservoirs. Obviously, these two uses bring large numbers of people into contact with this toxin. Perhapss we should give this line of research serious consideration and attention."

Well now, what do you all think of this??? - M.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Answers

Is Parkinson's disease the same as palsy? My 73 yr. old mother has a problem with trembling in her arms and her head (to a lesser extent) and her doctor tells her it's nothing...it's just "the palsy". What does that mean? He has told her it's inevitable when you get old!

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

In England there is a lot of interest in the relationship between dipping sheep and Parkinsons. Dipping sheep in organophosphates was required and now more and more sheep farmers are coming down with Parkinsons. David and I experienced this first hand as our landlord in England had raised sheep and had parkinsons. The soil in England is full or organophosphates, so much so that they tell you to peel carrots etc. before you eat them. There was a controversial organic farmer in England named Mark Purdy who also was interested in the relationship between organophosphates and mad cow disease. He died under some very suspicious circumstances after being a very outspoken critic of MAFF (this is for those of you who love the conspiracy theories).

Kim

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Gee whiz Kim, I didnt know Mark Purdy was dead!! I'm very familiar with his work on Mad Cow Disease, but please fill me in on this 'death under suspicious circumstances" thingy. Sounds like Karen Silkwood all over again!

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

I didn't know that he was dead either kim.........read his work about Mad Cow and I think he made some very valid points.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

My mom has Parkinsons, and so do two of her sisters. I guess it's pretty clear it is genetic in their cases, unless they were exposed as kids to a lot of pesticides, but I don't know. Their symptoms didn't appear until they were past 60.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Vicki...my mother's symptoms appeared when she was around 66. She never did any gardening that might have exposed her to pesticides (at least not while she was a mother!) so maybe genetics is involved. My mom just calls herself the "shaker and the mover" of the family! Glad she can joke about it, but for me it's rather upsetting to see my mother deteriorate.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

I think I may have said something totally wrong. I just looked and found plenty of recent stuff about Mark.

http://www.purdeyenvironment.com/

I can't remember where I heard he had been killed in a suspicious crash but it doesn't look like it was at all true. I'm really sorry if I spread misinformation. I will just have a quick look to see if I can find out where that rumour came from.

Kim

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

My father has Parkinson's. I don't really think he was ever exposed to pesticides but he does smoke and drink alot. He's going to a kinesiologist. He is taking suppliments and doesn't tremer as much.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Kim, I had read that Mark Purdy was dead also. No doubt on the computer. This thing is worse than the old-time village gossip mills! Glad to know that he is not. Kind of odd that he doesn't have a section debunking that rumor, isn't it?

BTW, if you go to his site, be aware that the date usage is as in England -- that is, DAY/MONTH/YEAR instead of as in the USA -- MONTH/DAY/YEAR. Kind of threw me at first, wondering why things were dated in July and April! ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002

Yes, it's great to hear that Mr Purdy appears to be still with us! It was completely believable though; I hope he has a body guard! He has much more work to do.

It's unbelievable how many of you in this little group have been touched by Parkinsons. For those of you who doubt these loved ones were poisoned by pesticides, I don't think its necesary to have a truckload of em fall on your head, or get directly sprayed by airplanes in order to have these toxins do damage to one's nervous system. Some folks are probably more receptive to their damage than others, and pesicides are EVERYWHERE. Almost everything one buys in a grocery store has come in contact with lots of pesticides. Grain products are some of the worst. And its very possibly not just pesticides per se, but nasty chemicals are included in almost everything people use in their every day life. Like the stuff in shampoo, DEA, which has at least a cancer connection, and its hard to find a shampoo without it, at least it was last time I looked at the ones in the store. People put this stuff on their heads thousands of times during their life. And then theres household cleaners of all sorts, bubble baths, make-up, after-shave, hair grooming stuff, garden chemicals, swimming pool chemicals, laundry detergents/softeners, air deodorizers, furniture polish, varnishes and waxes, carpeting and drapes, new linens, and on and on. Not to mention the stuff the govt puts into the water for mosquito control, and in the air for whatever beastie they fear this week. Sometimes genetic patterns may be actually patterns of product usage, which tend to 'run in families'. Fortunately, there are alternatives for all these products; unfortunately, they cost alot more.

I don't intend to scare people; I don't live my life in fear at all, but I do believe in being aware, and spreading the word, so people have enough info to make their own choices. And I do consider it an outrage that our govt, who is so busy protecting us from the horrible dangers of things like raw milk and home processed meat and herbal remedies and homeschooling, cares not a whit about the fact that our citizenry (not to mention the planet) is very probably being poisoned every day by most of the stuff on our store shelves.

Blessings,

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002

You're not scaring me, EM, but you've definitely "opened" my eyes as to what's really going on!! The deodorant and bra subject really caught my attention. Today I threw away most all of my hubby's and my personal care products then went to Walmart and replaced them with Tom's of Maine products. I'd forgotten all about his products and here they were right in my own state! Now...how can I give up my monthly "date" with Miss Clairol???

Thank you, EM!

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002

Marcia, I don't know what color hair you have or are trying to achieve. However, being a born redhead who has aged to dull golden brown with strands of grey, I rely on HENNA to color my hair. I prefer the Light Mountain brand, as it has no animal products in it as other do, just pure henna. They have a formulation for people with more grey in their hair, but I have not yet had to try that. I just have enough grey to make my hair look sort of "dusty", plus the non-grey is just sort of "blah". So I use 'auburn' and 'red' mixed (the red is too fluorescent for my taste and the auburn is too subtle). I have a hair dresser apply it because it is difficult and messy. But I have very long hair. Short hair would be easier to do yourself. Rainbow Henna is another good brand. Julie used that at least once (I applied it) and it came out fine. They have a greater range of colors, but they are all in the golden tones. If you want 'ash' tones, you're out of luck with henna. I'm sure you can find both brands on a websearch and many health food and natural products type stores carry them.

As far as shampoo and other beauty care products, I use Aubrey brand. Yes, I think they cost considerably more than the other things, but I'm trying to stay healthy, so I just go ahead and buy them. There are books out there about all sorts of home-made beauty products, such as mayonnaise hair conditioners and the like. I think you can use Dr. Bronner's castile liquid soaps for shampoo, although I don't know how "soft and manageable" your hair would be after that. Might be worth experimenting, if you don't want to pay the money for products like Aubreys. Even many of the supposedly 'natural' product have icky things in them, so read, read, read the labels. Read about what's bad for you. I know Aubrey sells a book about the various chemicals that go into most toiletries.

Link to Aubrey website

They also have 'Try-Me-Outs' for quite a few of the products. Two ounce size (and then the empty bottles can be refilled for travel if you buy the large size later). I have no involvement with the company other than being an enthusiastic and satisfied customer of five or so years. If I could buy stock in the company, however, I would!

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

We too use almost all Aubrey hair stuff, and geez it is expensive. I havent been able to find another company that makes truly all natural hair stuff that really works great though. I do find that lots of their products are much thicker than they need to be however, and almost always dilute them, sometimes by fifty percent. Annie might be pleased to know that they are vegan approved too!

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

Sorry I'm a little late...guess you could say I've been "powerless" :-)!! Thanks Joy and Aunty Em for the suggestions. Haven't had a chance to check out the Aubrey website yet, but I will tonight. I've gotten to the point in my life where I don't care if some of the things I buy for myself are a little more expensive...I deserve them, I'm OLD :-)!! I've been using Miss Clairol #104 for over twenty yrs. now. Guess you could say I'm a 90% blonde, but the grey is starting to appear on top. I just want to "help" out my own dark ash blonde color a little. My hair is thick and about halfway down my back. What do you all think of Pantene products??

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002