Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that has a tendency to develop in aging populations. It is most commonly associated with tremors, varying degrees of uncontrollable shaking that make fine motor movements difficult at best. At this time, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease – there are only prevention and management techniques to delay its progression.
At West TN Neurology, Dr. Salman Saeed and his team want to help our patients live long, healthy lives. This means making good decisions for your health, early in life. By making certain lifestyle choices you can delay the onset of Parkinson’s and minimize your potential symptoms for as long as possible. Your treatment will likely include a combination of medications and lifestyle recommendations that may include:
Dietary Changes That Delay Parkinson’s Development
The Mediterranean-Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet has been studied for the way that it protects against neurodegenerative changes. Adding the recommended foods to the participant’s diet was associated with a 13% reduced risk of developing PD or delaying symptoms.
The Mediterranean diet is plant-based, anti-inflammatory, consisting of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, fish, and small portions of chicken/red meat. Considering that PD is related to toxic burden (referring to how many toxins accumulate in the body) this plant-based diet, rich in vegetables and fruits, and organic foods should help reduce the level of toxins.
The diet is high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, including flavonoids, which are found in berries. It has the potential to reduce inflammation and toxin exposure, improve gut health, and modulate the immune system to reduce PD symptoms.
Physical Activity
While it’s common knowledge that physical activity is good for your health, strengthening your cardiovascular system, lung capacity, maintaining bone density – it has also shown to be beneficial for your brain! Studies show that a 40min walk 3 times a week, benefits overall cognitive health, including parts of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Compared to adults that don’t engage in physical activity, who show a decrease in the size of the hippocampus. Physical exercise has also been linked to reducing the loss of dopaminergic neurons, a key aspect of the development of Parkinson’s Disease
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Yoga
Parkinson’s may be neurological, but it carries physical symptoms that must be cared for. Studies show that yoga is an excellent way to deal with immobility and rigidity associated with PD. Muscle spasms, muscular atrophy, and rigidity often restrict patients’ balance and range of motion. Patients who opt to take up yoga for PD management often see benefits that include improved strength, greater flexibility, healthy balance, overall fitness, and a higher quality of life.
Meditation for Parkinson’s Prevention
Stress is one of the most useful and destructive aspects of the human mind. It can be life-saving in dangerous scenarios, but when our bodies are subjected to its effects for a long period of time, we start to experience comprehensively negative effects. Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease can be incredibly stressful. Trying to cope with change and visualize your life moving forward, it’s perfectly normal to experience stress.
Allowing this stress to become part of your daily life becomes an unfortunately vicious circle. The constant stress will only exacerbate or speed up your symptoms. Patients with high-stress levels have been observed with lowered dopaminergic levels, a key element to the progression of PD.
Mindfulness, or meditation, is the practice of being present with your thoughts. Once you have integrated it into your daily routine, it can be incredibly relaxing, cathartic, and stress-relieving. This study highlights how effective stress control methods like mindfulness meditation can be at preventing or reducing stress-related damage that would otherwise cause remodeling of the brain.
Meditation can be done anywhere there is a quiet, calm environment – an empty office, in your car, or even sitting on the couch.
Symptom Prevention and Management
Dr. Salman Saeed and his team have helped many of our patients with PD delay the onset of their symptoms with management plans that are designed to meet their needs. Our plans integrate specially designed medications with appropriate lifestyle recommendations to help you live healthier, longer. Our team also has access to a wide range of support systems and resources that are incredibly valuable to people living with Parkinson’s Disease.
Parkinson’s Disease Symptom Prevention Available in Bartlett, TN
If you or a loved one have noticed the early signs of Parkinson’s Disease or would like to take precautionary measures against the early onset of PD, Dr. Salman Saeed can help! Reach out to the specialists at West TN Neurology for a consultation and get the peace of mind you need!
Call our offices to speak with a member of our team or schedule a consultation online today!
