World Parkinson’s Disease Day on 11th April: Food dos and don’ts for the condition
Affecting dopamine producing nerve cells in the brain, Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder. Dopamine is known as a chemical messenger and therefore, its decreased levels in the brain can cause abnormality in your motor movements. Though there is no known cause of this condition, scientists believe genes and environmental toxins play a role in its occurrence. Parkinson’s disease usually affects one side of the body and its symptoms may go unnoticed during early days of disease. This condition is characterized by signs including tremour in hands and feet, slowed movement, rigid muscles, impaired postures and balance, change in speech, loss of voluntary movement, and difficulty in using your hands for daily functions. There are various factors including old age, heredity, sex (male), and toxins that can increase your risk of getting this condition. If you fall in the high-risk group of Parkinson’s disease, or are already suffering from the condition, you need to follow some food rules. As the World Parkinson's Disease Day approaches, you tell you what to eat and what not to in order to reduce your risk of the condition and manage its symptoms.
Opt for antioxidants-rich foods: Foods like walnuts, blueberries, cranberries, tomatoes, and spinach are jam-packed with antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress known for aggravating Parkinson’s disease.
Go for fava beans: Containing an ingredient known as levodopa (found in medicines used for treating Parkinson’s disease), fava beans can potentially help reduce its symptoms.
Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids: Foods including salmon, soybeans, flax-seeds, and kidney beans are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are known to improve cognitive function.
Avoid dairy products: Dairy products including milk, cheese, and yogurt can affect your brain’s oxidation levels and can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s.
Don’t opt foods rich in in saturated fat: Foods like butter, pork, cheese, fatty beef, whipped cream, dried coconut, and whole milk can increase your risk of getting this condition.
Add turmeric in your food: Parkinson’s can cause constipation problem in some patients that can be treated by seasoning food with turmeric.
Add magnesium rich foods in your diet: One of the problems associated with Parkinson’s is muscle cramp, from which you can get relief by adding green leafy vegetables, avocados, banana, broccoli, and salmon in your diet.
Have caffeine rich drinks: According to a study published in the journal Movement Disorders, caffeine may slow down the development of Parkinson’s.
Opt for antioxidants-rich foods: Foods like walnuts, blueberries, cranberries, tomatoes, and spinach are jam-packed with antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress known for aggravating Parkinson’s disease.
Go for fava beans: Containing an ingredient known as levodopa (found in medicines used for treating Parkinson’s disease), fava beans can potentially help reduce its symptoms.
Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids: Foods including salmon, soybeans, flax-seeds, and kidney beans are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are known to improve cognitive function.
Avoid dairy products: Dairy products including milk, cheese, and yogurt can affect your brain’s oxidation levels and can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s.
Don’t opt foods rich in in saturated fat: Foods like butter, pork, cheese, fatty beef, whipped cream, dried coconut, and whole milk can increase your risk of getting this condition.
Add turmeric in your food: Parkinson’s can cause constipation problem in some patients that can be treated by seasoning food with turmeric.
Add magnesium rich foods in your diet: One of the problems associated with Parkinson’s is muscle cramp, from which you can get relief by adding green leafy vegetables, avocados, banana, broccoli, and salmon in your diet.
Have caffeine rich drinks: According to a study published in the journal Movement Disorders, caffeine may slow down the development of Parkinson’s.