Parkinson’s Disease Diet

Following a balanced diet improves general well-being and boosts your ability to deal with symptoms of the disease. Staying hydrated and eating plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean protein, beans, legumes, whole grains and healthy fats are key ways to stay energized and healthy overall. You can design a customized diet plan with your nutritionist but there are few superfoods that can help you to control the progression of this disease. Following are the foods you can add to your regular diet for wholesome benefits.

Fish: Fish is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are very beneficial for your heart health. Fish also contains a good amount of vitamin B12, which has been known to protect against brain diseases. (Read more: Vitamin B12 deficiency)

Some researchers say a combination of the right fats encourages the metabolic process of ketosis, which provides energy to the brain, helps improve cognitive abilities and protects against diseases.

(Read more: Best fish to eat in India)

Coffee and tea: There is a long history associated with tea-coffee and Parkinson’s disease. There are several research studies that support the fact that coffee and caffeine are associated with a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in healthy individuals and the deceleration in the progression of motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Nuts: Nuts are a great source of healthy fats and walnuts, specifically, have shown great effects on the brain. Studies show that even a small portion of walnuts in our daily diet can reverse the brain’s aging process and improve learning, memory and motor coordination. Research also shows that they have antioxidant properties, which help repair damage caused to brain cells by free radicals in our bodies. Try to include a handful of different types of nuts, such as pine nuts, almonds, walnuts and pistachios, in your daily diet.

(Read more: Home remedies to improve memory)

Carrots: They are known for vision improvement but carrots are also great brain fuel, packed with a function-enhancing compound called luteolin and vitamin A. Together they have been found to reduce age-related memory decline and also decrease the inflammation in the brain. Other foods high in luteolin include celery, bell peppers and olive oil.

Berries: These fruits are rich in antioxidants and vitamins and have been shown to be good for the brain cells that have degraded due to aging. Berries that can improve brain function include mulberries, blueberries and strawberries. You should try to include them in your diet.

Dark chocolate: Parkinson’s disease causes a gradual loss of nerve cells and a drop in levels of dopamine. The cocoa in dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine, which has been shown to increase the release of dopamine. There is research that has shown that phenylethylamine has benefits for those who have Parkinson’s disease.

There are many symptoms of this disease. Through the following dietary changes, we can control them to an extent.

High fiber meal to treat constipation: Many patients with Parkinson’s disease experience constipation due to a slowdown of the digestive system. You can manage constipation with a diet that is rich in fiber by adding fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, etc. in your diet. Drinking plenty of fluids and exercising can also help you avoid constipation.

(Read more: Fiber rich foods)

Watch fluid intake to avoid dehydration: Medications that treat Parkinson’s disease can make you dehydrated. Dehydration can, in turn, make you feel tired and, over time, lead to confusion, balance issues, weakness and kidney problems. Make sure to drink plenty of water and other fluids throughout the day. You can choose from milk, buttermilk, fruit juices and lemon water.

Eat right if you’re experiencing loss of taste: Loss of taste is one of the common symptoms. It can lead to weight loss, depression and malnutrition. To treat this problem, try to have more of your favourite and well-flavoured food. Add spices to your meals and put the emphasis on aroma and texture. Try to avoid bland foods, plain meats and unsalted foods when experiencing this symptom.

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Diet for diarrhea in Parkinson’s disease: Diarrhea is very common during Parkinson’s disease. To deal with this, eat smaller and more frequent meals to balance your energy level. Fluid replacement is very important to prevent dehydration; try and drink water or rehydration drinks after every loose motion. Eat bananas, potatoes, fish and meat and drink lemon water and tomato juice to replenish salt (sodium) and potassium in the body.

Eating right to treat nausea: Nausea can be a side effect of medication in this disease. Talk to your neurologist if you are experiencing this symptom. Try to have light, small and frequent meals. Ginger or peppermint tea may help resolve this symptom. Try to eat simple foods such as rice, scrambled eggs, toast, bananas, mashed potatoes, custard, etc. Allow plenty of fresh air in the house and try to disperse the cooking odours. Avoid having dairy products, cream soups, fatty/fried foods, sweet desserts and avoid lying down immediately after eating as it can be a trigger for nausea.

Diet to help with swallowing problems: Eating small and frequent meals can be helpful if you have difficulty swallowing. Try to have a pureed diet such as khichadi, porridge, lentil soup, milkshake or smoothie. If you are not able to eat and swallow, you can discuss dietary supplements with your dietitian. Drink 6-8 glasses of fluids each day.

Avoid high protein food with your medication: The drug most commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease, carbidopa-levodopa, is absorbed in your small intestine. That absorption can be disrupted if you take your medication shortly after eating a high-protein meal since it involves the same process. To help maximize the medication’s effects, eat high-protein foods at other times of the day. If you take your medicine in the morning, have porridge instead of high-protein eggs for breakfast, and save your protein intake for later in the day.

There are certain foods that can worsen the symptoms of this disease. Following are some of them:

• Consuming too many sugary foods and drinks can negatively impact your immune system. Choose naturally sweetened foods such as fresh fruits, dates or jaggery and reduce your overall sugar intake to manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
• Avoid too much sodium/salt, trans fat, cholesterol and saturated fats as they can worsen the disease. So try to eat fresh, home-cooked meals and avoid processed and packaged food products.
• Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) may inhibit the activity of levodopa (a common medicine for Parkinson’s disease) but you should only avoid it when you are taking this medicine alone. If you are taking it, avoid pork, chicken, peanuts, soybean, wheat germ and oats at the same time.
• Try to avoid alcohol and alcoholic beverages. People with Parkinson’s disease may have balance impairment, so they need to be more thoughtful about their alcohol intake than the general population.

This is a sample diet plan for a patient of Parkinson’s disease. Try to plan your mean in this way:

• Early morning: milk (1 cup) + walnuts (4-6)
• Breakfast: wheat porridge (1 bowl) + papaya (1 small bowl)
• Mid Meal: apple (1 small sized)
• Lunch: vegetable khichdi (1-2 bowl) + cucumber raita (1 bowl) 
• Evening tea: tea (1 cup) + paneer cubes (5-7) / boiled egg (1)
• Dinner: idli (2) + sambhar (1-2 bowl) 
• Bedtime: turmeric milk (1 glass)