Food to eat for PD and bowell movement

Q: foods to eat for parkinsons and bowell mov

my name is pat i'm 70yrs old i'm having a problem with my bowell movement i go every 3-4 days only with assistance from rubber syringe as a primer and drink green tea
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Kathrynne Holden, MS, RDJoined: 22 Jan 2007Posts: 0Location: www.nutritionucanlivewith.com
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:08 am Post subject:

Dear Pat, Constipation is very, very common among folks with PD. There are two main reasons: 1) the disease can slow the peristalsis (movement) of the colon, so that the stool can only move very, very slowly; 2) the PD medications can all have the side effect of contributing to constipation. This makes it especially important for folks with PD to carefully watch their fiber and fluid intake. Your green tea is a wonderful choice – it’s a very healthful drink. You don’t mention your other fluids, so I will recommend that you drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids – green tea, juices, etc., and that about half of that be plain water. Next, you must be certain to get enough fiber – at least 25 grams per day. This means choosing whole grains rather than white bread, crackers, etc. You need whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole oats, rye and barley. Also cooked dried beans – these are especially high in fiber, and I would try to have a serving every day – split pea soup, 3-bean salad, baked beans, navy bean or lentil soup, refried beans, whatever you like. Nuts and seeds, along with vegetables and fruits, are also good choices. If your diet is rich in these foods, and if you drink plenty of fluids, you should see an improvement in bowel movements within a few weeks. But additionally, here is a recipe that may help as well: Prune Juice Cocktail for Constipation For people with frequent constipation, a safe and effective remedy is the "prune juice cocktail," a preparation used in many hospitals. - ½ cup unsweetened applesauce - 4 tablespoons wheat bran - 6 ounces prune juice Mix well, and store in refrigerator. Take a tablespoonful a day at first, gradually adding more if needed, till you find the amount that works well for you. The bran helps keep the stool bulky and soft, the prune juice contains a natural laxative, and the applesauce gives a palatable taste and texture. Aim for 25 - 40 grams of fiber in the daily diet, and drink 6-8 glasses of fluid daily. It may be helpful to also have a serving of 4-6 stewed prunes 2-4 times per week, for added fiber and additional natural laxative. This recipe makes about 10 fluid ounces total. The nutrients for the entire recipe are as follows: 209 calories 6 grams fat 3 grams protein 54 grams carbohydrates 10 grams fiber 22 grams total sugars The nutrients per serving will depend upon how much is taken at a time. One ounce (about two tablespoons), will be about 20 calories, 5 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, and 2 grams total sugars._________________Best regards, Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD -- For a Parkinson Tip of the Day visit: http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/