Disclaimer No part of this document or the related materials may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior permission by the author/ publisher. The service and the materials contained in this ebook are based on the author s research and experience. The research has been done through credible sources to the best of our knowledge. In no event shall the author be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages of any kind whatsoever with respect to the service, the materials and the products contained within. This ebook is not intended to be a substitute to professional medical advice. copy@memoryhealer2015.com 2
Introduction Whether we like it or not, each and every one of us reaches old age at some point. It does sound scary but we all have to deal with it. The difference is how we deal with it considering the several changes implied by aging. As days go by our bodies change, all our cells get older and stop responding as they once did. One of the most common affections is Parkinson s disease, which can be developed in early ages as well. Parkinson s disease affects the smooth natural movements of the body. Generally, those with Parkinson s lose the ability to speak properly, have difficulty walking, and may also experience tremors. This happens because the area of the brain that controls these movements is not getting a sufficient amount of dopamine, an important chemical necessary for proper body movements. As many as one million Americans live with Parkinson'ʹs disease, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig'ʹs disease. The combined direct and indirect cost of Parkinson s, including treatment, social security payments and lost income from inability to work, is estimated to be nearly $25 billion per year in the United States alone. Medication costs for an individual person with PD average $2,500 a year, and therapeutic surgery can cost up to $100,000 dollars per patient. copy@memoryhealer2015.com 3
That is why choosing alternative remedies like natural treatments and healthy nutrition could be the best solution. copy@memoryhealer2015.com 4
About Parkinson s disease Parkinson'ʹs disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while a tremor may be the most well- known sign of Parkinson'ʹs disease, the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement. In short, a person'ʹs brain slowly stops producing a neurotransmitter called dopamine. With less and less dopamine, a person has less and less ability to regulate their movements, body and emotions. Parkinson'ʹs disease itself is not fatal. However, complications from the disease are serious While the cause of Parkinson s is not known, environmental toxins such as pesticides and herbicides are implicated. Researchers have found levels of these chemicals to be copy@memoryhealer2015.com 5
higher in the brains of Parkinson s sufferers and incidence of Parkinson s is higher in areas with greater use of these chemicals. It makes sense to avoid any environmental toxins that you can. Also, consider your intake of dietary toxins such as alcohol and caffeine avoiding or reducing these may reduce the load on your body s detoxification pathways. The three main symptoms of Parkinson s disease are: tremor (involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body) slow movement stiff and inflexible muscles A person with Parkinson s disease can also experience a wide range of other physical and psychological symptoms, including depression, constipation, problems sleeping (insomnia), loss of sense of smell (anosmia) and memory problems. copy@memoryhealer2015.com 6
Natural remedies for Parkinson s disease Conventional treatment can involve medication, which is primarily aimed at increasing dopamine activity. As dopamine is made in the body from amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, diet can play a key part in ensuring that the right nutrients are available to support the body s ability to produce dopamine. Optimizing nutritional status and addressing co- morbidities such as constipation, depression, fatigue, and insomnia is also an area that can benefit through diet. Here are some other food recommendations in case of PD: v Raw foods Raw fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants to help reduce free radical damage. Antioxidants are present in: o vegetables: artichokes, okra, kale, bell peppers, potatoes o fruits: berries, pears, apples, grapes o grains o eggs o legumes: kidney beans, edamame, lentils o nuts: pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts copy@memoryhealer2015.com 7
o dark chocolate o some beverages such as red wine, coffee and tea v Healthy Fat Consuming healthy fats can support neurological health. Add in foods like wild caught fish, avocado, coconut, pastured butter, and sprouted nuts. Also, consume foods high in omega - 3 fats. v Cold- pressed oils Olive oil used as salad dressing can provide essential vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant. Also, coconut oil and palm oil are beneficial oils to include in your diet. v Fresh vegetable juices. Help provide essential vitamins and miner v Protein at dinner only Keeping protein levels moderate throughout the day has been shown to help reduce the symptoms of Parkinson s. Foods to Avoid Too much protein Reducing protein intake can improve the symptoms of Parkinson s. Processed foods Toxins and additives found in these foods can make Parkinson s worse. Artificial sweeteners Are considered toxic and can make Parkinson s symptoms worse. Alcohol Can disrupt neurologic function. Any potential food allergen Food allergies may exacerbate Parkinson s symptoms. Start by limiting the common allergens: gluten, dairy, shellfish, and peanuts. Parkinson s Disease Natural Treatment and Remedies Here are the top supplements for Parkinson s disease and natural remedies: copy@memoryhealer2015.com 8
v Coenzyme Q10 (1,200 mg daily) A powerful antioxidant that can help slow the progression of Parkinson s disease. v Vitamin C (750 mg 4x daily) Vitamin C can be used as an antioxidant to prevent free radical damage. v Vitamin E (400 IU daily) Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that supports the brain. v Green Superfood Formula Make sure the formula includes spirulina, chlorella, or wheatgrass to provide critical minerals and help with detoxification. v Fish oil (1,000 mg daily) Fish oil helps reduce inflammation and support neurological health. Essential Oils for Parkinson s Disease Using essential oils may effectively reduce and calm some of the symptoms associated with Parkinson s disease. Helichrysum and frankincense oil have been shown to reduce inflammation of the brain and vetiver oil has been found to reduce tremors. Rub 2 drops frankincense, helichrysum and vetiver oil on the temples and neck 2x daily or put 2 drops of frankincense on the roof of the mouth. copy@memoryhealer2015.com 9
Dietary recommendations As previously discussed, people with PD need to be extra careful to get a diet rich in fiber, calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants. Although multivitamin and mineral supplement are usually important, too, it s still best to rely first on food. The balance of nutrients in foods cannot be equaled by any supplement. Many people with PD find they have cravings for sweet foods. However, sweets can greatly contribute to constipation, elevated blood sugar, high triglycerides, and other disease conditions. Enjoy sweets in moderation, not as a replacement for the variety of grains, vegetables and fruits needed for a balanced menu. Constipation is common in Parkinson'ʹs disease. Increased fluid and fiber consumption can help maintain regularity. ü Aim to drink six to eight 8 ounces glasses of water per day. Warm liquids, especially in the morning, can stimulate bowel movements. Dietary sources of fiber consist of fruits (with the peel), vegetables, legumes, whole grain breads and cereals. Most of these are high in antioxidants as well. ü Low blood pressure is a symptom of Parkinson'ʹs and a side effect of some medications. Raising fluid and salt intake will boost blood pressure, but talk with your physician, especially if you have heart or kidney problems. copy@memoryhealer2015.com 10
ü Increase cold fluids water, Gatorade, V8 juice to five 8 ounce glasses per half day. Limit caffeinated beverages, hot liquids and alcohol as these encourage dehydration and low blood pressure. Eating frequent, small meals can also smooth blood pressure fluctuations. Swallowing problems can present as coughing, choking or a sensation of food feeling stuck. A speech therapist can prescribe appropriate, individualized dietary modifications and adaptive strategies. ü These may include adding foods with increased sensory input (e.g., seasoned, cold, sour or carbonated items) or altering the consistency of solids and/or liquids. In addition, you might be asked to sit up straight, take smaller bites at a slower pace and allow for longer mealtimes. Some people with Parkinson'ʹs experience painful muscle cramping, especially at night and as medication wears off. ü Eating yellow mustard, which contains the spice turmeric, or drinking tonic water, which contains quinine, may help. Others endorse salt, vinegar or pickle juice. Maintaining adequate hydration may prevent or limit cramping. The omega- 3 s are anti- inflammatory which may be beneficial as neuro- inflammation is a feature of Parkinson s. Mood problems are also a common feature and there has been a lot of research into the mood- boosting properties of the omega- 3 essential fats. ü The richest dietary source is from fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, trout, pilchards and anchovies. Planning your meals to enjoy a wide variety of foods each day is still the best way to ensure you get all the necessary vitamins and nutrients. Choose foods from the different groups each day to make sure you are eating as healthily as possible. copy@memoryhealer2015.com 11
Ø Starchy food - Bread, potatoes, rice, chapattis, yams, pasta, noodles, oats, cornmeal, crackers, toast and breakfast cereals Ø Fruit and vegetables - Ideally 5 servings each day. Fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C include red and green bell peppers, citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, papaya, kiwi, spinach, kale, broccoli and sweet potatoes. Fiber- rich fruits and vegetables, such as artichokes, avocados, prunes, bananas, apples, pears, guava and legumes, such as beans, peas and lentils, can help improve digestive function and prevent or alleviate constipation. Ø Dairy products - 3 to 5 servings of milk and dairy foods each day are recommended. Ø Meat, fish and alternatives - Aim for 2 to 3 servings each day of meat, white or oily fish, eggs, beans, pulses or nuts. Valuable sources of omega- 3 fats include salmon, albacore tuna, flounder, halibut, sardines, lake trout, ground flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts and walnut oil. Ø Fluids - Aim for 6 to 8 mugs/glasses each day of water, fruit juice, squash, tea, coffee, milk, etc - and eat fruits that are juicy. Ø Whole grains also enhance blood sugar levels and sustained energy. Valuable sources of whole grains include 100 percent whole grain breads and cold cereals, old- fashioned or steel- cut oatmeal, long- grain brown rice, wild rice, air- popped popcorn, quinoa and barley soup. Ø Fatty and sugary foods - Can be eaten in moderation. copy@memoryhealer2015.com 12
A typical day may be planned as follows: 2 slices of bread with jelly 1 poached or fried egg BREAKFAST 1 piece of fruit 8 oz of juice coffee 1 cup of minestrone soup LUNCH 2 slices of bread garden salad with oil and vinegar dressing 1 cup fruit salad juice SNACK 2 cups microwave popcorn 8 oz juice 1 cup pasta DINNER 1/2 cup jarred meat sauce 2 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese 1 cup cooked broccoli and carrots juice copy@memoryhealer2015.com 13
Conclusion Although Parkinson'ʹs disease progresses slowly, it will eventually affect every aspect of life - from social engagements, work, to basic routines. Accepting the gradual loss of independence can be difficult. Being well informed about the disease can reduce anxiety about what lies ahead. Parkinson'ʹs disease affects millions of people worldwide. Although the symptoms can be treated, there is no known cure. It is difficult for a person to feel well and maintain energy when he or she is not eating properly. Eating properly involves eating regularly (no meal skipping), eating a variety of foods from all of the food groups (grains, vegetables, fruit, milk/ dairy, meat/beans) and eating prudently to maintain a healthy weight. Although this sounds like simple advice, implementing it can be a challenge, particularly if you have a hectic lifestyle or if the symptoms of Parkinson'ʹs are affecting your ability to shop, prepare food and eat. One must fight for a life of action, not reaction. Rita Mae Brown copy@memoryhealer2015.com 14