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Huntington’s disease – Foods to avoid and eating habits to follow

Huntington’s disease – Foods to avoid and eating habits to follow

Huntington’s disease is a hereditary disease that causes the degeneration of brain cells. One of the main symptoms of this condition is uncontrollable jerky movements in the arms, legs, face, head, and upper body (called chorea). Other symptoms may also include a decline in thinking and reasoning skills, alterations in mood, and behavioral changes. This article explores how the condition impacts one’s eating and food management strategies to improve nutritional intake.

How Huntington’s affects the body and food intake

  1. Chorea
    Huntington causes jerky, uncontrollable movements called chorea. This can use more energy, increasing one’s caloric needs.
  2. Difficulty in planning
    Huntington’s may cause short-term memory loss, making it difficult to plan meals in advance. This can also affect one’s food and nutrition.
  3. Clumsiness
    One may also experience stumbling and clumsiness. As a result, one may find it difficult to eat or drink, causing embarrassment among individuals with Huntington’s.
  4. Mood changes
    Cognitive changes with Huntington’s can cause depression and anxiety. This can cause changes in appetite, affecting one’s desire to eat.
  5. Muscular changes
    With Huntington’s, individuals may also have hand-eye coordination, eating, and posture issues. This can limit their ability to put food into their mouths, affecting their daily eating habits. Additionally, it can make it difficult to close the lips together, causing spillage.

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