President Trump’s most recent annual physical revealed he’s in “excellent health,” going so far as to point to his “frequent victories in golf events” as evidence.
But a new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests his love of the game and residence at Mar-a-Lago may be putting him at risk of an unexpected health condition.
Living within a mile of a golf course carries a whopping 126% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease versus living more than 6 miles away, according to data from over 5,500 people.
The risk decreased with distance but remained elevated up to 3 miles away.
Researchers attribute this increased risk to potential exposure to pesticides used in golf course maintenance.
These chemicals can leach into groundwater or become airborne, exposing nearby residents.
The risk was notably higher for individuals relying on groundwater sources for drinking water, especially in areas where the groundwater is more susceptible to contamination.
Mar-a-Lago — Trump’s private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida — features a golf course and is situated in a region with a high water table, potentially increasing vulnerability to groundwater contamination.
It’s important to note that the study suggests an association, not causation, between proximity to golf courses and increased Parkinson’s risk — but the findings align with previous research on pesticides.
“Many studies have investigated whether pesticides increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s in different populations around the world,” Katherine Fletcher, lead researcher at Parkinson’s UK, said in a statement.
“The results have been varied, but overall suggest that exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of the condition. However, the evidence is not strong enough to show that pesticide exposure directly causes Parkinson’s.”
Around 1.1 million Americans are estimated to have Parkinson’s.
While there is no cure for the neurodegenerative disorder, treatment options are evolving.
A recent study suggested psilocybin — the psychedelic compound that gave “magic mushrooms” their trippy reputation in the 1960s — is showing serious promise for improving mood and motor function in people with Parkinson’s.
Tavapadon — a new drug that mimics dopamine by targeting certain receptors in the brain — has demonstrated potential in clinical trials by reducing motor fluctuations and maintaining symptom control with fewer side effects than traditional therapies.
And Produodopa — a continuous infusion therapy first administered in the UK — was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last fall.
Experts recommend lowering your risk of developing Parkinson’s by exercising and eating a healthy diet.
That may mean giving up fast food — fore-ever.
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