'Food' for thought

[jeeves19]

I'm considering making fasting a cornerstone of my approach. I've always known about it's power but have shied away from it due to the fact that I'm a greedy so and so who likes his food (who doesn't). I used to fast when I was much younger and once went without food for 7 days so I know it's challenges and nature. I typed the practice and disease into Google and found various references offered and cam across some interesting experiences, one that I offer for our community to consider:

''I am 61 years old and was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease five yeas ago. A few weeks back I watched a programme on television about fasting (Horizon, BBC2) and, after hearing how it could improve general health, decided to try it. The regime I am following basically consists of fasting for 19 hours and then eating normally for up to five hours (by normally, I mean eating anything. However, I do try and eat a health diet, although I do still eat biscuits and chocolate). I have now been on this regime for three weeks and the Parkinson's symptoms have virtually disappeared. I am now back to how I was before I had Parkinsons. Has anyone else out there ever tried fasting and, if so, have you found an improvement in your condition?''

Best wishes.

[parkie13]

I did Fast few times when I was younger, I have not done it since I had Parkinson's. How very interesting. I did just listen to a program about this festing window, and eating from 8 till one or two I believe and the people started losing weight again.

[parkie13]

Are you still taking your medication?

[jeeves19 in reply to parkie13]

Yes.

[Smalltownguy]

Hello Jeeves. I'm now 62, diagnosed nearly 15 years ago. Yes, I have tried fasting and had amazing results with fewer PD symptoms. I'm sure that some of that is due to having no protein to interfere with my Sinemet uptake. I'm actually experimenting with this more right now. I've used a juice fast - V8-Fusion which is 100% vegetable and fruit juice. Usually 27 g of carbohydrates per 46 fluid ounces. 0 g protein. As is it's too sweet so I cut it in half with water. I drink two of these a day half-strenth bottles per day. That's only about 900 cal per day. The first two days (especially evenings) are the most difficult. It's amazing how on the third day it becomes easier to continue. I've gone five days or several times, once15 days. Towards the end of 15 days think I can tell I'm starting to suffer from absence of protein.

I know that I have some food sensitivity. It is very difficult to discipline this, but I really need to abstain from 10 different food types, and then try each one individually for a few days to see how I react to them. Started this once and valiadated that I am very sensitive to potatoes, a "nightshade". The next day, after eating potatoes, I have joint pain, fatigue.

I've had deep brain stimulation surgery which is giving me opportunity of life. Without it I am unbelievably rigid. A couple of years ago I started having back problems from stenosis. The back pain started a problem with freezing of gate. Now, any back pain I have freezing of gait. and sometimes without the back pain. Amazingly, when I go on the juice fast I have no freezing of gate at all!

So, I am still very much in the learning stage of how much protein to eat, and when for my General Nutrition and to avoid complications with protein/Rytary ( time release Sinemet).

Sorry for the long-winded reply. Good luck!

[christymw]

I'm a greedy so and so too! But over time I've found that not eating or eating very little at night so that by morning I have little to nothing in my stomach is helpful for the absorption and effectiveness of my first dose of c/l. Therefore I have regularly been "fasting" for 12 -18 hours (depending on whether I've eaten anything for dinner).

[Coblrman]

I've been contemplating fasting. One thing I learned researching cancer treatment is that fasting weakens cancer cells and causes healthy cells to protect themselves. I would expect fasting to slow down the progression of Pd.

[Astra7]

Apparently fasting everyday for 12 hours is as effective as longer fasts. The idea is you don't eat from 7pm to 7am. I think that's doable with a little planning - I just keep forgetting but I guess I'm not sufficiently commited!

[jeeves19]

Yes. It’s not a pleasant prospect is it? But I’d recommend a book on fasting by Christian Van Zlot? Which explores the history, science and various practices.

[Lana666 in reply to jeeves19]

Hi Jeeves,

What is your timing, when you stop and start eating? Does it get easier after few days? And about the book you mentioned, can not find the author, do you have a book name?

Thanks,

Lana

[jeeves19]

Sorry. His name is Cristian Vlad Zot. There are daddy and baby fasts. The 5:2 diet is a good place to start or do as the fella above and eat as much as you wish in a 5/6 hr window. It’s hard Lana but the first 17 hours are the worst. After this your body gives up waiting for sugar and starts going for fat. Then the hunger stops. Hence kill some of this 16 overnight in bed. I have a new mantra when it hurts ‘if I’m hungry then I’m healing’. Stops me going for the biscuits.😊

[Lana666 in reply to jeeves19]

Thank you. Downloaded the book. Just started reading, looks very inspirational so far. I like your mantra, will borrow from you starting from tomorrow, Monday. Ha-ha, hope it will not die prematurely due to the stereotyping of starting new life on Monday

[JohnPepper]

Please let us know how fasting works for you and how you went about it.

[Celtis]

We have been fasting every day for years. We simply don't eat breakfast so the fast lasts from whenever we finish eating in the evening until lunch the next day, which usually works out to be about 16 hours. We did that originally in order to lose weight and it certainly helps with that. We have got used to it now. It means no cooking or washing up breakfast (which is a pleasure) and that we feel really hungry by midday so we really enjoy our midday meal. Whether it does anything for the brain or Parkinsons I can't say, but it is not difficult to stay with it.

We also follow a keto diet. Any restrictions on food were hard to bear when we were still eating high carbs but, after keeping carbs down to 30 or 40 for some time now, we don't find it that difficult.

(I should confess here that we were introduced to the diet by Tim Ferris in his book "The four hour body". His advice is to break the diet on one day a week in any way you choose and we have done that. We eat forbidden foods on Saturdays and I guess that is partly why we could stick to the diet.

BUT I notice my ankles swell on Sunday mornings, so maybe this is not good advice.)

[jeeves19]

Thanks for your contribution. Some useful and interesting observations here. All the best!

[Janurary2010]

This is the right timing post for me. I have noticed my PD symptoms were gone for few days in the last week, when I was put on a liquid diet due to the stomach bug.

I am starting my fasting therapy today. Hope this works.

Thanks

[ConnieD in reply to Janurary2010]

What type of liquids did you take? Broth? Thanks! Connie

[Janurary2010 in reply to ConnieD]

I was on electrolytes and coconut water.

[ConnieD in reply to Janurary2010]

Thank you!! Hope it all goes very well!!

[jeeves19 in reply to Janurary2010]

Best of luck. Make sure you return telling us how things went?