Since my hubby stopped eating sugar, he i... - Cure Parkinson's
Since my hubby stopped eating sugar, he is able to sleep better and his mood has improved. Anyone else noticed this?
I've never had enough self-discipline to give up sugar. What about sugar included in pre-prepared food items. Have you gone so far as to make everything yourself so that you can avoid this problem?
He used to eat bags of chocolate candy, cookies, cakes, soda - anything full of sugar. It was like a vicious craving but he decided to give all that up to see if it would help. I use Agave syrup for sweetening when I'm cooking and it works pretty well. If it's prepared foods with sugar, I watch the amount in it but it hasn't bothered him so far. He has also lost some weight which he needed to do and I think that has helped his balance some.
And being lighter if he has a fall he might do less damage. Better for the teeth too.
I have not made a conscious decision to stop sugar, but have not wanted to touch anything sweet for a very long time.
Yes I had to cut out sugar and anything else that raises Serotonin levels in the brain. I have been hospitalized at least 6 times for Serotonin syndrome which is elevated serotonin which causes high fevers, muscle cramps, stomach pain (90% of serotonin is in the bowels). Serotonin syndrome used to be known as "ravers' disease" from the side effects of ecstasy. The medications to help elevate and retain dopamine affect serotonin levels. I Aldo can't have B vitamins especially thiamine, turkey because of the tryptophan which converts into serotonin. I drink caffeine free drinks as well as sugar free. I have read in the AMA that aspartame is actually beneficial for PD patients. I used to have to eat lots of sugary snacks before bed or I could not sleep yet never gained weight. The last visit to the ER due to 103.7 temp, severe pain in the abdominal area, nausea, dizziness, loss of balance as well as confusion/hallucinatory effectsin all senses not just visual was due to a reaction of Azilect, Remeron (SSRIs) and something I ate. Try reading a book called The Edge Effect. Found it on In iTunes bookstore and has great information on how the balance of chemicals in the brain are so important so we PD patint must be aware of this at all times. I can not have any stress are it throws me into an off period even if I just recently had taken my meds. The only medications that bring down my serotonin levels is Diaudid ( a synthetic morphine even though I allergic to morphines) as well as Benzodiazepines like diazepam and alprazolam which is the only FDA approved counter active to serotonin syndrome. Hope this helps.
Thank you for your response. I will get the book you recommend and read it. It's amazing what sugar as well as stress can do to your body. Wish the sleep would come easier though as maybe 2 hours at a time is all the rest he gets and when he has a good nights sleep, he functions so much better.
