30 Nov Managing Parkinson’s Symptoms Through Diet
Managing Parkinson’s Symptoms Through Diet
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological condition that damages the brain over time. It is estimated that 1 million Americans have Parkinson’s. It cannot be cured or treated with diet, however changing your diet and leading a healthy lifestyle can help to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Together with medical treatment and other interventions such as sessions of Functional Cranial Release, it is possible to have a good quality of life as the disease progresses.
The basics of a balanced diet
The body has nutritional needs, and if you have Parkinson’s Disease, then having a balanced diet can help. This means eating a variety of fresh foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables. If you eat a good selection of foods from the five food groups, then your body will be getting all of the vitamins and minerals that it needs to function. It is important to eat foods that are high in fibre in order to keep the digestive system functioning as it should do. Milk and yoghurt are excellent sources of calcium and good sources of natural protein, they will give you energy. Wholegrains can help to keep the heart healthy and are packed with antioxidants and vitamin E.
Foods to avoid
You should avoid eating foods that are high in fat, or fried food. Many of the Parkinson’s medications available can have the unwanted side effect of nausea, diarrhoea and constipation. Whilst you may be able to find relief from other items, such as a massager, it is best to avoid the issue altogether if possible. Cutting down on foods that are likely to clog up the system, or be difficult to digest will help keep you regular. Try not to have a diet that is high in protein, as it can interfere with some medications and make them less effective. Keep your diet low in salt as this can have an effect on your blood pressure and circulation. It is also a good idea to avoid eating too much sugar, as it is not good for the immune system. If you are looking to sweeten food, for instance, yoghurt or cereal, a spoonful of honey is a good alternative. Honey has natural antimicrobial properties.
Using diet to manage Parkinson’s Side Effects
Having frequent headaches is common with Parkinson’s Disease. Drinking plenty of water can help alleviate the symptoms and also improve any problems with the digestive system. Drinking water will also help with muscle tension. It is recommended that the average male drink 3.7 litres of water a day. Insomnia and disturbed sleep is a frequent side effect. It is recommended that you keep consumption of caffeine and alcohol to a minimum as they can disturb sleep patterns.
Changing your diet can really help improve quality of life and manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Eating a balanced and healthy diet is essential so that you get all the nutrients you need.
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