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The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease explained

The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease explained

Independent5 days ago
Ozzy Osbourne died on Tuesday after living with Parkinson's disease for nearly six years.
The Black Sabbath singer was diagnosed with the progressive neurological condition in 2019 and had been experiencing constant pain for the past year.
Parkinson's disease, which currently has no cure, is caused by the death of dopamine-producing nerve cells, leading to three main symptoms which include tremor, slowness of movement, and rigidity.
Some subtle symptoms may include a change in a person's walking pattern, very small handwriting, a loss in their sense of smell, nerve pain or insomnia.
Symptoms, which can develop slowly over several years, usually occur when the brain is no longer able to make enough dopamine to adequately control movement.
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The number of almonds you should eat every day for good heart and gut health
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May help stabilise blood sugar As they're low in carbohydrates but high in healthy fats, protein and fibre, almonds are the perfect snack for people trying to manage their blood sugar levels. They're also rich in magnesium – a 30g serving contains around 80mg, which is roughly a quarter of the recommended daily allowance. Multiple studies have linked magnesium levels and blood sugar management, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes. A 2021 meta-analysis in Nutrients concluded that, in people with a high risk of diabetes, magnesium supplementation significantly improved their blood glucose levels. How many almonds should we really eat per day? 'In the UK we're eating on average only 6g of nuts a day. Yet even a single handful, around 30 grams, is well recognised to provide many health benefits,' says Dr Leeming. While some experts agree that a 30g serving of almonds is sufficient, other studies suggest that you'll actually reap the best benefits by eating double that amount. A 2022 analysis found that eating up to 60g of almonds per day reduced two different markers of inflammation in the body. Similarly, a 2021 report discovered that eating 56g of almonds daily for 12 weeks reduced markers of inflammation among a group of more than 200 participants. Now, this recent study purports 45 almonds as the magic number – that's more than 100g each day. So, what do our experts think? Luckily both Dr Leeming and Holt agree that a handful of almonds – around 30g a day – is sufficient. 'This amount is well-recognised to provide many health benefits, down to its fibre, vitamin E and healthy fats,' Dr Leeming says. How do they compare to almond butter? 'Both whole almonds and almond butter offer similar nutrients, as long as the almond butter doesn't have added sugars or oils,' Dr Leeming says. Whole almonds are slightly higher in fibre, Holt adds. As they take longer to chew, they may also be better for digestion and maintaining blood sugar levels. 'Your body's having to work harder to break down that food before absorbing it and that's why we see in this recent study that eating whole almonds slows post-meal glucose spikes. This can be really helpful for those with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.' Alternatively, almond butter may be better for people with a poor appetite or those looking to gain weight, Holt suggests, as it provides the healthy fats and protein in an easier, more digestible way. How about other popular nuts? 'Almonds are one of the highest-fibre nuts, which is great news for your gut,' Dr Leeming says. Peanuts are a close second with 2.6g fibre per 30g, and they are much richer in protein with 7.8g compared to almonds' 6.3g. 'They're more affordable too, which is an important consideration for some,' Holt adds. 'Walnuts are a better source of omega-3 fatty acids which support our brain and heart as well,' Holt says, 'whilst cashews are a bit lower in fibre but a really good source of iron.' This plays a crucial role in strengthening the immune system and promoting good sleep. They've all got their own unique nutritional profiles and benefits so Holt says it's best to 'add a variety of different nuts to your diet'. Are there any downsides to eating almonds? As a nut allergy sufferer herself, Holt highlights the life-threatening impact that almonds may have for some. 'Obviously we can't get the important vitamins and minerals from nuts,' she says, 'so similarly nutritious foods for those with a nut allergy include sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds. Olive oil is a great source of vitamin E too, as are certain wholegrains.' She also points to the calorie content of almonds. 'A single portion is quite high at 200 calories and they're also very easy to overeat.' If you're trying to lose or maintain weight, she advises 'portioning out your serving of almonds and avoiding mindless grazing'. How to add almonds to your diet 'The simplest way is to eat a small handful of almonds each day as a snack. You can keep a jar of them on your desk or in your bag for when you need something to keep you going,' Dr Leeming says. She also recommends sprinkling them on your porridge or yogurt in the morning, adding them to a salad for extra crunch, or blending them into a smoothie. 'Almond flour is a great gluten-free alternative for baking, whilst it's so easy and beneficial to add a tablespoon of almond butter to your toast or a bowl of fruit,' Holt concludes. Healthy almond recipes

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