Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative brain condition that affects movement. It does not have a known cure, but certain measures can help slow down the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. Several studies show that healthy, balanced meals can improve one’s ability to deal with Parkinson’s. The article sheds light on foods to eat and treatment options to manage Parkinson’s. But before that, let’s look at some common symptoms of the condition.

It is crucial to recognize early signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. However, keep in mind that the disease manifests differently in different people, both in terms of severity of symptoms and progression.

Here are some common signs to look out for:

Tremors
Tremors are involuntary muscle contractions that result in shaking movements. In the condition’s early stages, tremors are usually noticed in fingers or hands, even when they are at rest.

Muscle stiffness
Another common early sign is stiffness and rigidity of the muscles in the body. This can also lead to a decreased range of motion. Other signs can include slow movement, loss of smell, and smaller handwriting.

Here are some of the top foods to eat to manage Parkinson’s:

Berries
Berries are rich in antioxidants and can fight off oxidative damage. This means they can help slow down the progression of this degenerative neurological condition. They also help preserve the quality of life of the patient. Additionally, berries have high vitamin C content, making them good for immunity and useful to ward off any secondary infections or complications caused by the condition. 

Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the best foods to combat diseases or disorders. The nutrient-dense veggie is rich in antioxidants and minerals like iron and magnesium. It can help slow down the progression rate of Parkinson’s disease and fight off damage caused by free radicals. Broccoli can be used in salads, soups, and smoothies. It can also be added to wraps and sandwiches. 

Green tea
Green tea is one of the healthy drinks that should be added to one’s food regimen to manage various health conditions. Like the other foods on this list, green tea helps slow down the progression and damage caused by Parkinson’s.

As important as food is to one’s health, it is not a can-solve-all solution to the condition. Tackling Parkinson’s is not easy and cannot be achieved without professional help. It is, therefore, necessary to seek help from doctors and healthcare experts. They may provide some crucial medical assistance that can help keep the symptoms under control.

Some of the medications to manage Parkinson’s symptoms are mentioned below:

Opicapone (ONGENTYS)
Opicapone, often sold under the brand name ONGENTYS, is used along with levodopa, a dopamine replacement agent. Levodopa is a common medicine used for Parkinson’s treatment, and ONGENTYS helps increase its efficacy. Opicapone improves the availability of the dopamine substitute in the brain, helping it function better. 

Entacapone (Comtan)
Entacapone, a COMT enzyme inhibiting compound, is prescribed by doctors to enhance the activity of levodopa-carbidopa. It is possible to use this compound in addition to other medications for added efficacy. The combination therapy helps improve the effectiveness of levodopa-carbidopa and motor function control. 

Tolcapone (Tasmar)
Tasmar is a medication containing tolcapone used for managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s. It helps interfere with the functioning of the catechol-o-methyltransferase enzyme. This increases the availability of levodopa in the brain, making an essential impact on the treatment results. The medication should be taken orally.