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Can You Have Parkinson’s and Still Be Healthy?

One of my fighters with Parkinson’s said she caught herself saying, “back when I was healthy…” She asked me, “Am I healthy? I feel healthy, but I have Parkinson’s, does that make me unhealthy?”
What a great question. It started an important conversation about who are we after PD. Here is Merriam-Webster’s definition of healthy: free from disease or pain : enjoying health and vigor of body, mind, or spirit : well.

So according to this definition, no one is healthy, as humans we are always fighting an infection, disease or pain at different times in our lives. But then it goes on to say “enjoying health and vigor of body, mind, or spirit.” Continue reading “Can You Have Parkinson’s and Still Be Healthy?”

Why People with Parkinson’s Should Get Their Vitamin D Levels Checked

Vitamin D is often thought of to be important for bone health and mood. However, it is important for general good health and helps with many body functions, like:

  • Immune system, which helps you to fight infection
  • Muscle function
  • Cardiovascular function, for a healthy heart and circulation
  • Respiratory system for healthy lungs and airways
  • Brain health and development
  • Anti-cancer effects

Vitamin D deficiency can cause a lot of problems. In fact, a study from Finland suggests that there may be a correlation between insufficient levels of vitamin D and the development of early Parkinson’s disease, and research has suggested that long term deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. If you have a vitamin D deficiency, you may experience: Continue reading “Why People with Parkinson’s Should Get Their Vitamin D Levels Checked”