Nutrients

Antioxidants

Dear Doctor,

Is it true that nutrients’ intake must be added if we do more exercises, as exercises may reduce the level of antioxidants in our blood?

Does Jumex have an impact on the amount of nutrients intake? Jumex contains long term neuron-protective properties. However, it also increases cellular energy production that has potentially negative effects. The enhanced cellular function increases free radicals and aggravates stress. It may be necessary to periodically re-adjust the nutrients to put back the appropriate level of antioxidants in our blood.

Kindly advise.

Thanks.

TEO KIM HOE


Dear Teo,

In the case of exercises, generally only athletes need to be concerned about additional nutrients. Humans evolved to hunt, run, gather food, and otherwise, engage in physical labor, and meet their nutrient needs with their normal daily diet. Athletes, however, have a much higher activity level than normal, and may need extra nutrients.

Water is an exception. This most vital of all nutrients is easily lost by all humans and needs to be constantly replenished.

In the case of people with PD, there is an additional factor. PD is stressful and stress produces free radicals, and thus cellular damage. While there is no evidence that dietary nutrients can have an effect upon the area of the brain affected by PD, diet most certainly affects the health otherwise. Here, the first line of defense is a nourishing diet. Foods contain an array and balance of phytochemicals, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals that cannot be duplicated in pills and other supplements. Vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, whole grains, cooked legumes, and fish should be the backbone and mainstay of the daily diet. A multivitamin supplement is a good addition, but does not take the place of foods. An annual physical examination with lab tests will determine whether there is a need for other supplements, and this certainly can be the case as we age – vitamin B12, for example, is less well absorbed.

Jumex (selegeline), and in fact all PD medications, can have undesirable side effects that increase various kinds of stress, and here again, a wholesome diet, plus exercise, is the best way to combat these effects. You are doing exactly the right things in following a good exercise program and eating healthful foods.

Best regards,
Dr. Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD


Dear Doctor,

Thank you for your excellent reply.

However, I still believe that when we do more exercises, we would need more nutrients to protect our body from oxidative stress, whether or not we are an athlete.

The increasing energy production in the cells (from some medications, exercises, stress, etc.) will increase free radicals production. This is the natural biological process in the body.

But regular exercising will also increase endogenous antioxidant enzyme that enhances antioxidant mechanism in the overall body.

The aging process, antioxidant level and oxidative stress are dynamic processes which we have to monitor every 6 months or annually, at least, i.e. through blood test on the nutrient levels.

I understand that most PD patients have deficiencies or decreased antioxidants, folic acid and Vitamin B12 or 6, and these deficiencies occur in normal old adults too.

To improve our nutrient level in a natural and safe way, we need to have more fruits, vegetables and fish (source of co-enzyme Q10).

Kindly advise.

Best regards,
TEO KIM HOE


Dear Teo,

Yes, it’s very true that exercises, medications, and in fact, even metabolizing the food we eat, result in the production of free radicals. However, a healthy human body is very well adapted to combat these free radicals by producing its own metabolic pathways and enzymes to quench the free radicals. The key, first and foremost, is a high-quality diet that supports the production of such enzymes – as you say, fruits, vegetables, and fish are excellent.

Having said that however, this can change with age, disease conditions (such as PD) and many types of medications. That is why CoQ10 (co-enzyme Q10) and creatine are being studied, to see if they can help alleviate the negative effects suffered by PD patients. It is also good to remember that long-time use of levodopa can result in higher levels of homocysteine in the blood, and if this happens, supplements of B vitamins are needed.

Best regards,
Dr. Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD


Dear Doctor,

I wish to add the following to my earlier email.

The level of nutrients in our body depends on 3 factors:

1. The amounts of nutrient taken from food and supplements.

2. Ability of intestinal absorption.

3. Utilization of nutrients by our body, depending upon our level of physical activity. If we do more exercises, we will need more nutrients, hence affecting the level of antioxidants in our body.

Thanks.

TEO KIM HOE