Weight loss

[texasL]

Went yesterday with my 86 year old dad to PCP for yearly check up. He's had Parkinson's for 7 years, tremor dominant. He lost 10 lbs since last check up. His weight now is only 137 lbs. Doctor didn't seem concerned at all. Is there any supplement he can take to prevent even more weight loss or any other suggestions? Thank you.

[park_bear]

Is there any identifiable reason for this weight loss? How is the condition of the teeth?

[kaypeeoh in reply to park_bear]

I read that loss of sense of taste and smell is common to PD. Years ago I was on medication that did that to me. With no ability to taste I lost interest in food and dropped a lot of weight quickly. Sadly when I ran out of the medication my appetite came roaring back. It's the only sign of PD that I'd been looking forward to. Again, sadly, it hasn't happened.

[park_bear in reply to kaypeeoh]

Enjoy your appetite! Just make sure whatever you eat is really good and hits the spot! That is the Bear philosophy

[Hidden]

Hi texasL:

Not sure why your are looking for supplements...

I suggest you check his diet, and make sure he is getting plenty of protein and he should do some strength training to restore some of his muscle mass, and also he should eat a lot of complex carbs (e.g, foods such as beans, whole grains, and vegetables),

[Hikoi]

Hi TexasL

PwP do loose weight and for a variety of reasons. Tremor and dyskinesias can make you loose weight from the continual activity.

The lack of dopamine makes the muscles very slow and that includes the muscles of the gut. I find I can only eat small meals or I feel bloated. Transit time is greatly reduced.

I think your idea of a supplememt is a good one. There are different ones depending on the country you live in. I would look for one that is a complete meal in a drink.

[condor39]

I am similar to your Dad,- Age 86, diagnosed with PD 5 years ago and losing weight. I have struggled with being overweight for most of my life, so losing weight is more of a relief.I put it down to poor appetite, the loss of ability to smell takes away a lot of taste sensation, so food is not so appetizing. Add to this the loss of ability and desire to exercise, and no wonder the weight drops.

I would just continue to observe, or maybe add high calorie drinks, such as “Ensure”.

I don’t intend to make any changes.

Do not forget that having PS does not protect you from all the other conditions that affect us with age.

[ForViolet]

I wonder how tall your dad is. My husband is 86 and weighs a lot less but he is only 5'7". Like Condor, he has less interest in food these days.

[koshca]

It's common for PWP to loose weight, as tremor itself required a lot of energy, like constant exercise.

[Resano in reply to koshca]

One possible cause for weight loss is Levodopa itself :

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

However, before embarking on it one year ago, it was actually one of my striking deteriorating symptoms so the real culprit may be different.

Tremor actually consumes energy and one expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Dr Hadlock) notes that PwPs’ muscles become atrophied because there would be no more energy flowing freely in the corresponding channels that regulate them.

Qigong may help. Why not give it a try. Based on the same medical philosphy, it relies on soft movements and slow breathing.

The supplements recommended in your case by the same researcher who, as a general rule, does not find them useful for PwP are : Adrenal Adaptogens, citing in particular : Panax Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola and Eleuthero roots, ; and Holy Basil. A product called Adaptocrine (by Apex Energetics) would contain them all…

[Resano in reply to Resano]

Funny that Thiamine, as the gold supplement for PwPs, has not been mentioned so far. Too obvious ? So, here is just one case among many:"Thiamine deficiency was the cause of the weight loss. All of my other B vitamins are in line, including B12 and Folate."hormonesmatter.com/connecti...

[Smokeypurple]

My neurologist said there is research into different subsets of PD and one of those sub categories seems to include weight loss as a symptom.

[texasL]

We will try Ensure. Hopefully it will help a little.