L-r, Tamara Jercha, Terry Wilkerson, Don Nagdeman, Elizabeth Woodbury, and Jerry Sabo

Pearls of Wisdom for living with Parkinson's

Contributed By:The 411 News

The North West Indiana Parkinsons Institute calls its lecture series “Pearls of Wisdom,” a new outreach component to educate and inform those living with the disease.

Parkinson ’s disease is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. The disease occurs when nerve cells, or neurons, in an area of the brain that controls movement become impaired or die.

Actor Michael J. Fox has the disease and the late boxer Muhammad Ali had it.

Last week’s Pearls of Wisdom lecture drew a packed audience to the institute’s Highland office, focusing on topics important to those with PD and also beneficial to those who don’t suffer from the disease.

Eating Healthy with Parkinson’s emphasized food and diet as a way to manage Parkinson’s symptoms. The presenter was Jerome Sabo, a clinical nutritionist at Methodist Hospitals.

The second topic was CBD Oil and its benefits to those suffering from Parkinson’s. Tamara Jercha, Ambassador for the product maker Zilis was the presenter.

Elizabeth Woodbury, the institute’s founder has lived with Parkinson’s for nearly 20 years. The center opened 15 years ago with a program to support disease sufferers and their families.

“Don’t park it – move It” Woodbury urges. Sessions in yoga, dance, and boxing can help relieve stiffness, improve flexibility, strength and muscle control.

Don Nagdeman, Vice-Chairman & Marketing Director for the institute credits Woodbury with bringing greater awareness to the need for support services for those with PD. “She introduced boxing as therapy at Fitness Pointe. Now, our institute has support group sites in the hospitals.”

The presenters did not make claims that eating healthy or using CBD oil as a dietary supplement can prevent or cure the disease.

“There is no such thing as a Parkinson’s diet, but there is evidence that diet plays a role in the progression of the disease,” Sabo said. Today, the medical health arena points to food as medicine. Sabo said nutrition studies in PD show that the Mediterranean style diet along with activities like exercise can reduce the effects of the disease.

Jercha said there are no studies yet showing the effectiveness of CBD Oils; only widespread acceptance and testimonials from users. “I’m here to help you know what it is and put your mind at ease about CBD Oils.”

Jercha said CBD Oils should be carefully selected. The oil should come from organic hemp, be water soluble, and 3rd party tested. Since hemp and marijuana come from the cannabis plant, the CBD oil should contain less than .03 of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

The seminar was Terry Wilkerson’s first visit to the Parkinsons Institute. “I want to bring my mother the next time,” she said.

Story Posted:10/07/2019