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.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
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.
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)
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)
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