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Protein Shakes For Parkinson’s

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Nutrition for Parkinson’s disease

The trial included 150 patients who received a standard hospital diet with or without a nutritional supplement called FortiFit . Per serving , the supplement includes 20 grams whey protein , 800 IU vitamin D, 3 g total leucine , 9 g carbohydrates, 3 g fat, and a mixture of vitamins, minerals and fibers.

Patients took the supplement twice daily for 30 days.

The team primarily focused on changes in the 6-minute walking test , an assessment of exercise capacity. They also analyzed gait speed , handgrip strength, Berg balance scale, the Self-assessment Parkinsons Disease Disability Scale exploring self-perceived functional status and the timed up-and-go test , which is a measure of mobility and balance. The TUG test evaluates the time taken to stand up from an arm chair, walk a distance of three meters, turn, walk back, and sit down.

Body weight and skeletal muscle mass also were determined.

Patients who received the supplement experienced a greater increase in the distance walked in the 6MWT . When accounting for changes in dopaminergic therapy as well as in SMM, the team found a similar 18.0 meters difference.

Taking the supplement also improved gait speed , TUG test score , and SMM .

In patients with or parkinsonism, the consumption of a whey protein-based nutritional formula enriched with essential amino acids and vitamin D improved the efficacy of a MIRT, particularly lower body physical function, researchers concluded.

Autoimmune Disease Healthy Journey:

Here is where I am going to get a little personal. I was a healthy and active girl when I got hit with an autoimmune disease that rocked my world. I visited the doctor and he performed an insane amount of blood tests to figure out what was going on with my body.

I was dealing with the debilitating effects of several autoimmune diseases — rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis diseases, among others.

I didn’t think I would be dealing with arthritis in my 30’s! My weight had even skyrocketed for no apparent reason .

After many blood tests confirmed I was dealing with several autoimmune issues, I was referred to both a rheumatologist and endocrinologist to deal with the effects of my immune system going haywire. The specialists wanted to put me on a host of medications to help with the swelling and inflammation, all with a list of negative side effects. I felt as if I was ALWAYS at the doctor. I didn’t want to just put on a band-aid.

I went home and my husband and I just sobbed together on the couch , afraid of what the future might hold. After a good cry, I felt determined to figure out what the ROOT cause of my health issues was. I started studying like crazy. I began driving around to every library in town, picking up stacks of health books, and researching everything I could about my disease. I became a full-on nerd!

Here are some of the healing vitamins, herbs and supplements that have helped me with my autoimmune diseases:

Environmental Factors And Exposures

Exposure to pesticides and a history of head injury have each been linked with PD, but the risks are modest. Never having smoked cigarettes, and never drinking caffeinated beverages, are also associated with small increases in risk of developing PD.

Low concentrations of urate in the blood is associated with an increased risk of PD.

Drug-induced parkinsonism

Different medical drugs have been implicated in cases of parkinsonism. Drug-induced parkinsonism is normally reversible by stopping the offending agent. Drugs include:

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Why Not Just Take Dopamine

In theory, the simplest way to treat Parkinsons would be to directly replace the dopamine lost via supplements. But, theres a complication. Dopamine itself is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier a natural barrier that protects the brain from bacteria and viruses that may be in the blood. This means that taking dopamine directly is ineffective as it cant get from the blood into the brain.

Fortunately, levodopa can cross the blood-brain barrier, into the brain, where its turned into dopamine.

The Emotional Flicker Effect Has Its Triggers And Precursors

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This accumulation of alpha-synuclein induces oxidative stress an imbalance between the production of harmful free radicals and the ability of cells to detoxify which contributes to cell damage and death.

Current therapies work to lessen symptoms but fail to tackle the causes of nerve cell death, the MUSC researchers noted. A treatments efficacy also often declines with time.

Nerve cells have mechanisms to protect against oxidative stress, including the activation of two key proteins, called Nrf2 and Bach1. Nrf2 regulates the expression of over 250 genes in an orchestrated effort to protect cells from oxidative stress, while Bach1 has an opposite role: it actually prevents these genes from being activated.

In their study Bach1 derepression is neuroprotective in a mouse model of Parkinsons disease, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers analyzed post-mortem brain tissue samples from Parkinsons patients and found that the levels of Bach1 were abnormally high. Elevated levels were also observed in preclinical work in brain tissue samples from animal models of the disease.

These initial observations pointed to a potential role of Bach1 in Parkinsons progression. To confirm its role, the researchers depleted the Bach1 gene in a mouse model of Parkinsons, in which the disease was induced by exposing the animals to the MPTP neurotoxin.

Mice without Bach1 were protected against Parkinsons disease induced by MPTP.

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Protein Shows Promise In Treating Parkinsons Disease

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. The true cause of Parkinsons disease is still a mystery to researchers, although they do know that in many patients, a protein called alpha-synuclein tends to aggregate in brain cells. But a different protein could help stop that aggregation, according to a new study in the Journal of Molecular Biology.

HYPE, the only Fic protein found in humans, is a key regulator of whether cells live or die under stress. In order to work properly, proteins need to fold in the correct shape. When cells are stressed, their proteins can become misfolded, at which point they can aggregate and become toxic. Cells sense stress by assessing the amount of misfolded proteins within them.

Since HYPE plays such an important role in how cells deal with stress from misfolded proteins, we wondered whether diseases that result from protein misfolding were likely to need HYPE, said Seema Mattoo, an assistant professor of biological sciences at Purdue University. We know that in Parkinsons disease, often the misfolded protein is aSyn. So we asked if HYPE could modify aSyn, and if so, what are the consequences?

The study shows that HYPE does modify aSyn and that this new modification, called AMPylation, decreases aggregation.

Clumps of aSyn, known as Lewy bodies, are the pathological hallmark of Parkinsons disease. Aggregated aSyn can poke holes in the membranes of neurons, which causes a decline in nerve function and messes up how nerve cells communicate.

ABSTRACT

Foods That Are Hard To Chew

Many people with Parkinsons have difficulty with chewing and swallowing foods. A person needs medical help if this is the case. A speech and language therapist may be able to help a person overcome this issue.

However, if a person is finding certain foods hard to chew and swallow, they may wish to avoid these foods.

Such foods include:

  • dry, crumbly foods
  • tough or chewy meats

If a person does wish to eat chewy meats, they could try using gravy or sauce to soften them and make eating easier.

They could also try chopping meat into smaller pieces or incorporating meat into casseroles, which can make it more tender.

Having a drink with a meal can also make chewing and swallowing easier.

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Add Medication For A Winning Combo

Diet and exercise are important for managing PD, but dont forget about medications. Take them regularly and exactly as your doctor prescribes.

If you tend to forget your medication, set an alarm to remind you. You can also use a pillbox thats labeled with days and times of day. Take your meds on a set schedule, dont skip doses and dont double dose, says Dr. Gostkowski. When youre diligent about taking your medications and following a healthy lifestyle, youll feel your best.

Influences Of Dietary Proteins On Therapeutic Effect Of Levodopa

Reduce Tremors in Parkinson’s Disease Naturally

In patients with early PD, there is no clear-cut concentration-effect relationship of levodopa, which is sometimes referred to as the honeymoon period . However, as PD progresses, while the pharmacokinetics parameters of levodopa keep unchanged, latency to motor response and duration of effect are both markedly shortened during levodopa treatment . The motor function of patients in advanced stages becomes closely connected with the rapid rise and fall in levodopa concentrations after each dose, which is manifested as motor fluctuations . There is also a decrease in striatal storage capacity of levodopa in parkinsonian patients . The patients with fluctuations, in particular, show a greater decrease in central levodopa storage, which may explain why the inconsistency of levodopa entering the brain is the most common problem in most motor fluctuations .

Two case reports in 2008 and 2010, respectively, have revealed another interesting finding that protein ingestion by enteral nutrition is also likely to impair the effect of levodopa therapy in parkinsonians . Additionally, another case report in 2014 suggested high-protein diets may contribute to more severe consequences other than impaired motor function, such as a coma resulting from a severe off state . However, as these findings are reported in a limited number of cases, they need to be validated by additional studies of larger numbers of patients.

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So What Does Nutrition Have To Do With Parkinsons

1. The neurotransmitter dopamine is made in the body from amino acids which are the building blocks of protein. Every time we eat a protein rich food we take in protein, which the body breaks down into its component amino acids. Two amino acids are converted in the body into L-Dopa, which is then converted into dopamine in the brain.

2. Nutrient co-factors are required for each stage of this conversion process, so deficiencies of these may reduce dopamine production.

3. L-dopa medication competes for absorption with dietary amino acids, therefore the timing of taking L-dopa and the eating of protein needs to be managed for optimal absorption and effectiveness of the drug and the reduction of side-effects.

Therefore, the nutritional therapy approach to Parkinsons includes:

1. Supporting dopamine production by ensuring adequate precursors and co-factors

2. Considering drug-nutrient interactions to enhance effectiveness and reduce side-effects

3. Optimising nutritional status and addressing co-morbidities . These co-morbidities include constipation, depression, fatigue, and insomnia.

Foods To Eat With Parkinsons Disease

Research suggests that fruits, vegetables, and seafood can provide many of the nutrients needed to slow aging and neurological degeneration associated with Parkinsons. Eat the rainbow by including a variety of vibrant plant foods dark leafy greens, pumpkin, berries, mangos, broccoli, and more. This will help ensure that you get lots of phytonutrients in your diet. Incorporating antioxidants is important because these nutrients help prevent damage to cells that make dopamine, the brain chemical primarily involved in Parkinsons development.

Nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber to help prevent constipation, a common symptom of Parkinsons.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, foods that may also be neuroprotective include:

  • Soy

To avoid weight gain, choose less energy-dense foods, including:

Its possible to find nutritious options on either end of the calorie spectrum if you choose whole foods that are naturally high in vitamins and minerals. Have fun with different preparation methods, such as grilling, making stir-fries, or adding ingredients to the blender for smoothies and pureed soups.

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Tips For Getting Started

  • Changing your diet can be difficult. Try making one change at a time, like eating a handful of nuts a few times a week or avoiding white bread. Small changes can add up to big benefits.
  • Consult with a registered dietician, who can help you plan menus and make shopping lists for preparing nutritious meals that you like and that account for your individual needs and the timing of your medications.
  • Consult with an occupational therapist about assistive devices, including some mentioned above, to make eating and drinking easier.
  • If you experience anxiety or depression, talk to your doctor. These symptoms can suppress appetite.
  • If swallowing issues are causing problems eating , a speech-language pathologist may be able to help.

Turmeric Has Multiple Benefits In Parkinsons Disease

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Curcumin by virtue of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective property finds many therapeuticapplications in Parkinsons disease.

As an antioxidant, curcumin prevents the action of free radical species, peroxynitrite which causes oxidative damage to brain cells in Parkinsons.

In an animal model of Parkinsons disease, curcumin is found to bring about various positive changes.

It prevented the reduction of antioxidant enzymes in the brain which otherwise would cause cell death in the brain.

It also prevented the reduction in brain chemicals like dopamine and acetylcholine which are vital in brain function. Curcumin elevated the levels of proteins that are essential for maintenance and nerve growth.

Homocysteine is an amino acid which is elevated in Parkinsons disease and this contributes to neurotoxicity. Curcumin protects the nervous system from homocysteine-induced toxicity and prevents impairment of motor function.

Animal studies show that curcumin protects from learning and memory deficits caused by elevated homocysteine levels.

Curcumin formulation is found to prevent motor impairment in an animal model of Parkinsons disease. Curcumin as an antioxidant protects from oxidative stress in Parkinsons disease.

As antioxidant curcumin inhibits the destruction of neurons in the substantia nigra and prevents the reduction in dopamine levels.

Curcumin counteracts the inflammation caused by neuronal degeneration induced by reduced dopamine levels.

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Want More Practical Articles Like This

Much more can be found in our Every Victory Counts® manual. Its packed with up-to-date information about everything Parkinsons, plus an expanded worksheets and resources section to help you put what youve learned into action. Request your free copy of the Every Victory Counts manual by clicking the button below.

It Protects Cognition And Remedies Of Depression

Animal study shows that curcumin prevents age-related cognitive and memory deficits.

A case study demonstrated that turmeric supplementation for 1 year brought about improvement in dementia and memory.

Dietary curcumin could be beneficial in treating and preventing dementia. In experimentalmodels of dementia, curcumin is found to be useful in treating it.

Curry consumption is associated with better cognitive performance in elderly Asians due to the presence of curcumin.

Curcumin supplementation in the healthy older population is found to increase attention, working memory and mood.

Curcumin has a number of pharmacological properties that help in ameliorating the chemical imbalance in depression and stress.

Curcumin supplementation is as efficacious as Prozac or fluoxetine in treating depression. Review of clinical trials investigating the role of curcumin in depression also points out that curcumin is an effective add-on therapy for depression.

What does this mean?Curcumin supplementation can improve cognition and reduce memory deficits and depression in Parkinsons disease.

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Dietary Protein And Parkinsons

This known interaction between levodopa and amino acids in the gut means that people with Parkinsons need to be careful about their protein consumption around the time of taking their medication.

When you have a large amount of protein, they get broken down in the stomach into amino acids. And once these amino acids enter the small intestine, they start competing with levodopa to use the transporter system out into the blood. This competition can cause a reduction in the amount of levodopa reaching the brain, in turn reducing the effectiveness of the dose.

An early study, from 1987, found that on a low protein diet, 11 people with Parkinsons were more sensitive to the effects of levodopa, and saw reduced fluctuations in their symptoms throughout the day compared with a high protein diet. However, we now know that a low-protein diet is not advisable for people with Parkinsons. So, whats the answer?

We Know That A High Protein Diet Can Affect Levodopa Absorption But What Does This Mean For People With Parkinsons

How can changes to diet help people with Parkinson’s?

Parkinsons develops when cells in the brain stop working properly and are lost over time. These brain cells produce a chemical called dopamine. Symptoms start to appear when the brain cant make enough dopamine to control movement properly.

Levodopa is an amino acid first discovered in the 1960s. Today, it is still one of the main drugs used to treat Parkinsons symptoms at all stages of the condition. It works by replacing dopamine lost in the brain.

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What Foods Have Dopamine To Prevent Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a devastating diagnosis, because while the illness is treatable, it is not curable. Parkinson’s disease is marked by progressive degradation of the nervous system, which results in symptoms including tremors, muscle stiffness, slow movements, impaired balance and changes in speech. Dopamine, a chemical produced in your brain, may have promise for treating already diagnosed Parkinson’s disease, and it may also help prevent it, although it has not been studied widely. Adding certain foods to your diet may increase your levels of dopamine, thus protecting your brain from changes that can lead to Parkinson’s disease. Always consult your doctor before changing your diet, and do not stop taking any medicines your doctor has advised for health problems.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

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