Dive into Detox for Parkinson's Disease Protection

In recent years, the term "detox" has gotten popularized by fad diets, social media, and diet culture. But the true sense of the word holds value when it comes to preventing neurological dysfunction.

In fact, epidemiological studies found that chronic exposure to environmental toxins may result in an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), making detoxification a form of preventative action that may help decrease progression.

Environmental toxins and PD

With environmental toxins such as air pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, and cigarette smoke seemingly around every corner, how can people protect against their harmful accumulations?

Luckily, Mother Nature has equipped specific foods with the ability to increase the body’s natural toxin-ridding capabilities.

High sulfur foods

For example, high sulfur-containing foods can improve glutathione production — a powerful nutrient that can help chelate heavy metals, reduce oxidative stress, enhance immune function, and enable critical DNA processes.¹

Glutathione is naturally produced in the liver, heart, brain, skin, and blood, making its detoxification abilities critical for health promotion, including Parkinson’s disease protection.

For a food-first approach to improved cognitive health and disease prevention, check out the detox worth doing with the sample day of meals detailed below.

Breakfast

Vegetable omelet

• 3 eggs
• ½ cup broccoli, chopped
• ½ small onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp herb blend

Served with whole-grain toast

Removing heavy metals

This dish can do egg-stravagant things for your health! Specifically, garlic serves as a detoxifier by helping to remove heavy metals from the body.¹

There is increasing evidence to show that heavy metal accumulation may contribute to neuron destruction - a proposed contributor to PD, making garlic a go-to selection for a brain boost.²

Onions also serve as natural chelators, which can help combat neurotoxicity to protect against PD. Talk about a dynamic duo! Lastly, broccoli is classified as a cruciferous vegetable. This class of veggies helps to increase the activity of glutathione, helping to protect from environmental toxins.¹

Mid-morning snack

Feel Full Fiber Balls

• 1 cup ground flax seeds
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup peanut butter

High in fiber

It’s a flax attack! These mighty seeds are high in fiber, which can help provide some added relief to your slow-mode bowel movements.¹

Plus, these powerful seeds contain magnesium - a cofactor to glutathione and health-promoting antioxidants, making it a must-have ingredient for Parkinson’s disease protection.¹

Learn how to make this fiber-filled recipe that has health benefits from head to toe.

Lunch

Mexican Grain Bowl

• 4oz grilled chicken breast, sliced
• ½ cup black beans
• ½ cup brown rice
• ½ tomato, diced
• ½ onion, diced
• 1 tbsp cilantro, chopped

Optional extras: hot sauce, salsa, or your favorite dressing

Brain protecting nutrients

This glutathione-rich dish is not to be missed! Sulfur-containing lean protein, legumes, and allium vegetable content help encourage the body’s production of glutathione a brain-protecting nutrient. Finish your grain bowl with a tasty dressing!¹

Mid-afternoon snack

Faux Cheesy Kale Chips

• 1 bunch of kale
• 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp tajin seasoning

Neurological protection

Kale-yeah! These greens also help boost the body’s glutathione production, ultimately reducing toxin accumulation and which may offer improved neurological protection.¹

These crispy cruciferous chips then get topped with nutritional yeast - an excellent source of vitamin B complex, which help enable enzymatic reactions in the body.¹

As people age, their ability to absorb vitamin B12 also gets reduced, making nutritional yeast a powerful plant-based food to help with detoxification.³

For a brain boost, get the complete kale chip recipe.

Dinner

Vegetarian Power Plate

• 8oz extra-firm tofu
• ¼ cup black beans
• ¼ cup kidney beans
• ¼ cup chickpeas
• 1 tbsp lemon
• Herb blend, salt, and pepper to taste

Served with your favorite fruit and vegetable side dishes. Optional extras include: avocado, lime juice, roasted peppers, roasted cashews

Add grape juice in a wine glass for an additional antioxidant boost.

Promote cardiovascular health

Get plant-powered with this PD-protecting plate. Its high legume content helps kick accumulated toxins to the curb with its glutathione-promoting nutrients.

They are also high in soluble fiber, stimulating bowel movements, promoting cardiovascular health, and improving immune function.

In addition, this 3-bean salad is paired with tofu to provide an added boost of selenium - a mineral that is frequently lacking in an aging population yet is critical for detoxification. If you have bean longing for better neuron protection, give this dish a try!¹