Washington: Researchers have found that high iron intake can increase the risk of Parkinson's disease, according to a report published in the journal 'Neurology'.

The researchers said that people who had higher than average dietary iron intake and who also took, on average, one or more multivitamins or iron supplements per day were 2.1 times more likely to develop the disease, than those who consumed less iron and took less than one multivitamin or iron supplement per day.

The research also found that people with both high levels of iron and manganese were nearly two times more likely to develop the disease than those with the lowest levels of the minerals in their diets.

For the study, the researchers compared 250 people, who were newly diagnosed with Parkinson's, to 388 people without the disease. Interviews were conducted to determine how often participants ate certain foods during their adult life.

It was found that those who had the highest level of iron in their diets - in the top 25 per cent - were 1.7 times more likely to be Parkinson's patients than those in the lowest 25 per cent of iron intake. Those whose level of both iron and manganese was higher than average were 1.9 times more likely to be Parkinson's patients than those with lower than average intake of the minerals.

Experts say iron and manganese contribute to oxidative stress, a situation where cells release toxic substances called free radicals as part of normal energy consumption and metabolism.

"Oxidative stress may cause degeneration of brain cells that produce dopamine - the same cells that are affected by Parkinson's disease," said study author Harvey Checkoway, PhD, of the University of Washington in Seattle.

However, the researchers said additional studies are necessary to confirm these results.

ANI