Let’s start with three facts:
- Parkinson’s is a disease with no known cure.
- Certain drugs may help control symptoms – but they may have side effects.
- Parkinson’s researchers and patients are on the lookout for non-medicated remedies.
With this in mind, let’s review how some basic nutritional guidelines, recommended by in home care services and aged care services, that can help with the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Then we’ll explore new research on the potential benefits of fasting and other dietary approaches.
Which Foods Help Minimise the Symptoms of Parkinson’s?
When free radicals and antioxidants fall out of balance in the body, the result is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can contribute to a variety of health issues for anyone, especially those ageing in place or in aged care. According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, oxidative stress can worsen Parkinson’s symptoms.
The Foundation also suggests that an antioxidant-rich diet can help control oxidation problems. To boost antioxidants, make sure you’re eating plenty of tree nuts, berries, spinach, kale, and nightshade vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. While there haven’t been any reports of dramatic symptom improvement, managing oxidative stress can be beneficial to one’s overall health and is an approach subscribed to by aged care services and for those receiving in home care assistance.
Another food to make sure you’re including in your diet is fava beans. Why fava beans? Because they provide you with levodopa, which is commonly used in Parkinson’s medication.
Finally, to tamp down any secondary symptoms of the disease, such as dementia and confusion, remember to include your Omega-3’s. You can find Omega-3’s in most seafood, along with soybeans, flax seed and kidney beans.
Managing the Symptoms of Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects the brain’s neurons. There are many signs of Parkinson’s, including tremors or shaking, trouble moving and loss of one’s sense of smell. The disease may also contribute to the development of dementia, which can then bring on the need for in home care or other aged care services support.
Fasting, ketogenic diets and other approaches often recommended by in home care services and other aged care agencies may help reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s and other brain diseases, in much of the same way that exercise helps. A promising study led by Dr. Mark Mattson of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the U.S. reveals how intermittent fasting — controlling caloric intake a couple of times per week — pushes our brain to perform in healthier ways.
Dietary Strategies for Fending off Parkinson’s.
You’ve probably heard that fasting can cleanse your body and improve your health. But did you know that it might help people, regardless of whether they are ageing in place, to manage the symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s?
Fasting helps turn fat into ketone bodies — encouraging a healthy transformation in the structure of synapses that are critical for learning and memory, as well as overall brain health in everyone, not just those ageing in place.
Mattson suggests two ways to try out a calorie-restricted diet. First, there’s the 5:2 diet. On two non-consecutive days each week you consume a total of 500 calories each day. On the other five days, just stick with a normal diet. This is usually around 2,000 calories for women or 2,500 for men. For those who are ageing in place or receiving aged care, less calories may be more appropriate.
The second option is to experiment with a time-restricted diet, where you condense eating into a single eight-hour period every day. This gives your body the remaining 16 hours to begin burning fat and creating ketones.
Dr. Mattson recommends beginning slowly. Start with moderate fasting one day per week. Once your body gets used to it, add a second day. Symptoms such as headaches, light-headedness, and grouchiness are common in the beginning but typically pass.
A Fast Look at the Rewards of Fasting
The results from a six-month study of the 5:2 diet, conducted by Mattson and other researchers, demonstrated improvements in well-being for those with Parkinson’s. Dr. Mattson explains that a brain challenged by physical exertion, cognitive tasks or caloric restriction causes the body to produce a protein called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF improves neural connections, helps create new neurons, and can even be anti-depressive.
As Dr. Mattson explains it, “Fasting is a challenge to your brain, and we think that your brain reacts by activating adaptive stress responses that help it cope with disease. From an evolutionary perspective, it makes sense your brain should be functioning well when you haven’t been able to obtain food for a while.”
The Keto Diet’s Connection to Parkinson’s
Researchers are also exploring the relationship between so-called ketogenic diets and Parkinson’s disease. Simply put, a Keto Diet emphasizes fat, along with a moderate amount of protein, with very few carbohydrates. The diet makes us burn fats instead of carbs.
One clinical study of Parkinson’s patients put low-fat, high-carb diets head-to-head with a high-fat, low carb ketogenic approach. Participants in the study were given shopping lists, menus, recipes, and forms to keep track of blood glucose and ketone levels. Both groups showed improvement in both motor and non-motor symptoms. However, the ketogenic diet group scored better in symptoms like urinary issues, fatigue, pain, sleepiness, and cognitive abilities. It is thought that keeping the body in ketosis might promote beneficial chemical reactions. Many researchers believe ketogenic diets are safe for Parkinson’s patients for up to two months.
Treating Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a major challenge to one’s well-being and quality of life — physically, mentally, and emotionally. The good news? Parkinson’s is treatable! Fortunately, there are many strategies you can use to manage symptoms, promote brain health, and live comfortable with Parkinson’s.
The new diet modification regimes being explored by Dr. Mattson and others are a few of many strategies aimed at minimising symptoms and maximising quality of life for people coping with Parkinson’s, whether ageing in place, in aged care services or of working age. Diet and nutrition play a key role in achieving both. Recent tactics including fasting and ketogenic diets are significant additions to a growing Parkinson’s treatment toolbox.
Receiving physical therapy, improving sleep, enjoying fresh air, and finding the right type of exercise are all ways to improve a Parkinson’s patient’s quality of life. Additionally, the benefits of the emotional support provided by family, friends and Care Workers engaged through in home care or aged care services cannot be overstated.
To learn about different strategies that helps improve the quality of life for someone you know ageing in place with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, our editor also recommends you read:
Keto-friendly Omelette with Green Vegetables Recipe
Do not fear the fat. Good quality fats are key to a healthy diet! This is a delicious omelette filled with nutrient-rich fats from egg yolks, avocados, and pesto. Fat provides a feeling of satiety, is instrumental to the brain and nervous system and can reduce inflammation.
In addition to fat, getting a serving of high-quality protein with most meals is important. Look for eggs that have dark yellow yolks. This means that there is an abundance of choline, omega 3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, selenium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and other trace minerals.
Asparagus, zucchini, and spinach contain both fibre and flavour.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Serves 4 people.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil (divided)
4 stalks asparagus (thinly sliced ¼ thin on the bias)
1 small zucchini (cut in quarters lengthwise and thinly sliced ¼”)
2 cups spinach
6 large eggs
Sea salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp pesto
¼ cup cheese (shredded)
1 medium avocado (diced)
1 tbsp thinly sliced spring onion or chives
Method
- In a medium frypan, add one tsp of oil over high heat. Add the asparagus and zucchini and cook for two minutes.
- Add the spinach and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook one more minute, or until the spinach is wilted. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside.
- In a small frypan with a lid, heat one tsp of oil over medium heat.
- Crack three of the eggs into a glass measuring cup or bowl and whisk together. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Pour the eggs into the heated pan, swirling the pan to coat the bottom. Cover with a lid and cook until the eggs are relatively firm (about 2 minutes).
- Remove the lid and spoon ½ of the pesto in a thick line on the bottom half. Sprinkle ½ of the cheese and ½ of the vegetable mixture and ½ of the cubed avocado onto the omelette. Place the lid back onto the pan and cook for 30 more seconds. Remove the lid and fold the omelette in half. Serve immediately.
- Repeat this process with the remaining ingredients.
Resources
https://www.parkinsons.org.au/
Everything You Should Know About Oxidative Stress
Are There Any Proven Benefits to Fasting?
Low-fat versus ketogenic diet in Parkinson’s disease: A pilot randomized controlled trial.
