Hi my name is Laurel and I have been living with Parkinson's Disease since August of 2004.
While Parkinson's Disease does not define who I am, it certainly affects who I have become.
I started a website in 2005 http://www.newfacesofparkinsons.com/ in order to share all the information that I had gathered about Parkinson's Disease. I did not intentionally have this in mind when I was researching about PD. It just seemed to come about as a result of my research.
In all of my research, one thing seems to keep coming to the forefront of my mind. Diet is the key to health. The saying " You are what you eat" seems to be more true today then ever.
The one common denominator for me in my life "Food has always had an effect on me". When I was a preteen, I broke out in hives. As a teenager and young adult, I had sore throats, congestion, ear aches, respiratory problems, bladder and kidney problems and I lived with a mental fog that made me feel weird. It all just became my "norm". At the time, I had no idea why I felt that way. Now, the association between food and my body seems obvious.
In the beginning years of having Parkinson's symptoms; shaking, muscle spasms, and muscle tightness. I had depended on different alternative medical treatments in order to help my symptoms. Weekly Glutathione intravenous therapies helped tremendously with symptoms in the first few years. But, eventually had a wearing off affect and no longer was effective in relieving me of uncomfortable tremors, muscle contractions and spasms.
I then embarked on a journey of trying an agonist called Mirapex. Mirapex may work well for some, but did not work well for me. It caused me to become obsessive compulsive and just generally did not agree with me. I did not feel like my normal self. I do not want to go into details, but those of you who have experienced side effects know what I mean.
I eventually came upon another treatment using the herb Mucuna Pruriens and compounded Carbidopa, made by a compounding Pharmacy. In the beginning, I felt amazing, but this did not last. Similar to taking Sinemet, in the beginning you feel great, but eventually get worse.
Over time, I built up a tolerance to the Carbidopa and needed larger amounts of the compound, which caused me side effects of dystonia in my leg, arm and head. Along with tremors and muscle contractions, the toll it took on my body was too great and I had to stop this therapy. I couldn't function like this.
Again, I looked for a new alternative. In 2009 I came across a treatment using Mucuna Pruiriens and Amino Acid therapy. Actually, someone from the Patients like me website sent me a link to http://www.neuroassist.com/
I read the information on the neuroassist site and knew that I would give it a try.
I contacted Neuroassist through their website and they referred me a local Physician
I started the Neuroassist combination therapy program in April of 2009.
It hasn't been an easy road. I have had many challenges. Mostly due to stomach related issues and taking the Amino Acids and Mucuna Pruriens. I have spent many days feeling sick with flu like symptoms. Including severe nausea and spontaneous vomiting. I know this sounds horrible, but I have stuck it out because the therapy does have positve effects.
The combination therapy has somewhat controlled the PD symptoms. Allowing me to have many hours during the day where I feel normal. That means, no shaking and no muscle spasms. Anyone who has PD knows that this is a big deal. No shaking for any period of time is like being NORMAL again. This was huge for me.
Now, getting to the purpose of this blog. Diet seems to play a huge role in how I feel while taking these Amino acids and Mucuna Pruriens and in general plays an important role in healing my body.
Neuroassist does write about possible carbohydrate and protein intolerance on their website. Unfortunately, I did not read this area before starting this therapy in April of 2009. If I had read that part of the website, I probably could have avoided feeling any stomach distress or at least minimized it considerably.
I have read many books concerning food and how it can affect the body. Both negatively and positively.
My goal is to share with you positive ways food can improve how our bodies feel and minimize symptoms of inflammation, which according to Dr. Richard Fleming in his book "Stop Inflammation Now" can contribute to symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, along with other Neurological and Inflammatory conditions.
If you have had a chance to read any of My Story on my website http://www.newfacesofparkinsons.com/ you will see that diet has played an important role in making me feel better in the past. Reading my earlier posts regarding my diet, it played a key role in how I was feeling, physically and emotionally. Unfortunately, I have lost my way in my journey for health on numerous occassions. I have no excuses. Only that life in general, sometimes overwhelms me. All I can say is that I have found my way back to eating healthier.
I know that it won't be easy. I seem to get distracted easily. I love to eat... and it isn't always the best food that I choose.
Let's get Started. I hope that you will follow along with me on this journey.
Breakfast Starter for me today is Fresh Organic Juice made by me in my Juicer.
4 Kale leafs
6 Carrots
1 Apple
2 Celery stalks
I drank this heavenly juice and it left me wanting more.... on to my morning exercise.
30 minutes- Combination of walking on the treadmill and bouncing on a mini trampoline. I usually break up the time between treadmill and trampoline, 20/10 minutes or 15/15 minutes. This seems to work for me and gets me motivated for the day.
After exercising- I made a mini meal mixture of 1 chopped pear, 6 chopped prunes and a touch of pure orange juice and put it into a sauce pan, heating it up for about 10 minutes or until pears and prunes are soft. I then added golden flax meal. This is a breakfast option from the book " Stop Inflammation Now".
I am hopeful that I will feel and see a difference in my symptoms of PD. Inflammation plays a big part in the pain that I have in my limbs at night. I am hopeful to reduce this pain, which will allow for a better nights sleep.
Water plays a big part in the process of elimation, so I am drinking a 16 oz. bottle of water to keep things moving. I have to be conscious of drinking enough water. I tend to forget to drink it throughout the day.
That's it for now. Keep the faith. Keep moving. -Laurel
January 29, 2011
Well, it's been an interesting week.
We went to a Bus show in Wickenberg, AZ last weekend.
In an attempt to stay on track, I prepped some food before we left. I wanted to have some choices, besides fast food, as we traveled and stayed in Wickenberg.
I made a Spinach Salad and brought lots of fresh fruit. I purchased some Boar's head Turkey and Provolone Cheese. If your not familiar with Boar's Head Brand, they sell it at Fry's Grocery Store. Products are suppose to be Gluten Free, Preservative Free and Free of Artificial Ingredients. Also made some Egg Salad, made with Cage Free eggs. I survived without too much temptation. Though, we did have some Mexican Food on Saturday evening. I wasn't perfect. But, all in all I don't think I did too badly. Considering the temptations that are out there when your away from home.
During this last week, I also eliminated Gluten products and Oat products. I believe that the stomach problems that I have been having over the last year and a half may be due to Gluten Intolerance and a definite allergy to Oats. Eliminating Gluten products does follow the eating plan outlined in Clean, Green and Lean, so I guess I am on the right track.
I have already noticed that my stomach isssues are already disappearing.
The past week, I have tried to eliminate eating foods that are processed. Replacing them with whole food that is Organic and Pesticide and Chemical Free.
We have a local Farmer's Market here in town on Thursday's from 11:00 a.m. til ? . I have gone to it many times before, but this time I made a point of asking the vendors how their products were grown. Most say they were grown without Pesticides and some were Organic.
I tried to purchase most of my vegetables and fruit there this week. But, still had to go to the grocery store for items not available at the Farmer's Market.
I am also trying to be conscious of Cleaning Products that I use at home. Am slowly transitioning to Greener Products. Products that are safer for me and our environment.
Most Mornings... I start the day with fresh juice from my juicer. I usually use a combination of different greens and carrots, along with broccoli and an apple.
After my morning exercise, I make a breakfast of Cream of Rice cereal , adding Lecithin Granules and Bernard Jensen's Seasoning. Along with a Poached Egg, also topped with Bernard Jensen's Seasoning. Or Gluten Free Waffles with homemade topping of Frozen or Fresh Blueberries, Strawberries, Raw Blue Agave nectar with a small amount of Orange Juice. Combine the Berries, Agave, Orange Juice and a small amount of Corn Starch in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil, until it starts to thicken. Add as much or as little Agave, depending on your desired sweetness.
They recently opened a Chipotle Mexican Grill in town. Lucky for me... I love Chipotle's Menu. It is one of the only Restaurants that I know of that serves no preservative or chemically laden foods.
This has been my choice for lunch a few times this week. I know that I can't eat this everyday... but I sure wouldn't mind it if I had to.
Dinners have been pretty simple... Wild Alaskan Salmon, (lucky me, the local Farmer's Market had someone who had just come from Alaska and brought an abundance of fresh Salmon) Poached with a mixed Salad. Using Organic Dressing. Also, made Veggie corn tacos, used red onion,corn, zucchini, red pepper and mushrooms, seasoned with chili powder, cumin powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and chipotle seasoning, served it on a Homemade Corn Tortilla(from Farmer's Market) with a side of Sweet Potato Fries.
Snacks have been a piece of fruit and a piece of cheese. This seems to keep me from wanting or snacking on things that I shouldn't.
Also bought some smoked Salmon at the Farmer's Market. Made a Salmon pate' using Organice Cream Cheese, Green Onions, a little Organic Milk and of course the Smoked Salmon. This is great as a spread or dip for vegetables or on top of Salad Greens.
My Goal this week is to stay on track. Keep it Simple and Eat more Live Food.
Keep the faith, Keep moving. Laurel
May 3, 2011
Sorry it has been awhile. My main computer crashed and then my laptop also went down.
But, I am back now.
Since my last writing I have discovered that I can no longer access my newfacesofparkinsons.com website files. At first I was really upset, but now think that maybe it is a sign that I need to re-invent myself as it is and start writing about my life now, with Parkinson's. All of the alternative information will remain on the website. (Note: I am currently using the Neuroassist.com Protocol and think that this is the most effective way for me to treat my Parkinson's symptoms. It has given me the most relief and is my source of hope in keeping my body active right now. I share this with you, so you can investigate for yourself about how this can work for you, if you choose too!)
Now I feel the need to move on... I am on a quest to improve my health. Diet seems to be the key for me.
After re-reading several "raw food" books, I have decided that "going raw" is the most beneficial thing I can do for my body right now. Eating living food; salads, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds is key to a "living body".
Today, is the 6th day of going "raw".
I have tried eating "raw" in the past, only to give up after a few days. I think the key to success this time is simplifying my food choices. And having enough food on hand, all the time.
I just can't complicate this. Keep it simple. Keep it raw, that is my new motto. So far this new thinking has helped me to make this a successful "Day 6".
Simple recipe for Breakfast-
Blend in Vita-Mix blender
Blueberries
Frozen Banana
Raw honey
Simple snack-
Apple
Simple lunch- Salad
Mix all together and enjoy!
Kale
Broccoli
Red pepper
Cucumber
Green onion
Avocado
Lemon or Lime juice
Sea salt
Simple Snack-
Oranges
Simple Dinner
Flax crackers
Fresh salsa and avocado
One of the other reasons that I had trouble sticking to a an all "raw" diet in the past was the side effects of detoxing.
So far I have experienced sluggishness, sleepiness, mental fog and brief periods of euphoria, though they did not last long, it could be scarey if you don't know what or why this is happening to you. Fortunately, I have done my homework and realize that each of us is individual and will experience "raw" in our own unique way.
