Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Protein and Parkinson’s Diseas

Recent medical studies have proven that enjoying a diet which happens to be better in proteins is definitely an excellent section of remedy for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Anumantha Kanthasamy, professor of biomedical sciences at the ISU school of Veterinary Medicine, has been working on this concept regarding the disease, and believes that proteins could perhaps be considered a section of the cure.

The research that Kanthasamy has completed shows that there may be a definite insufficient dopamine, a chemical in the brain, in Parkinson’s patients. This research also shows that there may be a specific proteins (protein kinase-C) that kills the mind tissues that generate dopamine. it could perhaps be proposed that patients be on the low-protein diet. They nonetheless will need proteins in purchase to survive, however they need to make particular which they are following a doctor-recommended diet and enjoying the suitable proteins.

Getting the proteins You will need from Your Diet

There undoubtedly are a choice of methods that Parkinson’s patients can obtain the proteins which they will need in their diets with no obtaining too much. you can get a huge amount of delectable dietary sources, too as a choice of proteins supplements, this kind of as fluid and powdered supplements.

Protein in Meat, Poultry and bass – Lean red-colored meat, white meat poultry and bass are all excellent resources of protein, too as a choice of other vitamins and vitamins and minerals that are necessary regarding renal care. In fact, these foods undoubtedly are a handful of of the richest resources of proteins that you may be in a position to find.

Turkey requires 28 grams of proteins per hundred gram serving, and lean beef requires twenty five grams of protein. A delectable cod fillet has 22 grams of proteins per hundred gram serving, and good old tuna in essential oil requires 26 grams of protein.

Proteins from Nuts and Seeds – this could be still another terrific way for vegetarians with renal troubles to obtain the proteins which they will need in their diets. Nuts are filled with protein, and as lengthy when you are not allergic to nuts, they ought to be included into your renal attention diet. Some tasty, protein-rich nuts are cashews, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds and sunflower seeds. Also, hemp seed is a superb way to obtain proteins and it is also total of antioxidants, vitamins too as other nutrients.

Proteins from Grains – you can get a huge amount of delectable foods that you may be in a position to make from grains that are better in protein, and these foods could perhaps be vegetarian or with meat included. just between the extra desired grains which happens to be quite protein-rich is brown rice, which goes superb with a huge amount of several meats too as other foods. Barley is also a high-protein grain that ought to be considered a section of the renal attention diet, and when additional to home made chicken soup, the number proteins that you receive is within most conditions as a great offer as doubled.

Protein products – Parkinson’s patients who are not obtaining sufficient proteins from dietary resources can use any number of the terrific proteins products that are available. you can get fluid products that could work as food replacements and powdered products that could perhaps be included into shakes too as other recipes. only one desired proteins supplementation is Profect, by Protica. This supplementation provides twenty five grams of proteins and has only one hundred calories from fat per 2.9 fluid ounce serving.

Parkinson’s and Protein: A condition Study

Sam was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a number of years ago. So far, his medications have kept his signs or symptoms pretty at bay, but he’s concerned. he’s unbelievably fascinated with watching any and all developments regarding the research because of this disease. He also enjoys reading about Michael J. Fox as he deals while using disease himself. Sam performs with his medical doctor and nutritionist for just about any food program that keeps him as wholesome as achievable and also keeps his medications working properly. For instance, he has realized to time his largest proteins foods for right after his medications are employed to make sure which they in most conditions do not interfere owning only one another.

In inclusion to good nourishment which happens to be properly timed, Sam is being encouraged to obtain actual exercise and make an effort to continue to be as active as possible. He has also joined a support special event to make sure that he can continue to be good and focused.

Another point that he’s title to be executing is adding Profect, a proteins supplementation from Protica, into his diet, each as a between-meal snack and occasionally just just before a meal. it could perhaps be easy-to-consume and arrives within a choice of flavors to make sure that he can move them near to as he needs. The benefit of Protica could perhaps be the ability to mix it with other foods or beverages if only one is wishing for to.

Sam will keep monitor of his wellness and keep monitor of for signs or symptoms that his signs or symptoms are returning or progressing. He will go regarding the medical doctor at regular intervals to make sure that he can keep his strength and his wellness at the degree that it could perhaps be at this point. He discusses tips and wellness hints with his support special event and waits hopefully for just about any treatment and even a better remedy plan.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Parkinson's Disease Nutritional Supplements

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disease that affects nearly 1 million people in the U.S., according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. People affected by the disease may experience stiffness in the limbs, tremor, difficulty moving and impaired balance and coordination. Parkinson's disease occurs when cells that produce the a neurotransmitter called dopamine, start to die. As a result, dopamine levels in the brain fall, which in turn leads to movement and coordination problems. There is no cure for Parkinson's disease but it can be managed with medication. Nutritional supplements may also play a role in Parkinson's disease management; however research findings are somewhat inconclusive. Always check with your doctor before taking supplements.

Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that plays an important role in energy production. It occurs naturally in every cell of the body. It plays a particularly important for the mitochondrial bodies found in every cell as mitochondria are responsible for converting food into energy. According to the charity, Parkinson's UK, people with Parkinson's disease have less coenzyme Q10 in their cells than people who don't have the condition. They also have impaired mitochondrial function, which leads to an increase in free radicals, which cause cell damage. Since coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant, it can neutralize free-radical damage. Coenzyme Q10 is found in small quantities in some foods, though Parkinson's UK notes that taking a coenzyme Q10 supplement is a more effective way of obtaining the antioxidant.

Creatine
Creatine is an antioxidant that improves mitochondrial function and helps protect brain cells from free-radical damage. Creatine has been shown to prevent the loss dopamine-producing brain cells in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. The benefit to humans has not been conclusively proved. In 2007, scientists at Rush University Medical Center initiated a clinical trial to determine whether taking a creatine supplement can slow disease progression, reports Medical News Today. According to Rush University Medical Center, the study is expected to last for at least five years to accurately determine creatine's effect on disease progression.

Vitamins
According to Medical News Today, a study published in "The Lancet Neurology" in 2005, vitamin E may reduce the risk the of developing Parkinson's disease. Lead author, Dr. Mayhar Etminan from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Quebec, says that the benefits noted during the study were confined to vitamin E obtained through the diet. Dr. Etminan said that no definitive conclusions could be made as to whether vitamin E supplements would have the same benefit. Earlier research, published in 1991 in the "Annals of Neurology," found that administering a high dose of vitamins E and C to patients with Parkinson's delayed disease progression.

by Charlotte Waterworth

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Parkinson's Disease Genetic Link That Implicates the Immune System

Hunt throughout the human genome for variants associated with common, late-onset Parkinson's disease has revealed a new genetic link that implicates the immune system.

The long-term study involved a global consortium, including Johns Hopkins researchers from the Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR) who performed genome-wide association studies on more than 4,000 DNA samples — half from unrelated patients with Parkinson's and half from healthy "controls." The team confirmed that a gene in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region was strongly linked with Parkinson's disease; this region contains a large number of genes related to immune system function.

The new data bolsters previous studies that hinted about a role for infections, inflammation and autoimmunity in Parkinson's disease. This genetic finding demonstrates that inflammation isn't simply a result of having Parkinson's disease, but somehow is involved as a player in its origin.

"This is an exciting finding from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) which is completely hypothesis-independent and bias-free, based solely on looking at the whole genome and finding out what genes might be related to Parkinson's," says Kimberly Doheny.

It was long believed that common, late-onset Parkinson's had no genetic components — that environmental factors were the exclusive cause. Since genes were first implicated almost two decades ago, Parkinson's has proven itself a "tough nut to crack," Doheny says, adding that a handful of GWAS done prior to this one revealed nothing new other than to confirm genes that previously had been found to confer risk.

Setting this GWAS study apart, Doheny says, was the investigators' meticulous choosing of patients and care of the DNA samples tested. The study's principal investigator Haydeh Payami describes CIDR's contribution as "huge."

It took 18 years to build the study, according to Payami, at whose insistence the collection of DNA and clinical information was standardized using the most rigorous research criteria. Patients from whom samples were taken were tracked for at least a dozen years after their initial diagnoses to assure that they indeed had Parkinson's, Payami adds, explaining that about 20 percent of Parkinson's disease patients' diagnoses are actually misdiagnoses.

A neurodegenerative disease affecting between 1 and 2 percent of people over the age of 65, Parkinson's disease can be difficult to diagnose as no definitive test exists. Its symptoms, which include tremors, sluggish movement, muscle stiffness and difficulty with balance, can be caused by many other things, including other neurological disorders, toxins and even medications.

The GWAS itself took about four months, Doheny says, and cost about $400 per sample tested; whole-genome sequencing costs about $10,000 per sample.

Since 1996, CIDR has provided high-quality genotyping services and statistical genetics consultation to gene hunters: researchers who are working to discover genes that contribute to common diseases by ferreting out variants in the genome. Its role in the Parkinson's study was to assure that the genotyping dataset was of high quality, that data cleaning was done appropriately and that association analysis was stringent.

"We now have another window into what may be going on in Parkinson's," Payami says. "This finding anchors the idea of immune system involvem

Sunday, September 5, 2010

What Is the Best Diet for Parkinson's Disease?

The best diet for Parkinson's disease is similar to the best diet for most people, which includes eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, preferring fish and dairy protein to meat, and eating whole grain foods. No specific diet has consistently been recommended for those with Parkinson's disease. That said, people with Parkinson's disease may benefit from some dietary changes.

Parkinson's disease is caused by increasing damage to the brains cells that produce dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that is necessary for making smooth, controlled movements, among other things. The decrease in dopamine results the most familiar symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including tremors and a shuffling gait. The dopamine deficit at the root of Parkinson's disease cannot be treated by diet alone. Eating healthy foods, though, along with beneficial fats from nuts and legumes, will supply adequate nutrition.

The risk of developing Parkinson's disease has been linked to insufficient vitamin D intake. Raising vitamin D intake in a diet for Parkinson's disease probably won't have a therapeutic effect, but it may make bones healthier. People with Parkinson's disease seem to be at more risk for osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become weaker and more prone to breaking. Vitamin D can be obtained in supplements containing 400-1,000 international units (IUs) of this vitamin. Good food sources of Vitamin D include milk and fatty fish like salmon and sardines.

People with Parkinson's are often prescribed l-dopa, a prescription drug that can raise dopamine levels in the brain. One strategy in a diet for Parkinson's disease includes eating very little protein at breakfast and lunch, and getting most dietary protein at dinner. This strategy seems to increase the effectiveness of the l-dopa drug. As with other broad dietary changes, this should be done in consultation with a qualified dietitian to ensure the diet provides enough protein as well as overall nutrition.

Those with Parkinson's disease can become constipated more easily than the general population. Drinking plenty of water and eating more fiber are good strategies for a diet for Parkinson's disease, especially one aimed at relieving constipation. Fiber intake can be raised by eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, or by taking a fiber supplement.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Parkinson's Disease & Good Nutrition

While there is no special diet required for Parkinson's disease, eating well is extremely beneficial. A well balanced diet makes the body work more efficiently as well as helps medications for Parkinson's work properly. What follows are basic guides to eating well and managing symptoms of Parkinson's. To ensure your body and Parkinson's disease medications function properly, speak to your doctor and/or registered dietitian for an in depth, tailored nutrition plan.
Good Nutrition Practices for Managing Parkinson's Disease

* Eat high fiber foods. Vegetables, wholegrain foods, nuts, seeds, fava beans, and fruit will manage constipation problems as well as manage weight, and control blood sugar levels.
* Consume broad beans. Broad beans, or fava beans, contain Ldopa, which is used as a drug for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and may help in maximizing the effects of Parkinson's disease medications.
* Eat foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated fats.
* Drink at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water daily.
* Reduce and moderate the intake of sodium.
* Eat foods rich in antioxidants such as berries, prunes, barley, oregano, and kale.
* Daily intake of 10001500 mg of calcium can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
* Ingest easy to swallow foods such as well cooked vegetables, soup, yogurt, pureed fruit, rice, and casseroles.
* Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these substances can aggravate constipation.
* Avoid high protein foods. Certain meats and other high protein foods may hinder the body's ability to absorb levodopa (a synthetic substance used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease).
* Eat meals at the same time every day.

Too Tired to Eat Tips

Parkinson's disease along with certain medication side effects may cause you to feel to worn down to eat at all, let alone eat nutritionally. Follow the suggestions below when you find yourself too tired to eat.

* Plan periods of rest before meals to restore your energy.
* Ask family, friends, or caregivers to prepare meals so you can save your strength for eating.
* Assistance with Speech
* Choose foods that are easy to prepare.
* Participate in your local Meals on Wheels Program.
* Snack on healthy foods throughout the day such as fresh fruit, vegetables, crackers, and cereals.
* Store extra meal portions in the freezer and defrost them when you are feeling too tired to prepare a meal.
* Eat larger portions early in the day so you have lasting energy into the evening.

Parkinson's Disease and Controlling Nausea

The following suggestions can help relieve nausea. If these techniques do not help you control nausea associated to Parkinson’s disease, consult your doctor.

* Drink liquids between meals rather than during meals. Drink slowly.
* Drink ice cold sugary or clear liquids. Sugary drinks may relieve an upset stomach.
* Avoid acidic juices such as grapefruit and orange juices as they may worsen nausea.
* Avoid greasy or sweet foods.
* Eat light, bland foods especially when your stomach is uneasy.
* Eat slowly, chewing food completely.
* Do not mix hot food with cold food.
* To avoid getting nauseated from the smell of hot foods, eat foods that are cold or at room temperature.
* Eat small meals frequently throughout the day.
* Avoid heavy activities after eating as such movement may trigger or worsen nausea.
* Rest after eating, keeping your head elevated.
* Try to eat food even when you feel nauseated.
* Keep light, bland snacks next to your bed in case you wake up feeling nauseated.

Parkinson's Medications & Meals

Treatment of Parkinson's disease includes taking medications that restore the brain chemical dopamine. While taking drugs are necessary to improve Parkinson's symptoms, they also may cause side effects, react to certain foods, or not be absorbed adequately into the body through the stomach. The following suggestions may reduce side effects and help the body absorb the medication so it can work properly.

* Take medication 1520 minutes before meals to assure more predictable absorption.
* Divide medication into smaller portions so that the pills are easier to digest.
* Taking medication with food may reduce nausea. But it consider that different food causes the stomach to empty at different rates, which means that the time taken for the medication to absorb into the gut may vary. While you're waiting for your medication to absorb completely, you may experience Parkinson's symptoms.
* Avoid high protein foods as they interfere with certain levodopa absorption such as found with Sinemet and Madopar.
* If you are going to eat foods with a lot of protein, plan to eat the meal late in the day when a slow response to medication is not as important as it is during other times.
* Take medication with 58 oz. of water to help the body absorb the medication faster.

Relief from Thirst/Dry Mouth

Common Parkinson's disease medications may cause thirst and dry mouth. To relieve these side effects follow the suggestions below:

* Suck on candy or popsicles to help increase saliva and moisten your mouth.
* Drink plenty of water (at least eight 8 oz. glasses). If you have heart problems and must limit your fluids, consult your doctor for the proper amount of water per day.
* Eat something cold and sour such as sherbet or lemon ice before a meal to help prevent dry mouth.
* Sip a drink while you eat to moisten food and help the mouth swallow food.
* Add sauces to your meals to soften food. Gravy, broth, yogurt, or salsa can be added to many recipes and will enhance the flavor of foods.
* Drink smoothies, purees, thickened juices, or blended soups.
* Talk to your doctor about any food specific issues related to your medications. For example, meals high in protein may interfere with the absorption of levodopa. So if you use levodopa, you may need to adjust the amount of protein in your diet.
* Cut back on diuretics, especially caffeine and alcohol which can leave your mouth dry.
* Don't use mouthwash that contains alcohol. Instead, reach into your spice rack for alternatives to mouthwash and remedies for bad breath. Fennel, rosemary, mint, and aniseed can be combined with water to create a refreshing mouthwash.
* Resent studies suggest that chewing gum not only increases mouth secretion, but also improves swallowing frequency and latency. Try chewing gum before a meal to stimulate secretion glands.
* Ask your doctor to recommend an artificial saliva product.

Overcoming Swallowing Problems Caused by Parkinson's

Parkinson's disease can cause someone to lose control of their throat and mouth muscles, making chewing and swallowing very difficult. People with Parkinson's disease are at risk of aspiration and pneumonia because of swallowing problems. There are dietary changes that can be made and swallowing techniques that can be practiced to ease swallowing problems. Contact your doctor if you are having problems swallowing. Your doctor will recommend a speech pathologist to examine your swallowing abilities and evaluate your aspiration risk. In the meantime here are some tips to make swallowing easier.

* Eat slowly.
* Suck on popsicles, ice chips.
* Avoid foods that stick to the inside of the mouth such as tomato skins, flaky biscuits, bran flakes, and dry mashed potatoes.
* Avoid crumbly, stringy, and dry foods.
* Softened foods such as yogurt, jelly, custard, sauces, and soups are easier to swallow. Try these individually or mix some into dry foods to make eating easier.
* Eat small portions frequently throughout the day. Do not place more than ½ teaspoon of food in your mouth at once. Try eating the portions while sipping a drink to keep the food and your mouth moist.
* Chewing gum will exercise the jaw muscles while also improving swallowing abilities.
* Position your body so chewing and swallowing is more convenient. Sit upright, tilting your head forward slightly, and remain in this position for 15 minutes after eating.
* Try to keep conversation to a minimum.
* Focus on the task at hand. Often awareness of the process of eating and drinking can assist the muscles in clearing the mouth and throat. Concentrate on swallowing frequently.
* Try to eat one texture at a time. Liquid with solids in it is often more difficult to swallow.
* Enjoy your food. Relax and focus your attention on enjoying the aromas and flavors of your food.
* Swallow two or three times per bite or sip.
* When food or liquid gets caught in your throat, clear your throat or cough gently then swallow again before taking another breath. Repeat if necessary.

Any body will benefit from eating a well balance, nutritious diet. People living with Parkinson's disease are obviously no exception. But having Parkinson's means paying a little more attention to what it is you are eating to gain as much benefit as possible.

A healthy diet not only gives us more energy but helps our bodies to work more efficiently. This is vital for those living with Parkinson's disease. Making smart diet decisions may even slow onset progression.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Nutritional Treatments for Parkinson's Disease

First described in 1817 by Dr. James Parkinson, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a term used to describe specific loss of motor function. Over 50,000 new cases of Parkinson’s are diagnosed each year [Source: NINDS]. This disease is characterized by four specific symptoms: tremors, rigidity, slow movements, and a loss of coordination and balance. Walking often becomes very slow, and patients often experience tremors in the hands, arms or face while at rest. Patients are at a high risk of falling due to the loss of balance and coordination, and muscle stiffness. The disease typically progresses with further deterioration of motor skills though medication may slow these effects. Doctors are now studying nutritional therapies for prevention and treatment of afflicted patients.

Nutritional approaches for treating Parkinson’s should not rest solely on vitamins. The diet must include fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and water. Artificial preservatives and ingredients will serve no benefit to brain health. Clinically, patients have more success treating symptoms early in the course of the illness. Later stages of the disease usually require more aggressive dosing and more time for results. Prevention should remain a focus. Eliminating excess toxins from the workplace and home, sound sleep and a healthy diet are integral to a healthy brain and prevention of chronic conditions.

Another area of major concern for Parkinson’s disease, along with many other chronic diseases, is toxin damage. Even as a developing fetus, we are exposed to all kinds of toxic insults. These can be in the form of pesticides, heavy metals, cleaning chemicals and pollution. In the past 100 years, toxins from various sources have dramatically increased while the nutritional value of the food we eat has substantially decreased. This is a costly combination that many experts believe is leading to chronic diseases including Parkinson’s, dementia and autism [Source: Etminan].

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Parkinson's disease: diet and nutrition

Eating the right food is important for any person, but for people with Parkinson's (PD) it is essential to maintain the right dietary intake. Difficulty with swallowing and chewing, or manipulating a knife and fork, are not excuses for eating the wrong foods. With medication having to be taken before or after meals, it is important to eat regularly and well, as this will not only help in digestion, but will aid the absorption of medication.
Medication and meals


It is usual to take medication 15-20 minutes before meals to assure more predictable absorption, or take tablets divided in half (i.e. same amount but cut in two). Take levodopa 30 minutes before meals if response fluctuations are worsening.

People with PD are often advised to take levodopa with meals. By reducing levodopa absorption, food may reduce side effects such as nausea on first exposure to levodopa medication but when people start experiencing motor (or movement) fluctuations, other factors need to be considered.

Unpredictability is a major feature of severe motor fluctuations. Although people experience the fluctuations every day, the timing of dramatic changes in motor disability, and the amount of 'on' and 'off' time per day, vary even if the medication regime is constant. Research is now indicating the role that food plays in this unpredictability.

Different food causes the stomach to empty at different rates, which means that the time taken for levodopa to get from the stomach to the part of the gut where it is absorbed will vary as well.

Another factor leading to unpredictable motor fluctuations is that the effect of the medication on symptoms may not correspond to the amount of levodopa in the bloodstream. This is because of the competitive effect of amino acids (found in protein) which are also in the blood.

Protein competes with or interferes with Sinemet or Madopar absorption at 2 sites: during absorption at the part of the gut nearest to the stomach, and as it passes from the blood to the brain. If a meal high in protein is eaten at the same time as medication is taken, less levodopa will be absorbed into the intestine and less absorbed across the blood/brain barrier.

For people on Sinemet or Madopar noticing fluctuations in mobility, protein manipulation may be helpful. For example, reducing protein earlier in the day may help avoid the unpredictable motor fluctuations and may aid the response to the medication. Having the day's protein meal in the evening may also be useful, as slow response to medication may not be as important as at other times of the day.

It would be most unwise for any person with PD to put themselves on a low protein diet without consulting their doctor or dietician. Problems such as weight loss, poor immunity and other complications from lack of sustenance could result if the diet is too low in protein.
Weight loss


Weight loss is common in PD, in spite of increased caloric intake. A special programme must be worked out with each person to determine individual needs.
Causes of weight loss


* Tremor may use extra calories: energy is used while inactivity is increased.
* The desire for food may be reduced because of reduced sense of smell, nausea, depression and cognitive impairment.
* There may be changes in the brain thermostat for weight control, raising the metabolic rate.
* Damage to the hypothalamus can cause central appetite suppression.
* Tiredness and weakness in the arms can slow down speed of eating, making people give up before the meal is finished.
* Difficulty chewing and swallowing makes meal times tiring, as do poor-fitting dentures.

Types of food


High protein foods

* All meat — red and white, fish, sausages, preserved meats.
* Dairy products — milk, yoghurt, ice cream, cheese and egg whites.
* Legumes — kidney beans, lima beans, lentils, soya beans.
* Gelatin.
* Nuts of any kind, including peanut butter.

Some of these foods are essential in order to achieve a balanced diet. A very low protein diet is not balanced and can lead to deficiencies in zinc, iron and calcium, and other elements.

Foods low in protein

* Cereals — wheat biscuits, rice bubbles, corn flakes, semolina, rice, pasta, white bread (not enriched), tapioca, sago.
* Vegetables — green and yellow, cooked or raw, potatoes.
* Fruit — all fresh, tinned, stewed or dried.
* Soups — clear, vegetable, not creamed or containing lentils or peas.
* Spreads — honey, jam, Vegemite, marmalade, treacle.
* Sweets — boiled lollies, butterscotch, jelly beans, gum (very little nutritional value: included for interest and variety only).
* Fats — margarine, unsaturated oils, salad dressing, mayonnaise.
* Beverages — tea, coffee, soft drinks, cordial, soda water.

High fat foods (providing maximum calories)

* Oils, butter, margarine.
* Cream, sour cream, ice cream, mayonnaise, cheese.
* Peanut butter.
* Chocolate, Milo, Ovaltine, cocoa, drinking chocolate, full-cream milk.
* Eggs.
* Meats such as ham, luncheon meat and sausages.
* Biscuits, cakes and pastry.

High sugar foods

* Dried fruits.
* Chocolate.
* Honey, marmalade, jams.
* Fruit juice.
* Confectionery.
* Biscuits and cakes.

Energy supplements may be added to food without changing the taste.
Other dietary guidelines


Moderation and balance are the keys to any diet. Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day and remember that food that is difficult to swallow can be modified (e.g. moistened, minced or pureed). A qualified dietitian may need to be consulted.

* Eat a balance from all the food groups.
* Maintain calories at 25-30 calories per kilogram of body weight with additional calories if dyskinesias are present.
* Carbohydrate to protein proportion should be 4-5:1.
* Recommended daily protein allowance is 0.8 g/kg of body weight.
* Fibre and adequate fluids (6-8 glasses of water daily) are important in the control of constipation. Fibre is present in breads, vegetables, cereals, and fruit with the skin on.
* If calories are needed, they are best added in the form of complex carbohydrates and unsaturated fats; cholesterol consumption should kept lower than 300 mg daily.
* The benefits of multi-vitamins remain unclear. If a person is taking levodopa rather than Sinemet, only pyridoxine(B6)-free vitamins should be taken.
* Pay careful attention to daily calcium intake; 1000-1500 mg will help reduce the risk of broken bones from osteoporosis.
* Iron supplements may interfere with Sinemet absorption so should be taken separately.
* If appetite is poor, take smaller meals every 2-3 hours, perhaps with a little alcohol (if medically allowed).
* Broad beans contain dopamine; some people find they help in maximising the effects of medication.
* Depression and cognitive impairment may reduce appetite.
* The sense of smell may also be reduced; stronger flavours and aromatic foods can be used to make food more interesting.

Swallowing difficulties


Your speech pathologist can give specific individual advice about swallowing difficulties and food management.

It is important not to eat soft food all the time (unless that is all you can manage safely), as the muscles in the jaw need exercise too. While each individual will have different problems and therefore different solutions, the following suggestions may help.

* Food that is soft and moist, with a good flavour and smell, tends to be easier to swallow: custards, jelly, pureed fruit, sauces, spices and herbs.
* Avoid foods which are hard, dry, crumbly or stringy.
* Avoid mixed consistencies (e.g. solid plus liquid).
* Be careful with foods which stick to the roof of the mouth or get caught around the mouth: dry mashed potatoes, tomato with skin on, biscuits, bran flakes, hard-boiled eggs.
* Thicker fluids (e.g. nectars, milk shakes) may be easier to control and swallow than thin, clear liquids, as they move more slowly.
* Keep food presentation appetising: flavour, smell and appearance of food.
* Relax and enjoy your food. It is good to have a break between mouthfuls and take sips of water during the meal. This will not only help you relax but also allow you to clear your throat and mouth. You may need to swallow twice to clear each mouthful.
* Eat smaller portions more frequently, especially if time for meals is limited.

Possible problem foods


* Mixed textures, such as liquid with 'bits' in it (e.g. minestrone soup or watery mince).
* Flaky biscuits.
* Hard toast or nuts, chocolate, grains, seeds.
* Fresh white bread (try wholemeal bread; it is easier to swallow).

Foods that may be easier to swallow


* Boiled milk.
* Mousse, custard, yoghurt, ice cream.
* Souffle, omelette.
* Casseroles.
* Soup.
* Fruit juice, pureed fruit.
* Pancakes (with syrup etc.).
* Rice.
* Well-cooked vegetables.
* Banana.

If you are using more and more liquid meals, it is important to keep up your energy intake. Your dietitian may recommend appropriate supplements and guidelines. You can make liquid foods thicker by using instant pudding, yoghurt, gelatine or instant potato powder.
Hints to avoid nausea and gastric upset


* Take medication with small amounts of food (usually not protein).
* Eat only when you are hungry.
* Eat foods which you know you enjoy.
* Avoid fatty food.
* Avoid spicy foods or gassy drinks.
* Avoid too much caffeine or nicotine.

Summary


Probably the most important point to remember is that good nutrition is based upon a balanced diet including a variety of foods from the main food groups, in particular, plenty of fruit, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, some protein and fluids. For people with PD, this may also involve a rearrangement of protein-rich meals. Maintaining a balanced diet helps to ensure a minimum of weight loss and a healthy outlook on life.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Health benefits of coffee

Lately, the list of foods that are generally considered to be healthy seems to be shrinking. In the era of trans-fat avoidance and pre-packaged health food bars, it's comforting to find out that the morning joe we've been slugging back for years might actually have some benefit to our health.

Coffee contains antioxidants. Antioxidants are also found in many fruits and vegetables and they work to neutralize unstable molecules, also known as free radicals. Free radicals damage healthy cells and are thought to contribute to cancer, as well as suppressed immune funtion, and lethargy. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated varieties of coffee contain similar levels of antioxidants, so even those sensitive to caffeine can benefit from coffee consumption in this respect.

Like cancer, Parkinson's Disease is not well understood and its cause it still a mystery to scientists. However, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that those who do not drink coffee were three times more likely to develop the disease. While this prognosis was originally attributed to coffees caffeine content, studies were unable to replicate the results when other sources of caffeine were substituted. While the jury may still be out when it comes to why coffee starves off Parkinson's, the evidence appears convincing enough to warrant its consumption.

Of all of coffees benefits, some of the most substantial evidence centers around diabetes. Coffee, as well as decaf coffee, improves insulin sensitivity and works to prevent high blood sugar. This effect is so pronounced, that a 2004 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that those who drank four cups of coffee daily were 35 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Since type 2 diabetes is approaching pandemic proportions, this is especially good news for coffee drinkers.

It is a rare event when a scientist will put his reputation on the line by making matter of fact statements. But in 2003, Professor D'Amicis, the head of Italy's Nutrition Information Unit was recorded saying "signifigant data shows us how drinking coffee could provide a real benefit to our health." Professor D'Amicis research focused on coffee in its relation to liver and gall bladder health. D'Amicis' own research, confirmed by numerous follow up studies, showed that coffee consumption provides significant reduction in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis related liver disease. In addition, the research showed that men who drank at least four cups of coffee a day had a 30 to 40 percent reduction in gallstone disease.

While it sometimes seems that with every published study, we are forced to once again remove something from our diets and from our cupboards; in the case of coffee, it appears that science has allowed us the freedom to enjoy our brew with a guilt free conscience. So brew a pot of your favorite grind and drink up! Your body will thank you later.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Nutrition and Parkinson's Disease

by Sandra Frank, Ed.D., RD, LDN

There is no special diet for people with Parkinson's disease. The nutritional goals include:

* Eat well-balanced meals.
* Consume adequate calories to maintain body weight within a normal range.
* Minimize food and drug interactions.
* If chewing, choking or excessive coughing becomes a problem, provide food consistency easily tolerated.
* Feeding may become difficult and a referral to an occupational therapist may be necessary for adaptive eating utensils.


Eat Well-Balanced Meals
Eat a variety of foods. Include foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, bran, cereals, rice and pasta. Limit intake of salt, sugar and foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol. Drink eight cups of water per day. Balance exercise and food in order to maintain your weight within a healthy range. Ask your doctor if alcohol will interfere with any of your medications.


Medication and Food Interactions
Medication used to treat Parkinson's disease may cause nausea. Let your doctor know if nausea is a problem. There are several ways to control nausea, including:

* Drink clear liquids, such as water, broth, fruit juices without pulp (apple juice, grape juice or cranberry juice), Clear sodas, sports drinks and plain gelatin.
* Avoid juices with pulp and orange and grapefruit juices.
* Eat and drink slowly.
* Beverages should be consumed between meals, not with the meal.
* Choose bland foods such as saltine crackers. Avoid greasy and fried foods.
* Eat smaller meals, more frequently throughout the day.
* Foods should be eaten cold or at room temperature.
* After eating keep your head elevated and avoid brushing your teeth.


Some medications for Parkinson's disease may cause thirst or dry mouth. Include 8 or more cups of liquid each day, unless other medical conditions require you to limit your fluid intake. Add sauces to foods to make them moister. Try sour candy or an ice pop to help increase saliva.

Malnutrition may become a problem for a person diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This could be related to depression, nausea, difficulty feeding, problems with swallowing, chewing, coughing and/or a loss of interest in food.

Patients who experience swallowing difficulties should consult a physician. The doctor may recommend a swallow study to determine the food consistency best tolerated. If feeding becomes difficult, a referral to an occupational therapist may be necessary for adaptive eating utensils.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Vitamin B6 levels low in arthritis and Parkinson’s disease

by Newsletter Editor

Vitamin B6 levels are low in the general population and in arthritis and Parkinson’s disease, according to findings from three new studies.

In the first large study of vitamin B6 in the general population, researchers measured blood plasma levels of vitamin B6 in 7,822 males and females at least one year old. Nearly 25 percent of those who did not take supplements had low levels of vitamin B6, as did 11 percent of supplement users. Four groups were more likely than most to have low vitamin B6 levels, including women of childbearing age—especially those taking or who had taken oral contraceptives—male smokers, non-Hispanic African-American men and men and women over age 65. Three in four (75 percent) of women who had taken oral contraceptives and did not take vitamin B6 supplements had very low levels (deficiency) of B6. Investigators noted that the federal government uses the same blood plasma measure to set the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin B6 and that even those who said they consumed more than the RDA had low vitamin B6 levels.

In an arthritis study of women over age 55, including 18 women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 33 healthy women, researchers measured blood levels of vitamin B6, folate, fats and signs of inflammation. Participants weighed the food they ate for seven days and described their pain and ability to perform daily tasks. Compared to the healthy women, women with RA had lower levels of vitamin B6, folate and more inflammation. Because the women in both groups consumed the same amounts of nutrients, doctors theorized that those with RA do not absorb vitamin B6 as well as healthy people and may need to take supplements.

In a Parkinson’s disease (PD) study, researchers examined the diets of 5,289 healthy participants over age 55 and followed up for 10 years. Those who consumed at least 231 mcg of vitamin B6 per day were 54 percent less likely to develop PD than were those who consumed less than 185 mcg per day.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

An Ibuprofen A Day Could Keep Parkinson's Disease Away

New research shows people who regularly take ibuprofen may reduce their risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a study released that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto April 10 to April 17, 2010.

The research involved 136,474 people who did not have Parkinson's disease at the beginning of the research. Participants were asked about their use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen.After six years, 293 participants had developed Parkinson's disease.

The study found regular users of ibuprofen were 40 percent less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than people who didn't take ibuprofen.Also, people who took higher amounts of ibuprofen were less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than people who took smaller amounts of thedrug. The results were the same regardless of age, smoking and caffeine intake.

"Ibuprofen was the only NSAID linked to a lower risk of Parkinson's,"said Xiang Gao, MD, with Harvard School of Public Health in Boston."Other NSAIDs and analgesics, including aspirin and acetaminophen, did not appear to have any effect on lowering a person's risk of developing Parkinson's. More research is needed as to how and why ibuprofen appears to reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease, which affects up to one million people in the United States."

The study was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Source: American Academy of Neurology (AAN)

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Six once-forbidden foods that aren’t so bad for us

Care2 via Sarah Krupp, DivineCaroline

For years, nutrition advice could be summed up something like this: If you like eating or drinking (fill in the blank), it’s bad for you. Health experts blacklisted sugar, butter, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, and eggs.

The Grim Reaper, it seemed, doubled as tiramisu cake. So we abstained from these forbidden foods or flagellated ourselves while indulging in them. No longer!
Researchers have found that these foods are less sinful than we thought and, in some cases, can actually provide health benefits. Plus, eating real foods in moderation is better for you and the planet than eating processed imitations.
Find out what makes these “bad” foods not so bad after all.

1. Butter is (sometimes) better
We all know that butter isn’t good for us. But, according to the scientists at Harvard Health Publications, a little butter isn’t so bad and is actually better than stick margarines.

Margarine was thought to be heart-healthy because, unlike butter, it doesn’t contain cholesterol or saturated fat. But the common process to convert liquid oil into margarine by adding hydrogen atoms creates harmful trans fats that, like butter, increase bad cholesterol in the blood while decreasing the good kind.
The hydrogenation is essential to create the stick margarine, but many of the soft margarines in tubs are now made with fewer or no trans fats and some health experts recommend those over butter. As for the overall fat and calorie content, it’s a tie–neither will do your waistline any favors, so use them sparingly.

2. A good egg
Nutritional experts had long maligned eggs because they are high in cholesterol, but more recent research revealed that saturated fat -- not cholesterol -- poses the greatest risk. Plus, eggs provide protein, iron, and lutein, a nutrient that helps stem age-related eyesight decline. (Spinach and other leafy greens are also good sources of lutein.)

The American Dietetic Association considers eating eggs in moderation a healthy habit and suggests removing some of the egg yolks to reduce fat and cholesterol. For example, in a recipe that calls for two whole eggs, the association recommends substituting with two egg whites and one whole egg.

3. The case for coffee
Forgoing coffee was like a badge of honor in health nut circles, but not any longer. Recent studies have refuted caffeine’s link to heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure. In addition, health experts now tell us that filling up our mugs has health benefits.

According to the American Medical Association, regular coffee drinkers are less likely to have type II diabetes, and their caffeine habit may reduce the risk of developing colon cancer, liver disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers have also seen a reduced risk of dementia among people who drink three to five cups of coffee a day.

4. Sweet sin or simply sugar?
Cane sugar earned a bad rap, sparking a move to replace it with everything from honey to concentrated fruit juice. Studies show that the substitutes are no better than the real deal. Whatever the original source, consuming too many of these sweet simple carbohydrates can cause health problems like obesity, type II diabetes, and tooth decay. Yet, cane sugar can be part of a healthful diet in reasonable quantities.

The World Health Organization recommends limiting added sugar to 10 percent of daily calorie intake. And as for the new pariah, high fructose corn syrup, the nutrition gurus say that it’s probably no better or worse than all the rest. Although food marketers are taking advantage of the public’s negative perception of high fructose corn syrup, experts say that consumers shouldn’t be fooled by the new marketing techniques.

In terms of your health, it’s the calories that count.

5. A drink a day
For a long time, science was lockstep with Puritan thinking, shunning all alcohol. But within the last few years, there has been a growing body of evidence that alcohol in small amounts is associated with better health.
Experts believe that having a few drinks a week may reduce your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Studies indicate that red wine in particular has positive benefits. Rich in antioxidants, including resveratrol, red wine may help prevent clogged arteries.

Be warned, though, while it’s tempting to embrace the more-is-better philosophy, three plus drinks a day will up your risk of liver, mouth, breast, and throat cancer as well as memory loss. Experts recommend one beverage a day for women and two for men.

Not exactly a night on the town, but a glass of syrah with dinner. Not bad!

6. Dispelling the chocolate myth
For ages it seems, parents and health professionals said that chocolate makes us pimply, rots our teeth, and offers no health benefits. Au contraire. Chocolate is chock full of minerals and has some of the same antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables that ward off disease, particularly heart disease.
Unlike gummy and caramel candies, chocolate doesn’t stick to your teeth causing cavities. And don’t try to blame chocolate for blemishes; researchers have found no correlation between the two. In fact, the antioxidants may improve the appearance of your skin by combating inflammation from free radicals.

Look for dark chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cocoa -- the higher the cocoa percentage, the more healthy flavanol antioxidants it contains. (Tea, grapes, blueberries, and cranberries are also high in flavanols.) The label should also say non- or lightly alkalized or non-dutch processed.

An even better way to get your flavanol fix is with natural cocoa powder; when converted into chocolate bars, the cocoa beans lose some of their antioxidants. Plus, chocolate is a mood-booster, increasing serotonin in the brain.

Now that you know the truth about these gustatory pleasures, stay calm. Resist the urge to stock up on all the goodies you have been missing. Remember that nutritionists, researchers, and doctors universally agree that moderation is the key. Drink a few cups of coffee, but don’t down the whole pot. Savor a few squares of chocolate, but try not to make eating the whole bar a habit.

And go ahead, order that piece of tiramisu every once in a while. It won’t kill you.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Six once-forbidden foods that aren’t so bad for us

For years, nutrition advice could be summed up something like this: If you like eating or drinking (fill in the blank), it’s bad for you. Health experts blacklisted sugar, butter, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, and eggs.

The Grim Reaper, it seemed, doubled as tiramisu cake. So we abstained from these forbidden foods or flagellated ourselves while indulging in them. No longer!

Researchers have found that these foods are less sinful than we thought and, in some cases, can actually provide health benefits. Plus, eating real foods in moderation is better for you and the planet than eating processed imitations.

1. Butter is (sometimes) better
We all know that butter isn’t good for us. But, according to the scientists at Harvard Health Publications, a little butter isn’t so bad and is actually better than stick margarines.

Margarine was thought to be heart-healthy because, unlike butter, it doesn’t contain cholesterol or saturated fat. But the common process to convert liquid oil into margarine by adding hydrogen atoms creates harmful trans fats that, like butter, increase bad cholesterol in the blood while decreasing the good kind.

The hydrogenation is essential to create the stick margarine, but many of the soft margarines in tubs are now made with fewer or no trans fats and some health experts recommend those over butter. As for the overall fat and calorie content, it’s a tie–neither will do your waistline any favors, so use them sparingly.

2. A good egg
Nutritional experts had long maligned eggs because they are high in cholesterol, but more recent research revealed that saturated fat -- not cholesterol -- poses the greatest risk. Plus, eggs provide protein, iron, and lutein, a nutrient that helps stem age-related eyesight decline. (Spinach and other leafy greens are also good sources of lutein.)

The American Dietetic Association considers eating eggs in moderation a healthy habit and suggests removing some of the egg yolks to reduce fat and cholesterol. For example, in a recipe that calls for two whole eggs, the association recommends substituting with two egg whites and one whole egg.

3. The case for coffee
Forgoing coffee was like a badge of honor in health nut circles, but not any longer. Recent studies have refuted caffeine’s link to heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure. In addition, health experts now tell us that filling up our mugs has health benefits.

According to the American Medical Association, regular coffee drinkers are less likely to have type II diabetes, and their caffeine habit may reduce the risk of developing colon cancer, liver disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers have also seen a reduced risk of dementia among people who drink three to five cups of coffee a day.

4. Sweet sin or simply sugar?
Cane sugar earned a bad rap, sparking a move to replace it with everything from honey to concentrated fruit juice. Studies show that the substitutes are no better than the real deal. Whatever the original source, consuming too many of these sweet simple carbohydrates can cause health problems like obesity, type II diabetes, and tooth decay. Yet, cane sugar can be part of a healthful diet in reasonable quantities.

The World Health Organization recommends limiting added sugar to 10 percent of daily calorie intake. And as for the new pariah, high fructose corn syrup, the nutrition gurus say that it’s probably no better or worse than all the rest. Although food marketers are taking advantage of the public’s negative perception of high fructose corn syrup, experts say that consumers shouldn’t be fooled by the new marketing techniques.

In terms of your health, it’s the calories that count.

5. A drink a day
For a long time, science was lockstep with Puritan thinking, shunning all alcohol. But within the last few years, there has been a growing body of evidence that alcohol in small amounts is associated with better health.

Experts believe that having a few drinks a week may reduce your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Studies indicate that red wine in particular has positive benefits. Rich in antioxidants, including resveratrol, red wine may help prevent clogged arteries.

Be warned, though, while it’s tempting to embrace the more-is-better philosophy, three plus drinks a day will up your risk of liver, mouth, breast, and throat cancer as well as memory loss. Experts recommend one beverage a day for women and two for men.

Not exactly a night on the town, but a glass of syrah with dinner. Not bad!

6. Dispelling the chocolate myth
For ages it seems, parents and health professionals said that chocolate makes us pimply, rots our teeth, and offers no health benefits. Au contraire. Chocolate is chock full of minerals and has some of the same antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables that ward off disease, particularly heart disease.

Unlike gummy and caramel candies, chocolate doesn’t stick to your teeth causing cavities. And don’t try to blame chocolate for blemishes; researchers have found no correlation between the two. In fact, the antioxidants may improve the appearance of your skin by combating inflammation from free radicals.

Look for dark chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cocoa -- the higher the cocoa percentage, the more healthy flavanol antioxidants it contains. (Tea, grapes, blueberries, and cranberries are also high in flavanols.) The label should also say non- or lightly alkalized or non-dutch processed.

An even better way to get your flavanol fix is with natural cocoa powder; when converted into chocolate bars, the cocoa beans lose some of their antioxidants. Plus, chocolate is a mood-booster, increasing serotonin in the brain.

Now that you know the truth about these gustatory pleasures, stay calm. Resist the urge to stock up on all the goodies you have been missing. Remember that nutritionists, researchers, and doctors universally agree that moderation is the key. Drink a few cups of coffee, but don’t down the whole pot. Savor a few squares of chocolate, but try not to make eating the whole bar a habit.

And go ahead, order that piece of tiramisu every once in a while. It won’t kill you.

Care2 via Sarah Krupp, DivineCaroline

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Father becomes one of UK's youngest Parkinson's disease sufferers at 23

By Daily Mail Reporter
A former rugby player has been revealed as one of the UK's youngest known sufferers of Parkinson's disease, aged just 23.
Father-of-one Shaun Slicker, was diagnosed with the condition - which affects the way the brain coordinates body movements - solving a medical conundrum which baffled doctors for four years.
Now Shaun has spoken about the impact the disease has had on his life and his plans for the future with five-month-old son, Leland Wiffen-Slicker.

A father aged 23 has been told he has Parkinson's Disease - making him one of the youngest people in the country to be diagnosed with the condition
Shaun, from Dunwood Park Courts, Shaw, near Oldham, Greater Manchester, said: 'After years of uncertainty finding out what was causing my suffering was in some way a relief, but it has also been devastating. "It was a life-changing moment.
'But everyone who knows me knows I'm a positive person and I'm determined to live my life as fully as I can.'

Mr Slicker first noticed a tremor in his left leg four years ago and assumed it was a trapped nerve.
Shaun, who had played rugby for Saddleworth Rangers since he was five, first noticed a tremor in his left leg in 2006.
Putting it down to a trapped nerve he ignored it, until the symptoms persisted and he began to develop a limp along with tremors in his arm and hand.
After three-years of medical examinations, neurologists finally revealed he had Young Onset Parkinson's.
While it is commonly believed Parkinson's only affects older people, one in 20 of the 10,000 diagnosed each year are under 40 years-old.
The younger a patient is the rarer the diagnosis, but children as young as seven have been found to have the condition.
There is some medical evidence suggesting that life expectancy is significantly decreased in patients aged under 50. There is also a risk of more complications from the treatments than their elderly counterparts.
Having to give up rugby and work have been the most difficult changes Shaun has made to his life. But his greatest fear was not being able to hold his son safely.
'I suffer from stiffness on the left-hand side of my body, which can prevent me from moving about much, but the daily injections of a drug called Apomorphine really make a difference,' he said.
'It's been a battle but I'm getting there and starting to live a semi-normal life.'
IN DEPTH...
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological condition affecting movements such as walking, talking, and writing.
It is named after Dr James Parkinson who was the first to identify the condition in 1817.
Parkinson's occurs as result of a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain. These cells produce a chemical that allows messages to be sent to the parts of the brain that co-ordinate movement.
The symptoms of Parkinson's usually begin slowly, develop gradually and in no particular order.
At present there is no cure for Parkinson's.
Around 120,000 people have Parkinson's in the UK.
Famous people with the condition include former boxer Muhammed Ali and actor Michael J Fox.
As for the future, Shaun is hoping to be spend his free time working with young people as both a rugby coach and mentor to those with behavioural problems.
The former Royton and Crompton School pupil is also keen to support the Parkinson's Disease Society in its work to find a cure and raise the profile of the disease.
In January, Shaun and 40 friends took part in a 4.5-mile fund-raising fancy-dress walk across Oldham to raise £826 for the charity.
Dr Kieran Breen, director of research at the Parkinson's Disease Society, said the charity was 'closer than ever' to finding a cure.
'Research funded by the Parkinson's Disease Society is helping people to overcome many of the symptoms of the condition.
A younger person may have many years of experiencing only minor symptoms before it becomes necessary to take medication. Keeping fit, eating well and having a positive outlook may also help people to lead a full and active life.'

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Fava Beans and Parkinson’s Disease

Sandra has been growing her own fava beans. They give her wonderful relief from the symptoms of Parkinson’s. We asked Sandra a series of questions about fave beans. Here are her answers:

1. How did you come to try fava beans as therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

I started searching books for possible natural treatments for Parkinson’s disease in January 2009. Came across a book “Green Pharmacy” by James A. Duke PhD. He spoke of favas for Parkinson’s disease & that started the ball rolling…lots of research and a search for seeds to plant. I am an organic gardener and am fascinated with herbs and natural medicine … so this was a new challenge for me.

2. Why are fava beans supposed to give relief from PD symptoms?

The whole aerial plant contains l-dopa. Especially, the immature green pods. Since it is a natural form of l-dopa, the body recognizes & utilizes it very efficiently. Part of this is because it is a whole food, not a synthetic, man made form … just God given.

3. How have fava beans helped you and your friend?

My friend takes a small amount of sinemet and a couple of beans at medication times. The favas are supplying most of her l-dopa. This seems to be giving her longer “on” times. Taking less sinemet seems to mean less withdrawal time from sinemet. She tries to take all of her sinemet before lunch time and then supplement in the afternoon with bean products dries bean chips/bean cookies/tincture, etc.

Personally, I am not on any pharmaceuticals for PD, and just taking a few drops of tincture when I feel PD symptoms coming on, is enough to let me get through the day symptom free.

4. Can everyone use fava beans?

No. Some people have a genetic condition called favism. People with favism have an deficiency that makes it very dangerous to use favas…consumption can be fatal. There is a simple blood test called a G6PD which detects if you have this condition and should not use fava beans. The test cost me $65. and was well worth it.

For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org

Monday, January 11, 2010

Vitamin C

(a.k.a, ascorbic acid; ascorbic is Latin for “without scurvy”)

Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that promotes the growth and maintenance of bones, teeth, skin and red blood cells. It aids in the repair of tissues and the formation of collagen, plus it helps the body resist stress and infection. It increases the absorption of iron and calcium. Vitamin C is believed to prevent cardiovascular disease, lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, fight allergies and asthma, aid symptoms of diabetes, prevent gallstones, prevent cancer, improve male fertility, prevent osteoporosis, and slow down the progress of Parkinson’s disease.

Natural Food Sources

Avocado, black currants, blueberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collard greens, grapefruit, green pepper, guava, kale, lemon, lime, mango, melon, orange, papaya, pineapple, potato, rose hip, spinach, strawberry, tomato, watercress.

Recommended Daily Allowance
Men: 90 mg
Women: 75 mg

For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org

Monday, January 4, 2010

Coffee may have health benefits and may not pose health risks for many people

By Carolyn Butler

Of all the relationships in my life, by far the most on-again, off-again has been with coffee: From that initial, tentative dalliance in college to a serious commitment during my first real reporting job to breaking up altogether when I got pregnant, only to fail miserably at quitting my daily latte the second time I was expecting. More recently the relationship has turned into full-blown obsession and, ironically, I often fall asleep at night dreaming of the delicious, satisfying cup of joe that awaits, come morning.

While I love the mere ritual of drinking coffee, I have definitely come to rely on the caffeine to make me feel more alert, energetic and often just plain better, every single day. And yet because I don't like feeling dependent on anything, I occasionally wonder whether I should give it up for good, especially when I have a particularly jittery afternoon. Can something that tastes and feels this good not be bad for you?

Rest assured: Not only has current research shown that moderate coffee consumption isn't likely to hurt you, it may actually have significant health benefits. "Coffee is generally associated with a less health-conscious lifestyle -- people who don't sleep much, drink coffee, smoke, drink alcohol," explains Rob van Dam, an assistant professor in the departments of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. He points out that early studies failed to account for such issues and thus found a link between drinking coffee and such conditions as heart disease and cancer, a link that has contributed to java's lingering bad rep. "But as more studies have been conducted -- larger and better studies that controlled for healthy lifestyle issues -- the totality of efforts suggests that coffee is a good beverage choice."

Van Dam's research, for example, found no evidence that coffee consumption had any effect on mortality from any cause, including cardiovascular disease or cancer, even for people who drink up to six cups a day. He and his colleagues have also found that drinking coffee is associated with a reduced risk of liver disease and Type 2 diabetes. The latter is backed up by a study published this month in the Archives of Internal Medicine; it suggested that three to four cups of joe a day might reduce chances of developing Type 2 diabetes by roughly 25 percent.

And that's not all. Also this month, Harvard researchers unveiled new data suggesting that drinking coffee might lower men's chances of developing aggressive prostate cancer by up to 60 percent, with the highest benefits for those who down the most java.

Other studies have shown that coffee consumption reduces the risk of a laundry list of ailments: stroke, Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, endometrial cancer, colon cancer and gallstones, for starters.

"The evidence is pretty clear," says Daniel Burnett, a preventive medicine and family physician in Bethesda, who notes that coffee intake can also improve mental performance and mood, decrease depressive symptoms and increase endurance and aerobic performance.

While caffeine is the star ingredient for sleep-deprived students, parents and worker bees, the fact is that in many of these studies, including the research on diabetes and prostate cancer, positive effects are similar for those who drink decaf as well.

"Most of the benefits associated with coffee are not attributed to caffeine," says van Dam, who explains that the beverage also contains antioxidants and quite a few vitamins and minerals. "We tend to focus on coffee as just a vehicle for caffeine, . . . but now we look in more detail, without bias, and see it also has hundreds of compounds that might have beneficial effects, similar to things we see in some vegetables, which makes all the [study results] seem more plausible."

Which is not to say the bean has no downside. Doctors cite risks such as miscarriage, fertility problems, anxiety and sleep issues, and warn that pregnant women and those with blood pressure problems, especially, should cut back or avoid it.

Others are more concerned about the potential for addiction. "My personal opinion on caffeine is that it's the most widely used psychoactive drug in world," says Daniel Evatt, a research fellow in the department of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He notes that many people become tolerant to immediate perks such as alertness and increased energy, and then go through withdrawal, with headaches, low energy and other symptoms, when they try to quit.

In addition, Evatt suggests that some longtime coffee drinkers may actually be immune to benefits and not know it: The tiredness they feel in the morning is really withdrawal-related, he says, and that single or double shot just helps them get back to normal functioning, without providing a real boost. "All these things tell us that this is a substance that people can become dependent on, in the way they become dependent on other drugs."

In particular, researchers worry about children and teenagers who gulp down coffee and such high-calorie cousins as frappuccinos, soda and especially the new wave of energy drinks. "They already have enough ups and downs with emotions as it is; when you add caffeine into the mix, it's a problem -- their bodies aren't as equipped to handle it," says Evatt, who expresses concern that energy drinks are regulated as supplements instead of soft drinks. As a result, there is no limit on how much caffeine they can contain, nor are they required to list stimulant content on their labels, even though it can be 300 milligrams or more in an eight-ounce can, compared with 80 to 100 mg or so in a cup of brewed coffee.

Given some of the downsides of caffeine, even coffee enthusiasts in the research field suggest that people monitor their consumption and recognize how they react to the stimulant, looking for troublesome signs including jitteriness, tremors and difficulty sleeping. (This is particularly important because studies have shown that different people metabolize caffeine in vastly different ways; that's why a Coke or cappuccino can leave one person bouncing off the walls while another can nap straight away.)

But those of us who tolerate our daily brew well can continue to happily caffeinate, within reason. "In terms of health risks, up to around six cups a day or so seems to be fine," says van Dam, noting that "cup" generally means eight to 10 ounces of black coffee -- not a venti mochaccino or the like, with added caffeine, sugar and calories. "I think coffee is on par with tea and water, and can be a healthy choice for most people."

For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org