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During November 2025, I got to know a gentleman with whom I have had numerous interesting conversations. At our first meeting, I noticed that his posture was tilted, and his facial movement skewed. While talkning, he had to hold his cheek with his hand. He told me that it's a disease called Dystonia, and he claimed it was a neurological disease.
Despite being a researcher interested in things that deal with physical and mental health, I had never heard about Dystonia. That triggered my curiosity to investigate the definition of this disease and the explanation of its occurence. And I'm biased. I am convinced that most diseases are partly explained by diet.
In a first attempt to sort things out, I asked Storm to produce an article based on the following label: On the relationship between Dystonia and malnutrition. Here's the abstract:
Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that result in abnormal postures and repetitive movements. It is recognized as the third most common movement disorder, affecting individuals of all ages, with various forms ranging from focal dystonias, such as cervical dystonia and blepharospasm, to generalized dystonia that can impact multiple body regions.[1][2]. The severity of dystonia can significantly impair daily activities and quality of life, leading to complications such as malnutrition due to difficulties with eating and swallowing.[3][4]. This relationship between dystonia and malnutrition is notable as it underscores the critical need for integrated care strategies to address both movement-related symptoms and nutritional challenges. Malnutrition in individuals with dystonia can arise from the high energy expenditure associated with involuntary muscle contractions, as well as the physical difficulties encountered during eating.[5][6]. Symptoms such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) may necessitate dietary modifications, including the consumption of softer foods or, in severe cases, the use of feeding tubes.[7]. Furthermore, psychological factors linked to dystonia, such as stress and anxiety, can exacerbate nutritional deficits, creating a cyclical pattern that complicates management efforts.[8][9]. Studies indicate that a balanced diet and appropriate nutritional interventions can play a pivotal role in symptom management and overall health, emphasizing the need for healthcare professionals to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.[10][11]. The interplay between dystonia and malnutrition has generated research interest, revealing that many individuals with dystonia experience significant nutritional deficiencies that can lead to adverse health outcomes, including increased morbidity and mortality.[12]. Identifying and addressing malnutrition not only supports physical health but can also enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for dystonia. Current research highlights the importance of tailored dietary strategies, psychological support, and a comprehensive understanding of each patient's unique needs in managing both conditions effectively.[13][14]. As the prevalence of dystonia continues to grow, particularly among aging populations, understanding and mitigating the impact of malnutrition becomes increasingly critical to improving quality of life for affected individuals.[15].According to Wikipedia:
Dystonia is a neurological hyperkinetic movement disorder in which sustained or repetitive muscle contractions occur involuntarily, resulting in twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal fixed postures.According to Dystonia fact sheet:
The cause of dystonia is not known.Finland and Sweden belong to the same population which arrived in a massive migration from the Caspian-Pontic Steppe/lower Volga ~4500 years before the present (Haak et al. 2015; McColl et al. 2025). Adding that, what since 1917 has been called Finland was once and for a long time part of the Swedish kingdom (Vendel period (540 – 750 AD) – 1809). That implies that diseases which are explained by nature (genetics) should have equal prevalence in both countries.
I asked Chat Gtp the following question: Can you provide a ranking-list of countries with the highest rate of Dystonia?
Just like Alzheimer's/dementia, the prevalence of Dystonia is twice as high in Finland compared to Sweden.
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Finland — ~83.3 per 100 000 (833 per million) (adult onset isolated dystonia) reported in a register-based study with broad coverage
- Sweden — ~43.97 per 100 000 (440 per million) in published prevalence studies (Medina et al. 2022).
Conclusion. If Dystonia was explained by nature (genetics) alone, the prevalence in Finland should be similar to Sweden. But just like Alzheimer's/dementia, the prevalence in Finland is twice compared to Sweden. That implies that the onset of Dystonia could be explained by environmental factors, including food.
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Executive coaching for CEOs/managers and workshops to facilitate Organizational Performance, Learning, and Creativity for Problem Solving | Lectures: Nutrition for physical and mental health | Course/lecture: children's emotional and social adjustment and cognitive development | Language training - Swedish | Academy Competency | CV | Teaching skills and experience | Summary of research project | Instagram | Linkedin | YouTube-channel | TikTok | Twitter
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