Parkinson’s Disease and Diet: 5 Foods to Eat And 5 Foods to Avoid

No matter what ails you, chances are there’s a list of foods for it you should be eating and avoiding. Such is the case with Parkinson’s disease where you have to be vigilant about your diet as certain foods can exacerbate the situation whereas some foods may help relieve the symptoms. Parkinson’s disease is characterised by tremors, muscle spasms, and muscle soreness. However, symptoms can vary person to person.

5 FOODS TO EAT:
A healthy diet is of utmost importance in any disease or condition, let’s take a look over foods that may help;

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Studies have proven that omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation, and slow neurodegeneration.
  Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids include:-
  • Salmon
  • Mackerel
  • Oysters
  • Sardines
• Fava beans: There is not much conclusive evidence on fava beans being beneficial for Parkinson’s disease. However, one study does suggest that fava beans may help in improving motor movements.
• Zinc: There is no doubt that zinc is a celebrity amongst minerals since it has lot of important functions which one could not live without. People with Parkinson’s disease often have zinc deficiency. Foods high in zinc include :-
  • Beans
  • Nuts
  • Red meat
• Vitamin C: You know that one nutrient everyone talks about in summers. From collagen health to iron absorption, vitamin c plays an important role in our body. Parkinson’s disease is often associated with vitamin C deficiency. Common foods that are rich in vitamin C are:-
  • Citrus fruits
  • Bell peppers
  • Guava
  • Pineapple
• Vitamin D: A star you would find in sunshine. Calcium absorption, bone health, immune system, you name it, this nutrient has a lot of vital functions in our body. Again, people with Parkinson’s disease have vitamin D deficiency. Sources of vitamin D include:-
  • Sunshine
  • Sardine
  • Egg yolk
  • Red meat

5 FOODS TO AVOID:

• Processed foods: – Studies have proven that eating processed foods could worsen the condition.
• Dairy: –Some studies have suggested that certain dairy products like skim milk, yogurt, cheese, etc, may increase the severity.
• Saturated fat: – Some studies suggest that dietary fat may increase the chances of Parkinson’s. People with Parkinson’s should avoid saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Hard foods: – People with Parkinson’s often have a hard time chewing some foods. In this case, a person should avoid all those foods that are hard for them to chew like foods that are dry, hard fruits, certain nuts, etc.
• Sugary foods: – Studies have suggested that foods high in added sugar may increase the risk of Parkinson’s. Foods high in added sugar include:
  • Cakes
  • Desserts
  • Candies
  • Sodas
  • Cookies
  • Ice cream

OVER TO YOU
Keep a track of all those foods that are good for you. Contact your dietitian to know more about your condition.