Tuesday 24 February 2015

Parkinson's Disease Diet - Eating for Better Medication and Food Interaction

Parkinson's
This is not a diet as such, more an informative blog about eating the correct foods to assist with the medication the patient is taking for Parkinson’s. Always take well balanced and nutritious, it will increase more energy and helping their bodies work more effectively.

The most commonly prescribed drug is Levodopa and the information I am giving you is based on the experiences I have. Get the patient to a well-balanced eating plan:

  • Confirm the patient eats a variety of foods from each food group
  • Always maintain patient weight balance of exercise and good food
  • Always include fiber foods
  • Take all the food in proper quantity.
  • Use foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol
  • Limit or avoid sugars
  • Daily drink up to 2 liters of water a day
  • Take the salt in limited quantity
  • A daily vitamin supplement may also be necessary depending on how patient reacts to his eating plan.

Pointers in taking the Parkinson's medication

This medicine generally works better on an empty stomach; it's taken at least 1 hour after meal or 30 minutes before their meals. Always taken with a full glass of water.

This drug can cause nausea on an empty stomach and the doctor could try to control it by combining 2 of the ' DUOPA' class drugs [levodopa and carbidopa - named Sinemet]. If the nausea continues the patient might have to go on a separate drug to control nausea. I have listed a few tips below to try control this nausea naturally:

  • Avoid citrus juices - these are acidic and can increase the feeling of nausea
  • Don't take patient greasy or sweet foods.
  • Give food to patient little but more time - this could help as the patient will not feel bloated
  • Always try not to mix hot and cold food at the same feel
  • Try getting the patient to drink between meals rather than with meals
  • Let them snack on light and bland foods
  • Generally let the patient eat when they are feeling less nauseous

REMEMBER - Always consult the patient’s doctor before making any major changes to his/her medication or diet.

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