Did you know that almost 680,000 deaths a year can be directly attributed to nutrition-related illnesses?
If you have Parkinson’s disease, then the way you eat is more important than ever. The reason for this is that your food can help you maintain the disease or it can work against you.
Are you wondering what you should put in your body? Keep reading to learn all about the proper diet and nutrition tips for people with Parkinson’s disease.
The Importance of Diet
There’s no getting around the fact that a proper diet can help in dealing with Parkinson’s. In fact, there’s evidence to suggest that changing your diet can slow down the progression of the disease while allowing you to take control of your symptoms.
For instance, constipation is a common symptom of Parkinson’s. You’ll be glad to know that there are foods that can prevent and aid constipation naturally, such as high-fiber fruits.
When it comes to the basics of diet and nutrition, you should make sure that you’re getting enough water. After all, water is the liquid of life and is what can keep us going even in the absence of food. In general, it’s recommended you get at least six glasses of water in your body over the course of a day, especially since Parkinson’s has been known to dry the body out.
You can use your medications as an opportunity to get some of those glasses of water checked off your daily list. The reason for this is that water has been shown to help with breaking down medication in the most effective way possible.
In terms of healthy habits, one can’t stress enough the importance of sleep. This is why it’s crucial to avoid foods and drinks that can end up interrupting your sleep schedule. After all, sleep is one of the best ways for the body to heal itself and recuperate in general.
With this in mind, you should avoid consuming alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and foods with high amounts of sugar in them. While it’s okay to have some sugar, it’s important to limit your intake as much as you can.
Other Dietary Recommendations
While water can help break down your Parkinson’s medication, other foods can maximize the overall effects of the medication. Since Parkinson’s medication is often absorbed through your small intestine, you can eat high-protein meals that also use the small intestine.
This combination can allow for a much smoother digestive and absorption process. It’s a good idea to eat these high-protein meals a little while after taking your meds and also throughout the day. Of course, you should eat meals of less protein at the same time you take your medication and save that protein consumption for a bit later on.
Some of your doctors or dieticians may recommend more vitamin D. This vitamin is great for boosting your bone health. It can be found in a range of sources, including fatty fishes like salmon, fortified milk, cheese, and more.
Who doesn’t love a delicious snack? If you’re a compulsive snacker, you’ll be glad to know that you don’t have to give that habit up. However, it’s important to make healthier choices of snacks.
For example, nuts like cashews and walnuts can go a long way toward promoting a healthy brain and overall body. Berries and other little fruits can be a new addictive snack that has amazing health benefits, especially when they’re so rich in antioxidants that help reduce and prevent inflammation. Just be sure to eat small portions of these snacks and avoid overindulging.
No matter what you eat, Parkinson’s can sometimes make it difficult to swallow safely. In this case, it’s important to choose foods that are easy to chew and swallow. It can also be a good idea to use rubber placemats so that the dishes are more secure on the table.
Complimenting Your Diet With Exercise
Aside from healthy eating, it’s important to round out your diet with a reliable exercise routine. Put in the simplest terms, diet and exercise can go hand in hand and become the best ways to improve your quality of life by a lot.
It’s crucial to find a Parkinson’s-specific trainer like Jonathan Rose. Rose has many years of experience working with Parkinson’s patients and has fine-tuned his exercise regimen for maximum success. This is why neurologists recommend him as a trustworthy source of help and guidance.
Parkinson’s-specific exercises are designed to improve dopamine release and alleviate associated symptoms. Best of all, these exercises can help with slowing down the disease’s progression.
When it comes to Parkinson’s, there are certain goals that a qualified trainer should focus on, including reducing the amount of shuffling you engage in and managing freezing episodes, among others. One way this can be done is by stretching the muscles out on a regular basis. A trainer can instruct you on the best methods.
During freezing episodes, it’s important to know how to get out of that state without tripping or hurting yourself in a fall. Over time, you should have enough skill and confidence to do some of these exercises even when a trainer isn’t present.
Are You Ready to Use These Nutrition Tips?
Now that you’ve learned about the proper diet and nutrition tips for people with Parkinson’s disease, you can do your best to eat right. When you eat and exercise in the proper way, you can fight against the symptoms of Parkinson’s and boost your quality of life.
At Training For All Ages, Jonathan Rose can help you meet goals that are realistic but impactful. He’s dedicated to educating and inspiring clients so that they can learn all about the best nutrition and exercise methods for their needs.
If you want to schedule a session, be sure to contact him.