Ultraprocessed Foods Linked to Early Symptoms of Parkinson’s

 In class, we had the opportunity of having Dr. Mary Makarious as one of our guest speakers to talk about a program where she takes participation in to have an explanation towards Parkinson’s. Some early symptoms to detect in suspicion of early Parkinson’s are shaking unexpectedly, unable to sleep, losing sense of smell, not being able to stand properly, slow movement, expressionless face, etc. Parkinson’s disease is a disorder centralized of the nervous system that affects movement which over time unfortunately only gets worse. In a more scientific explanation, the dopamine in your brain stops functioning as the cells stop making it.  Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2), is made from different researchers around the world that do different research to find a cause for Parkinson’s in a genetic aspect. They give us a broader look into how different populations from around the world come to face this disease differently. 

I have come across an article, “Ultraprocessed Foods Linked to Early Symptoms of Parkinsons’s” which center a recent study on the potential cause on how our food choices can have an impact on brain health. With studies, you are going to have successful and Non successful ones, and this one came out to not prove that foods can be cause of this disease but did help on giving us more insight towards food related to Parkinson’s. This involves refraining from consuming too much processed foods, as those who consume it most have been revealed to be at higher risk of developing symptoms than those who consume less. Not only does it affect Parkinson’s, but it can have other life-threatening health problems like cancer, diabetes, dementia, heart disease, etc. This research developed in China and the US and involved analyzing the diets of their participants over years to find that ultra processed food takes a big toll on neurological diseases.  

Although there is still a long way ahead to find a true cause and even a potential solution to this life-threatening disease, research like the one from Dr. Makarious and the one previously mentioned in the article, all contribute to an effort for answers. Many people living with this disease daily are fighting for their lives, and these researchers are putting in an effort to show that hope has not been lost. 

Reference:  

Callahan, Alic. Ultraprocessed Foods Linked to Early Symptoms of Parkinson’s. The New York Times (2025). https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/well/eat/ultraprocessed-foods-linked-to-early-symptoms-of-parkinsons.html?smid=url-share