The onset or diagnosis of Parkinson’s itself is very depressing, and not only for the one affected but also for the entire family. The main reason behind it is, its serious degenerative conditions and with almost no signs or hope of recovery. Though the process of loss of movement and coordination is slow, it is progressive and persistent. 

Parkinson impacts the central nervous system of the one affected. It is majorly a disorder of the movement and is characterized by four major symptoms – rigidity in muscle movements, followed by tremors, and then slowing down of all the movements and in some of the cases total impairment of body movements.  

The most critical and it won’t be any wrong if we say devastating part of Parkinson’s is the way it affects the everyday life of the affected. Almost everything stops and seems impossible thereby putting the person on support and care of others. People slowly starts losing interested in living and this makes things more worsen.  

How do we manage Parkinson’s and its devastating effects?

As we know that in Parkinson’s, a region of the brain that controls movements gets affected and starts deteriorating. 

This results in decrease in dopamine levels in the brain(the brain chemical that is responsible for all our coordination movements). Dopamine is crucial and has a major role to play in:-         

  • General human behaviour
  • Mood
  • Memory
  • Cognition       
  • Movement of the body 

As there is no known cure of Parkinson’s, however it is studied that diet and food can play a major role in controlling the situation, as age is the major contributing factor in the progression of Parkinson’s. Here it is how diet can show positive results:

Raw fruits and vegetables 

Researches show that vitamin B – folic acid found in fruits and vegetables mainly can significantly reduce the risks of intensifying the disease. Broccoli, spinach, avocado, asparagus, okra and brussel sprouts are good sources of folic acid. 

Omega-3 Fatty acids

The disease in inflammatory in nature and hence omega-3 is an essential component in fighting inflammation. Perhaps the benefits of Omega-3 goes well beyond Parkinson’s. It promotes cell regeneration and death. Balancing cholesterol levels, boosting immunity, and enhancing cardiovascular health are few of the added benefits of having omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon and other fatty fishes are good sources.      

Vitamin D3

It is one vitamin that the body does not produces of its own but have significant role in our health.Sunlight and very few sources animal fat contains the vitamin. Lack or deficiency of vitamin D can result in lesser or no absorption of calcium and phosphorous in the body, resulting in a lot of health related issues as we age and one is Parkinson’s. Although there currently is no cure for this disease – Parkinson’s, and only the medications and a proper diet enriched with healthy and effective foods can help to suppress both the debilitating and disabling symptoms of this conditions to certain extend and make life more tolerable.