Parkinson's Disease Awareness - Diet

Two new studies have confirmed that adherence to a particular type of diet may reduce odds of having Parkinson’s. Previous research suggested that a diet high in vegetables, whole grains, fruits and legumes along with moderately high levels of fish but low to moderate levels of dairy, meat and poultry — the so-called “Mediterranean-style diet” — is linked to a lower chance of developing Parkinson’s. However, these studies often focused on one specific food item or nutrient.  In the new studies, researchers from a Japanese consortium followed up on those findings to understand the impact of the total diet. They recruited groups of people with and without Parkinson’s, and used surveys to collect data on what people in each group ate.  Their findings:

• Both studies found that eating a Mediterranean-style diet is indeed associated with significantly reduced odds of developing Parkinson’s.

• The New York study found that, among people with Parkinson’s, those who did not follow the Mediterranean-style diet developed the disease earlier in life than those who did follow the diet.

• In the Japanese study, a diet that was characterized by a high intake of vegetables, seaweed, pulses, mushrooms, fruits and fish was inversely associated with the risk of PD with a border-line significance.

To learn more about diet and Parkinson’s disease, visit www.pdf.org.  Home Helpers has provided in home care and senior care for over a decade.  Call us at 704-909-7958, or visit our website if you have any questions.

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month

Did you know it’s estimated that there are nearly one million people in the United States living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and 4.1 million sufferers worldwide?  Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that is chronic and progressive, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time. The cause is unknown, and although there is presently no cure, there are treatment options such as medication and surgery to manage symptoms.
Parkinson’s disease occurs when a group of brain cells that produce a chemical called dopamine begin to malfunction and die. Dopamine, which acts as a messenger, sends information to the parts of the brain that control movement and coordination.
When a person has Parkinson’s disease, their dopamine-producing cells begin to die and the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases. Messages from the brain telling the body how and when to move are therefore delivered more slowly, leaving a person incapable of initiating and controlling movements in a normal way.  Two common symptoms include shaking or tremors, and a shuffling walk.  Left untreated, these symptoms can significantly diminish a person’s quality of life and overall health.
To learn more about Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsons Awareness, visit The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, or call our office at 704-909-7958.