Although there is no prescribed diet recommended for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), healthcare professionals recommend a nutrient-rich diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and proteins. Beneficial fats, such as those found in nuts and olive oil, are also advised.
While prioritizing nutrient-dense foods is a good place to start, you may also want to avoid or limit certain foods to help ease your PD. Here are a few foods to be mindful of.
Sugary Foods
Too many foods and drinks that are high in added sugars can affect your immune system, potentially exacerbating your PD symptoms. Instead of baked goods, candy, soda, and other foods with added sugars, choose naturally-sweetened foods, such as fruit. If you crave flavored drinks, try adding some fresh fruit or cucumber slices to sparkling water.
Protein
Lean protein is beneficial for helping your body grow, repair, and maintain cells. It supports healthy muscles, cartilage, and skin. With that being said, some people find that too much protein can interfere with how levodopa, the primary medication for PD, reacts in the body. Taking medication an hour before eating or reducing the amount of protein consumed early in the day can minimize this effect and reduce fluctuations in motor functions.
Heavily Processed Foods
Foods with high sodium, trans fat, cholesterol, and saturated fat should be limited or avoided. They lack nutritional value and have been linked to adverse health outcomes, such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. For people with PD, optimizing health is important to controlling symptoms and feeling their best.
Alcohol or Coffee
People with PD experience brain changes that can cause sleep challenges and medications may also interfere with sleep. Common issues include trouble getting to and staying asleep, daytime drowsiness, and movement during sleep. Avoid worsening these symptoms by skipping caffeine, alcohol, or anything else that can interfere with sleep cycles.
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This post was written by a medical professional at https://www.stemedix.com. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.
