Parkinson’s Nutrition: Can What You Eat Help Manage Symptoms

Parkinson’s Nutrition – Can What We Eat Help Manage Symptoms

In this article, we’ll explore the connection between diet and managing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Whether you’re a person living with Parkinson’s or a caregiver, understanding the impact of nutrition on symptoms can be valuable in enhancing overall well-being. So, let’s delve into the world of Parkinson’s Nutrition and uncover how what we eat can contribute to managing the challenges associated with this condition.

Role of Nutrition in Parkinson’s

How do you feel your diet is – Good (I’m eating healthy) or Needs Improvement? and do you notice a difference in your symptoms when eating a healthy diet?

If you are like me, I struggle with my diet. To be completely honest, my diet is what I would call a “Roller Coaster Diet”. I eat well for a few days, then go to a cookout or a family get together, and the wheels fall off and I overeat and don’t select the healthiest food choices, then I’m back to eating healthy again and the process repeats.

Many people with Parkinsons ask if there is a specific diet or Parkinson’s Nutrition plan that they should be following. The Short answer is No.

However, there is data that supports that healthy eating habits that include fruits & vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats can provide benefits for managing Parkinson’s symptoms and may help slow the disease progression.

So let’s explore the link between nutrition and Parkinsons Disease, by examining clinical studies evaluating the role of nutrition in Parkinsons Disease.

Parkinson’s Nutrition – What the Science Reveals

Is there any data that supports eating a healthier diet can improve Parkinson’s Disease symptoms? Let’s examine how Parkinsons Disease nutrition affects Parkinson’s symptoms including tremor and stiffness and rigidity.

To answer the question regarding data supporting a healthy diet and improvement in Parkinson’s symptoms, I conducted a literature review of Google Scholar to see what clinical studies evaluated the topic. I found some interesting studies on Parkinson’s nutrition supporting improvement in Parkinson’s symptoms.

Parkinson’s Nutrition Studies

A study, Nutrition and Lifestyle Interventions for Managing Parkinson’s Disease: A Narrative Review had some interesting findings. The study used keywords and Parkinson’s to identify publications for analysis. The search identified 6,045 publications only 56 of which the investigator identified as relevant.

The studies were then grouped into diet patterns which included Vitamin D, Omega 3 fatty acids, B Vitamins, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), probiotics, physical activity, stress and sleep.

Here are the key findings of the study that support our original question: Is there data supporting a healthy diet and it’s effects on Parkinson’s symptoms.

1. “The evidence suggests that nutrition and lifestyle interventions may reduce PD symptoms and possibly delay disease progression.“
2. “The research supports prescribing a Mediterranean-type diet pattern to reduce inflammation by focusing on whole foods that are low in toxins. The diet pattern is high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, including flavonoids, which are found in plant-based foods, particularly berries.“
3. “Research suggests that people with PD are deficient in CoQ10, glutathione and vitamins C and D. Coenzyme Q10 at dosages of 300–1,200 mg daily may have a positive impact on motor neuron symptoms, finger dexterity, visual color acuity, and inflammation.“
4. “Deficiencies in B vitamins are more prevalent with PD than in the healthy population. Deficiencies in B1 are linked with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration and B12, B6, and folate to elevated homocysteine. Correcting B1 deficiency may improve motor function, fatigue and cognition. Motor symptoms, sleep, motivation, and depression improve with the correction of B2 deficiency.”

It’s important to keep in mind with this study that it may have some limitations. Keyword research was used to identify studies, not all of which were double blind-placebo controlled studies and a single researcher determined what studies to include and assigned a specific grade and category.

However, the findings from this study do reflect that a healthy diet and nutrition plan can have positive effects on Parkinson’s symptoms.

Reference: Lister T. Nutrition and Lifestyle Interventions for Managing Parkinson’s Disease: A Narrative Review. J Mov Disord. 2020;13(2):97-104.

Role of Diet and Supplements in Parkinson’s Progression

A study, The Role of Diet and Nutritional Supplements in Parkinson’s Disease Progression, published in Oxidative Medicine and Cell Longevity, utilized patient reported outcomes and a Food Frequency Questionnaire to evaluate people dietary consumption.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and pharmacological interventions associated with the rate of progression in Parkinson’s Disease. This study included 1,053 individuals diagnosed with Parkison’s Disease.

Let’s look at the key findings from this study.

1. “Using the food frequency questionnaire, the results of this analysis suggest that a plant- and fish-based diet is associated with the lowest PD severity score.“
2. “Fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts and seeds, fish, olive oil, wine, coconut oil, fresh herbs, and the use of spices were all associated with statistically significant lower rates of disease progression.”
   • “These foods largely comprise the Mediterranean diet, which has been associated with reduced PD incidence and later age of diagnosis.“
3. “Ice cream, cheese, and yogurt intakes were associated with higher rates of PD progression.  Dairy has been repeatedly associated with PD incidence, and this is the first study to demonstrate an association between dairy consumption and an increased rate of PD progression.“
4. “Soda, specifically diet soda, was also associated with a faster rate of PD progression. Soda is a sugar-sweetened beverage associated with additional caloric intake and obesity, which was also associated with PD progression in this study.“
5. “Of all the nutritional supplements studied, only coenzyme Q10 and fish oil were associated with statistically significant reduced rates of PD progression.“

These finding shed the light on nutrition’s role in Parkinson’s Disease progression based on the data collected from study participants food questionnaires. This is study, as in the other one referenced above, reinforce the benefits of eating a diet containing fruits & vegetables, whole grains, nuts & seeds, lean protein and healthy fats.

Just as an aside, the findings on ice cream, cheese and yogurt and their negative effects on Parkinson’s really hurt. Why? Because I love ice cream, not just like ice cream, I LOVE ice cream and would eat it every day if I could without weighing 400 pounds. I’m also a big fan of cheese and yogurt, so yes, that finding stung.

Reference: Mischley LK, Lau RC, Bennett RD. Role of Diet and Nutritional Supplements in Parkinson’s Disease Progression. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:6405278. doi: 10.1155/2017/6405278. Epub 2017 Sep 10. PMID: 29081890; PMCID: PMC5610862.

For additional information on Parkinson’s nutrition, read my article:

5 Must-Eat Parkinson’s Foods for a Healthy Parkinson’s Diet

Parkinson’s Nutrition – Diet Plans and Parkinson’s

Let’s turn our attention know and discuss a couple of diet plans that have shown some benefits for people living with Parkinson’s in helping to manage their motor and non-motor symptoms.

Parkinson’s Nutrition – Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is not “diet” but a dietary lifestyle which is reflected in the dietary habits of Mediterranean Countries including France, Italy, Greece and Spain along with a number of other countries.

The Mediterranean diet places an emphasis on eating whole grains, fruits & vegetables (that are in season), legumes (beans and lentils), nuts and seeds and healthy fats, such as Olive Oil and avocado.

Moderate consumption of fish, seafood and dairy along with poultry are also part of the diet. Red meat and sweets are infrequently consumed on this diet.

The Mediterranean Diet has several potential benefits as part of your Parkinson’s nutrition plan. The include:

1. Excellent Source of Antioxidants – because of its focus on fresh fruits & vegetables and healthy fats, the Mediterranean Diet provides a wide array of different antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It is the antioxidants are believed to help reduce oxidative stress and free radicals, which are thought to play a role in the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
2. Digestive Health – The Mediterranean diet is a plant based type of diet. The consumption of fruits vergetables and whole grains, are a great source of dietary fiber, which is essential for helping to promote a health gut flora as well as helping to prevent consitpation, a common Parkinson’s symptom.
3. Anti-inflammatory Benefits – Clinical research suggests that chronic inflammation may be an actor in Parkinson’s Disease. Because the Mediterranean Diet is plant based on focuses on eating whole foods, it provides a vast array of antioxidants which can help reduce inflammation and may play a role in affecting your Parkinson’s symptoms.

For additional information on the Mediterranean Diet and its potential effects on Parkinson’s, listen to my podcast.

Parkinson’s Movement Relief: Can the Mediterranean Diet be a Game Changer.

Parkinson’s Nutrition – MIND DIET

You are probably asking yourself “What is the MIND Diet?”. I’ve never heard of it.

The MIND Diet stands for Mediterranean-DASH-Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. The MIND diet uses components from 2 of the healthy eating lifestyle diets. The Mediterranean Diet which was discussed above and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet.

The MIND Diet is different from the Mediterranean Diet in that it’s primary focus is on brain health. Therefore, the MIND Diet focuses on specific foods to help improve brain health.

The MIND diet recommends specific food types as part of the diet. These include Green Leafy Vegetables, Berries, Nuts, Whole Grains, Olive Oil Fish and Poultry. All of these foods are high in antioxidants, vitamins & minerals and healthy fat which are essential in brain health.

The Mind Diet recommends Limiting red meat, butter, margarine, cheese, pastries and fried foods. It is believed that these foods may have a role in inflammation which may potentially b involved with Parkinson’s Disease.

Parkinson’s Nutrition – Comparing the MIND & Mediterranean Diets

What is the difference between the two diets you may be asking? While both diets focus on whole, plant-based foods, that include a variety of fruits & vegetables and whole grains and healthy fats, they’re focus is different.

The MIND Diet focus is related to brain health and lists food that should be avoided as part of the diet. These include: butter, cheese, red meat, fried foods, pastries and sweets.

The Mediterranean Diet’s focus is on overall health and longevity of life and does have specific restrictions on sodium and fat, similar to the MIND diet.

So, you may be asking yourself is one better than the other for helping to Manage your Parkinson’s symptoms? Let’s fin out.

Parkinson’s Nutrition – Clinical Data – MIND Versus Mediterranean Diet

A 2022, Comparison of Association Between MIND and Mediterranean Diet Scores with Patient Reported Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease, published in the Journal Nutrients included 1205 Parkinson’s patients.

The results comparing the two two studies found:

1. “Adherence to the MIND diet produced significantly reduced total, non-motor, and motor PRO-PD scores compared to MEDI, suggesting the MIND diet has a great impact on symptom severity.“
2. “All NMS (Non-Motor Symptoms) had significant reductions with higher MIND diet scores, while MEDI had significant reductions for most NMS, with MIND reducing symptom severity to a significantly greater extent than MEDI.”
3. “Higher consumption levels of butter/margarine, red meat, cheese, fast food, carbonated/sweet beverages, and pastries and sweets were associated with greater severity of PD symptoms. Conversely, greater consumption of nuts, vegetables, berries, beans and non-fried fish were associated with lesser severity of PD symptoms“.

This was the first study that evaluated the effects of the MIND versus the Mediterranean Diets on both Parkinson’s motor and non-motor symptoms.

While both diets are a healthy eating lifestyle, the MIND diet in this study showed more significant reductions in both motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s.

Reference:

Comparison of Associations between MIND and Mediterranean Diet Scores with Patient-Reported Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease, Nutrients, Fox, Park, Mischley, December 6, 2022.

Parkinson’s Nutrition – Can What You Eat Impact Your Parkinson’s Symptoms?

If we go back to our original question, can what we eat affect our Parkinson’s symptoms? The answer is YES based on clinical data.

Diets that include whole foods and are plant-based in nature and include fruits & vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, lean proteins and healthy fats are not only a healthy way to eat, but can have an impact on your Parkinson’s symptoms.

The Mediterranean and MIND diets are excellent choices for choosing a healthy diet or lifestyle of eating that can help you manage your Parkinson’s motor and non-motor symptoms.

Parkinson’s Nutrition – Conclusion

In conclusion, nutrition plays a significant role in managing Parkinson’s symptoms, including tremor, stiffness, rigidity, and fatigue. By considering dietary choices, such as the Mediterranean and MIND diets, individuals with Parkinson’s can potentially experience improvements in both motor and non-motor symptoms. Clinical data suggests that the MIND diet may offer more substantial benefits in managing Parkinson’s. To stay updated on the latest information and tips for managing Parkinson’s through nutrition, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter. Take charge of your health and make informed choices for a better quality of life.

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