How Big Can It Get? Parkinson's Patients Find Greater Expression

For those individuals who are diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, life is profoundly different as the condition progresses. Parkinson's is most identified by it's effect on mood and energy. This occurs because the brain cells responsible for producing the neurotransmitter dopamine become impaired or die. When this happens, it decreases the ability of the sympathetic nervous system to regulate the more active functions of the body which present as low energy with slow motion, as well as tremor and a depressed affect. Individuals with Parkinson's also sustain damage to the nerve endings that produce norepinephrine which results in further dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic) and functions like blood pressure regulation. Balance and good posture become challenged as well as the ability to speak and maintain mental clarity.


Patients with Parkinson's disease are treated with medications that mimic or convert to dopamine to maintain some higher level of sympathetic arousal and surgery may be recommended which involves implanting electrodes deep in the brain to stimulate those parts that control movement. In addition, physical therapy may be an effective treatment to maintain and enhance voluntary function of muscle groups that have experienced decline. We have found a treatment here at Healthlinks that has been shown to markedly improve the quality of life for many Parkinson's patients. It's called LSVT Big.

LSVT was developed to help Parkinson's patients speak louder and improve movement size and quality. It has been shown to increase the amplitute of gait and trunk rotation to improve functionality of daily activity and speed of the limbs as well as improving balance. This intensive protocol uses many repetitions of functional movement patterns to maintain and in some cases re-establish movement that has been impaired. LSVT is truly a one of a kind treatment that improves the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson's disease. And the earlier this intervention is applied the greater the impact it will make. Give us a call to see if this is a program for you or your loved one. Call us at 303-443-1937 and visit LSVT Global to learn more about this unique treatment.

Variety is the Spice of Life...Color Your Diet!

We are a society with a focus on quantity. When the virtues of a food are extolled, we tend to think that more is better. While this may be true to a point there is a much bigger lesson to be gleaned from our research on food and health. A variety of plant foods is not only more interesting to our taste buds, it provides us with greater health benefits as well. This varietal approach can also be a part of supporting the consumption of seasonal foods.

So does variety truly make a bigger impact than more of a good thing? The evidence suggests that this is a resounding yes. Two studies showed that variety was the significant factor in positive health markers. One study was carried out in Spain and the other in Puerto Rico. The study in Puerto Rico was published in the November 2010 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which followed dietary habits and heart disease risk for 1200 middle-aged Puerto Rican men over a ten year period. The authors of the publication found that coronary heart disease risk was reduced as a result of the variety of foods consumed rather than quantity. Those with a greater variety had lower blood levels of C-reactive protein which is an inflammatory marker for heart attacks and other diseases. The Spanish study, published in the September 2010 edition of Cancer Epidemiology, looked at male smokers who ate more than eight sub-groups of vegetables and found that it lowered their risk of lung cancer by an astounding 23% compared to those who ate fewer than four sub-groups.

The homogenous nature of our diet may be one of the greatest detriments to our health. And when you take into consideration the particularly nutrient deficient nature of this restrictive diet, it emphasizes further where we are going astray. Much of the western diet includes lots of poor quality meat, sugar and enriched wheat products and too little whole fruits, vegetables, legumes and varietal grains like quinoa and millet. We are profoundly missing out on the broad range of nutrients that are not listed in the USRDA which easily number in the thousands. Many of these are in the famed group of antioxidants that facilitate the bodies management of inflammation which is a known catalyst for diseases such as cancer and heart disease. There are many yet undiscovered that provide rather unique functions that keep the body at it's optimal performance and warding off disease. By eating this broad range of foods we are feeding our bodies as we have evolved with nature and benefit from the synergy that we have developed with these plant-based foods. This diversity of plants includes fruits, veggies, herbs and spices.

So the adventure begins here! Going for variety likely means deviating from your normal menu. While it takes a bit more time to get used to making different meals, perhaps by committing to making a change for 1 or 2 meals a week you will reach the goal of increasing your varietal selections. And it will become easier as you increase your repetoire which will ultimately give you more to choose from for the rest of the week. Enjoy the discovery of new foods at the grocery store and savoring new flavors each week. It brings a whole new experience to the act of eating and provides a surprising degree satisfaction. So explore these different groups...and Bon Appetite!

- grains and pods
- allium veggies such onions, garlic and leeks
- stalk veggies
- leafy greens
- fruiting veggies
- root veggies
- mushrooms
- cabbages
- berries and citrus fruits

Circadian Rhythm and Well Being!

The circadian rhythm is an appoximate 24-hour physiologic and behavioral cycle of all animals, as well as plants and other organisms. This rhythm is considered to be an innate response that allows organisms to syncronize with their external environment. This internal mechanism makes slow adaptations to external stimuli and operates within a relatively small window of fluctuation. This reaction takes place slowly which correlates with the gradual changes of the light/dark cycle of the seasons which is the primary external determinant of the circadian rhythm. There are clear patterns of brain wave activity, hormone and cell regeneration and other biological functions that are clearly linked to this cycle that when disrupted contribute to chronic health issues. And it is this time of the year when societal norms press us most to become out of sync with this natural clock. Our bodies want to start preparing us for sleep earlier with the shorter days and when we stay up late and eat late into the day it completely upsets this balance.

The holidays are perhaps the most critical time for you to maintain the health of your body, mind and emotions and honoring your inherent rhythm is a necessary element to this end. This means allowing only a small fluctuation in habits of sleep and eating and maintaining behaviors during the season that support this. The overwhelming theme to accomplish this is to assert your boundaries so that you make time for these healthy behaviors. Stay with the kind internal dialogue that a healthy you is the most gracious gift you can give to those you care for. With that in mind, remember these tips for a truly peaceful and festive season.

1. Enjoy your parties, but don't shut them down. Late evenings which will obviously prohibit a full night's sleep, are the quickest way to throw off your cycle. Even if you manage 8 hours, the quality is diminished because the optimal function of sleep hormones depends on a regular pattern of wakening and sleep. Get yourself settled and in bed around 10 o'clock. You may vary slightly from this time frame, but know your schedule and stick to it like glue.

2. Limit sugar and alcohol intake which in high quantities can decrease the qualilty of your sleep.

3. Do not eat anything after 8 pm. Your body will be expending energy to digest foods when it needs to calm your metabolism so it can focus on the sleep processes.

4. Perform some type of breath work or yoga which not only helps you sleep better, but inherently honors our relationship to our natural environment. The ancient practice of yoga and meditation developed with nature in mind knowing that our symbiosis with it is a basis for health. Look for classes with experienced instructors that help you get in tune with these fluctuations of the seasons by using specific poses and breath work that give this support. This will not only help you adapt as you enjoy the class, but it will put you more in touch with what you need to stay in a healthy state of mind and body.

The New Vitamin A?

Beta-carotene has been a well promoted phytonutrient for over a decade. The role of this in supporting health and disease prevention is real, but studies popped up that brought this into question when the impacts of supplementation where assessed. You may have heard about the smoker's study that showed an increase in lung cancer incidence in smokers who used supplementation of beta-carotene. Fortunately, it caught on that it wasn't the phytonutrient itself that was the issue, it was the lack of synergysm of other nutrients in whole foods which is necessary to sustain the integrity of beta-carotene. So now researchers have discovered yet another phytonutrient in the same family, alpha-carotene.

Alpha-carotene belongs to the group of antioxidants called carotenoids which are grouped as such because of their similar structure. In a new study published in The Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that this carotenoid helps prevent diseases such cancer and cardiovascular disease. The study provided evidence that those who had the highest blood levels of alpha-carotene had the lowest incidences of these 2 ailments. The key to the study was that they analyzed blood levels of the nutrients and not the effects of supplements. This was the case in the beta carotene research and the benefits fell short. The take home of the new study is yet again the value in eating whole foods for the synergistic effects. To gleen these benefits, enjoy the flavor and satiety that comes from eating foods rich in this nutrient such as carrots, pumpkin, red pepper and chiles and you will be certain to boost that value of the phytonutrients that mother nature provided.

Gut Microbes and Health Maintenance

There is much discussion about the health benefits of taking probiotics to rebuild or fortify your intestinal bacteria. In a healthy gut, these microbes outnumber human cells by ten to one and they collectively weigh in at 3 pounds. The significance of these organisms is rather broad and very critical to the health of the human body. They manufacture some vitamins, break down toxins and produce necessary metabolites. What we have discovered about their function in recent years has been nothing less than astounding. There is strong evidence in support of their mediating effects on inflammation, a key player in the initiation of cancer. New research through the University of Aberdeen Rowett Research Institute of Nutrition and Health, has found that appropriately manipulating the diet can lead to changes that favor the reduction of inflammation. According to Wendy R. Russell, PhD, Principal Investigator in the above study, "we're now getting a much clearer picture of what the diet and gut bacteria are doing and how it relates to inflammation, one of the most important endpoints of health." So what are the keys to support this anti-inflammatory diet?

The study showed that after three to four weeks on two different diets, one biological sample showed significant changes in gut microbes and their metabolites that supported an anti-inflammatory effect. One diet was similar to Atkin's with high animal protein intake and little carbohydrate. The other entailed a higher consumption of carbohydrates with protein coming from soy sources. The group getting their protein from meat sources had a marked increase in inflammatory molecules. They also sited the importance of certain types of carbohydrates. The end result, once again, was that a plant-based diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables supported the health of the intestinal bacteria that is so important for our health. Taking probiotic supplements can be an important part of healing a gut that is poorly functioning, but maintaining a rich plant-based diet is the foundation we need for the lifespan.

Happy Holiday Habits

The theme of the holidays is one of giving and in the true spirit of the season, this is what we all desire to do. However, we have all learned the lesson that when we give more than we have the energy to give, our health and emotional state will suffer. Perhaps one of the most authentic gifts you can give to others is your happiness and well-being. The contagion that comes from a positive mind and healthy body is truly a priceless gift to those around you.

So as you make your shopping lists and plan for your parties continue to schedule the time you need to keep yourself whole. Maintaining your exercise program during the holidays is the most important gift for you to give to you! And if you want to offer a tremendous gift to others, spend time with them on a walk, hike or meet them at the gym so you can support them in their healthy habits. Shortening the time of an exercise bout is a better option than cutting it out of your daily schedule. Since habits are hard to develop, if you are already consistent, it is important to maintain it so the pattern is not lost during this time of relative mayhem.

If you are not consistent with an exercise regimen, then it is ok to start now as long as it is the only habit you are trying to adopt. And perhaps this may be the habit to choose, since your health is a grand gesture of self-love. So what are the steps to developing and maintaining a good habit?

Keep it simple, write it down, stay consistent and monitor your own feedback. Habit adoption goes through about 3 phases where month 1 is the time when you are committed, but slight interruptions can throw you off . By month 3, the desire to maintain versus give up on it is about neutral, meaning there is a 50/50 chance you will go either way. And by the end of year 1, it is generally harder to give up on the habit than it is to continue it. So by keeping it simple, writing it down and maintaining consistency you will give yourself the best shot at success. And finally, monitoring your own feedback to see if you are enjoying yourself and feeling better is key to facilitating this positive change. Because after all, if it not bringing you more joy and well-being, is it a great addition to your life?