There is no single food that will have an impact on the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Yet by taking simple steps, you can improve your daily well-being.
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. If you have difficulty swallowing such large quantities or are concerned about having to go to the bathroom, split these intakes into smaller quantities. Hydrating fills your body with fluid, which reduces the chance of dropped pressure when you stand up.
Gradually add fibre-rich foods to your diet. Fibre combined with water will help relieve your constipation. Some examples of fibre-rich foods you can consume include cereal, whole grain bread, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
Expose yourself to the sun, using sunscreen, and eat calcium-rich foods. Calcium is important for bone health and helps reduce your risk of fracture. Dairy products, enriched soy milk, canned fish with bones (salmon, sardines), cooked beans, almonds and broccoli are good sources of calcium.
Our bodies need vitamin D to absorb calcium.Our body produces this vitamin when it is exposed to the sun. In Canada, all people over the age of 50 should take a vitamin D supplement during the winter. This vitamin is found in some fish (swordfish, salmon, snapper, tuna) and in vitamin D-fortified dairy products (fortified soy beverage, yogurt and milk).
Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These acids have a protective effect on the brain’s dopaminergic neurons. Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, tuna, trout, etc.), vegetable oils (canola, walnut, flax), grains (flax, hemp, chia) and walnuts are good sources of omega-3.
Add colour to your plate. Colourful fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that protect cells from compounds that break them down. Blueberries, cranberries, pumpkin, mangoes, carrots, sesame seeds, green tea and dark chocolate are some examples of foods containing antioxidants.
Eat foods consumed by people whose disease progresses the slowest. In these individuals, the following appear to have a positive impact on the severity of symptoms over time when eaten at least twice a week.
- Fresh vegetables
- Fresh fruits
- Nuts and grains
- Fish
- Wine
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Aromatic plants