. and, in turn, may help regulate mood and stress. • Legumes. Beans, lentils and chickpeas are good sources of protein, fiber and important minerals that support brain health and a stable mood. • Eggs. Eggs provide choline, vitamin D and B vitamins, which are important for producing neurotransmitters, chemicals that help your brain cells communicate. • Proteins. Chicken, turkey and tofu are good sources of tryptophan, a nutrient your body uses to make serotonin which helps regulate mood, sleep and stress. • Dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has natural compounds that can lift your mood and help make you feel more alert. Just don’t eat too much! Eating patterns can play a part Beyond adding more nourishing foods to your diet, small changes in how you approach eating can help improve your mental health. Eat mindfully. Slow down at mealtimes and pay attention to the flavors, textures and aromas. Appreciating the foods you eat can enhance enjoyment, reduce stress and increase your awareness of how food affects your mood and energy levels. Stay hydrated. Dehydration can impact mood, focus and mental clarity, so aim to drink 6 - 8 glasses of water or hydrating beverages a day. Make the healthy choice, the easy choice. Keeping options like nuts, plain yogurt, fruit and sliced vegetables easily accessible can help you avoid eating processed foods when you’re rushing through your day. Eat regularly. Eating regular meals is important for maintaining energy and focus throughout the day. Skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar, which may cause irritability, low energy and difficulty concentrating. Share meals with family and friends. Don’t underestimate the value of preparing and sharing meals with family and friends. Being around people can boost your mood, strengthen social connections and help you develop a more positive relationship with food. Your mental health means everything, so make it a priority — this month and every month! Monica Price is a nutritional therapist and a European health expert. She is a television and radio presenter for numerous media outlets and host of “The Monica Price Show.” Monica invites your questions and can be reached at monica@monica-price.co.uk. www.monica-price.co.uk. www.DesertHealthNews.com May/June 2026 Integrative Medicine The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 13 Food for Thought Continued from page 1 www.circecares.com Holistic pproach to Patient-Centered Care t Circe Healthcare Solutions, our compassionate team takes the time to understand each patient, empo ering them to take control of their health journey through education and disease prevention. Integrative Primary Care Health Coaching Mindfulness Practices No accepting ne primary care patients ith most major insurances accepted. Edith Jones-Poland, M.D. Founder/Family and Integrative Care Physician Patricia Van Santen, D.A.O.M. Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Patricia 760-773-4948 Palm Desert 73345 Hwy. 111, Ste. 101 Yucca Valley 57463 Twentynine Palms Hwy, Ste. 202 circecares.com Bachir Younes, MD, MPH 760.636.1336 36923 Cook St # 103, Palm Desert Roula Younes, DNP Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is recommended for treating a variety of medical conditions including expediting wound healing. Desert Hyperbaric Medicine is a part of Younes Medical offering comprehensive care for patients. The company encompasses aninfectious disease clinic, a state-of-the-art wound care center and the largest independent IV fusion therapy facility in the valley—Desert Infusion Center. Immerse yourself in healing 760.773.3899 If you know me personally or follow me on social media, you know that Parkinson’s disease has had a personal impact on my life. In 2006, my beloved stepfather, John Yonushonis, was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the young age of 58. His symptoms were so severe that he was forced to prematurely retire. Potentially the worst insult dealt to him, however, was the fact that he could no longer throw a football. John was an exceptional athlete and played football with legendary coaches like Lou Holtz and Marv Levy. While his prognosis was only three to five years, John lived another 20 years with the condition, passing peacefully at home in August, 2025. Despite the many difficulties he experienced, John integrated several therapies that helped to improve his quality and potentially quantity of life, including music therapy, boxing, tai chi and mindfulness. I’d like to share the potential benefits of these therapies, which are all available here in the Coachella Valley. Soon after his diagnosis, John taught himself to play the Native American flute, experiencing many benefits, even in the advanced stages of the disease. Musicbased therapies have shown significant improvement in motor symptoms related to Parkinson’s. Several research studies and meta-analyses have shown improvements in walking speed and stride length² with researchers speculating that music provides a rhythm to support movement and activates neural circuits to support motor control.³ My stepfather also participated in multiple non-contact boxing programs. Boxing is recognized as a therapeutic modality for improving both motor and non-motor symptoms. In 2025, a study of 26 patients with Parkinson's completed a 12-week community-based non-contact boxing program called Rock Steady Boxing. They compared baseline and final measurements of the Mini Balance Evaluation System Test and found significant improvement in balance.º In a large survey study of 1,709 individuals completing the Rock Steady Boxing program, they self-reported improved social life (70%), fatigue (63%), fear of falling (62%), depression (60%) and anxiety (59%). The findings suggest a better quality of life compared to non-participants.» Further studies are pending. Tai chi, qigong and mindfulness-based yoga practices are also safe, effective and well-researched modalities to improve the quality of life for Parkinson’s patients. A meta-analysis of over 22 research studies found that Tai Chi can improve motor function, balance, depressive symptoms and quality of life.¼ Qigong and mindfulnessbased yoga practices also show significant benefit. A large clinic trial demonstrated that combined mindfulness-yoga interventions improved anxiety and depressive symptoms when compared to controls and improved quality of life that lasted three months past the interventions. I saw firsthand the impact these therapies had on John’s life, and I hope that if your life is impacted by Parkinson’s, you will consider adding them to your routine. A simple way to access these therapies is through a local Parkinson’s support group. My stepfather was a member of the Parkinson’s support groups offered by Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley. Wherever you are on the journey, I’d suggest connecting to a local Parkinson’s group to learn about music-based therapies, boxing programs like Rock Steady Boxing, Tai Chi, qigong and mindfulness-based yoga. Edith Jones-Poland, MD, is an integrative primary care physician and lifestyle coach with Circe Healthcare Solutions. She can be reached at (760) 773.4948. www.circecares.com References: 1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36673802/; 2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28663005/ ; 3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/41165167/; 4) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34498995/; 5) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31861456/; 6) https://pubmed. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41109323/ Integrative Therapies for Parkinson’s A personal story of the healing benefits By Edith Jones-Poland, MD Readers' Corner Question Christine from Ranco Mirage How can I make sure I am getting all the nutrients I need without relying on supplements? You can meet your nutritional needs by focusing on variety and balance. Eat a wide range of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, quality proteins and healthy fats. Mixing different foods helps cover essential vitamins and minerals naturally, while building meals with protein, fiber and good fats keeps things simple. Consistency matters more than perfection, and a well-rounded diet over time can help provide everything your body needs. — Monica Price
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA1MjUy