Nutrition for Parkinson’s: Fueling Your Best Life -Parkinsons Awareness Series

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In Week 2 of our Parkinson’s Awareness Month series, we explore one of the most important tools for managing symptoms and boosting energy: nutrition. What you eat can have a major impact on how you feel, how your medications work, and how you live each day with Parkinson’s.

Learn practical tips for creating a brain- and body-friendly diet, including the importance of hydration, protein timing, and foods that support overall health.

🥗 In this episode:

• How nutrition impacts Parkinson’s symptoms
• Tips for eating well without being overwhelmed
• Simple food swaps that make a difference

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🔖 #ParkinsonsNutrition #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #BrainHealthyFoods #LiveBetterWithParkinsons #SuperfoodsForParkinsons

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only is not intended to treat or diagnose Parkinson's Disease. Please ensure that you are following the treatment plan developed by your doctor. Please ensure before starting anything new you get approval from your doctor. The information being provided is based on my own personal experiences and does not guarantee that it will benefit everyone.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:10):
Hello and welcome to Live Parkinson's.
Live an Exceptional Life yourplace for real, practical
strategies to help you live agreat quality of life with
Parkinson's.
I'm your host, chrisKustenbader, and I've been
living with Parkinson's for 15years, and this is week two of
our special four-part series forParkinson's Awareness Month.
Last week, we talked about thepower of movement, how exercise
can dramatically improve lifewith Parkinson's.

(00:32):
If you missed it, go back andgive it a listen.
Today we're shifting gears anddiving into another powerful
strategy nutrition, or, as Ilike to say, food that fuels
your fight when you're livingwith Parkinson's, what you eat
isn't just about calories.
It's about giving your body andyour brain the best fuel to

(00:52):
manage symptoms, maintain energyand support your medications.
Now, let's be honest nutritioncan feel overwhelming,
especially with all thedifferent diets out there, but
today we're going to keep itsimple and sustainable.
Here's what we need to know.
There's no one-size-fits-allParkinson's diet, but research
and experience tell us a few keythings.

(01:14):
First, whole foods matter.
Think fresh fruits, vegetables,whole grains, healthy fats and
lean proteins.
These are anti-inflammatory,antioxidant-rich and help keep
your body running smoothly.
Second, hydration is crucial.
Many people with Parkinson'sare chronically dehydrated, and

(01:37):
that worsens symptoms likefatigue, constipation and even
balance.
So aim for six to eight cups ofwater a day to help keep you
hydrated.
Third, fiber is your friend.
Constipation is a big issue inParkinson's.
Add fiber-rich foods like oats,lentils, berries and leafy

(01:58):
greens.
Combine that with water andlate movement and your gut will
say thank you.
Fourth, watch the timing ofprotein.
Levodopa, one of the mostcommon Parkinson's medications,
can compete with protein forabsorption.
Try having your biggest proteinmeal a few hours away from when
you take your meds.
Talk to your doctor ordietician about what's right for

(02:20):
you.
And then, finally, limitultra-processed foods and sugar,
because these spike your bloodsugar, they increase
inflammation and can worsenenergy crashes and mood swings.
You deserve better fuel thanthat, so try to reduce or
eliminate as much sugar inprocessed foods as you possibly

(02:41):
can.
All right, when I started reallypaying attention to what I was
putting into my body, I didnotice a huge difference.
I had more energy, fewercrashes, I didn't feel as hungry
in the afternoon and mydigestion improved.
I also noticed that when I cutback on sugar, my tremors felt
less intense and my focusimproved.
It wasn't about being perfect,because I'm far from it,

(03:04):
especially when it comes to diet, but it was about being
intentional.
I tried to do all the thingsthat I just mentioned above, so
try this.
Start with one small change thisweek.
Maybe it's adding a greensmoothie in the morning,
drinking one extra glass ofwater a day, or swapping that
afternoon cookie for a handfulof nuts and berries.
Small steps build big resultsover time.

(03:27):
Now here's a simpleParkinson's-friendly snack that
you can prep today.
Get one banana, one tablespoonof almond butter and a sprinkle
of ground flax seeds.
It's loaded with potassium,healthy fats, fiber and
brain-boosting omega-3s, andit's delicious.

(03:48):
That is if you like bananas.
Now here's a bonus idea.
If cooking feels overwhelming,one thing you can do is batch
prep some simple meals once aweek, or ask a friend or family
member to help you out.
There are also local servicesand delivery options that offer
healthy, parkinson's-friendlymeals, so don't be afraid to ask
for help.

(04:09):
Nutrition is self-care.
It doesn't have to be a solomission.
Now here's your takeawayNutrition is one of your most
powerful tools.
You don't need to overhaul yourlife overnight.
Just start by choosing foodsthat support your brain, your
body and your journey.
Next week, in our AwarenessMonth series, we'll explore
something that's just aspowerful optimism and positivity

(04:31):
, how your mindset can shapeyour experience with Parkinson's
in surprising ways.
But before you go, take someaction.
Visit liveparkinsonscom,subscribe to the free monthly
newsletter and there's a bunchof other free resources and
articles on there to takeadvantage of.
Download your Building yourParkinson's Care Team Resource

(04:52):
Guide and Workbook.
That's on the homepage.
And if you love this podcastand want to support our mission,
visit our Ko-fi page atko-ficom.
Slash liveparkinsons and weappreciate the support.
Together we're building acommunity of strength, strategy
and support.
One meal, one step and onemoment at a time.

(05:15):
So thanks for joining me onthis journey.
Until next time, eat well, stayhealthy, stay strong and
remember you're not just livingwith Parkinson's, you're living
an exceptional life.