Welcome to Health Channel News. Today we’ll discuss gut health and its link to Parkinson’s Disease, next climate anxiety, and a possible remedy to a growing mental health concern. And finally, is there a link between low magnesium and damage to your DNA? An article published in today’s national post reveals that Parkinson’s disease may actually come from your gastrointestinal tract. Experts used to believe that Parkinson’s started in the brain and eventually worked its way down to the gut. Researchers believe that for many patients it may be the opposite, that it starts in the gut and goes up to the brain. The study showed that damage to the mucus lining of the gut tract increased the risk of developing Parkinson’s by 76%. Damage to the lining included things like ulcers, esophagitis, and peptic injuries. Scientists now believe that misfolded proteins start in the gut lining and eventually work their way up to the brain. These proteins end up becoming the culprit in Parkinson’s disease. Now, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine was quoted as saying the evidence has been accumulating, and this study is another step in the stairway to acceptance that the gut is a major pathway by which Parkinson’s can occur. People with Parkinson’s have outward symptoms like a stiff body or tremors, but Parkinson’s also affects the entire gastrointestinal tract. Complications include constipation, drooling, difficulty swallowing, and more. But these can precede the typical motor symptoms by as much as 20 years. That may help with early diagnosis, which is great news. As the number of people with Parkinson’s has doubled in the past 25 years, it’s become the fastest growing neurological disorder worldwide. Experts are hopeful that treating gut health early can minimize or even prevent the risk of Parkinson’s. Next up, we’re covering a piece in the Los Angeles Times about climate anxiety. This is a growing mental health concern that’s often overshadowed by the physical impacts of climate change. In the Times reporter Rosanna Zia delves into the problem of climate anxiety, a term used to describe the deep fear and distress associated with the impacts of climate change. Zia notes that this isn’t just about feeling worried about the environment, it’s about the psychological toll that climate change is taking, particularly on communities that are already vulnerable for context. According to a 2023 study by researchers from the Hong Kong University of Science, climate anxiety is widespread among people in China, India, Japan, and United States. This is affecting both those directly experiencing climate impacts and those aware of the crisis. The study found that younger and more educated individuals, particularly in China and India, reported higher levels of anxiety. Environmental activist Kevin J. Patel, who grew up in Los Angeles, shares that his experience with climate anxiety is not just about personal fear, it’s about the collective trauma faced by his community. Patel notes that for many turning off the anxiety isn’t an option because the issues they face are constant and unavoidable. Environmental Professor Sarah Jacquet re says, these emotions are not just personal fears, but are linked to the broader social and economic structures that have created our current crisis. As climate anxiety continues to rise, especially among younger and marginalized populations, experts urge a broader recognition of its mental health impacts. This is not only a call for more resources and support, but also a reminder of the diverse ways that climate change affects people’s daily lives. In our final story, new research from the University of South Australia links low magnesium levels to increased DNA damage in healthy adults. A new study published in the European Journal of Nutrition reveals that magnesium is important for keeping our DNA stable and healthy researchers found that people with low magnesium had more signs of DNA damage. One sign is the presence of micro nuclei, tiny bits of damaged DNA. In simpler terms, low magnesium might make our cells more vulnerable to damage, which could lead to long-term health problems. The study examined 172 healthy middle aged adults and found that optimal magnesium intake is essential for healthy aging. The author’s stress that magnesium’s role in protecting DNA could be vital in preventing degenerative diseases. Magnesium also aids in various bodily functions from blood sugar regulation to nerve function, underscoring the importance of maintaining adequate levels. The researchers suggest more studies are needed to determine the ideal magnesium dosage for protecting DNA integrity. To ensure adequate magnesium intake, health Canada recommends consuming foods rich in magnesium, such as leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes. In Canada, the recommended dietary allowance for magnesium is close to 400 milligrams per day for men and a little less for women. Many Canadians do not meet the recommended intake through diet alone with more than 34% of adults having inadequate magnesium intake. So what can you do? Well, health Canada has a recommendation. Use magnesium supplements when diet alone is insufficient. Thanks for joining us today. We’ll see you next time on our daily News broadcast.
