Parkinsons Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease, which means it affects the nervous system. The underlying cause is unknown, but symptoms appear when there is a lack of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that assists in carrying messages from one nerve cell to another. This disconnect is responsible for symptoms associated with Parkinson's, such as hand tremors, muscular stiffness, a tendency to tire more easily etc. Due to the degenerative nature of the disease, symptoms come on gradually and worsen over time. After diagnosis, one can live with Parkinson’s for years; however there is no known cure. Diet and nutrition have become emerging factors in managing Parkinson’s, and recent studies have proven the ability of nutrition to reduce the risk of the disease. In contrast, it is also important to avoid diets that could assist in neurodegeneration and progression of PD.
Helpful Parkinsons Disease Tips
Foods to Eat in Abundance
Raw fruits and vegetables
Phenylalanine-rich foods
e.g. almonds, brazil nuts, fish, pecans, pumpkin seeds, lentils
High fibre foods
e.g. vegetables, fruits, legumes
Omega-3 rich foods
e.g. grass-fed beef, fish, seafood
High-quality fats
e.g. avocado, coconut oil, ghee, seeds, olive oil
Foods to Limit
Refined sugar
e.g. white sugar, corn syrup, fructose
Poor quality fats
e.g. margarine, fried foods, canola oil, sunflower oil
Convenience foods
e.g. shelf-stable, boxed, instant and ultra processed foods
Processed meat
e.g. sandwich meat, cured meat, smoked meat
Gluten
Cook Time
5m
6h
Related Parkinsons Disease Articles
