Diet & Exercise For Parkinson's

Parkinson's disease, or PD, is a challenging condition to treat. There are medications that do help, but they also cause many side effects. In addition, the body adapts to the medications so that over time they need to be increased. While medication is necessary to fully manage PD, diet and exercise are also essential. Before starting any new diet or exercise program, always check with a physician first to ensure its safety.

Identification

In order for the body to move, nerve signals must travel from the brain to the muscles. To help this happen, substances called neurotransmitters carry the signals through the body. One of these neurotransmitters is called dopamine, which is made by specialized cells in the brain.

In the case of Parkinson's disease, for reasons not well understood, the body attacks and destroys these cells. This leads to a variety of symptoms including uncoordinated movement, stiffness, trouble maintaining balance, depression, difficulty swallowing, chewing, and speaking, urinary and bowel problems, skin complications and sleep disruptions, states the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Medications that mimic the actions of dopamine can be prescribed to help.

Benefits

Since Parkinson's disease can cause the body to become stiff and it increases the risk of a fall, exercise is an important component of an overall treatment plan. According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation "On a day-to-day basis, people with PD who exercise can move more normally than those who do not."

Regular exercise makes the muscles stronger and more flexible which can make movement easier and the body more stable. While much more research is needed, it appears that exercise can help those with PD walk better and it makes them less likely to fall. Exercise can also help to improve mood and manage stress, which may also be helpful for patients with this disease.

Types

There are many types of exercise that are helpful for those with PD. The National Parkinson's Foundation, recommends incorporating a variety of activities. This includes aerobic exercises such as walking, biking and dancing. It is also important to incorporate strength training exercises such as those done on a machine at a gym or at home with weights and bands.

Regular stretching or taking a yoga class should also be included, to help improve range of motion and posture. Balance exercises such as tai chi should be part of the program, to help reduce the risk of a fall. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.

Considerations

Uncontrollable movement along with problems chewing and swallowing common with PD, can make eating challenging. In addition, the medications taken can cause bone loss, a loss of appetite and if digestion is affected, the body may not absorb nutrients from the foods that are eaten.

Given this, it is important for those with PD to eat a healthy well balanced diet. Adding to this, protein can interfere with the absorption of Parkinson's medication, warns the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. This makes it necessary to spread protein intake throughout the day and medication should be taken at least a half an hour before eating protein.

Solution

Each case of Parkinson's disease is different. Not all patients experience tremors and the disease progresses at a different speeds in each patient. There may need to be a period of trial and error, plus working closely with a health care team, to find the right approach based on individual needs. There is no one size fits all approach to diet and exercise for managing PD.