Alyssa Carto Audience: Patients with or caregivers to those with Parkinson’s Disease

 Neurodegenerative and progressive disease  Decreased amounts of dopamine effects the region of the brain responsible for refining motor commands  Medicines wear out and have side effects A better Understanding of Parkinson’s Disease

 Slowness of movement  Rigidity  Muscle tremors  Balance issues  Low mood, fatigue, sleep and memory problems You May Experience these Symptoms Do you have these symptoms?

 Your doctor may have some suggestions such as:  Types of exercise best suited for you and ones you should avoid.  Intensity of exercise  Duration of exercise  Frequency of exercise  Referrals to a physical therapist who can help you create an exercise program.  Suggestions on what you should be eating/supplementing with. ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST!

Tip for exercising with Parkinson’s  “Exercise is medicine, Don’t miss a dose!”  Something is better than nothing.  Find an exercise buddy.  Always remember to warm up first  Make sure you are in a safe and accommodating environment.  Intensity, frequency, and type of exercise are important

 Exercise your facial muscles.  If you feel sick/hurt; STOP!  Have fun! Tips for Exercising with Parkinson’s cont’d

 Treadmill Training with body weight support  Aerobic and resistance training  Practice of movement strategies  Tai Chi Types of Exercise

 Walking  Dancing  Learning based exercises  Yoga classes Types of Exercise cont’d

 Improvement of functional mobility, posture, balance, and gait  Symptom management  Possible slowing of disease progression  Reduced stiffness Benefits of Exercise on Parkinson's Disease

Benefits of Exercise on Parkinson’s disease cont’d  CHECK OUT THE PROOF! CHECK OUT THE PROOF!

 Exercise can help to use dopamine more efficiently  Exercise can use dopamine more efficiently by improving the areas of the brain where the dopamine signals are received Exercise and Your Brain

Nutrition for Parkinson’s Disease: KEY FACTORS  Increase Amino acid intake  Reduce Homocysteine levels  Increase omega-3 fat intake  Increase Vitamin D intake  Increase Magnesium levels

 Fresh fruits  Vegetables  Protein (Fish, eggs, chicken, beans, nuts and seeds)  Avoid sugars, refined carbs, eating irregularly, and avoid strong stimulants such as coffee, tea, and energy drinks. Increasing Your Antioxidant Intake What foods should I eat to increase my antioxidant intake?

 Helps combat inflammation (a symptom of Parkinson’s disease)  Maximizes absorption of nutrients Increasing Your Antioxidant Intake How can this help me?

How can I reduce my homocysteine levels?  Folic Acid- Eat foods such as; broccoli, asparagus, or beans.  Vitamins B12 and B6- Eat foods such as; Meat, fish, or poultry.  Trimethyl-glycine- Eat foods such as; broccoli or beets. Homocysteine Levels Homocysteine: an amino acid that is toxic if elevated. (Some studies have shown it is elevated in people with Parkinson’s disease.) SOME OF THESE NUTRIENTS HELP INCREASE DOPAMINE PRODUCTION!

 Helps with neuro-inflammation (a feature of Parkinson’s disease)  Mood problems Increasing Omega-3 Fats Eating fish can help increase omega-3 fats! How can this help me?

 Vitamin D is anti-inflammatory  Mainly provided by sunlight  Can obtain Vitamin D through foods such as; fish, eggs, and cheese. Increasing Vitamin D Levels

If you have a Magnesium deficiency you may have:  Muscle tremors, spasm, or weakness  Insomnia, nervousness, or depression  High blood pressure or irregular heart beat  Constipation  Hyperactivity Increasing Magnesium levels Magnesium: a mineral that acts as a natural relaxant. Many people with Parkinson’s suffer from poor sleep patterns.

 Pumpkin seeds  Salmon  Whole grains  Legumes  Dark green leafy vegetables Foods High in Magnesium It may also help to supplement with Magnesium!

 Always check with your doctor first before beginning an exercise program or changing your diet!  There are a variety of exercises and diets that can help alleviate symptoms of Parkinson’s disease Conclusion

 Action plan for Parkinson's disease. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2015, from parkinsons-disease.aspx parkinsons-disease.aspx  Live Well Today. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2015, from pd/10tools/?gclid=COeOtuHBiMgCFcuQHwodsmUCGA pd/10tools/?gclid=COeOtuHBiMgCFcuQHwodsmUCGA  National Parkinson Foundation: Believe in Better. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2015, from parkinsons/treatment/Exercise/Neuroprotective-Benefits-of-Exercisehttp:// parkinsons/treatment/Exercise/Neuroprotective-Benefits-of-Exercise  Parkinson's Disease Clinic and Research Center. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2015, from therapy#What_types_of_exercise_are_best_for_people_with_Parkinson_s_disease_http://pdcenter.neurology.ucsf.edu/patients-guide/exercise-and-physical- therapy#What_types_of_exercise_are_best_for_people_with_Parkinson_s_disease_  Parkinson's disease. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2015, from parkinsons-disease.aspx parkinsons-disease.aspx  Safe Exercise and Parkinson's Disease: Types, Intensity, Warming Up, and More. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2015, from disease/guide/parkinsons-exercisehttp:// disease/guide/parkinsons-exercise  Wilson, MD, L. (n.d.). Trimethylglycine or TMG. Retrieved September 27, 2015, from References