It’s April, Parkinson’s Awareness Month. During this month, there are a lot of fundraisers and public awareness and education campaigns. But I’d like to pause for a moment and celebrate the Parkinson’s “Support Team”—the loving partners, family members, and caregivers operating behind the scenes who so often exhaust themselves with tasks, worry, and run their own tanks empty.
With Parkinson’s Disease, the feet can cramp, tingle, tremor, twist, or curl up due to neuromuscular disconnect, tight tissue, and faulty gait mechanics. You should never ignore these symptoms because the health of your feet can affect your balance and overall quality of life.
You must treat your feet! My exercises for curling toes help counteract some of the tight tissue and promote extension to an already flexed foot.
Continue reading “Do This Daily to Treat Painful Parkinson’s Toes”
Last week’s blog about beans being a Parkinson’s superfood was a hit! (Click here to read it.) Several of my readers wanted to know the recipe for the photo I shared of my Instant Pot Taco Bowl. This is my absolute favorite way to eat beans.
As you can imagine, I’m really busy managing the Rebel Fit Club, so I need fast and healthy meal prep during the week. It’s so important to nourish your body with REAL ingredients that are low in saturated and trans fat. This recipe only takes five minutes to prep and requires a minimal amount of chopping. It makes approximately four servings—enough for dinner for two nights for my sweetheart Sean and myself. We eat this every week!
Continue reading “The Best Taco Bowl Bean Recipe for Parkinson’s”
It’s been well documented that Parkinson’s disease has a brain-gut connection. So what foods are best for both?
Dr. Dean and Dr. Ayesha Sherzai, cutting edge brain scientists (Directors of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Program at Loma Linda University Medical Center and Brain Health at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) were asked what foods are best for the brain. They said that, even above a fish-based diet, a plant-based diet is the best. Dark leafy greens and beans are essential.
Not only are beans great for the brain and the gut, they are also a great source of clean protein, complex carbohydrates, and help regulate blood sugar and reduce cholesterol (two very important functions for brain health).
Continue reading “People with Parkinson’s Disease Should Be Eating This Longevity Food”
When it comes to falls, everyone wants to avoid them at all costs. Sideways, or lateral, falls are very common with Parkinson’s. People get their feet tangled up or they step on their own foot. You may not be aware your feet are getting closer and closer to each other until you have a fall. This is a PD pattern, and it must be corrected at every chance.
With intentional footing and lots of practice, you can minimize these dangerous lateral falls. We are sticklers for form in our virtual and gym classes, and we will make sure you are using the correct technique. It’s extremely important.
Continue reading “To Prevent Parkinson’s Falls, Try This Lateral Walk Technique”