The chemical urate, which is known to cause gout, appears to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers say that the findings from their latest study confirmed their previous suspicions about urate, which occurs naturally in the blood.
Urate is a potent antioxidant and so counteracts oxygen-related cell damage thought to contribute to Parkinson’s. Diets which are rich in foods like liver, seafood and dried beans and peas, as well as alcohol, can also increase blood urate levels.
But too much urate in the blood can cause gout, a painful joint disease.
[Source]
Chapter: Parkinson's Disease :: 10 January 2010
