Experts are cautioning millions tolose weightFollowing research that identified a group of shared health issues which can significantly increase the likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease.
Metabolic syndrome, as it is referred to, is not a standalone illness but the medical term used to describe the presence of multiple interconnected health problems simultaneously.
These encompass obesity, elevated blood pressure, high blood glucose levels, increased triglycerides in the blood, and reduced amounts of 'good' HDL cholesterol – present in items like olive oil, nuts, and blueberries.
A research involving 467,000 individuals has revealed that people with metabolic syndrome have a 40% increased likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease – a neurological condition that leads to shaking, rigidity, and movement challenges.
The findings, featured in Neurology, remained valid even when considering variables like age, smoking habits, physical activity, and hereditary factors.
Researchers tracked participants, who had an average age of 57, over a period of 15 years. In that time, 3,222 individuals were diagnosed with Parkinson's. When the data was merged with eight previous studies involving almost 25 million people, the elevated risk remained at 29 percent.
Primary researcher Dr Weili Xu, from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, stated: 'Our results indicate that metabolic syndrome could be a controllable risk factor for Parkinson's disease.
We also discovered an increased risk among individuals who have both metabolic syndrome and a genetic predisposition.
This implies that preserving metabolic well-being could be particularly crucial for individuals who already possess genetic factors that increase their susceptibility.
Dr. Xu mentioned that further studies are required to confirm if addressing metabolic syndrome effectively lowers the likelihood of Parkinson's disease.
It is believed that approximately one in four adults suffers from metabolic syndrome, often without being aware of it.
The NHS advises that you have a higher chance of developing it if you are overweight, not physically active, smoke, or consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Being older, and having a Hispanic or South Asian heritage, also increases the likelihood.
Approximately 166,000 individuals in the UK are currently affected by Parkinson's disease, a number that is projected to increase twofold by the year 2050.
Initial signs may involve tiredness, difficulty with bowel movements, sleep disturbances, and a diminished ability to detect odors, typically several years prior to the emergence of typical symptoms such as shaking and coordination challenges.
Although it is not immediately deadly, the illness makes patients more susceptible to severe infections.
Notable individuals who have faced the illness include actor Michael J. Fox, who was identified with the condition in 1991 when he was only 29 years old, and revealed his status to the public seven years later.
Since that time, the actor from Back to the Future has emerged as a key advocate for research, establishing The Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has gathered billions of dollars to seek a solution.
In 2020, rock icon Ozzy Osbourne disclosed that he had been diagnosed the previous year, highlighting the impact it has had on his physical and mental health.
The lead singer of Black Sabbath, who passed away in July, openly discussed the "unending" battle with the illness and how it has led him to reduce his live performances.
Earlier this summer, singer Morten Harket from A-ha revealed that he is also affected by Parkinson's disease.
A 65-year-old Norwegian had neurosurgery in 2024 to insert deep-brain stimulation electrodes, which have reduced his symptoms. However, he acknowledged that he might never sing in the same manner again.
The results follow Chinese researchers earlier this year associating diets rich in ultra-processed foods with an increased likelihood of Parkinson's disease.
They discovered individuals consuming 11 or more portions daily — equivalent to cans of carbonated drinks, ketchup, or pre-made meals — had a two and a half times higher chance of displaying initial symptoms of the condition than those consuming three or fewer.
Even three servings a day could increase the risk by as much as 60 percent.
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