First described in 1817 by Dr. James Parkinson, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a term used to describe specific loss of motor function. Over 50,000 new cases of Parkinson’s are diagnosed each year [Source: NINDS]. This disease is characterized by four specific symptoms: tremors, rigidity, slow movements, and a loss of coordination and balance. Walking often becomes very slow, and patients often experience tremors in the hands, arms or face while at rest. Patients are at a high risk of falling due to the loss of balance and coordination, and muscle stiffness. The disease typically progresses with further deterioration of motor skills though medication may slow these effects. Doctors are now studying nutritional therapies for prevention and treatment of afflicted patients.

Nutritional approaches for treating Parkinson’s should not rest solely on vitamins. The diet must include fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and water. Artificial preservatives and ingredients will serve no benefit to brain health. Clinically, patients have more success treating symptoms early in the course of the illness. Later stages of the disease usually require more aggressive dosing and more time for results. Prevention should remain a focus. Eliminating excess toxins from the workplace and home, sound sleep and a healthy diet are integral to a healthy brain and prevention of chronic conditions.

Another area of major concern for Parkinson’s disease, along with many other chronic diseases, is toxin damage. Even as a developing fetus, we are exposed to all kinds of toxic insults. These can be in the form of pesticides, heavy metals, cleaning chemicals and pollution. In the past 100 years, toxins from various sources have dramatically increased while the nutritional value of the food we eat has substantially decreased. This is a costly combination that many experts believe is leading to chronic diseases including Parkinson’s, dementia and autism [Source: Etminan].

Lately, the list of foods that are generally considered to be healthy seems to be shrinking. In the era of trans-fat avoidance and pre-packaged health food bars, it's comforting to find out that the morning joe we've been slugging back for years might actually have some benefit to our health.

Coffee contains antioxidants. Antioxidants are also found in many fruits and vegetables and they work to neutralize unstable molecules, also known as free radicals. Free radicals damage healthy cells and are thought to contribute to cancer, as well as suppressed immune funtion, and lethargy. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated varieties of coffee contain similar levels of antioxidants, so even those sensitive to caffeine can benefit from coffee consumption in this respect.
 
Like cancer, Parkinson's Disease is not well understood and its cause it still a mystery to scientists. However, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that those who do not drink coffee were three times more likely to develop the disease. While this prognosis was originally attributed to coffees caffeine content, studies were unable to replicate the results when other sources of caffeine were substituted. While the jury may still be out when it comes to why coffee starves off Parkinson's, the evidence appears convincing enough to warrant its consumption.

Of all of coffees benefits, some of the most substantial evidence centers around diabetes. Coffee, as well as decaf coffee, improves insulin sensitivity and works to prevent high blood sugar. This effect is so pronounced, that a 2004 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that those who drank four cups of coffee daily were 35 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Since type 2 diabetes is approaching pandemic proportions, this is especially good news for coffee drinkers.

It is a rare event when a scientist will put his reputation on the line by making matter of fact statements. But in 2003, Professor D'Amicis, the head of Italy's Nutrition Information Unit was recorded saying "signifigant data shows us how drinking coffee could provide a real benefit to our health." Professor D'Amicis research focused on coffee in its relation to liver and gall bladder health. D'Amicis' own research, confirmed by numerous follow up studies, showed that coffee consumption provides significant reduction in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis related liver disease. In addition, the research showed that men who drank at least four cups of coffee a day had a 30 to 40 percent reduction in gallstone disease.

While it sometimes seems that with every published study, we are forced to once again remove something from our diets and from our cupboards; in the case of coffee, it appears that science has allowed us the freedom to enjoy our brew with a guilt free conscience. So brew a pot of your favorite grind and drink up! Your body will thank you later.

by Sandra Frank, Ed.D., RD, LDN

There is no special diet for people with Parkinson's disease. The nutritional goals include:

* Eat well-balanced meals.
* Consume adequate calories to maintain body weight within a normal range.
* Minimize food and drug interactions.
* If chewing, choking or excessive coughing becomes a problem, provide food consistency easily tolerated.
*Feeding may become difficult and a referral to an occupational therapist may be necessary for adaptive eating utensils.


Eat Well-Balanced Meals
Eat a variety of foods. Include foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, bran, cereals,rice and pasta. Limit intake of salt, sugar and foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol. Drink eight cups of water per day. Balance exercise and food in order to maintain your weight within a healthy range. Ask your doctor if alcohol will interfere with any of your medications.


Medication and Food Interactions
Medication used to treat Parkinson's disease may cause nausea. Let your doctor know if nausea is a problem. There are several ways to control nausea,including:

* Drink clear liquids, such as water, broth, fruit juices without pulp (apple juice, grape juice or cranberry juice),Clear sodas, sports drinks and plain gelatin.
* Avoid juices with pulp and orange and grapefruit juices.
* Eat and drink slowly.
* Beverages should be consumed between meals, not with the meal.
* Choose bland foods such as saltine crackers. Avoid greasy and fried foods.
* Eat smaller meals, more frequently throughout the day.
* Foods should be eaten cold or at room temperature.
*After eating keep your head elevated and avoid brushing your teeth.


Some medications for Parkinson's disease may cause thirst or dry mouth.Include 8 or more cups of liquid each day, unless other medical conditions require you to limit your fluid intake. Add sauces to foods to make them moister. Try sour candy or an ice pop to help increase saliva.

Malnutrition may become a problem for a person diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This could be related to depression, nausea,difficulty feeding, problems with swallowing, chewing, coughing and/or a loss of interest in food.

Patients who experience swallowing difficulties should consult a physician. The doctor may recommend a swallow study to determine the food consistency best tolerated. If feeding becomes difficult, a referral to an occupational therapist maybe necessary for adaptive eating utensils.

by Newsletter Editor

Vitamin B6 levels are low in the generalpopulation and in arthritis and Parkinsons disease, according tofindings from three new studies.

In the first large study ofvitamin B6 in the general population, researchers measured blood plasmalevels of vitamin B6 in 7,822 males and females at least one year old.Nearly 25 percent of those who did not take supplements had low levelsof vitamin B6, as did 11 percent of supplement users. Four groups weremore likely than most to have low vitamin B6 levels, including women ofchildbearing ageespecially those taking or who had taken oralcontraceptivesmale smokers, non-Hispanic African-American men and menand women over age 65. Three in four (75 percent) of women who had takenoral contraceptives and did not take vitamin B6 supplements had verylow levels (deficiency) of B6. Investigators noted that the federalgovernment uses the same blood plasma measure to set the recommendeddaily allowance (RDA) for vitamin B6 and that even those who said theyconsumed more than the RDA had low vitamin B6 levels.

In anarthritis study of women over age 55, including 18 women with rheumatoidarthritis (RA) and 33 healthy women, researchers measured blood levelsof vitamin B6, folate, fats and signs of inflammation. Participantsweighed the food they ate for seven days and described their pain andability to perform daily tasks. Compared to the healthy women, womenwith RA had lower levels of vitamin B6, folate and more inflammation.Because the women in both groups consumed the same amounts of nutrients,doctors theorized that those with RA do not absorb vitamin B6 as wellas healthy people and may need to take supplements.

In aParkinsons disease (PD) study, researchers examined the diets of 5,289healthy participants over age 55 and followed up for 10 years. Those whoconsumed at least 231 mcg of vitamin B6 per day were 54 percent lesslikely to develop PD than were those who consumed less than 185 mcg perday.

New research shows people who regularly take ibuprofen may reduce their risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a study released that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto April 10 to April 17, 2010.

The research involved 136,474 people who did not have Parkinson's disease at the beginning of the research. Participants were asked about their use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen.After six years, 293 participants had developed Parkinson's disease.

The study found regular users of ibuprofen were 40 percent less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than people who didn't take ibuprofen.Also, people who took higher amounts of ibuprofen were less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than people who took smaller amounts of thedrug. The results were the same regardless of age, smoking and caffeine intake.

"Ibuprofen was the only NSAID linked to a lower risk of Parkinson's,"said Xiang Gao, MD, with Harvard School of Public Health in Boston."Other NSAIDs and analgesics, including aspirin and acetaminophen, did not appear to have any effect on lowering a person's risk of developing Parkinson's. More research is needed as to how and why ibuprofen appears to reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease, which affects up to one million people in the United States."

The study was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Source: American Academy of Neurology (AAN)