Sports bring us joy as we cheer for our favorite teams, revel in the thrill of the action, and celebrate every goal.  However, behind the excitement lies a serious concern for the health of many athletes.  In high-contact sports like boxing, football, and hockey players often face the risk of brain injuries due to high-speed collisions and tackles.  These repeated head impacts can lead to recurrent concussions, significantly increasing the risk of long-term brain diseases such as Parkinson’s and dementia.​¹​  This reality was recently highlighted by former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, who recently revealed his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, highlighting the often-overlooked dangers that athletes confront in pursuit of victory.  The day after Favre's announcement, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer also shared on social media that he had been diagnosed with dementia.​²​  Not to mention the famous Muhammad Ali and his diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease at an early age. 

In contact sports, athletes often experience recurring head impacts that may not show immediate symptoms but can lead to serious long-term conditions like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).​¹​  You can understand more on the timeline of a traumatic brain injury by visiting our past article here.  Families of those suffering from CTE have reported troubling changes in their loved ones, such as slowed thinking, mood swings, and even suicidal thoughts.  Additionally, head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result in Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS), which presents a range of symptoms including poor sleep, pain, mood disorders, reduced motor function, and cognitive impairment.​1​    

Head Injuries and Increased Risk of Parkinson’s Disease 

Head injuries have been linked to the development of Parkinson’s disease, which is characterized by symptoms like resting tremors, slow movement (bradykinesia), muscle stiffness, and balance problems.  These symptoms fall under the umbrella term “parkinsonism,” which also includes cognitive decline, dementia, and hallucinations as the disease progresses.​³​ 

Research shows that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, significantly increase the risk of developing PD.  For instance, a 2018 study found that military veterans with mild TBIs faced a 56% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, while those with moderate to severe TBIs had an 83% increased risk.  Another recent study revealed that even a single concussion raises the risk of Parkinson’s disease by 57%.​³  Sports athletes, who often face multiple head injuries throughout their careers, are particularly at risk, with some experiencing up to 10 concussions during their time in contact sports.​⁴ 

Athletes in contact sports, like football and hockey players, and boxers, are particularly vulnerable to these types of injuries, and neurological symptoms can worsen.  Over time, these injuries can lead to structural changes in the brain, compromising its physical integrity and damaging specific areas responsible for cognition and memory.  Disrupted neural circuits communicate less effectively, and inflammation can damage neural tissue, causing neuron loss and the formation of tau tangles—abnormal protein collections closely associated with neurodegenerative diseases.  It is now evident that TBIs can trigger progressive neurodegeneration, posing a threat to brain health for years, or even decades, following the initial injury.   These changes can trigger the development of PD-like symptoms due to the long-term effects of brain injuries.​¹​ 

 You can explore our previous article on head injury and its connection to dementia, where you'll also find strategies to take action on your road to recovery and reduce your risk of brain decline and neurodegenerative conditions. 

One effective strategy for recovery from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is focusing on a supportive diet, particularly a Mediterranean-type diet.  This diet emphasizes key nutrients that can aid healing, such as:​¹​ 

• Magnesium: Known for its neuroprotective effects, magnesium deficiency can lead to neurodegeneration by increasing harmful substances in the brain. 
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These can reduce oxidative stress, with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) being particularly beneficial. 
• B-Vitamins: Important for recovery, B3 aids movement and memory, B6 can reduce edema, B9 strengthens synaptic functions, and B12 supports neuronal regeneration. 
• Vitamin D: Helps reduce neuroinflammation and supports overall brain health. 
• Vitamin E and Resveratrol: Both may protect cognitive function and reduce oxidative stress. 

Adopting a nutrient-rich diet like the Mediterranean or MIND diet can provide these important nutrients, supporting your brain health during recovery.   

If you struggle to maintain a consistently nutritious diet or require a practical solution to supplement your nutritional needs, the brain health supplement RELEVATE offers an effective option.  This comprehensive brain health supplement contains 17 nutrients, specifically formulated to support cognitive health.  Grounded in the principles of the Mediterranean and MIND diets, RELEVATE is designed to address nutritional gaps.  With a science-backed formulation, RELEVATE provides the targeted support your brain needs to optimize health and resilience.  Learn more and order RELEVATE by visiting here.  

References

​​1. The Aftermath of Head Trauma: Will It Raise Your Risk of Dementia? – NeuroReserve Inc. https://neuroreserve.com/blogs/articles/the-aftermath-of-head-trauma-will-it-raise-your-risk-of-dementia. 

​2. Brett Favre’s Parkinson’s: ‘Hell, I Wrote the Book on Head Trauma’ | MedPage Today. https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/headtrauma/112169. 

​3. Padmakumar, S., Kulkarni, P., Ferris, C. F., Bleier, B. S. & Amiji, M. M. Traumatic brain injury and the development of parkinsonism: Understanding pathophysiology, animal models, and therapeutic targets. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 149, 112812 (2022). 

​4. Torres, D. M. et al. Sports-related concussion: Anonymous survey of a collegiate cohort. Neurol Clin Pract 3, 279 (2013).