[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/can-a-plant-based-diet-help-parkinsons\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/can-a-plant-based-diet-help-parkinsons\/","headline":"Can a Plant-Based Diet Help Parkinson\u2019s?","name":"Can a Plant-Based Diet Help Parkinson\u2019s?","description":"Food is a powerful and underrated medicine. Eating the right foods can even help manage Alzheimer\u2019s, so one might wonder […]","datePublished":"2024-05-09","dateModified":"2024-05-09","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/author\/ceastway\/#Person","name":"Developer","url":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/author\/ceastway\/","identifier":1,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8ea7fc410413ee0b715aee4c6b2d912c09623af5f85eaca6f6d7e0a2c223e1df?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8ea7fc410413ee0b715aee4c6b2d912c09623af5f85eaca6f6d7e0a2c223e1df?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Fox Trail Memory Care","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/logo.png","url":"http:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/logo.png","width":474,"height":250}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/HOPE.png","url":"http:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/HOPE.png","width":432,"height":130},"url":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/can-a-plant-based-diet-help-parkinsons\/","about":["Parkinson's Disease"],"wordCount":869,"articleBody":"Food is a powerful and underrated medicine. Eating the right foods can even help manage Alzheimer\u2019s, so one might wonder what other conditions or diseases a diet can help. Even if our diet can\u2019t cure something, we can certainly still reap the benefits.When considering a memory care home, it\u2019s important to find out how willing they are to work with you and your loved one on things like diet. By asking questions, you\u2019re ensuring the chosen home is dedicated to providing its residents with the best care for their needs. This includes things like diet or other specialized needs that are different from the average resident.What Is Parkinson\u2019s Disease?To understand how or if a plant-based diet can help with Parkinson\u2019s disease, we first need to know what the condition is and how it affects our bodies.Scientists don\u2019t have concrete studies that reveal what causes Parkinson\u2019s, and there is currently no cure for it. However, we do know that it begins in the basal ganglia. This small part of our brain is responsible for movement.When we are struck by Parkinson\u2019s, the nerves in this part of the brain become impaired or die. This results in the characteristic mobility issues of someone with this devastating disease.Symptoms of Parkinson\u2019sFour primary symptoms usually accompany this disease:Quaking in a person\u2019s head and jaw, or their extremities (leg, arms, hands, and feet)Stiff muscles and uncontrollable, long-term contractionsSlow movementLack of balance or coordinationTypically, these symptoms will also lead to other symptoms over time. People with Parkinson\u2019s may also suffer from:Emotional issues like depression or irritabilityDifficulty with everyday things like chewing, swallowing, speaking, and eventually even breathingBathroom issues such as constipation or urinary problemsCan a Plant-Based Diet Help Parkinson\u2019s?We know that nothing can cure the disease. However, there are certainly ways that we can combat the symptoms and other problems that hitch a ride with the disease. A nutritious, plant-based diet can absolutely help.Problems Associated With Parkinson\u2019sThere are several issues associated with the disease that a plant-based diet can help manage:Medication Effectiveness FluctuationsOrthostatic hypotensionConstipationCognitive Decline or ChangesBone HealthExtreme Weight LossMedication Effectiveness FluctuationsCertain medications used to treat symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s are known to be sensitive to diet. For example, levodopa is commonly prescribed, but it\u2019s less effective if someone consumes a high-protein diet. This ineffectiveness will cause fluctuations in an individual\u2019s symptom treatment.Orthostatic hypotensionBecause of the positive effect that a plant-based diet has on blood pressure, it will help treat orthostatic hypotension, which is basically sustained low blood pressure. Other ways that you can help with this are:Avoiding large meals but including more salt in themConsuming less alcoholIncreasing your water intakeConstipationWhen it comes to constipation, there are typically two things your body needs more of\u2014water and fiber. So, increasing your water intake is a great first step. And with a plant-based diet, you will usually get a lot of healthy fiber naturally.Cognitive Decline or ChangesPeople with Parkinson\u2019s often experience cognitive problems. Boston University School of Medicine discovered that a plant-based diet avoiding foods high in saturated fats and animal byproducts improves their chances of minimizing cognitive decline, among other things.Bone HealthMany people with Parkinson\u2019s have low levels of vitamin D in their blood. In addition to increasing the risk for depression or other cognitive issues, this also contributes to weakened bones. A vitamin-rich plant-based diet certainly helps with increasing your vitamin D.However, because of how our bodies absorb this particular vitamin, your doctor may give you a supplement to boost your intake.Extreme Weight LossIt\u2019s common for Parkinson\u2019s to cause loss of smell. In turn, this affects how food tastes, and quite often, people will become malnourished or lose an unhealthy amount of weight because they don\u2019t want to eat.A plant-based diet (when done right) can provide some exciting and rich flavors through herbs and spices that even a dull sense of taste may be able to pick up.Considerations With a Plant Based-DietMany scientists have gotten on board with plant-based eating as a healthy way to eat. However, you lose several essential vitamins and minerals in your diet by cutting out meat and other animal byproducts.These losses are available in plant-based diets, but they are sometimes not in the types of things most people normally eat. So, if you\u2019re making the switch to plant-based eating, it\u2019s important that you discuss the change with a doctor or nutritionist to ensure that you are still getting everything you need.Depending on food availability, a doctor may prescribe certain supplements to help compensate for the loss from ditching meat and animal products.Have More Questions About a Plant-Based Diet and Parkinson\u2019s?If you have questions about how Fox Trail Memory Care can accommodate your dietary needs or wants, reach out to one of our communities in New Jersey today. The knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer any questions you have."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Can a Plant-Based Diet Help Parkinson\u2019s?","item":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/can-a-plant-based-diet-help-parkinsons\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]