Experts link environment lifestyle to Parkinson’s disease risk

More than 200 years ago, a London physician began documenting a mysterious condition affecting several of his patients. In 1817, Dr. James Parkinson published his observations of what he termed “the shaking palsy,” unknowingly providing the first clinical description of what would later bear his name. Today, Parkinson’s disease is recognized as a complex and progressive neurological disorder that continues to challenge scientists, physicians and patients alike.

At its core, Parkinson’s disease is driven by the gradual loss of neurons that produce dopamine, a crucial chemical messenger in the brain. Dopamine plays a central role in coordinating movement, regulating mood and motivation, and supporting cognitive functions such as attention and planning. As dopamine levels decline, the body’s ability to control movement deteriorates. Classic symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and balance problems often emerge, but the disease also brings a wide range of non motor symptoms, including sleep disturbances, digestive issues, mood changes and cognitive decline.

The impact of Parkinson’s disease is growing worldwide at an alarming pace. By 2021, researchers estimated that nearly 12 million people were living with the condition globally. That number is expected to more than double by 2050, potentially surpassing 25 million cases. These projections place Parkinson’s among the fastest-growing neurological disorders and signal significant future strain on families, health care systems and national economies.

“We’re now growing as a neurodegenerative disease faster than Alzheimer’s disease, and that should grab everybody’s attention,” said Dr. Michael Okun, a neurologist, in a recent TV interview.

Despite more than two centuries of study, Parkinson’s disease remains only partially understood. What is increasingly clear, however, is that it extends well beyond tremors and even beyond the brain itself. Okun, who cofounded and codirects the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida, emphasizes that Parkinson’s affects multiple systems throughout the body.

“When you see people living with the disease, it becomes obvious that this isn’t just a disorder of dopamine,” Okun said. “We see changes in the gut, the skin and other organs.”

While genetics play a role in approximately 10 to 15 percent of Parkinson’s cases, most patients do not have a clear hereditary cause. For many, researchers suspect that long-term exposure to environmental toxins may contribute to the disease’s onset. Chemicals encountered through contaminated air, water, food and everyday household or industrial products may slowly damage vulnerable nerve cells over time.

This perspective is central to Okun’s new book, The Parkinson’s Plan, coauthored with Dr. Ray Dorsey. The book explores growing evidence linking Parkinson’s disease to pesticides, industrial solvents and other pollutants, while also offering practical steps individuals can take to reduce potential risks.

Among the recommendations are drinking filtered water, improving indoor air quality, carefully washing fruits and vegetables, and maintaining regular physical activity. Exercise, in particular, is thought to help preserve dopamine pathways and support mobility. Sleep is another critical factor. “Deep sleep activates the brain’s built-in cleaning system,” Okun noted, helping flush toxins and improve symptoms.

Research has also consistently linked caffeine consumption, through coffee or tea, to a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. As scientists continue searching for definitive causes and treatments, prevention and lifestyle choices are gaining renewed importance in confronting a disease first identified centuries ago and still rising at an unsettling rate.