Understanding Nutrition in Parkinson’s Disease
It does not matter if you have Parkinson’s or not having a balanced diet is not easy. However, if you have Parkinson’s then you have to account for certain nutritional issues as well.
Each PD patient is different. So the nutritional considerations must be tailored to the individual. You must account for differences in gender, age, and other diseases. One other thing that can have an impact on things is other medications the patient may be taking. With that being said there are some very basic things that patients with PD can do to maximize their diet.
One of the most common treatments for Parkinson’s Disease is synthetic dopamine. There are a number of different products with different delivery methods available. If you are on one of these treatments then you need to know that the foods you eat can affect this medication.
This synthetic dopamine is a pill you take. This treatment must be broken down in order for it to get into the bloodstream. After it is in the blood it can finally make its way into the brain where it helps regulate movement. If you eat a high fat meal it can delay the amount of time it takes to break down both the food and the synthetic dopamine product.
The effect can also be seen if you take the treatment with foods that contain a lot of protein. Your body breaks these proteins into amino acids. These amino acids get into the bloodstream and go into the same areas of the brain that the medication goes. This can block the desired effect of the treatment. This phenomenon is especially important if the patient experiences many motor fluctuations.
In order to get optimal efficacy from synthetic dopamine many doctors now recommend that their patients take these products on an empty stomach. You should wait at least 30 to 60 minutes before you eat something. However, some patient report that they get nausea when they do this. If this occurs then you can try eating some crackers or bread. The key is that these foods are low in protein and shouldn’t interfere with the treatment. Additionally some people get relief from nausea by drinking ginger tea. If these tips don’t work try a dietitian that has experience with Parkinson’s Disease.
Parkinson’s Disease has a tendency to cause patients to lose weight over time. Sometimes patient get nausea from their medications which can effectively reduce their appetite. That is why PD patients need to make sure that they are being careful to manage their weight. If the patient is overweight then if is recommended that they get to a normal weight in order to maximize their ability to continue to move. However, the weight should not be lost too quickly. Slow and steady weight loss is best.
Parkinson’s Disease can also affect a patient’s sense of smell. This can cause the patient to lose his or her appetite. Some of the medications can reduce the appetite. If a PD patient is losing their appetite then they should not try to eat big meals. It is better to eat many small meals throughout the day.
Patients suffering from Parkinson’s can also benefit from fitness. They don\’t need to comprehend how to get 6 pack abs but basic walking can help. For extra info you can read additional fitness related guest post.
Patients suffering from Parkinson’s can also benefit from fitness. They don\’t need to do an extreme workout but basic walking can help. For extra info visit: http://get-a-6-pack.com
Author Bio: Patients suffering from Parkinson’s can also benefit from fitness. They don\’t need to comprehend how to get 6 pack abs but basic walking can help. For extra info you can read additional fitness related guest post.
Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: parkinson\\\’s disease, nutrition