People who suffer from migraines with aura during middle age have double the risk of developing Parkinson's disease or other movement disorders later in life than those who do not, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Neurology.
Migraines are the most common brain disorder in both men and women, according to the World Health Organization, and one of the top 10 most debilitating conditions.
Aura is the term used to describe the feelings and symptoms that happen shortly before and during a migraine.
"Roughly one-third of affected individuals can predict the onset of a migraine because it is preceded by an 'aura,' visual disturbances that appear as flashing lights, zig-zag lines or a temporary loss of vision," according to the National Institutes of Health.
Researchers followed more than 5,000 people between the ages of 33 and 65 for 25 years, who were originally enrolled in a clinical trial designed to study heart disease in Iceland. The participants were interviewed about migraine symptoms in middle age and then, about 25 years later, asked about Parkinson's disease symptoms. They were also asked about symptoms for a related disorder called Restless Legs Syndrome.
The results were based on the study participants' self-reported diagnoses, though in the majority of the cases researchers confirmed the diagnoses by looking at medical records and the participants' medication use.
"The patients in this study were not carefully examined and definitely diagnosed with Parkinson's disease," said Dr. Michael S. Okun, national medical director of the National Parkinson Foundation, which is why he believes more research is needed before drawing any conclusion that the two are related.
"Head trauma and other neurological issues can manifest with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease and future studies will need to better control for these factors."
Benefits of eating well
Eating well can help people age better.
Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables can slow down the aging process. And eating whole grains and brown rice can help ward off some cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Unlike foods made with white flour, whole grians contain natural chemicals that help fight some diseases. Whole grains also help suppress appetite, keeping people from overeating and putting on weight.
Another age-fighting food is fatty fish like Salmon, Mackerel, Cod and Trout. Fish with Omega 3 protect against heart attacks and stroke.
Also, dark chocolate benefits include antioxidants that are good for the heart and reducing the risk of blood clots.
Artifical sweeteners and higher blood sugar levels linked?
Artificial sweeteners might be triggering higher blood sugar levels in some people and contributing to the problems they were designed to combat, such as diabetes and obesity, according to new findings published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
Although the precise reasons behind the blood sugar changes remain uncertain, researchers suspect that artificial sweeteners could be disrupting the microbiome, a vast and enigmatic ecosystem of bacteria in our guts.
In a series of experiments, researchers found that several of the most widely used types of non-calorie sweeteners in food and drinks - saccharin, sucralose, and aspartame - caused mice to experience increased risk of glucose intolerance, a condition that can lead to diabetes.
The same scientists also monitored what happened to seven human volunteers who did not typically use artificial sweeteners but were given regular doses of saccharin over the course of a week.
While some past studies have found that the products pose no health risks and effectively help people cut calories and sugar intake, other research has suggested that certain artificial sweeteners might actually contribute to obesity and other problems, including cancer.