Neurologist Reveals The SHOCKING CAUSES of Parkinson’s & How to PREVENT It | Dr. Ray Dorsey

Ray Dorsey, MD is a Professor of Neurology at the University of Rochester where he is working to identify and eliminate the root causes of Parkinson's disease. He is the co-author of the book Ending Parkinson's Disease: A Prescription for Action.

00:00 Intro
01:40 Discovery of Lewy Body Dementia
06:20 What Causes Parkinson’s Disease?
08:45 Parkinson’s From Dry-Cleaning Chemicals
17:55 Link Between Air Pollution & Alzheimer’s
22:42 Can We Build Resilience to Pollution?
27:04 Avoiding Toxicity in Food
31:22 Why Doesn’t Medical School Teach This?
37:24 What You Can Do if You Have Parkinson’s
40:40 Foods That Aid in Preventing Parkinson’s
43:04 Why Ray Studied Parkinson’s Specifically
46:50 How Smoking Impacts Parkinson’s Disease
49:47 Drugs Prescribed For Parkinson’s
51:59 Hope For the Future of the Disease
58:09 Key Takeaways From Ray’s Book

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[MrQuadcity]

The key takeaways are:

1. **Environmental Factors in Parkinson's Disease**: He highlights the significant role of environmental factors, such as exposure to pesticides and industrial chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene, in the development of Parkinson's disease, challenging the traditional focus on genetics.

2. **Impact of Air Pollution**: Dorsey points out the strong link between air pollution and neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. He emphasizes the need for reducing exposure to air pollution as a preventive measure.

3. **Importance of Preventative Measures**: The role of lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, is underscored in reducing the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Exercise, in particular, is noted for its neuroprotective effects.

4. **Man-Made Nature of Parkinson's Disease**: Dorsey argues that Parkinson's is largely a man-made disease, influenced heavily by environmental toxicants rather than genetic factors alone.

5. **Advocacy for Societal Change**: He advocates for societal and regulatory changes to reduce exposure to environmental toxicants. This includes stricter emissions regulations and corporate accountability for health impacts.

6. **Potential for Prevention and Cure**: Dorsey's work suggests that Parkinson's disease is preventable and possibly curable through concerted efforts in public health, regulation, and individual lifestyle changes.

7. **Public Health Campaigns as Models**: He draws parallels between the fight against Parkinson's and historical public health campaigns against issues like drunk driving and HIV/AIDS, highlighting the effectiveness of collective action and awareness.

8. **Role of Genetics vs. Environment**: While acknowledging the role of genetic factors in Parkinson's disease, Dorsey emphasizes the significant impact of environmental factors, suggesting a need to shift the focus in research and prevention strategies.

9. **Call for Action and Awareness**: Dorsey encourages increased awareness and proactive measures both at individual and societal levels to combat the rise of Parkinson's disease, emphasizing the potential to significantly improve public health outcomes.

[Motherhen]

I sent this to my attorney friend who was to handle a case of Parkinson's for a man who grew up in Central Valley, California. His house was on the same road as the corn and cotton fields he and his brother played in growing up. My daughter was born in Bakersfield and he is her father and my ex-husband. The direct connection to paraquat and air pollution is no more agreed upon by its manufacturers than the connection to lung cancer from cigarettes was only a couple decades ago so hence the lawsuits. We are hoping he can walk our daughter down the aisle at her wedding in 2024. Great interview.

[Rositasparks]

In the mid 1980’s my mother was part owner of/ and worked in a dry cleaning facility. She was a very vibrant/ healthy lady..she died at the age of 51 from cancer.. I have always blamed the dry cleaning chemicals… I know I am right..thank you for this conversation ❤

[KJSvitko]

It is just crazy that Doctors do not get nutrition training in Medical schools. The impact of foods and the environment on health are huge. Every doctor visit should include some nutrition discussion. The majority of the population is over weight or obese leading to high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. Schools and hospital cafeterias should be leading the way to good health by setting the example of what is a healthy meal and teaching people what to eat and why.. Every person in the hospital for heart disease should have a nutrition class before being checked out from the hospital with follow up education and training in nutrition. Medicare and Medicaid should require patient nutrition education as part of their standard of care. Nutrition information should be run on the hospital TV channel.

[aquact]

Thank you for this! My aunt just got diagnosed with Parkinson’s and I’m glad I found your video!

[rebeccamartin]

Thank you to this brilliant doctor and researcher for all his work on Parkinsons and thank you for having him on and helping to get more information out to the public!

[dylanfgarrison]

My grandfather had Parkinson’s disease when he died at 95. He had a hell of a run and we should all be so lucky to make it to 95 but I often wonder if he would have lived into his 100’s had he not had a fall, broken a rib and ended up in an old folks home where he quickly gave up on life and passed.

He was a ww2 vet and then was in construction his whole life while also farming into his 30’s.

I can only imagine what he was exposed to over the years.

[LillaDalaHast]

My father recently died and he had Parkinson’s disease. He was at Camp LeJeune in the 1950’s.

[katebruno]

Thank you for this! It’s so true that life stops when someone you love is unwell. My mom has Parkinson’s and 19yo daughter has a brain tumor causing epilepsy. Would love to learn if you have any similar research on connections between environmental factors and brain tumors.

[bobbiwiniecki]

My Mom lived with my family after she was diagnosed with dementia (ca late 90's) she went to a "daycare" three times a week which was a nice break for me and likely her too. A very sad day was when my neighbor came over to tell me that he had been diagnosed with alzheimer's and that he was joining my Mom at this "daycare" facility. He was in his late 50's/early 60's. This was shocking and devastating news. Having always been very interested in health and nutrition I was highly clued in to his career as a school custodian and I was always keyed in to how "flip" he was re: the chemical cleaners he used. Always thought there was a link. This is so fascinating, great guest Max

[MCote]

You can tell this man is a brilliant individual, great episode Max, keep up the great work! 👍🏽

[brandonbernitz]

Max, this episode was truly both incredibly fascinating and alarming.

[makaracomeau]

What avout the geo-engeneering of the weather that is infecting the air that we breath???😮

[MichaelBLive]

Surprised therapeutic Ketogenic Diet never came up when talking about creating bdnf for the brain. Good discussion.

[lakerslovewater]

Not surprised one bit. Thanks for sharing Max, you’re a rockstar as usual!

[carmenvega]

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico 1953. I remember using DDT to spray the whole house and closing the windows so the mosquitoes wouldn’t bite us. No wonder I have Parkinson’s disease today at 71.

[beweslee]

Love this! I am an Emergency Medicine physician. My Mom developed Lewy Body dementia. By the time it was discovered, of course, it was many years too late. Looking back though, the pathophysiology may have been clear and an intervention (or several) could have been used.

[elizabethbrown]

Loved this episode and the info, while terrifying, was so informative. I have a dear friend who has already lost his dad to Parkinson’s and now his Mom has it too. Makes me wonder what they may have been exposed to to have such a devastating coincidence late in life. I passed the episode on to my friend of course. Thank you as always for the amazing content.

[jennyliu]

Thanks for spreading knowledge to the world! 🧡❤💚

[GinaWaite-su]

My dad died from lewy bodies dementia and parkison. Thanks Max for sharing this! I am going to do tai chi! 😊