Adult nutrient intake as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease

Background This population-based case-control study evaluated nutrient inta ke as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) among people aged greater than or equal to 50 years in metropolitan Detroit. Methods Cases (n = 126) were diagnosed between 1991 and 1995 and neurologis t-confirmed. Controls (n = 432) were frequency-matched for sex, age (+/-5 y ears) and race. Using a standardized food frequency questionnaire, subjects reported the foods they ate within the past year. Results Estimating the association between PD and risk of being in the high est versus the lowest intake quartile, there were elevated odds ratios for total fat (OR 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] : 1.05-3.58), cholesterol (OR 2.11, 95% CI : 1.14-3.90), lutein (OR 2.52, 95% CI : 1.32-4.84) and iro n (OR 1.88, 95% CI : 1.05-3.38). Conclusions These results suggest an association of PD with high intake of total fat, saturated fats, cholesterol, lutein and iron.