I just wanted to ask what your thoughts are with regards to which diet is better for PWP. My mum is a PWP and my dad has noticed her symptoms are aggravated if she eats meats and improves if she doesn’t. He is a vegan so I’m not sure if there is a little bit of bias there.
I myself am undiagnosed but have the classic symptoms of Parkinson’s following my mums path and am not exactly clear how meat affects me (I’m pretty clueless with the signals my body tries to send me). As a result I’ve been switching between eating meat and being vegetarian. We went on holidays for a week where I ate meat and there was no discernible difference with my symptoms, although that could be attributed to having less stress, more sleep etc which comes with being on holidays.
I am aware of how inflammatory meat is but I’ve also heard meat contains amino acid’s and nutrients that could otherwise be missed in a vegetarian diet if the variety is lacking.
Any thoughts would be most welcome.
Just a quick thanks to everyone who contributes to this forum, the posts here have encouraged, informed, and given me so much hope as a PWP in his mid 30s.
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TwonkleStar
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First, I avoid all lectins: Gut-brain axis: Review on the association between Parkinson’s disease and plant lectins 2022 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
ABSTRACT: Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) has been widely recognized and supported in recent literature. Prospective and retrospective studies found non-motor symptoms within the GI, specifically constipation, precede cardinal signs and cognitive decline by almost 20 years. In 2002, Braak et al. were the first to propose that PD is a six-stage propagating neuropathological process originating from the GI tract (GIT). Aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn) protein from the GIT is pathognomonic for the development of PD. This article reviews the current literature from the past 10 years as well as original research found in PubMed on the combined effects of enteric glial cells and lectins on the development of Parkinson’s Disease. Studies have found that these aggregated and phosphorylated proteins gain access to the brain via retrograde transport through fast and slow fibers of intestinal neurons. Plant lectins, commonly found within plant-based diets, have been found to induce Leaky Gut Syndrome and can activate enteric glial cells, causing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Oxidative stress on the enteric neurons, caused by a chronic neuro-inflammatory state, can cause a-syn aggregation and lead to Lewy Body formation, a hallmark finding in PD. Although the current literature provides a connection between the consumption of plant lectins and the pathophysiology of PD, further research is required to evaluate confounding variables such as food antigen mimicry and other harmful substances found in our diets.
CONCLUSIONS: Through EGC-induced cyclic neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, plant lectins may lead to pathological Lewy body formation in the GIT. The Lewy body can then travel retrogradely via the VN to the substantia nigra and contribute to the classic neurologic manifestations of PD. Although the current literature provides a connection between the consumption of plant lectins and the pathophysiology of PD, further research is required to evaluate confounding variables such as food antigen mimicry and other harmful substances found in our diets.
Video: Dr. Paul Mason - 'How lectins impact your health - from obesity to autoimmune disease' youtu.be/mjQZCCiV6iA
I also follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (with the exception of my Pepsi (with real sugar) vice (No corn syrup for me. Corn syrup has corn so has lectins). The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). This diet was designed to fix IBS by lowering inflammation. You can read all about it here: pecanbread.com/p/index.html
I've been following the SCD (combined with the Wahl's Protocol and Gluten Free) for about 2 years. Not full on following them, just trying to stick to the gluten free foods that are allowed on SCD or Wahl's. This gives me a little more choice.
There is some evidence that the SCD can normalize your microbiome if you still have all the needed bacteria: The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD): The SCD has been shown to normalize the microbiome in people with Crohn's ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/a... and UC. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/a...
Here is a list of diets that are purported to heal the gut. Personally I follow a Gluten and Lectin free version of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (although I do have real sugar due to my Pepsi addiction): theceliacmd.com/diets-for-l...
Dramatic improvement of parkinsonian symptoms after gluten-free diet introduction in a patient with silent celiac disease 2014 sci-hub.se/10.1007/s00415-0...
Thanks Jay, that is a good article. I think it applies more to healthy people than to people with a mysterious health condition. Lots of things are safe for people without issues. I used to function quite well on pizza and beer.
The article says "the health benefits of consuming these foods far outweigh the potential harm of lectins in these foods". Fair enough, all things being equal. But the article also says "Lectins can also bind to cells lining the digestive tract. This may disrupt the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, and affect the growth and action of intestinal flora. Because lectin proteins bind to cells for long periods of time, they can potentially cause an autoimmune response and are theorized to play a role in inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes".
So... binds to the intestinal tract (causes leaky gut?), disrupts breakdown and absorption of nutrients, affects the growth and action of intestinal flora, and plays a role in inflammatory conditions. Hmm.
I don't know if this lectin thing is BS or real. I have a high school diploma.
Bolt, I am neutral regarding Lectins, probably because I am from India. Our food preparation usually involves soaking overnight before cooking which takes out anti-nutrients like Phytic Acid and Lectins.
This article was posted because it is from a reputed source and it was out there.
I tend to think it’s mostly a fad. I lived more than 10 years in Mexico and Central America. Corn and beans are the diet staples, and have been for thousands of years.
BTW, the way to cook beans and get less gassy, is to throw a whole head of garlic into the pot.
Nothing yummier than tortillas made by hand from freshly ground corn.
The latest studies show that the MIND diet scores best at inhibiting PD. It can be a kind of golden mean in your family with limited dairy and meat consumption. It is not so rigourous and easy to apply in everyday life.
if you look at Laurie Mischley’s work she says beef, chicken dairy lead to worse outcomes and plant based diet lead to better outcomes. Beans are a big part of a Mediterranean diet and that is supposed to be best. So not convinced of the lectin problem. But beans should be soaked and cooked until properly cooked.
I also try to follow Dr. Mischley’s diet. I eat no meat or dairy. I eat a pescatarian diet with lots of fruit and vegetables. Dr. Mischley has never mentioned lectins to me but I will ask her about them at my next appointment. I also avoid frozen vegetables, canned foods, soda, drinks in plastic or cans. Focus on fresh foods.
hi, my 2 cents… diagnosed in 2015 at age 62, been a strict vegetarian for animal welfare reasons since my 50s. Avoid dairy products milk and cheese starting about 3 years ago.I have only eaten eggs from happy chickens I noticed no change in my pd symptoms or pd progression related to my diet, but then, who knows I could be a lot worse off if I was not vegan/vegetarian
meat is ok as long as if beef, it is grass fed and not on a strictly grain/corn fed diet. Salmon should be wild caught only. Most good meats have Omega 3 which is good for us!
Vegetarians and vegans dont live longer, it only seems longer.
Bassofspades' tips for optimum nutrition:
Organic
Non GMO
unprocessed
Fresh, frozen or canned, I dont care, just all of the above.
Not too much fish. All of the waters of the USA are contaminated. If you live elsewhere, check on that.
Avoid sugar
Avoid milk but butter, cream and cheese are OK, as is yogurt.
Avoid canola oil and GMO vegetable oils. Opt for EVOO, coconut, avocado and sesame oil. Actually, Im not sure if sesame oil is healthy but it sure tastes good. Cant make a chineese dish right without it!
Avoid anything that comes in a box with cartoon characters on it!
Shop the periphery of the grocery store. The middle isles are usually the processed foods in a box with cartoon characters on them.
a little tea, herb tea, coffee and Lots of WATER!
no soda except seltzer.
Personally, I avoid alcohol, but I guess a little red wine is good... resveratrol! (I take a resveratrol supplement once a week)
Make sure your food is well chewed
Dont drink a lot with meals. You need undiluted stomach acid to break down the proteins.
If you take vitamins, take them with food.
Dont eat too close to bedtime
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day TO SKIP!
(Disclasimer: Just so you know, I have a PHD in nutrition, the PH is short for PHony Degree! But I believe my advice is sound. Nobody accuses me of not being well nourished!)
bassofspades How do you know if someone is vegan? Don't worry, they'll soon tell you!
I agree with the rest of your post too, apart from the periphery of the store as it sounds as though UK supermarkets are laid out differently, with the far end wall aisle being where all the booze is! Someone please correct me if I've got that wrong. I'd love to know.
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