What should I eat, are there specific diets or nutritional supplements I should be taking to manage Parkinson’s? These are frequent questions and consideration and the answer is simple, try to eat a well-balanced meal there is not a particular diet. Look for the nutritional value of foods for a healthy body so you possess the vitality necessary to perform your everyday activities efficiently. Would recommend speaking with your physician and a dietitian concerning the nutritional value of foods and what you must include in your diet.

Any time you prepare your grocery list attempt to incorporate foods from each category making sure to include vegetables which are rich in fiber as legumes (beans), bran, pastas, brown rice, whole grain products and fresh fruits. Minimize purchasing foods which are rich in saturated fats, high in cholesterol or sugar; however this is just consuming from a quality diet.  Now this is the toughest factor for my clients to understand which is you have to drink water, when I say consume water I mean drink 8 eight oz. glasses of water per day. Restrict the consumption of alcoholic beverages especially in the evening hours, alcohol consumption can inhibit sleep as well as provides virtually no caloric value, a lot of calories and no food value.

One of the difficulties my clients complaint about is constipation which is very prevalent with Parkinson’s disease. If you are consuming from a healthy and balanced diet from all the food categories which ought to incorporate fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains and cereal products as well as drinking water this shouldn’t be a problem. If it is then see your physician or as well as speak with a dietitian.

Additionally low blood pressure might be a symptom of Parkinson’s or a consequence associated with a side effect from medications. Increasing fluid and sodium (salt) consumption will aid raising the blood pressure but speak with your physician. Include cold fluids as water, sports drinks like Gatorade, PowerAde etc. as well as V8 to your diet limiting beverages with caffeine and alcoholic beverages which can contribute to dehydration plus low blood pressure.

When to eat in relationship to taking medications is significance because the most common mediation for Parkinson’s disease is levodopa which is a structure block for protein. Protein in the body is broken down into amino acid in the body and the amino acid moves to the brain passing through the blood brain barrier. Natural protein which becomes amino acid will be absorbed first when it competes with the medication for Parkinson’s which in turn will cause a diminishment of its potency as it is passed out of the body. Simply take your medications 30 minutes prior to eating or an hour after a meal this allows the small intestines to absorb medications. If necessary adjust the diet to be more carbohydrates during the day and your daily requirement of proteins at evening. When taking any mediation on an empty stomach may cause nausea or an upset stomach. If this is the situation try eating saltines, toast or biscuit with the medication, this should resolve the problem. If you taking an iron dietary supplements it could additionally affect the absorption of levodopa and should be consumed with a two hour separation from taken the Parkinson’s medication.

I have had clients who have had the unpleasant experience of muscle cramping during the night as the medication loses its potency. Here are some suggestions that may work, my client drank an Alka Seltzer with tonic water that contains quinine, and you may try yellow mustard or the spice turmeric. Some of my other clients have used salt, vinegar or pickle juice. Maintaining adequate hydration may prevent or limit cramping as well.

But the key is a healthy diet, no processes foods, fast foods or a diet high in fats. Simple.