Coarse wheat bran for Parkinson Disease

Parkinson disease, like any other condition of PD, cannot really be cured, even with a new therapeutic approach; but the motor symptoms can be controlled to a great extent and some disease signs, such as tremor, rigidity, postural instability and cognitive dysfunction, are reduced. The need to find a perfect motor treatment to cure PD is overrated, even in the field of clinical research.

In 2001, around 1.5 million people in the United States had Parkinson disease. Although the prevalence of Parkinson disease may be on the rise, it is uncertain if this is the result of an increase in prevalence of Parkinson disease as an underlying condition or to increased awareness.

The main cause of PD is a problem within the cells of the brain and spinal cord. The problem arises from proteins (protein misfolding) in their genetic material not making the right proteins in a certain place, usually the dopaminergic neurons of the brain. This malfunctioning protein-producing issue is caused by the body trying to protect itself against diseases or poisons. We must help our body to make these right proteins, to give the brain the protection it needs.

For parkinsonian patients, symptoms can be classified according to their aetiology. Clinicians usually classify PD based on symptomatology, such as tremor (tremors only or generalised tremor) and posture; however, some features can be used for patient prognosis.

Most commonly used treatments for parkinsonism are listed below. It is important to know where these therapies are prescribed since there are many [forms of treatment] that can be applied.\n1. Non-toxic substances: Levodopa/Carbidopa/benserazide is the drug of choice for most of the PD patients. But can be troublesome to patients because they suffer some [losing of function] by having its pharmacological effects or adverse side effect.\n2. Stimulants: The medication dopamine affects the [movement] function.

PD affects 0.5–1% of the population and is characterized by slow, progressive and unrelenting motor symptoms including bradykinesia, dyskinesia, rigidity, and tremor. The hallmark symptoms of PD include resting tremor in the postural limbs, bradykinesia, and shuffling gait. More than half of people lose motor control and the overall mortality rate is about 20%.\n

The evidence that does exists shows significant overlap between both PD and PDD, although the two terms are not synonymous. PDD exists by itself. It is therefore not a secondary condition, but rather a discrete entity, that occurs independently of PD. This would include PDD caused by PD, that is PDD-PD, as well as PDD caused by PD without PD, that is PDD-only. There is no universally agreed terminology for PDD. The simplest is to describe all the symptoms of PD and PDD using the same term: PD.

Results from a recent paper revealed that coarse wheat bran could be used as a functional fiber additive in the food products. Since coarse wheat bran contains phytic acid, it should be consumed cautiously and its intake should be limited by restricting phytic acid and fiber sources like whole wheat flour, wheat flour bran, or refined sugar.

The study found that coarse wheat bran was not associated with an increased risk of adverse effects. This is reassuring both for the public and for the wheat industry which, in addition to their traditional use in bread making, have now introduced coarse wheat bran into diets of consumers.

Results from a recent clinical trial from the latest studies are encouraging, and this may open a new strategy for Parkinson's disease, which will help improve the quality of life in Parkinson's and increase patient safety.

Coarse wheat bran is the most frequently reported ingredient of PD food preparations. No clinical information as to the quality of products labelled as coarse wheat bran is available. However, the results have some importance for clinicians. In order to improve PD patients' daily life, food products must be clearly identified, to allow proper intake and follow-up or rehabilitation.