A Healthier You, One Step at a Time

Author: Jan

  • Nutrition & protein intake for Parkinsons

    Nutrition & protein intake for Parkinsons: Parkinsons patient

    Registered Dietitians are fortunate to have a wealth of scientific data from which to draw reliable recommendations.  Recently the recommendation for protein has been updated, this has been a subject that I have debated with a variety of patients that I’ve seen with Parkinsons disease.

    I will quote:

    A 2010 review found that on average, protein redistribution diets resulted in improved motor function in people who responded to levodopa, although the acceptability of the diet decreased over the long term (i.e. >1 month). The most frequently reported complications of the diet included severe dyskinesias (due to reduced levodopa dose), weight loss and hunger before the evening meal. Occasional complications included psychiatric disorders and hallucinations (due to levodopa overdose).

    1.  Cereda E, Barichella M, Pedrolli C, Pezzoli G. Low-protein and protein-redistribution diets for Parkinson’s disease patients with motor fluctuations: A systematic review. Mov Disord. 2010 Jul 28. [Epub ahead of print]. Abstract available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20669318

    A 2017 narrative review noted two large observational studies. One study found that the prevalence of protein-levodopa interaction in those taking levodopa was about 12.4%. The other study suggested that a protein-restricted diet may improve motor function in some people taking levodopa, and that those eating more than 10 g protein/day above the RDA may need a higher levodopa dosage than those eating less protein

    2 .Xiong N, Huang J, Guo S, Liu L, Han C, et al. Protein-restricted diets for ameliorating motor fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease. Front Aging Neurosci. 2017 Jun 28;9:206. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00206. eCollection 2017. Abstract available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28701947

    In 2019, the 2012 Canadian guidelines for Parkinson disease were updated by an expert panel led by Parkinson Canada (9) and they adopted a NICE guidelines:

    People with PD should be advised to avoid a reduction in their total daily consumption of protein” and “discussion should take place about a diet in which most of the protein is eaten in the final main meal of the day (a protein redistribution diet) for people with PD on levodopa who experience motor fluctuations.

    3.  Parkinson’s disease in adults. NICE guideline [NG71}. 2017 Jul. Available from: nice.org.uk/guidance/ng71

    Its important for patients with Parkinson’s consume adequate protein.   Patients who are taking their levodopa medication 30 minutes before a meal and do not experience relief can trial a protein redistribution for 2 weeks and if they do not experience relief, discontinue the diet.   As well, when a patient experiences relief, they need to make sure their overall protein intake is adequate or they may need to increase the levodopa dosage to manage symptoms and maintain their protein status.

    Regardless, it is advised that patients seek the advice of a registered dietitian to advise on bloating, constipation, early satiety, swallowing problems and the overall balance of their nutritional intake.

  • Covid 19 Office closure, Zoom meeting effective for Nutrition Counselling!

    Covid 19 Office closure, Zoom meeting effective for Nutrition Counselling!: zoom

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Cornerstone Nutrition Offices have been closed for Nutrition Counselling since March 24th, for 6 weeks!

    Nutrition counselling has been provided to clients exclusively with “Zoom” platform over the past six weeks, an easy to use and surprisingly effective platform.

    If you are wanting to get a nutrition makeover, this is a great place to start, no need to travel, the  appointment happens from the comfort of your home!

    Contact Jan by e-mail, jan@cornerstonenutrition.ca or phone 604 741-7307.

    After you complete a nutrition questionnaire and establish a date and time for your 1 hr appointment, Jan will send you an invitation for your appointment.  Before the meeting, you will need to download zoom from https://zoom.us/download.  You can zoom from a phone, tablet or laptop!!

    Covid 19 may be providing you an opportunity to set up a healthy nutrition plan for a cheaper cost, only $115 for a zoom appointment, .covers the 1 hr appointment and e-mail/texting follow up for one month.

    Many patients find that their health plan covers the cost of seeing a Registered Dietitian or you can claim the cost as a health expense on your income tax.

    Look forward to hearing from you!

  • Red Cabbage Coleslaw

    Make your own salads!

    2 c shredded red cabbage, 1 grated carrot, 1 grated apple, 1/4 c raisins, 1/3 c walnuts, 1/4 c low fat mayo, 1/4 c low fat plain greek yogurt, 1/2 tsp maple syrup, juice of 1/3 orange- mix altogether.

    8 svg, 93 kcal, 2 g protein, 4.5 g fat, 13g carbohydrate, 2 g fibre per servingRed Cabbage Coleslaw: coleslaw1

  • Office Closure for 1:1 visits continued Mar 24-26th, available for “zoom” virtual appointments

    Office Closure for 1:1 visits continued Mar 24-26th, available for "zoom" virtual appointments: covid19 molecule

  • Covid19 Nutrition Office Closed Mar 17-19th temporarily

    Covid19 Nutrition Office Closed Mar 17-19th temporarily: covid19 moleculehttps://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/symptoms.html

    Have enclosed this article from the Vancouver Sun that compares the cold, flu and Covid 19 symptoms and length of illness to help you identify what may be affecting you.

    Will be closing my office this week March 17-19th.

    .Covid19 Nutrition Office Closed Mar 17-19th temporarily: Covid19

  • Nutritional Supplements $$

    So often I have patients who are asking me about what supplements they should be taking,  they bring a plastic bag filled with little bottles and line them up in front of me.  As a dietitian, I’m usually encouraging my client to harness their nutrients by eating a healthy diet and suggest supplements to complement  an inadequate diet due to sensitivities/intolerance or dislikes.  Admittedly I  too like to  take some calcium, vitamin D & zinc, or multivitamins, in the winter with the lack of sunshine, being restricted indoors, or exposed to rampant flu,; vitamins can give you that extra edge to keep you healthy..

    Watching David Jocker’s Keto diet summits, I realize that it is almost impossible to follow this diet without taking nutritional supplements, be they electrolyte powders, Nutritional Supplements $$: supplementsMCT, exogenous ketones, and if you have poor digestion and elimination, herbal adaptogens, stomach acids, digestive enzymes, probiotics, betaine HCL bile salts or oz bile.  Poor thyroid function can be a limitation for adapting to a keto diet and you may need extra iodine, selenium, iron, B12, Zinc, Vit D, amino acids and magnesium.  Actually I’m curious to try the Thyroid Strong- containing bovine glandular thyroid hormones, iodine, selenium and zinc.  Or perhaps super glutathione which acts as an antioxidant reducing inflammation.  Then you may find you need mitochondrial support with CoQ10, Acetyl-L Carnitine and B Vitamins which will definitely be deficient in this diet.

    You suspect that I’m not a promoter of the ketogenic diet.  In the long term, the literature has shown time after time that a high fibre diet or plant based diet improves longevity whereas the high fat diet cause inflammation and can shorten lifespan.  However there may be merits to cycling carbohydrate and changing  eating patterns.

    One supplement which is not often discussed and is controversial is cannabis CBD, the form that doesn’t get you high.  I liked the post that Desiree NIelsen wrote about this subject and checked out the website she recommended at icaria.co.  I’ve seen CBD work wonders for some clients with multiple GI problems, pain control, reducing anxiety, improving appetite and movement.  Thinking about it,  there are cannabinoids in many plants ,ie.,  clove, black pepper, echinacea, broccoli, ginseng, carrots, sunflowers, cacao and ;hemp.   This could lead to a conversation about how many of our medicines are plant-based.

    When we are treating chronic diseases, many of these supplements are a poor replacement for eating a well balanced plant-based diet, which would give you more energy, maintain healthy bowel and GI function, cost less and enhance one’s appreciation of our planet.

  • Low FODMAP Vegan/Vegetarian Diet Choices

    https://desireerd.com/low-fodmap-foods-that-are-vegan/

    Low FODMAP Vegan/Vegetarian Diet Choices: monashWould like to recommend Desiree Nielson, RD as a reliable source of FODMAP information, she specialize in plant based diets that banish the bloat.

    The absolute best choice of low FODMAP foods is found with Monash University, they founded the research and update their app regularly, great source of information.

  • New Sechelt office for Nutrition Consults

    New Sechelt office for Nutrition Consults: IMG 85674683 New Sechelt office for Nutrition Consults: IMG 85904681 e1579645960604Open soon:  February 4th,,

    Suite 105, 5700 Cowrie St, Sechelt

    Tuesday-Thursday

    10:00-4:00 pm

     

    Contact Jan at 604 7410-7301 for a consult or e-mail: jan@cornernstonenutrition.ca

    Tue, Feb 4, 5 & 6th,  free 10 minute consults 12:00-1:00  Learn more about what services are provided!  How can we help you?  Drop In, please wait in the front room, until Jan is available.

  • Cornerstone Nutrition finds permanent office space in Sechelt

    New Sechelt Office for Cornerstone Nutrition

    Open  Tue-Thurs 10:00-4:00 pm starting Feb 1st!  Location: Suite 105, 5700 Cowrie Street, Sechelt  Phone: 604 741-7307  E-mail: jan@cornerstonenutrition.ca  Website:  www.cornerstonenutrition.ca

    Please make an appointment for a nutrition assessment, try me package: $125 include a 60  min session with the dietitian plus e-mail or phone follow up x 4 weeks.  Coverage for private counselling is often available on private insurance, consults are free for clients with diabetes controlled by insulin and for the months of January and February, clients with referrals to the hospital qualify for 25% discount!

     

  • Is coconut healthy? A dietitian non-bias breakdown

    https://www.theloop.ca/is-coconut-really-the-best-oil-to-cook-with

    Is coconut healthy? A dietitian non-bias breakdown: coconut
    Coconut – a non-bias report by a dietitian

    As a dietitian, most of my clients are concerned about their cholesterol and heart disease, and are advised to avoid foods high in saturated fat, as per St. Paul’s healthy heart clinic.  Coconut is very high in saturated fat albeit short chain, the literature has yet to support the benefits of coconut for heart disease. Coconut is very flavourful and can be included in your diet, this video will help guide you as to the best sources.

     

    Nishta Saxena, RD has presented a non-bias view of the merits of coconut.  Click on the link above to watch her videa on the morning show with CTV.