Kuru, a meat-eating disease that affects cannibals - Brief Article

Nutrition Health Review, Spring, 2003

Kuru is a disease believed to be the result of cannibalism. Its symptoms resemble those of Parkinson's disease in many ways. The incidence of kuru has decreased with the reduction of cannibalism, according to researchers who studied natives in New Guinea highlands. (Reported by Gajudusek and. Zigas in the New England Journal of Medicine, vol 257, p. 974, 1957.)

Although no convincing evidence exists that definitely links meat-eating with Parkinson's disease, health care professionals dealing with parkinsonism have found that a low-protein diet is helpful in improving symptoms. Researchers have also determined that less protein (not entirely eliminated) helps to stabilize the patient's condition. Many patients reported to be successful in reducing their intake of levodopa (L-dopa) by such a diet.

Researchers theorize that reducing the amount protein in the diet hastens gastric emptying and speeds the uptake of levodopa. A regimen that reduces protein intake while maintaining a modest amount would be one based on the use of fruits and vegetables. Most vegetables, except leafy types, contain small to modest amounts of protein.

Patients should not undertake a low-protein diet without first consulting a neurologist or a personal physician. A major risk with this form of therapy is weight loss.

The information reported above has been gleaned from The Parkinson Paper, a publication of the Parkinson's Society of Ottawa-Carleton, Canada, and Geriatric Nursing (January/February 1990). Another study affirming the value of a low-protein diet was published in Archives of Neurology (vol 44, p. 270, March 1987).