When most family caregivers think about Parkinson’s treatments, they normally consider medications that can alleviate the tremors. However, the foods seniors eat can also have an impact on their overall health and level of Parkinson’s symptoms. In general, it’s important to eat healthy foods and get proper nutrition. Here are a few foods seniors with Parkinson’s disease should avoid as much as possible.
Excessive Amounts of Protein
Some types of Parkinson’s medications can be less effective when combined with eating a lot of protein. For example, levodopa might not be properly absorbed if your senior loved one has recently been eating protein. Therefore, it’s wise to limit your loved one’s protein intake to the lower daily recommended amount instead of serving a high-protein diet like a paleo diet. Foods like meat, poultry, fish, dairy, and eggs should only be eaten in moderation.
It’s essential for seniors to eat nutritious meals and choose an overall healthy lifestyle to delay advanced Parkinson’s symptoms. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elder care. Tucson, AZ, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Trans and Saturated Fats
In general, high levels of saturated fat are associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, so it’s wise to avoid them as much as possible. These sorts of fats are typically found in animal-based foods like fatty meats and cheeses. Trans fats are another problematic fat associated with overall reduced health. Check processed foods carefully to see if they contain these types of fats.
Aging adults sometimes need extra help with meal preparation or grocery shopping when they have Parkinson’s disease. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a Tucson in-home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services
Dairy
Dairy and Parkinson’s disease have a fairly complex relationship. Some research suggests a defect in the body’s ability to manage the calcium in dairy is responsible for Parkinson’s. Seniors who eat high amounts of dairy also have heightened risks of Parkinson’s disease. Because of these two factors, seniors with Parkinson’s should cut back on their milk, yogurt, and cheese intake. Fortunately, taking calcium supplements doesn’t carry the same risks, so seniors can still work to avoid osteoporosis.
High Levels of Sugar
Eating excessively high amounts of sugar isn’t healthy for anyone, but it’s particularly problematic for people who have Parkinson’s disease. The issue with high amounts of sugar is that they tend to cause drastic blood sugar spikes. Once blood sugar drops again, seniors with Parkinson’s may experience heavy levels of fatigue. However, this can be prevented by not eating high amounts of sugar in a single sitting and always having slow-digesting fiber when eating sugar.
Aged and Fermented Foods
If your loved one is taking MAO-B inhibitors for Parkinson’s disease, he or she needs to be careful about eating foods with excessive amounts of tyramine. MAO-B inhibitors increase tyramine concentrations, and eating foods with a lot of tyramine can elevate tyramine concentrations to levels that cause dangerously high blood pressure. Foods to avoid include any type of cured meats and fish, aged cheeses, fermented cabbage, soy sauce or miso, red wine, and beer.
Following a healthy diet can help seniors with Parkinson’s enhance their physical health and wellbeing. Living with a serious health condition can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Tucson seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more. Contact Home Care Assistance at (520) 276-6555 to learn more about our elderly care plans.