A recent study revealed that seaweed antioxidants could be instrumental in preventing Parkinson’s disease. The study was led by Associate Professor Akiko Kojima-Yuasa from Osaka Metropolitan University. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves. The symptoms of the condition start to show slowly.

The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also may cause stiffness or slowing of movement, says Mayo Clinic. In the early stages of the disease, your face may show little or no expression. Your arms may not swing when you walk. Your speech may become soft or slurred. The symptoms of the condition tend to worsen over time as your condition progresses. Parkinson’s disease cannot be cured, however, medicines can help to manage the symptoms of the condition.

The study highlighted the potential of Ecklonia cava polyphenols in preventing Parkinson’s disease. The research focuses on the role of these seaweed antioxidants in combating the neurodegenerative disease that affects motor control and cognitive function.

For the study, researchers used Parkinson’s disease model mice, administering Ecklonia cava polyphenols orally for a week prior to exposure to rotenone, a compound known to induce Parkinsonian symptoms.

The results were promising; motor function, impaired by rotenone, was significantly restored. Also, improvements were observed in intestinal motor function and the colon mucosa structure.

Professor Kojima-Yuasa said, “This study suggests that Ecklonia cava antioxidants may reduce neuronal damage by AMPK activation and inhibiting intracellular reactive oxygen species production. It is hoped that Ecklonia cava will be an effective ingredient in the prevention of Parkinson's disease.”

Further validation came from cellular experiments with Parkinson’s disease model cells, which demonstrated that Ecklonia cava antioxidants activate the AMPK enzyme (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase), a crucial regulator of cellular energy. This activation inhibited ROS production, thereby preventing neuronal cell death.

The findings offer a hopeful direction for new preventive measures and treatments, emphasising the need for further research into the benefits of seaweed-based antioxidants.

According to Mayo Clinic, because the cause of Parkinson’s is unknown, there are no proven ways to prevent the disease. Some researchers have shown that regular aerobic exercise might reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, however, they are not yet used or prescribed widely.

Other researches show that people who consume caffeine have less chance of getting caffeine. Green tea also is related to a reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. However, with this new study, there is new hope that can help in curing the condition that affects millions of people across the globe.

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