by admin | Dec 27, 2017 | Health Awareness, Parkinson's Disease
Even though there is no specific diet that can treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, one can have a proper and healthy diet that can help improve the overall symptoms. By consuming a lot of vegetables and fruits, one can keep themselves energized. Staying properly hydrated can help deal with the common symptoms like low blood pressure and constipation.
Making changes in the timing of meals can also help the medications affect the body in a better way and avoidance of certain foods can help prevent the side effects.
Dietary Changes That Can Help With Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease:
Having low blood pressure is common with those with Parkinson’s. It is usually a side effect of the medication. Increasing fluid intake and salt in the diet can help increase the blood pressure to normal, however, it should be discussed with a physician. Having small but frequent meals can also help with blood pressure challenges.
A common symptom of Parkinson’s is constipation. An increase in daily fiber consumption diet can help with this problem. Drinking six to eight glasses of water daily is healthy. Starting the day with warm liquids can help stimulate bowel movement and help maintain regularity. Some common sources of fiber are fruits and vegetables, cereals and whole grains.
Medications taken for Parkinson’s usually lead to a difficulty in swallowing food and causes thirst. To avoid this problem, include up to eight glasses of water daily and take sips of water after each bite when eating. Eat food that has sauces and or gravy and butter. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe some artificial saliva producing products.
Muscle cramps are also observed in Parkinson’s patients, especially during night time when the medication usually wears off. Eating yellow mustard that contains turmeric is very beneficial to help. Proper hydration maintenance also prevents cramps.
How to Help Increase Your Appetite?
Having a poor appetite is also another common symptom. Poor appetite can be a result of depression. If so, talk to your doctor to be treated and this will potentially help improve appetite.
Some tips to help increase your appetite are:
- Have small, frequent, but nutritious meals
- Go for a daily walk to stimulate appetite
- Include your favorite foods for more enjoyment
- Consume the high-calorie foods first
- Do not drink beverages prior to a meal or during to avoid feeling full
Antioxidants and What Foods Are Rich with Them?
Antioxidants are highly beneficial. They are responsible for clearing out the free radicals present in the body. Free radicals are basically toxic elements that are formed by sunlight, pollution, smoke and cigarettes. Oxidative stress is caused due these free radicals and it highly associated with Parkinson’s and aging.
A diet that is rich in antioxidants helps reverse cellular damage and oxidative stress. Some examples of these foods are:
- Fruits: Pears, grapes, berries, and apples.
- Vegetables: Kale, artichokes, okra, bell peppers.
- Nuts: Walnuts, hazelnuts, and pecans.
- Legumes: Kidney beans and lentils
- Beverages: Tea and coffee
- Eggs
- Dark chocolate
by admin | Dec 23, 2017 | Health Awareness, Lupus
Reduce Stress to Avoid Flare-Ups
Recent clinical trials show that increased stress can really worsen the symptoms. Effectively managing the stress is highly beneficial to manage with lupus in daily life. One big way to start is by identifying the cause of stress.
Some recommendations to deal with stress are:
- Don’t hesitate to ask for help when your symptoms get worse
- Take up activities that help you stay relaxed and calm
- Take out time for yourself more often during the week
Maintain a Healthy Diet for Your Heart
Research shows that lupus leads to a risk of heart disease. It is important to maintain a diet that is heart healthy. Your diet should incorporate more of:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Protein like fish and poultry
- Whole grains
Getting plenty of calcium and limiting sodium intake in diet is also very beneficial.
Improve Your Sleep
One of the most common symptoms of lupus is chronic fatigue and the worsening of symptoms can really make it hard to fall sleep. It is recommended to get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep and also rest from time to time during the day.
Avoid Too Much Sunlight
Majority of lupus patients have high sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Spending too much time out in the sun can give rise to a flare-up. It is also observed that lupus medications can heighten the body’s sensitivity UV light. It is essential to wear a sunblock when going out in the sun.
Exercise More
Lupus affects the joints of the body and exercising on a regular basis is a great way to keep the joints healthy, promote stronger muscles, avoid stiffness, control weight and also help control fatigue.
Make sure to consult with a doctor prior to any exercise routines as some specific exercises can cause swollen joints and pain.
Exercise also improves your mental health. Dealing with a condition like lupus often leads to clinical depression. Exercise can help improve the symptoms. Research shows that people who engaged in any kind of simple kind of physical activity had lower levels of depression.
Almost 90% of studies suggest that exercise can reduce fatigue, including exercise in your daily routine can really help with the symptoms of lupus like feeling run-down and sluggish by increasing the body’s energy levels.
Another benefit for increased exercise is improving the side effects caused by medications. Lupus medications have various side effects, most common of which is weight gain. They can also increase your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol. Taking steroids also increases the appetite.
Below are some tips to exercise safely and under medical advice.
- Take it slow
- Talk to your doctor
- Participate in low impact exercise
- Keep an exercise journal
by admin | Dec 11, 2017 | Health Awareness, Multiple Sclerosis
Holiday season can be a stressful time especially for those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Changes in schedule, travel, and demands of daily routines may add stress that can possibly cause the worsening of symptoms.
Below are some tips offered by health specialists that can help avoid possible disease flares and increase of symptoms.
Set Realistic Expectations
Help set realistic expectations during the merriment that can be easily managed. Avoid activities that are risky and be mindful to not do more activity than what you are normally accustomed to.
Communicate with Family and Friends
Communicate openly on how you are feeling to your friends and family. Some symptoms aren’t visible to them, so it is very important to let them know if you are not doing or feeling well. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Pace Yourself
Fatigue can be an impact for those with MS. Help to prioritize your activities during the holiday season. Set a reminder to take a nap or rest to recharge yourself.
Travel Arrangements
Travel may cause disruption in your eating, medication, and sleeping schedules, so plan carefully. Both air and ground travel can also require special type of arrangements to be available, such as easy access to bathroom. Carry a doctor’s letter that shows your need to use injection medicine while traveling on a plane as the Transportation Security Agents (TSA) may require this confirmation.
Challenging Routines
Normal routine disruptions can be expected and may be troublesome for those with a neurological disorder. Consider the possible complications that can arise due to changes in sleeping and eating routines. Family and friends can help maintain lesser disruptions and stress by asking what normal eating and sleeping routines are and try to provide as close to that schedule as possible.
Emotional Outbursts
Holiday season can be, at times, an emotional time for everyone. Due to neurological issues, some MS patients may have emotional outbursts like sudden crying or laughing. Help educate family and friends what may be happening and that it is ok. It is important for them to feel comfortable and know that these emotional outbursts may be involuntary due to extreme reflexes experienced by the patient.
Manage Coordination
Know your physical limitations and be mindful to not overextend yourself. If you love to cook, but due to your condition are unable to stand steady by the stove or struggle with cutting food due to numbness of hands, then try to participate by reading out the recipe to a family member. If in a new environment, it is helpful for family members to remove clutter and other items that may disrupt movements.
Sensitivity to Temperatures
Temperature sensitivity is another common symptom for those battling MS. Friends and family can help to maintain the temperature of the home so it is not too warm nor too cold. Be sure to stay warm if travelling to a colder environment for the holidays.
by admin | Oct 23, 2017 | Health Awareness
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system of the body causes damage to the CNS, hence any supplement that is responsible for boosting the immune response should be avoided.
In such a case, the dosing is a big factor when it comes to minerals and supplements because the intake of higher doses can be harmful. It is very important for patients of MS to consult with a doctor to properly determine the dose that will be most effective.
BASICS ABOUT VITAMINS AND MINERALS
Vitamins are chemicals that are required by our body for the maintenance of health. Minerals are inorganic substances that also required by the body just like vitamins to stay healthy.
However, it should be considered that intake of too much of certain minerals and vitamins can be dangerous to health so it is very important to talk to the doctor before any supplements are taken.
Vitamins and Minerals for those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
A variety of minerals and vitamins are evaluated to be used for the treatment of MS. The most important of them include vitamins with antioxidant effects like vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium.
Vitamin D: People with MS have increased risk for bone loss, hence the intake of vitamin D for the maintenance of healthy bones is essential. Various studies show that increased levels of Vitamin D in the blood is associated with a decreased chance of developing MS.
Antioxidant Vitamins – Vitamin A, C & E: Intake of antioxidant vitamins like vitamin A, C and E reduce the damage in the body that is caused by free radicals.
Urinary tract infections that are common with people with MS, can be treated by the intake of vitamin C.
Vitamin E which can be found in nuts, vegetable oils and fruits is also responsible for the prevention of oxidative damage of the body.
Vitamin A known commonly as an important vitamin for the eye, sources include eggs, liver and cod liver oil. This vitamin also helps in the promotion of normal cell growth throughout the body.
Vitamin B6: Vitamins B6 supplements are taken to increase energy. Sources of this vitamin include fish, chicken and pork, vegetable and bananas. Care should be taken to not take this vitamin in high dosage because it can cause tingling, numbness and pain.
Vitamin B12: Natural sources of this vitamin include poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products. Deficiency of this vitamin can lead to neurological symptoms of MS however they are only found in a small number of patients.
Selenium: Sources of selenium include seafood, meats, whole grains, dairy products. Selenium has antioxidant effects and its supplementation is useful in the treatment of MS. A study shows the potential of balancing biochemical abnormalities in MS patients with selenium. Another study shows selenium, that contains antioxidant enzymes, is active in reducing oxidized molecules in the body.
Calcium: A proper intake of calcium is important to maintain healthy bones and teeth. It is also responsible for the regulation of various vital processes of the body. People with MS are observed to have an increased risk of bone loss so the intake of an adequate amount of calcium is very crucial.
However, high dosage of calcium can result in toxic effects, to avoid it calcium intake should not exceed 2000 mg per day for people above 50 years of age and 2500 mg for people above 19 years of age.
Zinc: Zinc is used by the body in multiple different processes. Some studies have shown that people who suffer from MS have either low levels of zinc or the opposite. This means that zinc works to activate the immune system but supplementation can worsen the condition. A high intake of zinc can also lead to a copper deficiency.
Another largely experimental treatment for MS is stem cell therapy. Learn more about the potential of stem cells treatment for Multiple Sclerosis here.
Reference: Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements (2015, May)
by admin | Oct 18, 2017 | Health Awareness
Tea and coffee are one of the most consumed beverages all over the globe, apart from being the most enjoyed drinks both of them have various health benefits as well.
COFFEE
Coffee beans are found growing on flowering trees in more than 50 countries worldwide, to prepare the beans for consumption they are roasted and then ground, boiled, steamed and even soaked depending on how they are usually liked in various parts of the world.
TEA
Known to be the most common beverage, tea is made from the leaves of a bush named Camellia sinensis. Tea is prepared by leaving the leaves in boiling hot water for a while, typically few minutes and then taken hot or cold with ice depending on the preference of the individual.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GREEN, OOLONG AND BLACK TEA
Tea leaves are crushed and dried to extract oils from them, after that they are exposed to open air depending on what kind of tea is being produced. The more they are exposed to air the more amount of caffeine they have. This whole process is called fermentation that is responsible for changing the color of tea and affecting the flavor.
So, green tea contains leaves that are not fermented, the reason why it has no caffeine. Oolong tea has a little amount of caffeine and black tea the darkest of all has the highest amount of caffeine and the most fermented.
Free Radicals: Free radicals are chemicals that cause damage to cells leading to various diseases, they are produced in the body when food is converted to energy or sunlight is being absorbed by the body. Since tea and coffee are quite rich in antioxidants they help the body fight against the free radicals.
Type 2 Diabetes: Both coffee and tea contain a rich amount of antioxidants that help maintain low sugar levels in the body by helping the body process sugar easily. This leads to a lower chance of getting diabetes since it is caused by abnormal sugar levels in the blood. A study of 220 normal subjects and 48 diabetic subjects resulted to show how the fasting blood glucose was lower in normal and diabetic subjects who consumed coffee.
Parkinson’s Disease: A serious neurodegenerative disease that affects the neurons in the brain, leads to the impaired movement of the body. Studies show that coffee and tea ease the symptoms of this disease and drinking these beverages daily can protect the body from it in the first place.
Heart Disease: A recent study showed that people who consumed 3 to 5 cups of coffee on a daily basis had a less chance of having a buildup of calcium in the blood vessels responsible for transporting blood to the heart. This obviously means a less chance of heart disease.
Liver Disease: Daily intake of 3 or more cups of coffee lowers the chances of suffering from a chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. Coffee is said to contain 100 different types of chemicals in it and the recent studies are geared towards learning what the function of each compound could be and how it can help with liver issues.
Stroke: Stroke is a condition when a certain part of the brain stops getting a blood supply. Daily intake of a cup of tea or coffee lowers the chances of a stroke because they help reduce inflammation and reduce the sugar levels in the blood. Black tea is especially linked to maintaining a low blood pressure making it less likely for a person to have a stroke.
Cancer: The presence of antioxidants called polyphenols in green tea and coffee help prevent cancers that affect the ovaries and stomach, also known to be highly beneficial to avoid breast and prostate cancers.
Alzheimer’s Disease: A condition that attacks the neurons of the brain, this can lead to a memory loss and serious changes in behavior. Studies show that the antioxidants present in coffee can protect neurons and green tea helps prevent the formation of clusters or proteins in the brain that lead to the development of this disease.
Gallstones: Gallstones are small pieces of hardened cholesterol that are formed in the organ called gallbladder, an organ that helps with digestion. This condition can cause excruciating pain and serious health issues. Coffee is said to lower the chances of stone formation because it aids in moving the fluid through the gallbladder making the cholesterol less likely to harden.
Weight Loss: Intake of low sugar beverages like tea and coffee instead of others makes it easier to lose weight. These drinks are satisfying with a very low-calorie content.
Don’t Overdo It: Regardless of the numerous health benefits of tea and coffee, intake of too much coffee and tea can cause anxiety and also make it difficult to sleep, too much consumption can also lead to calcium deficiency. Consult with a doctor regarding how much is sufficient for you.
Find out which foods can help you reduce pain!
Reference: Health Benefits of Coffee and Tea (2017, Feb 10)
by admin | Oct 13, 2017 | Health Awareness
GINGER
A very frequent ingredient commonly used in traditional medicine, ginger is a root that is pungent in nature, it is well known for its stomach soothing and anti-nausea properties. Apart from these known uses it can also combat pain, menstrual cramps and ache in muscles after a workout. A recent study found that ginger is equally effective as ibuprofen for the relief of period pain.
BLUEBERRIES
Blueberries are rich in phytonutrients that can lessen pain and reduce inflammation. If out of the season, frozen berries can also be used as they have even more nutrients than the fresh ones. Other berries from the same family as strawberries and oranges can also have the same effects.
PUMPKIN SEEDS
A rich source of magnesium, responsible for reducing migraines. Pumpkin seeds can also treat and prevent osteoporosis. To increase the intake of magnesium, addition of nuts like cashews, almonds and green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale can also be added to the diet.
SALMON
Highly rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can be a very healthy addition to one’s diet. Responsible for improving the health of the heart and rheumatoid arthritis by reducing joint tenderness. Other major sources of omega-3 include sardines, tuna and cold-water fish.
TUMERIC
A bright colored spice that is widely used in curry is responsible for reducing inflammation as well as affecting various processes of the body. Some studies have shown that people suffering from arthritis found that they could function easily after taking supplements of curcumin.
TART CHERRY JUICE
A study revealed that runners who had tart cherry juice daily for a week experienced a reduction in pain of muscles compared to another group of runners who drank a beverage with no natural juice present in it. This was because of the anti-inflammatory properties of the fruit because of the presence of antioxidants.
VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
Olive oil contains a compound called oleocanthal that work just like ibuprofen. It also contains lubricin which helps the joints slide smoothly and protects the cartilage, especially beneficial for people with osteoarthritis.
CHILI PEPPERS
Capsaicin a compound present in chilies responsible for giving them their heat has painkilling properties. Research shows consuming hot peppers can help prevent and reduce inflammation. The internal burning also makes the brain release endorphins responsible for blocking signal of pain.
MINT
Peppermint oil can be used as a soother for occasional stomach upset and is also helpful in relieving painful cramps, gas, and bloating that may be related to irritable bowel syndrome. In early research, Brazilian mint tea has been found to be as effective as a prescription painkiller.
Click here to learn about health benefits of coffee and tea!
Reference: 10 Foods That Fight Pain (2016, June 1)
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