Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Diabetes Linked Directly to Environment

The findings indicate that while nitrogen-containing fertilizer consumption increased by 230 percent between 1955 and 2005, its usage doubled between 1960 and 1980, which just precedes the insulin-resistant epidemics the researchers found. They also found that sales from the fast food chains and the meat processing companies increased more than 8-fold from 1970 to 2005, and grain consumption increased 5-fold.

"If this hypothesis is correct, potential solutions include eliminating the use of nitrites and nitrates in food processing, preservation and agriculture; taking steps to prevent the formation of nitrosamines and employing safe and effective measures to detoxify food and water before human consumption," Dr. De la Monte said.

SOURCE:  Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, July 2009