Did you know that more than 10 million Americans are currently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?
From shaking and stiff muscles to slow movements and difficulty balancing, living with Parkinson’s is extremely challenging. While there’s no cure for the disease, there’s plenty you can do to reduce your symptoms and fight against the disease’s progression. That way, you can get the absolute most out of life.
Are you wondering how you can fight against Parkinson’s disease? Keep reading to learn all about developing healthy eating and exercise habits.
1. Sign Up for Parkinson’s-Specific Training
If you want to manage the symptoms of your disease, then it’s important to learn exercises that are designed for people with Parkinson’s. There is a range of different training techniques you can learn that will improve movement and balance. You’ll even be able to reduce the number of freezing episodes in Parkinson’s.
When it comes to Parkinson’s-specific trainers, no one is as qualified or experienced as Jonathan Rose. Aside from having almost a dozen certifications, Jonathan also has well over a decade of experience working with people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s at various stages.
No matter your age, expert neurologists recommend Jonathan and his training techniques because they have been proven to boost dopamine, alleviate symptoms, and even slow the progression of the disease.
Not only can exercise help fight against Parkinson’s, but it’s also essential for living a long and comfortable life. Here is some of the best types of exercisesone can do who has Parkinson’s. Getting your heart pumping will give you nearly endless benefits, from boosting brain health and improving posture to honing coordination and increasing muscle strength.
2. Eat Healthy Foods
Aside from Parkinson’s training, it’s also crucial to maintain a healthy diet. Not many people realize how vast a role diet plays in a person’s overall health. It can help prevent disease and also reduce the symptoms of one, including Parkinson’s.
Weight loss is a big goal for many people. Maintaining a healthy diet can also one with Parkinson’s lose weight. Check out this article for the complete guide for weight loss for people who have Parkinson’s.
You may be surprised to learn that fava beans contain levodopa, which is the main ingredient found in the most common Parkinson’s medication on the market. While you can’t eat fava beans in place of real medication, adding them to your diet could help reinforce the benefits of your treatment.
Another ingredient that could help slow Parkinson’s progression is omega-3 fatty acids. This can be found in a variety of seafood, such as herring, salmon, sardines, and mackerel. However, fish can have microplastics that cause cancer and other health issues.
For the best source of omega-3 acids, you can add walnuts, chia seeds, Brussels sprouts, and more to your diet.
3. Be Mindful of Your Medication
Carbidopa-levodopa is one of the most popular drugs prescribed for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. However, it’s important to know how best to take the drug and the effects it can have on your body.
For instance, carbidopa-levodopa is absorbed in your small intestine, which means if you eat a food that’s high in protein before taking your medication, there could be problems. This is because your small intestine is used in the process of protein absorption too, which can affect the ability of your body to fully absorb all or any of the drugs.
You can improve the effectiveness of your Parkinson’s medication by eating your meals later or earlier. You should also only have as much protein as your body needs, rather than an excess of it. As for breakfast, you should opt for foods that aren’t rich in protein, such as fruit or oatmeal.
Parkinson’s medication also runs the risk of making you dehydrated. Dehydration can cause a range of problematic symptoms, including dizziness, vomiting, kidney issues, confusion, and more. Severe dehydration can even be fatal.
This is why it’s important to drink fluids on a regular basis. Sodas, for example, are not a good choice for staying hydrated. Rather, it’s best to opt for mostly water, as well as milk, fruit juice, and beverages with electrolytes.
These habits can also keep you fueled as you continue your balance training.
4. Beware of Deficiencies
People who have Parkinson’s disease have been known to also suffer from one or more nutritional deficiencies, including a lack of vitamin B1, zinc, iron, and vitamin D. Being aware of them can help you ensure that you give your body everything it needs.
For vitamin B1, be sure to eat oranges, bananas, or peas. When it comes to zinc, you’ll want to include bread, meat, and wheat germ into your diet. As for iron, look no further than beans, nuts, and even liver.
Are you wondering what you can eat to get more vitamin D? Try eating more mushrooms, salmon, or egg yolks. There are also foods that are fortified with vitamin D, including soy milk and orange juice.
You’ll also want to pay attention to your vitamin C. When it comes to food choices, don’t neglect peppers, strawberries, and potatoes.
All this can help with reducing rigidity in Parkinson’s, among other symptoms.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, you may begin to notice that your digestive system isn’t working as fast as it used to. Slowed digestion can result in bouts of constipation if you don’t eat enough fiber.
To avoid a fiber deficiency, be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. You can get a lot of fiber from pears, avocados, raspberries, artichokes, and more.
Are You Ready to Fight Against Parkinson’s Disease?
Now that you’ve learned all about developing healthy eating and exercise habits, you can start fighting against Parkinson’s disease. Everyone should be able to live their best possible life.
Training For All Ages can provide you with the exact tools and regimens you need to live a happy and healthy life in spite of Parkinson’s. Offering everything fromseniors training tocouples training, Jonathan Rose has the qualifications and experience to help anyone suffering from the disease.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, then please feel free to contact us. We’re always eager to keep people informed.
To get more ideas on how people with Parkinson’s can create great exercise habits check out this article.