From WPC 2023
From WPC 2023
Richelle Flanagan: thoughts on diet
Sally Bromley
I am fascinated that something we all do, every day, is taken for granted whereas it could be a perfect time to address it head-on. I’m talking about food. We all need it but how many of us actually consider the effects food has on us? Should we be considering what we eat, when we eat, how taking our meds relates to it, and why we don’t necessarily think much about it?
Richelle Flanagan has a quiet voice with a delightful Irish lilt. I’ve known her for several years though our paths rarely cross. I made sure I heard her talk because she has done some interesting research on women with Parkinson’s, addressing the menstrual cycle and menopause and how it affects our Parkinson’s. More recently she has focused on diet and nutrition.
Her talk was detailed and she had to speak quickly because she had so much to tell us. Her messages included that the western diet is not that good for the person with Parkinson’s (PwP). A Mediterranean diet, with olive oil, salads and less red meat and dairy, is better. She advised us to eat five portions of fruit and veg each day - I think we know that means about a handful of each. She added that vegetarian and vegan diets are beneficial too. Reducing our alcohol intake could help us. On the Movers and Shakers special episode recorded at WPC, Richelle talks about diet for PwP and it’s worth listening to - you can get it here on Spotify or any other podcast platform.
Parkinson's UK is the operating name of the Parkinson's Disease Society of the United Kingdom.
A registered charity in England and Wales (258197) and in Scotland (SC037554). 50 Broadway, London SW1H 0BL.