What are the main nutritional interventions that can help patients with Parkinsons disease?
Parkinson’s disease affects nearly 1 million Americans. Each year, another 60,000 people are diagnosed with the condition (1, 2). Show
Symptoms vary from person to person but commonly include muscle spasms, tremors, and muscle soreness. The causes and triggers that activate Parkinson’s are still being studied (3). This article will explore how diet can affect individuals with Parkinson’s as well as which foods may help or worsen symptoms. Levodopa (Sinemet) and bromocriptine (Parlodel) are common drugs that many people with Parkinson’s take to manage symptoms. However, no treatment will fully stop symptoms (3). Since there’s no cure for Parkinson’s, and the drugs prescribed to manage symptoms sometimes have harsh side effects, some people may be interested in alternative remedies (4, 5). While diet won’t cure Parkinson’s, early research suggests that certain dietary changes may help alleviate symptoms for some people. Because this condition is closely connected to a lack of dopamine cells in your body, researchers are looking for ways to increase dopamine naturally through your diet (6, 7, 8). Plus, secondary symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as dementia and confusion, may improve through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise (3, 9, 10). Foods high in antioxidants may also help cut down on oxidative stress in your brain, which may be responsible for some of the mental decline seen in Parkinson’s (11, 12). Additionally, you may be able to relieve constipation — another potential symptom — with fiber supplements and probiotics, although research is mixed (13, 14, 15). Finally, taking magnesium may relieve muscle cramps that can occur in Parkinson’s, though supporting research is lacking. Still, low levels of this mineral are thought to contribute to the development of Parkinson’s, so magnesium remains important (16, 17). Overall, further research is necessary. summary Some research focuses on proteins, flavonoids, and gut bacteria for improving Parkinson’s symptoms, but the research is ongoing and still inconclusive (18, 19 ). More research has shown that diets high in antioxidants may provide brain-protective benefits and slow the progression of the disease in older adults (20, 21). AntioxidantsAntioxidants protect against oxidative stress, which is an imbalance of antioxidants and unstable compounds called free radicals that occurs in Parkinson’s disease (21, 22). The following foods contain large amounts of antioxidants (23):
Eating a plant-based diet high in these types of foods may provide the highest antioxidant intake (23). Researchers are also exploring an antioxidant treatment for Parkinson’s, though studies remain inconclusive inconclusive (24, 25, 26). Fava beansSome people eat fava beans for Parkinson’s because they contain levodopa — the same compound used in some Parkinson’s drugs. However, no definitive evidence shows that these beans help reduce symptoms (24). Additionally, because you don’t know how much levodopa you’re getting when you eat fava beans, you shouldn’t use them as a substitute for prescription treatments. Omega-3 foodsOmega-3 fatty acids, which are types of healthy fats, may help improve brain function in those with Parkinson’s. These fats are found in foods like (25, 26):
Some research also suggests that the Mediterranean diet, which tends to be high in antioxidants and omega-3s, protects against dementia in Parkinson’s disease (27, 28). Certain nutrient-dense foodsMalnutrition has been found to be a risk factor for mental decline. Additionally, individuals with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to suffer from malnutrition (29, 30). Here are some food sources of nutrients that many people with Parkinson’s are deficient in (31):
summary You may want to avoid or limit your intake of certain foods if you have Parkinson’s. Foods high in saturated fatAlthough the specific role of saturated fat in Parkinson’s is still being studied, research suggests that a high dietary fat intake may increase your risk of this disease (32). Generally speaking, diets high in saturated fat have been linked to chronic conditions like heart disease. As such, you may wish to keep these foods in moderation (33). Some foods high in saturate fat include (34):
Conversely, a very small study notes that the keto diet — which is high in fat — is beneficial for some people with Parkinson’s. However, a low fat diet also showed benefits. Overall, more research is needed (35). Foods that are hard to chewAnother Parkinson’s symptom is difficulty chewing and swallowing. In fact, it’s estimated that 80% of people with this condition experience difficulty swallowing as the disease progresses (36). Choosing foods that are easy to chew and swallow may be important, as may working with a speech language therapist. Processed foodsLastly, it’s recommended to limit or avoid processed foods, such as canned foods, fried foods, and regular and diet sodas, as these have been linked to a more rapid progression of Parkinson’s (37). Processed foods may also impair gut health, which may affect symptom severity (38). summary Here are a few basic lifestyle tips that may help ease Parkinson’s symptoms:
summary Insufficient research is available to recommend a specific diet to treat Parkinson’s disease. However, there’s reason to believe that a healthy diet — alongside regular exercise — may help improve symptoms. Keep in mind that certain foods and supplements may interfere with prescription drugs for this disease, so make sure you consult your doctor before changing your treatment routine. What is the best nutrition teaching instruction for patient with Parkinson disease?Maintain Health. Choose a diet with plenty of whole grains, vegetables and fruits, which provide vitamins, minerals, fiber and complex carbohydrates and can help you lower your intake of fat.. Limit sugar intake. ... . Reduce salt and sodium intake to help decrease your risk of high blood pressure.. Why is nutrition important for Parkinson's disease?A balanced diet and proper nutrition is important for overall health and functioning. In people with Parkinson's disease (PD), good nutrition is essential and may help them better manage their symptoms. Diet and the timing of meals can also impact drug schedules, as well as the effectiveness of drugs for PD.
What are 3 treatments for Parkinson's disease?There are six main types of medications available to treat symptoms of Parkinson disease: levodopa, dopamine agonists, inhibitors of enzymes that inactivate dopamine (monoamine oxidase type B [MAO B] inhibitors and catechol-O-methyl transferase [COMT] inhibitors), anticholinergic drugs, and amantadine.
What are the main treatments for Parkinson's disease?Most people with Parkinson's disease eventually need a medication called levodopa. Levodopa is absorbed by the nerve cells in your brain and turned into the chemical dopamine, which is used to transmit messages between the parts of the brain and nerves that control movement.
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