What foods should Parkinson’s patients avoid? Approximately 100,00 people are living with Parkinson’s disease inside Canada, one million+ in the USA and more than 10 million worldwide. There is no known way to eliminate all symptoms of Parkinson’s. Although there are medications available to reduce the severity of symptoms, they all too often are ineffective when used as the only treatment method, and they may have adverse side effects. There are many alternative, complimentary and traditional methods of coping and relieving some symptoms and one of the ways we address this is through nutrition.
Many pursue symptom relief through dietary changes, and there are certain foods that people with Parkinson’s should include in their diet and certain foods that they can choose to avoid. The following is a review of how folks with Parkinson’s can possibly reduce symptoms through modifications to their diet.
Foods to Avoid
Dairy
Studies suggest dairy products may slightly increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, although the way dairy affects those who are already diagnosed is not conclusive. The reason dairy may have a negative effect on some with Parkinson’s is not known, but it is not believed to be related to calcium intake. Some suggest it is in what farmers are feeding cattle, such as human growth hormones, antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals that end up in dairy products. Those who avoid dairy to reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s should consider eating calcium rich foods such as spinach, okra, or black eyed peas… and/or taking a calcium supplement to promote bone health, especially if they are over the age of 55. You can find a variety of nut or oat milks, creamers and cheeses.
Sugars
Sugar feeds this condition. Foods that are high in sugar are detrimental, you might even say poison to people with Parkinson’s disease. Sugar feeds the condition. Sugar may make certain symptoms more severe, and it can also make getting a good night’s rest challenging. Additionally, the negative general health effects of sugar can have an impact on Parkinson’s patients as well. Sugar may contribute to weight gain and make symptoms from other health issues and disease flare-up. Try having naturally occurring sugar in small doses as well -such as fruit and some vegetables.
Salt
Patients with Parkinson’s disease should limit the intake of salt as much as possible as well. This includes limiting foods, such as certain salted nuts, ham, and pizza, along with any added salt used for flavouring meat. A little salt is not necessarily a bad thing, but a diet with too much salt may contribute to high blood pressure. High blood pressure may make symptoms worse for Parkinson’s patients, whereas maintaining a healthy blood pressure can help in various ways. There are a few awesome replacements for salt, including seaweed seasoning. If you cut out salt, make sure that you are getting enough iodine.
Saturated Fats
Studies are ongoing on the effects saturated fats have on patients with Parkinson’s disease. Some research suggests that they increase the risk of severe symptoms, whereas diets low in saturated fats may help patients manage symptoms. Generally speaking, saturated fats such as fried or processed foods increase blood pressure and can negatively impact cholesterol, which is detrimental to health overall. For patients with Parkinson’s, poor health caused by a diet of saturated fats can make managing the disease more of a challenge. Do on the other hand include good fats like avocados, bananas, walnuts. The brain needs good fats. The brain consumes only fat.
Alcohol
The studies of alcohol’s effect on Parkinson’s patients are not conclusive, but it is a well-known fact that excessive alcohol consumption negatively impacts the body and mind. For patients who are battling Parkinson’s, keeping a healthy mental state and body is essential. Therefore, it is recommended to limit the intake of alcohol or quit drinking alcohol altogether to best minimize symptoms and deal with Parkinson’s long-term. The main issue with Alcohol is the dehydrating effect on the brain. If the brain is undergoing other stress, best to not exacerbate the condition.
Foods to Include
Not all studies are conclusive, but there is evidence to suggest antioxidants, whole-grains, fruits and vegetables can help patients with Parkinson’s disease minimize their symptoms. It is important to still eat each food in moderation and practice a healthy diet that contains different food groups.
Antioxidants
Oxidative stress can have a negative impact on Parkinson’s patients. Naturally, the best way to combat this concern is to eat a diet that contains more antioxidants. Most plant-based diets contain a lot of antioxidants, but there are a range of food types that have antioxidants, including but not limited to the following:
Various types of berries
Nuts, walnuts, pecans and pistachios
Plant-based foods (i.e. kale, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots …)
Vegetables (i.e. tomatoes, peppers, radishes, green beans, brussel sprouts…)
Fruits such as oranges, apples, pineapple, water melons
The studies are still ongoing as to how much antioxidants help Parkinson’s patients, but they do promote good general health, so adding them to your diet can only help.
Grains
Foods that contain whole grains may also help minimize symptoms in Parkinson’s patients and promote good health in general. A variety of grains that are beneficial are couscous, quinoa, spelt, brown and wild rice. Some folks are more sensitive to grains than others. If you feel that you may be sensitive to certain grains, try an elimination diet - taking one out at at time or see a health care practitioner who does sensitivity testing. Of course, anything in excess may become detrimental after a certain point, but integrating a healthy amount of whole-grain foods into your regular diet may help Parkinson’s patients maintain good health.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables can help Parkinson’s patients in a variety of ways. They contain vitamin C, potassium and folate, all of which promote good health overall. Fruits and vegetables also contain high levels of fiber. Fiber can reduce constipation, which is a common symptom among many who have Parkinson’s.
There are many different fruits and vegetables, and you should feel free to pick your favorites and integrate them into your daily diet. For fruits, several options include strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, oranges, watermelon, and pineapple. For vegetables, consider trying carrots, green beans, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and asparagus. Certain spices, such as turmeric, can also promote good digestive health in patients with Parkinson’s and can reduce the risk of constipation and other digestive-related symptoms of the disease.
Reach out to Atlas Yoga Studio and our Yoga Therapists
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and requires assistance with daily living, then call our team at Atlas Yoga Studio today. Our dedicated team works diligently to provide quality support to all clients, and we can tailor our service to meet your specific needs. This may include dietary changes that work for you, such as adding more antioxidants, grains, fruits, and vegetables to your diet, along with reducing the consumption of less healthy foods and drinks and adding in more quality daily activity.