Fall / Winter 2022 | Living with Parkinson ’ s 19
Wear sunscreen
Wear sunscreen year-round , even on cloudy days and during short periods outside . The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sunscreen be broad-spectrum ( block UVA and UVB rays ), SPF 30 or higher and water-resistant .
Dress for the sun
Use sunglasses to protect your eyes and a wide-brimmed hat to cover your head and ears . And wear lightweight and light-colored clothing . In general , try to avoid the sun in the middle of the day , when it ’ s most intense , and enjoy the shade instead of direct sun .
Avoid tanning beds
These emit UV light , which can cause skin cancer . If you want a tan , try self-tanning lotion .
Get enough Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps keep bones healthy . This is especially important for people with Parkinson ’ s who may be at risk for falls . The sun is a good source of Vitamin D , but foods and supplements also can provide this essential nutrient . Have your doctor check your vitamin level and ask about the best foods to eat and whether to take a supplement .
Better Care for Your Brain
Whether you live with Parkinson ’ s or love someone who does , there are simple steps you can take in everyday life to boost your brain health . From a healthy diet to regular exercise to building positive connections with others , research is piecing together the puzzle of how best to care for your brain , how to prevent disease and , if disease does arise , how to best treat it .
A brand-new resource from The Michael J . Fox Foundation , Better Brain Health : A Guide to Caring for Your Magnificent Brain at Every Age , explores the concept of being at risk for brain disease and offers easy-tofollow steps to support your brain health .
This guide is for everyone — younger or older , living with disease or not , and will empower you to take steps today to care for your brain . Download the free guide at
michaeljfox . org / brainhealth .
Visit michaeljfox . org / ask-the-md to learn more about living well with Parkinson ’ s and recent Parkinson ’ s research topics .