Eating for health

This time nothing to do with our dogs!

In a reply to Colette following my post of last week Caring for animals, I wrote:

Jean is on a diet that is predominantly fruit and vegetables as part of slowing down the progression of her Parkinson’s disease. The diet is essentially a no-dairy, no-grain, no-meat diet to eliminate the risk of any gut inflammation. She is advised by a professional nutritionist here in Grants Pass, OR. I follow along with Jean motivated to slow down my own cognitive decline.

Colette then responded to my reply with quite extensive details of her own diet. Her reply opening:

I have some food sensitivities that started my dietary changes a number of years ago. I found I was allergic to eggs after struggling with severe joint pain that doctors couldn’t explain. Then I began to find that a few other things were problematic including gluten, also prompting dietary change. The animal protein side came into sharper focus during a moment of epiphany at an elephant sanctuary and I started a vegetarian diet. However, I soon switched to a completely (almost except for some contamination in the odd thing now and again) vegan diet.

I am healthier, my cholesterol dropped from a total of 212 mg/dlto 135mg/dl and I have more stamina, fewer infections, colds and illness. (Nothing terrible to put me to bed since I became Vegan).

I do try to get a balance of a variety of fresh fruit and veg, protein and fats in my diet.

… that was then followed by her describing what a typical day looked like in terms of what she eat.

I offered to describe what Jean and I eat.

Fundamentally, Jean was advised to have a diet that reduced the chance of her having any gut inflammation but, if she did, a diet that would bring that inflammation to a close. All to do with Leaky Gut Syndrome and how the brain can be negatively affected.

So …

Breakfast

  • Two tablespoons of milled flax,
  • One tablespoon of hemp hearts,
  • A sprinkling of chia seed,
  • Prunes, banana, dried apricots, walnuts, berries when available,
  • Coconut milk or almond milk

Lunch

  • Mainly salad greens, raw vegetables, tomatoes, avocado, some canned herring,
  • Mixed fruits, as in oranges, apples,
  • ‘Naked Green’ smoothie

Dinner

  • Mixed vegetables,
  • Baked chicken breast,
  • Green salad with tomatoes and avocado,
  • Almonds or other nuts

Drinks during the day

  • Herb teas, ‘V8’ juice, green tea, ‘Naked Green’ smoothies, almond milk.

We are also taking a course of Juice-Plus tablets; a recommendation from our local nutritionist.

Anyway, that’s enough from me for today.

If there’s good interest in me sharing some of the many links to this whole area of diet, the gut and how it can affect the brain, then do sing out! (But I have no professional knowledge; will just report our findings!)

oooo

Wow! What an incredibly useful link thanks to Colette. I am referring to the NutritionFacts website.

Then how easy it was on that site to find a video specifically about diet and PD.

Jean and I are removing chicken and fish from our diet immediately; in other words going vegan.

THANK YOU!

27 thoughts on “Eating for health”

  2. That sounds like a good approach for Jean and healthier for you too Paul.

    There are some really good nutrition web sites, but this one is my favourite because Dr Michael Greger is a Vegan MD.
    He provides his research for free on his web site and if you register an email, he sends out a short daily video (or transcript if preferred) of research. You can also search the web site for any topic, like ‘Parkinson’s.’

    https://nutritionfacts.org/

    He is my guru for making sure I get the right nutrition.

    Like

    Reply

      1. Colette, I have just read out your very helpful guidance to Jeannie and we are both very grateful. Such a wonderful group of friends out there! ❤️

        Going across to that PD link now.

        Thank you!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Jean’s diet sounds similar to the SIBO diet that reduces inflammation in the intestines. I’m familiar with the vegan and gluten-free diet. For many years, I’ve been on a gluten free diet with mainly veggies (salads), slivered almonds, olive oil, almond milk, some fruit, eggs, organic, unsweetened, unsalted peanut butter, organic chicken & ground turkey. there are also Vegan health bars. I’m watchful of protein intake for healing. No high fructose content. and low salt. The older we get, the key is to be more selective with nutrient dense food, and watch serving portions. Exercise, keep stress down, and spirits up! Not to forget “dog therapy.” Good thoughts for Jean feeling better. Paul, it’s so helpful that you’ve joined her in the vegan nutrition plan. Here’s to improved health and aging well. Christine

    Like

    Reply

  5. So glad you and Jean are giving this very healthful diet a try. It would be wise to continue even if it does not have obvious benefits. It helps in general body conditioning such as the heart, bones and joints, kidneys and more.

    Like

    Reply

    1. That’s an important factor. The guy I spoke with at JuicePlus a few weeks ago said that the body required a good 90 days to show the benefits of taking JuicePlus and, by implication, other dietary changes.

      Many thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Making your own juice is a vey good thing. I don’t make mine on a routine basis but wish that I could get in the groove and make it everyday because of the health benefits. I use apples, carrots and, celery but of course, one can use any combo that comes to mind.

        Like

  6. Wonderful contribution from Colette and ‘We are what we eat’ 🙂 My daughter is Vegan and eating fresh veggies, and nuts and fruit have always been on our menu list.
    Many thanks for sharing Paul
    And I so hope Jean finds her diet is helping her condition.. So many things which can affect our health. I also enjoy making juices with Kale, and other juices with beetroot and apple juice..
    ❤

    Like

    Reply

    1. Sue, that’s very timely given that Jean and I are now on a vegan diet. Wouldn’t mind listening in more detail to what your dear daughter eats (and happy to take that ‘offline’ so to speak).

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Awee, this is a difficult disease to live with. My brother that is a mere 2 1/2 years old than I am was diagnosed with Parkinsons several years ago, this coupled with the PTSD he also endures lends for what could be a horrid existence. He however decided instead of giving in to these debilitating diseases to actually use this as motivation to help others. He has started a retreat for those in recovery of PTSD to go and find themselves while they integrate themselves into society. Rally Point Retreat offers itself to those in treatment for PTSD and is a story unto itself. I am very happy to be able to share with him your diet suggestions to slow the progression of Parkinsons !

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.