There are many published studies and medical experts who point to the benefits of holistic medicine as a way to ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. What is holistic medicine, and for patients, what are the upsides?
Holistic medicine is a whole-body approach, including the mental and physical aspects of Parkinson’s care. Parkinson’s disease affects every aspect of life for those with the disease, including movement, energy, mood, gut function, social connections with friends and family, with symptoms like depression, Gait (stooped posture, short dragging steps, shuffling steps) that affect balance, automatic movement patterns, walking while talking and thinking. Freezing of Gait (the inability to move the feet when walking), constipation, sexual dysfunction, and reduced energy levels, to name a few. The benefits of holistic medicine through a healthy diet and exercise extend far beyond just treating symptoms; it acts as a whole body support system, and when used in concert with medication, enhances treatment effectiveness, improves physical effectiveness and wellbeing, and provides long-term brain health.
Any expert on the subject of exercise and the role of diet in a person’s life will point to the long-lasting benefits it provides. According to the National Institute of Health, “From childhood to adolescence, this is a crucial period for establishing healthy lifestyle habits that can last a lifetime. Research has shown that a healthy diet and regular physical activity in childhood can reduce the risk of chronic disease later in life. A healthy diet, considered a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant proteins, and dairy products, provides the essential nutrients needed for growth and development. The Centers for Disease Control points to improved brain health benefits and reduces the chronic risk of diseases, such as some cancers and Type 2 diabetes, not to mention general overall improvements through physical exercise.
So for Parkinson’s patients, the same principles of exercise and healthy eating habits offer symptom and medication-like benefits that contribute to people feeling and functioning better each day. There are two standouts that for people with Parkinson’s (and without) are very well known.
For healthy eating, the Mediterranean diet is probably the best known for good eating and high nutrition. According to Indu Subramanian, Chair of the MDS Task Force on Wellness, in a paper titled “A Holistic Wellness Prescription for Parkinson’s Disease: Evidence-Based Perspectives and Unmet Needs,” points to how a healthy, balanced diet supports multiple systems at once, including brain and nerve health. A Mediterranean diet including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and olive oil is linked to slower disease progression, lower mortality rates, improved effectiveness of medication, and promotes gut and immune health.
In the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, researchers point out that nutritional interventions can work on multiple disease mechanisms at the same time, offering real potential to modify the course of the disease. They explain that Parkinson’s intersects with nutrition on many levels, from underlying biological changes and motor and non-motor symptoms, to medication interactions, disease progression, quality of life, and even social and economic factors that shape health. They also conclude that the strongest evidence supports adherence to mostly plant-based, MIND, and Mediterranean-style diets in Parkinson’s disease. Ketoflex diets are also being researched to help provide healthy ways of combating the disease and regulating gut and bowel function to help reduce symptoms like constipation, an unfortunate symptom of the disease.
One of the first things told to someone when they are first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease is how the benefits of exercise are key to reducing their symptoms. In the U.S. and other parts of the world, one of the most well-known of theses excerise programs is Rocky Steady Boxing. Conceived in Indianapolis, Indiana. Rock Steady uses repetitive, high-intensity movement that combines boxing drills, balance training, strength work, and coordination movements. Many local YMCA programs also provide cardiovascular and low-impact exercises, Tai chi, Dance, Yoga, and physical therapy are also alternatives. The benefits of the programs are to increase dopamine activity in the brain, improve balance and mobility, reduce stiffness and tremors, strengthen muscles, boost confidence, and help people with Parkinson’s maintain independence and quality of life.
The idea of an all-natural way to heal sickness or disease has been around for a long time. It’s beneficial and in some cases successful, but not 100 percent, especially for Parkinson’s disease. While holistic care can greatly improve quality of life, Parkinson’s remains a progressive and ultimately fatal condition. That said, advances in medication, therapy, and whole-body treatment approaches are reshaping how the disease is managed, offering people more years of independence, comfort, and dignity.
Recommended listening: The Davis Phinney Foundation’s webinar with Dr. Bastiaan Bloem, Neurologist at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, gives a comprehensive talk about the benefits of a holistic approach to how people can benefits of a healthy lifestyle and its effects on Parkinson’s disease.
Media by Chris Denny/Adobe/ChatGPT
