An interview with Debbie Polisky: More Nutrition Less Stress for the PD Community on March 18, 2024 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Please tell me a little about your background
I have a 30-year bilingual international and award-winning career in nutrition and wellness.
I’m passionate about the Mind Body Connection and I love to create Mind Body Programs that allow our community to make lifestyle changes in a fun and engaging manner.
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I studied Nutrition and Dietetics in the University of Buenos Aires, a 5-year career. When I finished my studies, my Dad, well known cardiologist and stress management expert and I, were pioneers in the medical field, by opening a mind and body medical center called American Medical Center for Stress and Nutrition.
In the year 2000, I had the opportunity to move to the USA, with a job in Arizona, where I worked for a non for-profit community medical center, as their Director of Nutrition Services, while pursuing two Master degrees, in Nutrition and Business. Simultaneously, I started another career as an adjunct faculty, first in person and then virtual, for several colleges and universities.
The last ten years, I’ve been on my own, as a nutrition and wellness consultant for organizations, creating diverse bilingual programs, speaking engagements and author. In 2019, I became interested in Argentine Social Tango, as I loved to dance and was ashamed that I didn’t know my own country’s famous dance – Two to Tango!
Learning Argentine Social Tango in Argentina led me to the Parkinson’s Community, which is why, since the pandemic, I’ve been involved with the Neurology and Parkinson’s Community (patients and caregivers) with Nutrition, Stress Management and Argentine Social Tango Programs, Virtual and In Person. Also, I decided to specialize in Brain Nutrition and Brain Health for our diverse communities.
Can you tell me more about your organization?
I have two bilingual organizations, one at the corporate level, for bilingual communications called Words & Health, where I partner with organizations to provide bilingual health communication through translations, speaking engagements, grant writing, program creation and implementation. My other website, called Nutrition Tango, at the community level, provides assistance with nutrition and wellness for individuals.
For the Parkinson’s community, I provide free programs through national grants or national sponsors who believe in my mission of Brian Nutrition and Brain Health Education, (virtual or live) through fun events and programs related to Nutrition, Stress Management, Mindfulness and Argentine Social Tango.
Also, fundraising on a national level with fun events such as Food, Wine and Tango Lessons is very rewarding. I work closely with organizations and individuals who would like to impact the PD Community.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
I’m an eternal learner and creative educator, whose passion is to blend science with the arts. WE can call it Your Brain on Art, where we combine engaging programs for both our Mind and Body.
My grandfather had Parkinson’s, so I always wanted to give back to this community. Learning Argentine Social Tango led me to Argentine instructors who specialized in Tango for Neurology, especially Parkinson’s, since the research behind this social dance is a mindful embrace between two individuals, allowing patients to have better balance, connection, self-confidence, posture, coordination, decrease anxiety, depression and stress, improve sleep and decrease isolation – all in a fun and engaging social activity.
By specializing and learning more about Brain Health, Brain Nutrition together with Argentine Social Tango, I’m able to educate individuals through activities they usually are not offered in the everyday PD organizations.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
Improve their Nutrition with a focus on Brain Nutrition – How Foods impact our Mood and our Gut Health as there is a direct relationship between the Brain and the Gut, our digestive system. 90% of serotonin, the happy, feel-good chemical is produced in our digestive system and not in our brain.
Improve their Stress Levels, Decrease Anxiety and Sleep Habits – Living with a chronic limited health condition as PD is very stressful and requires techniques to improve our outlook on life.
Improve their Physical Activity – Instead of the usual fitness offerings, Argentine Social Tango is a social, engaging and mindful dance that also provides flexibility, posture and balance. Music is Therapy and if we add a Tango Embrace and Great Food, we have a Recipe for Health Success!
What type of training and how long are the programs?
The programs are customized to the organization who sponsors the activity so sometimes they are one-time events or workshops, and other times we have 6 or 8 week or annual programs.
What effect can it have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
The effects are all positive, from feeling and looking better, through whole foods, better sleep, less anxiety and stress, more balance and flexibility and a positive outlook on life.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your programs?
I would like to see organizations sponsor yearly bilingual events and programs, live and virtual, that can allow participants to make lifestyle changes. Also, I’d like the PD organizations to embrace Argentine Social Tango, with all its scientific research, to improve the lives of the PD community. There is nothing we need more as a society, than music, dance, food and make new friends!
What events do you participate in?
I participate in Brain Health events, virtually or in person for the PD community.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
All programs are catered to caregivers as they also participate and benefit a lot from their own mind body health. Also, they are the ones who cook, dance and help their loved ones on a daily basis.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Email: dpolisky@cox.net
Websites: www.nutritiontango.com /www.wordsandhealth.com
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
The best way is to provide my contact information to their organizations and associations so I may better serve their communities too.
In your opinion what is the key to effective advocacy?
Organizations should ask their PD community what they need and offer them new engaging programs for better health. Sometimes offering new programs is scary yet it’s the only way for the PD community to improve their health. When we offer engaging and fun activities, participants feel and look better.
How can we better fundraise to support a cure for Parkinson’s?
Offering new programs such as Nutrition Tango, combining Food with Social Tango Dance.
Why should people who don’t have Parkinson’s care about this?
These programs are helpful for all individuals and communities, as a preventive method to ensure healthier lifestyles.
Have you had any family members or relatives affected by Parkinson’s disease?
My grandfather.
If you had one song that would tell us more about you or represent your life, which song would it be?
One Moment in Time – Whitney Houston
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
Believe in yourself and find others that offer new programs that resonate with you and your love for life.