Healthy Digestion with Parkinson's Disease

Hopefully it is catching on now that a balanced diet of primarily plant-based foods is paramount for human health. And even though there are modifications to be made for certain conditions, no individual's diet lies far outside of these recommendations. Nutrition and the prevention of disease is strongly connected as we can see with ailments such as diabetes and heart disease. Thankfully, health counseling which includes diet consultations, are now being implemented into many treatment programs for diseases that are known to have a "lifestyle" component with incidence. Regardless of this relationship, we can find validation for "food as medicine" for overall health and treatment of illness.

Parkinson's disease is no exception when it comes to addressing treatment with nutrition. One of the most significant concerns for these individuals is maintaining digestive function and preventing constipation. The slowing down of the autonomic nervous system leads to decreased gastric motility which is the movement of the stomach and intestines. The autonomic nervous system regulates smooth muscle which is what orchestrates the flow of food stuff through the digestive tract. Constipation is of particular concern for Parkinson's individuals. However, the recommendations for addressing this fall in line with implementing and maintaining a highly plant-based diet with a focus on high fiber content. When movement of the colon decreases, the need for bulk in the diet becomes greater so there is increased mass to move food through a system that is operating at less than optimal function. A part of this is maintaining fluid levels by consuming an adequate amount of clean pure water. Use these tips to keep it moving and prevent the rather disruptive problem of constipation.

1. Drink 64 ounces or more of filtered water or well-sourced spring water. See blog on bottled water for guidelines.

2. Increase your daily intake of fiber by eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and aim for consuming 9. Some of the high fiber fruits and veggies are apples, oranges, berries, brussels sprouts, green cabbage, eggplant, avocado, artichoke, tomatoes and beans such as garbanzo and lima.

3. Avoid diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol.

4. Be certain to schedule yourself for regular exercise which should be at least 5 days a week if not everyday. This increased activity helps stimulate the intestines.

5. Add a bulking agent like psyllium husk.

6. Drink warm liquids, particularly in the morning.