Parkinson’s Disease, or PD, is a neurological disorder which affects a number of Irish people and can have serious consequences for someone’s day to day quality of life. On one level, PD can be seen as a very complex disease, and like many neurological diseases, there are aspects of it which are not yet properly understood. The greater the understanding of the faulty mechanism at play, the easier it is to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments.
In essence, PD occurs when neurones are destroyed. This can be due to the presence of high levels of free radicals and not enough antioxidants to deal with them. Free radicals are damaging in much the same way if you left garbage run riot all over your house, after some time it would affect the health of your house and anyone in it. This is especially troublesome where the brain and neurones are concerned, due to the blood brain barrier. Dopamine is the key substance at fault in PD cases, though there probably are other mechanisms involved too.
Research is ongoing to figure out the condition. The lack of dopamine, the amino acid which controls smooth movement and motivation, can lead to staggering gait, tremor, a mask-like expression and depression or confusion. Ideally, prevention is key in any condition, but if these symptoms have already started to develop, there is still so much which can be done to alleviate it. The naturopathic approach is not only to deal with these symptoms but to get to the underlying cause of the problem. Rather than just using one approach, such as a prescription medication, naturopathy incorporates several lifestyle tactics, from stress management and breathing exercise, to water therapy, biological analysis and dietary changes. In trials, a huge number of PD patients show up as being low in digestive enzymes and key nutrients, along with having a poor gut pH.
However, these areas are often neglected in standard treatment. Lifelong exposure to toxins, from the workplace for example, is another area which plays a key role in toxic overload for some people (such as bus drivers, painters, farmers), though it is not significant for others. This just highlights the need for an individualised treatment. Some PD patients find the best approach is to take their Sinemet medication but to combine it with a nutritional approach for maximum benefit. One of the side-effects of Sinemet can be elevated homocysteine levels, which in turn increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Simply increasing your B vitamin intake can greatly reduce this risk. So you see how one approach can compliment the other.
As is the case in any condition requiring a cleansing treatment, it’s vital the diet contains plenty brightly-coloured fruits and veg, as those vivid pigments provide the much needed antioxidants. Likewise, the brain is made up of fatty acids, so an abundant supply of these is vital in the diet. Include oily fish like mackerel and sardines, walnuts, linseeds and quinoa to get a good balance.
Amino acids are required to build neurotransmitters in the brain, so small, regular doses of good quality protein are beneficial. Just choose lean options like beans, nuts, seeds, lentils, lean meat, turkey, fish or tofu. Combine these with wholesome carbohydrates like rye, spelt, wholemeal wheat and brown rice for maximum absorption. And don’t forget the importance of clean water. Remember, Parkinson’s is in some way a malfunction of the detoxifying ability of the brain. Give it all the help you can by sipping on clean, room temperature water throughout the day, rather than waiting until you feel thirsty. Your cells will already be dehydrated by that stage.
And if you think about it, the best way to clear out a backlog of rubbish is to first stop adding to it. Foods with absurdly long chemical words on their ingredients list are unlikely to be as pure and wholesome as the PD patient requires. Likewise, artificial sweeteners, cheap trans fats and products containing them are best left on the shelf. Where possible, cook from scratch, using specially designed PD reading material for simple nutritious recipes and tips.
By incorporating some of these tips, you can be sure of a healthy, fulfilling life, even with a PD diagnosis.
This information is intended as a guideline only. Always consult your healthcare practitioner prior to engaging in any new treatments. Contact Jennifer Allen on 0863378046 or at [email protected] if you have a specific health concern.
