I am 61 years old and was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease five yeas ago. A few weeks back I watched a programme on television about fasting (Horizon, BBC2) and, after hearing how it could improve general health, decided to try it.

The regime I am following basically consists of fasting for 19 hours and then eating normally for up to five hours (by normally, I mean eating anything. However, I do try and eat a health diet, although I do still eat biscuits and chocolate).

I have now been on this regime for three weeks and the Parkinson's symptoms have virtually disappeared. I am now back to how I was before I had Parkinsons. I know it sounds

Has anyone else out there ever tried fasting and, if so, have you found an improvement in your condition.

magsb
That sounds interesting. You would need good self discipline to starve yourself for 19 hours. But if it works so worth it.


PB x

Hi Magsb,
I was about to post something very similar! I have noticed for some time now that the less I eat the better I feel, and my symptoms definitely diminish. The converse is also true; the more I eat the worse I feel, and my symptoms get worse. I too saw that programme and have started to fast. I intend to do it 2 days a week, eating 500 cals on those days. (Technically not really a strict fast, but what was recommended on the programme).I have only done it for two days so far, but I definitely felt better, and it confirmed what I had already noticed.
For anyone who did not see the VERY interesting programme and would like to, it is on utube, called "Eat, fast and live longer". The evidence is very compelling.
Kind regards, Butterfly.

Magsb,
I'm sorry I got carried away and didn't notice it was your first post! Welcome to the forum! Butterfly

very interesting.
can i ask if you are in levadopa - i only ask to rule out the possibility it is being better absorbed on an empty stomach?
cheers

I agree - the less i eat - the longer my meds last

I am on no meds at all. I wonder about magsb?

butterfly - excellent - in that case you are the perfect guinea pig. i look forward to you getting a positive result.
cheers
ps was on a bit of a fast today - only eat two bars of chocolate all day - could feel meds still working up to 2 hours after eating. begining to think it is the length of time AFTER eating that is most important for maximising levadopa intake.

An interesting topic magsb.

I wonder if there could be an association with the fact that increasing an exercise regime helps to combat Parkinson's? I've been hitting the trail with walking these last 3 months and although my Parkinson's hasn't disappeared, I definitely have felt better for taking the exercise. And I wasn't on Parkinson's meds either.

It is an established fact that the human being is most productive in a work situation during the morning hours - because after lunch your body is digesting food and this can lead to sleepiness. Just possibly with the fasting situation your body is not crossing that food-absorption barrier and so isn't hitting the penalty zone. Perhaps exercise is similar - you are busy keeping active and preventing your body going into that penalty zone.

I wonder if the well established fact that the initial stages of fasting or a longer term low carbohydrate diet are associated with feelings of well-being (even mild euphoria) may be relevant?

(I say "well estblished", but I admit that I am many years out of date)