Ever wondered why one day your symptoms are well controlled and other days you struggle to keep them at bay?
I have been dealing with on/off or fluctuation in symptoms for years now... and the one thing that always seems to play a key role in these fluctuations is "Food".
I know this because... when I don't eat anything early in the day and go without food until late afternoon or evening... my symptoms are almost non existent on those days.
The next day... I will eat earlier in the day... it could be a smoothie or it could be pancakes, or eggs or vegetables or a combination of a variety of foods. Or just fruit.
I take the same amount of my Dopamine that I always take ...no change to the dosage...but my symptoms are not controlled. The only change is that I ate food.
For me, it seems that as soon as I introduce "food" into my system, my body has a hard time using the Dopamine Supplement effectively enough to keep my Parkinson's symptoms at bay.
Symptoms that were non existent the day before ... because of not eating anything...and well controlled by the Dopamine that I take... can now be out of control... tremors, muscle tightness and fatigue...causing Anxiety, Extreme frustration and tiredness.
I know that it is common knowledge that "Protein" is known to interfere with the absorption of Dopamine, in some patients...it is well documented. They suggest waiting a period of time between eating Protein type foods and taking your Dopamine Medication or Herb.
Again for me... it seems that it's not only Protein that affects or interferes with the absorption of the Dopamine to effectively control my symptoms... also Carbohydrates, Fats and Sugar seem to play a key role in symptom control or relief... Not only do I notice fluctuations with these foods. I also notice that the type of "Protein" ie: Fish, Shrimp, Beef, Chicken, Pork as well as Plant sources of Protein have a different affect on the effectiveness of the Dopamine that I take.
I have been writing about how food has a huge effect on me for years... I have done searches on the Internet and have relayed information to the Doctors that I have seen for my Parkinson's and never gotten a satisfactory answer as to what I should eat or why it plays such an important role in keeping symptoms at bay or making them worse.
Being the persistent person that I am ... trying to help myself live my best life possible...living with Parkinson's... I have continued to search for an answer to the Food - Parkinson's -Dopamine connection.
This past year has brought me closer to finding an answer to the Food -Parkinson's -Dopamine connection.
I came across a post that was written by a Registered Dietitian, Kathryn Holden...
In this post a woman with Parkinson's asks her about "the correlation of different foods with Protein and how they can interfere with Dopamine effectiveness in Parkinson's patients.
Reading this blog post gives a clearer picture of how and why different foods affect or interfere with the Dopamine Supplementation.... whether it is via an Herb or Medication such as Levodopa.
I believe that this Information is extremely important for anyone living with Parkinson's Disease.
Not only do I believe this information is vitally important for Patient's that have been living with the Disease for a long time...(the longer you have the Disease... the more Health Challenges seem to arise) but should be shared with those NEWLY DIAGNOSED with Parkinson's Disease.
The more information that is available to those of us with Parkinson's Disease, the better chance we have in living a more Productive and Happier Life!
Remember we each experience Parkinson's differently. We are all Unique! Food may or may not be a factor or challenge for you in managing your symptoms.
But if it is... their are tools and information available to help you be the best you can be...living with Parkinson's.
Their is no one size fits all Diet for Patient's with Parkinson's... but with determination and persistence you can strive to be the best you can be... living with Parkinson's Disease.
The following links may be helpful in your quest to find the right Diet for you.
Parkinson's Diet 7:1 Carbs to Protein
For complete information about the Diet ... click the link above and it will take you to
The 7:1 Diet For Parkinson’s Disease: A Nutritionist’s View by Lori F. Lieberman
Rationale of Diet by Lori F. Lieberman
It has been well established by the medical community that diet, particularly protein, has a direct impact on the effectiveness of Parkinson’s disease medications. Levodopa, the active ingredient in most P.D. drugs (such as Sinemet) must be transported across the blood/brain barrier into the brain for conversion to dopamine. Only then can it alleviate the symptoms of P.D. However, the digestion of dietary protein results in certain amino acids, (large neutral amino acids-LNAAs) which compete with levodopa for transport into the brain.
The result is that the amount of protein you eat has a direct impact on the amount of levodopa reaching your brain, and subsequently, on your symptoms of P.D. Dietary carbohydrate also plays a part, lowering blood levels of LNAAs by triggering the release of insulin.
Balancing carbohydrate and protein, specifically in a ratio of 7:1 (7 parts carbohydrate to 1 part protein) results in the most stable blood levels of LNAAs- the goal of dietary management. This allows for a consistent and more predictable response to Sinemet. Studies show an optimal response to levodopa with a 7:1 diet, as compared to either a higher carbohydrate intake (30:1) or lower carbohydrate intake (1.5:1).
The 7:1 balance, therefore, is the goal of dietary modification to enhance the effect of your Sinemet.
Understanding Protein and how it can Interfere with Dopamine absorption
Kathrynne Holden MS, RD
Registered Dietitian's view on Protein and Parkinson's
Diet and Fiber ...How it could positively affect you and your Parkinson's Disease!
Short video is worth watching... Whole Food Plant Based Diet and Parkinson's Disease may effectively help to control symptom relief! by Michael Greger M.D. FACLM
Applying all that we have learned about Diet and it's affect on Parkinson's Disease symptom relief.
Changing to a Whole Food Plant Based Diet
Here is a link to variety of Nutritious Recipes for following a Whole Foods Plant Diet.
Now that we have learned that how "Diet" may or can affect Parkinson's Disease... how about applying a Whole Foods Plant Diet to the principles outlined in the 7:1 Diet ... by Lori Lieberman (above) and see if it makes a difference in your symptom management of Parkinson's Disease.
Keeping the faith,
Laurel
