loader

Optimizing Wellness with Nutritional Strategies for Parkinson's

Jan 28, 2024

Parkinson's

Optimizing Wellness with Nutritional Strategies for Parkinson's Optimizing Wellness with Nutritional Strategies for Parkinson's

Parkinson's disease is an age-related degenerative brain condition. It occurs when the Nerve cells predominating found in the substantia nigra become impaired and are no longer able to produce adequate amounts of the neurotransmitters dopamine’s, a chemical in the brain that plays an essential role in the control of movements and muscle coordination. Reduced dopamine levels lead to movement-related problems, such as tremors, rigidity, slow movement, a shuffling gait and poor balance. The symptoms are barely noticeable or may be asymptomatic in the early stages but worsen over time.

Overall maintenance of good health, reasonable activity, and a good diet play a key role. This blog focuses on the importance of nutrition for Parkinson's and offers several nutritional strategies for managing Parkinson's symptoms. It also discusses its symptoms, the challenges you may face regarding nutrition, and the significant factors related to the caregiver's role.

Understanding Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease is named after the London-based physician, James Parkinson who published a detailed medical essay, “An Essay on the Shaking Palsy” in 1817. This established the disease as a recognized medical condition. However, it was only in the 1870s that the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot recognized and honored Parkinson’s research as the foundational text for the disease and named the condition after him.

Today, Parkinson's disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. with nearly one million patients. Almost 90,000 people are diagnosed each year and this number is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030. Globally,  over 10 million people are suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

The Role of Nutrition in Parkinson's Disease

A balanced diet rich in vital nutrients positively impacts your overall wellness. Proper nutrition equips you to manage the symptoms better by helping to:

  • Increase your energy level
  • Boost your immunity
  • Keep bones strong
  • Regulate body weight
  • Reduce constipation
  • Lower risk factors for other illnesses
  • Optimize medication benefits

Nutritional Strategies for Managing Parkinson's Symptoms

Parkinson’s disease patients often benefit from personalized health strategies for maximum improvement depending on the severity of their symptoms. In general, your nutrition must aim to:

  • Provide energy
  • Include more fiber to avoid constipation
  • Prevent vitamin D deficiency and bone thinning
  • Maintain hydration

Your diet must include energy-rich foods, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and fibers. Whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes, lean proteins, and whole grains offer overall health benefits and enable you to handle the disease better, as do foods with good fats, including nuts, fish, eggs, and olive oil.

The foods that are known to enhance your health and slow the disease's progress include:

Antioxidants

An abnormally high number of free radicals in the body can cause oxidative stress, which impacts Parkinson's progression. Having an antioxidant-rich diet helps limit oxidative stress levels. A few foods rich in antioxidants are:

  • Berries and nuts
  • Citrus fruits
  • Beans
  • Turmeric
  • Green leafy vegetables
  • Green tea

Fava Beans

Fava beans contain levodopa, a compound used in several Parkinson's medications.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These healthy fats that improve brain function and slow neurodegeneration are found in fatty fish such as salmon and halibut, oysters, flaxseeds, soy, and kidney beans. Fish oil may also reduce the rate of progression of your condition.

Other Nutrient-Rich Foods

Foods rich in minerals such as iron and zinc and vitamins B1, C, and D are essential as their deficiencies may facilitate neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

  • Iron: nuts, beans, red meat
  • Zinc: cereal, bread, meat, shellfish
  • Vitamin B1: bananas, oranges, peas, nuts
  • Vitamin C: citrus fruits, bell peppers, cruciferous vegetables, strawberries
  • Vitamin D: fatty fish, egg yolk, fortified products

However, there are several foods that you must avoid:

  • High-Saturated Fat
  • Difficult-to-Chew Food
  • Processed Foods

Staying adequately hydrated must be an essential aspect of your nutritional strategy. You need 6-8 glasses of water daily. Dehydration is known to cause higher mortality risks among Parkinson's patients. This is partially due to drops in blood pressure and falls. It can impact your cognitive function ability and balance.

What Are the Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?

Tremors

Parkinson's disease is classified as a movement disorder, and tremors are its first motor symptoms. These involve rhythmic shaking when the limbs are at rest. They usually start with your hands or fingers and involve “pill-rolling” movement of the index finger and thumb. You may experience tremors in other parts of the body, including the lower lips, jaws, or legs.

Bradykinesia

Another primary Parkinson’s symptom, bradykinesia, means “slowed movements”. It includes:

  • Difficulty in getting out of a chair, or rolling over in bed.
  • Shorter steps or shuffling of feet while walking
  • Blunted in facial expression
  • Longer time and increased difficulty in completing tasks

Muscle Rigidity

Nearly 90% of people with Parkinson's experience rigidity. The muscles in your arms, legs, neck, back, and even smaller facial muscles can stiffen and tighten involuntarily, causing pain and limiting your range of motion.

Impaired Posture and Balance

Posture changes such as stooped or rounded shoulders, decreased low back curve, or forward lean of the head or whole body occur as the disease progresses. They may lead to postural instability or imbalance when standing.

Reduced Automatic Movements

You may experience loss in automatic or unconscious movements, such as blinking or reduced arm swinging while walking.

Speech Anomalies

Low-volume voice with slurring words, mumbling, or trailing off at the end of a sentence is a standard Parkinson's symptom. Other speech changes include speaking in a monotone and not appearing to convey much emotion through facial movements. You may also sound breathy or hoarse.

Writing Challenges

You may find writing challenging due to other Parkinson's symptoms, such as tremors, dystonia, and dyskinesia. The writing is often small and cramped.

What are the Challenges and Considerations of Parkinson's Disease?

Challenges for a Parkinson's Disease Patient

While maintaining a proper diet is essential to living a wholesome life, it can become challenging as Parkinson's disease progresses. Your motor movements are impacted, due to which you may face several nutritional issues, including:

  • Difficulty in chewing
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Drooling
  • Reduced gastric motility
  • Constipation
  • Dehydration
  • Reduced appetite due to depression

Also, several side effects of your medicines can adversely affect your nutritional intake. They include:

  • Appetite loss
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dry mouth
  • Insomnia
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Anxiety and depression

Considerations for Caregivers

As the disease progresses over time, a Parkinson's disease patient's dependence on their caregiver or family members’ increases. So, the caregiver's role is also a crucial aspect of their care. To be able to provide optimum care to the patient, caregivers must consider particular factors such as:

  • Familiarize with the disease
  • Attend doctor's appointments with the patient
  • Build a strong rapport with them
  • Prioritize planning
  • Have a support group
  • Receive professional help for advanced patients

Receive Comprehensive Care for Parkinson's Disease at Michigan Neurological Associates & Pain Consultants

We, at Michigan Neurological Associates & Pain Consultants, provide advanced diagnostic and treatment options for Parkinson's disease in Clinton Township, MI, and St. Clair Shores, MI. Our comprehensive and personalized treatments enable you to manage your symptoms better. For more information on our array of treatments, contact us today.

optimizing wellness with nutritional strategies for Parkinsons
Scan to View

 

Explore the Benefits and Risks of Epidural Steroid Injections Explore the Benefits and Risks of Epidural Steroid Injections
Explore the Benefits and Risks of Epidural Steroid Injections
Understanding the Role of Cerebrospinal Fluid in Hydrocephalus Understanding the Role of Cerebrospinal Fluid in Hydrocephalus
Understanding the Role of Cerebrospinal Fluid in Hydrocephalus
Outpatient Surgery Centers for Safe and Convenient Alternative Outpatient Surgery Centers for Safe and Convenient Alternative
Outpatient Surgery Centers for Safe and Convenient Alternative
Alzheimer's Disease: Key Facts and Insights Alzheimer's Disease: Key Facts and Insights
Alzheimer's Disease: Key Facts and Insights
Exploring the Potential of Stem Cell and PRP Therapy Exploring the Potential of Stem Cell and PRP Therapy
Exploring the Potential of Stem Cell and PRP Therapy

Color Contrast

Bigger Text

Text Align