Welcome to My Blog: Nourishing Life with Parkinson’s Disease

If you or someone you care about is living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), chances are you’ve had more questions than answers. What can I do to feel better? Can I slow this down? Does what I eat even matter? These are big, important questions—and while there’s no magic, one-size-fits-all solution, I’m here to tell you that nutrition can be a powerful tool in your Parkinson’s journey.

Hi, I’m Carolee Horner! I’m a Functional Nutritionist and National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). My passion is helping people with Parkinson’s use food as medicine to feel better, manage symptoms, and live more vibrantly. This blog is a space where we’ll explore how nutrition and personalized coaching can make a real difference in your daily life. Whether you’re new to this or have been exploring nutrition for a while, there’s something here for you.

Why Nutrition Matters in Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s doesn’t just affect the brain—it impacts the whole body. From tremors and stiffness to fatigue, constipation, and mood changes, it can feel like PD touches every part of your life. But here’s some good news: what you eat can influence how you feel, how your body functions, and how you live with this condition.

Food isn’t just fuel—it’s connection, comfort, and culture. It’s also information for your body. Every bite sends signals that affect your cells, your gut, and even your brain. For those with Parkinson’s disease, nutrition plays an especially important role in:

• Supporting Brain Health: Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants may help protect brain cells from oxidative stress—a key player in PD progression.

• Improving Gut Health: The gut-brain connection is no joke! A healthy gut can influence digestion, inflammation levels, and even mood.

• Managing Symptoms: Strategic food choices can help with common PD challenges like constipation, low energy, mood changes, and more.

• Enhancing Quality of Life: Eating well doesn’t have to mean giving up foods you love. It’s about finding joy in nourishing your body while honoring your unique needs.

My Approach: Functional Nutrition Meets Real Life

I believe deeply in the power of food as medicine—but I also know that life is messy. That’s why my approach blends functional nutrition with practical coaching to make it work for you. Together, we’ll focus on:

• Evidence-Based Nutrition Strategies: While there's no one-size-fits-all "Parkinson's diet," I'll share research-backed nutrition tips that support overall health. We'll explore how different foods and nutrients may affect Parkinson's progression and symptom management.

• Sustainable Changes: Big overhauls sound great in theory but rarely stick. Instead, we’ll focus on small shifts—like adding more fiber-rich foods or anti-inflammatory ingredients—that build up over time.

• Empowering You: Knowing what to eat is one thing; figuring out how to make it work in real life is where the magic happens.

What You Can Expect from This Blog

This blog is all about helping you feel empowered on your journey with Parkinson’s disease. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Practical tips for incorporating nutrient-dense foods into your meals.

• Evidence-based insights into how food impacts PD symptoms.

• Simple recipes that support brain and gut health (and taste amazing!).

• Stories of hope and resilience from others navigating similar paths.

Most importantly, this space is about meeting you where you are—whether you’re just starting to explore how food impacts your health or looking for new ways to optimize your diet.

Let’s Take This Journey Together

Living with Parkinson’s has its challenges—but it also offers opportunities: opportunities to learn more about yourself, connect with others who “get it,” and take steps toward feeling better every day. Nutrition isn’t a cure for PD—but it is a tool that can help you live more vibrantly. I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s explore how food can nourish not just your body but also your mind and spirit as we navigate this journey together.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts where we’ll dive into topics like gut health in PD, meal planning tips for managing symptoms, and so much more. Until then—peace, love, and veggies.