Nutrition is a vital component of maintaining and preserving good health. It may be an especially important consideration when one has a disease or other health condition that may impose certain dietary requirements or restrictions. At the same time, the standard recommendations for good health still stand – heart healthy eating, weight control, adequate fluid intake, limiting alcohol consumption, and more. With Parkinson’s disease, dietary choices and habits can help alleviate some symptoms. For example, fluid and fiber intake may help with constipation, increasing fluid intake may alleviate orthostatic hypotension, the feeling of dizziness when standing up, and a high protein meal can interfere with levodopa absorption, leading to fluctuations in medication effectiveness. In this second of two episodes with Dr. John Duda, Director of the Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, he tells what he recommends about diet and nutrition for his Parkinson’s patients, including when to look for organically grown produce.
Released: March 9, 2021
John Duda, MD is the Director of the Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center (PADRECC) and Co-Director of the Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration of the Cpl. Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center and a Professor of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. For the past 19 years, he has worked with his colleagues in Philadelphia to provide state-of-the-art care for thousands of Veterans with PD and related disorders.
His research activities have included basic science investigations into the role of Lewy pathology in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders as well as investigations into the mechanisms involved in traumatic brain injury. He has also conducted clinical research in Parkinson’s disease with studies of deep brain stimulation therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, the benefits of a plant-based, whole food diet, and the use of olfaction as a biomarker of disease diagnosis and progression. He has received research grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs, NIH, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research, and the Department of Defense. He has been recognized as a BLR&D Senior Clinical Research Scientist and authored more than 120 scientific publications including articles in JAMA, Science, Neuron, The New England Journal of Medicine and Neurology.
A major thrust of Parkinson’s research today is exploring potential ways to slow the progression of the disease. Exercise may be one way and is recommended. Another possible approach is nutrition, although the evidence is not as solid as for exercise. Nonetheless, there is evidence that good nutrition and dietary practices can have beneficial effects for people with Parkinson’s, including lessening digestive symptoms, as well as preserving quality of life by lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, and dementia. Improving digestive function may even improve the absorption and actions of medications. Dr. John Duda, Director of the Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, recommends a plant-based, whole foods diet. In this podcast, the first of two with Dr. Duda, he explains what a whole foods diet is, how it differs from a standard American diet, and how people can reliably and comfortably change the way they eat.
Released: February 23, 2021
John Duda, MD is the Director of the Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center (PADRECC) and Co-Director of the Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration of the Cpl. Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center and a Professor of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. For the past 19 years, he has worked with his colleagues in Philadelphia to provide state-of-the-art care for thousands of Veterans with PD and related disorders.
His research activities have included basic science investigations into the role of Lewy pathology in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders as well as investigations into the mechanisms involved in traumatic brain injury. He has also conducted clinical research in Parkinson’s disease with studies of deep brain stimulation therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, the benefits of a plant-based, whole food diet, and the use of olfaction as a biomarker of disease diagnosis and progression. He has received research grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs, NIH, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research, and the Department of Defense. He has been recognized as a BLR&D Senior Clinical Research Scientist and authored more than 120 scientific publications including articles in JAMA, Science, Neuron, The New England Journal of Medicine and Neurology.
Episode 70: The Role of the Microbiome in PD: Part Two
Our bodies contain more than just our own human cells. We normally live in harmony with a vast array of microorganisms occupying specific spaces, or niches, on and within us. These bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa form the human microbiome. The ones in the gut, mainly within the colon (large intestine), normally maintain a health balance and keep “bad” microbes from overpopulating that area of the digestive system. The normal gut organisms, consisting of around 1,000 different species of bacteria as well as other microbes, outnumber all the human cells in our bodies.
The gut microbiome acts locally and systemically, meaning it interacts with other parts of the body. Locally in the gut, the microbiome digests foods, helps to regulate the immune system, and produces vitamins that our bodies need for metabolism, nerve function, and blood clotting but that they cannot produce on their own.
There is mounting evidence that the gut microbiome also interacts with the nervous system, including the brain, in health and disease. Its effects also reach beyond the gut. Evidence points to a role for it in the faulty regulation of the immune system, leading to such diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and allergies.
In this episode, Ai Huey Tan of the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia discusses what is known about the role of the gut microbiome as it affects Parkinson’s disease and its treatment and what researchers are continuing to investigate.
Released: December 17, 2019
Dr. Tan Ai Huey is a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Neurologist at the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia. She completed her specialty training in Neurology at the University of Malaya, Malaysia. Her main areas of research are in Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, with a particular interest in exploring the role of gut infections and neuro-inflammation in Parkinson's Disease, and the characterization of rare/"orphan" diseases. She has numerous peer-reviewed journal publications and book chapters and has been awarded the Best Neuroscience Publication Award (UM Faculty of Medicine), and the International Scholarship Award from the American Academy of Neurology.
Dr. Tan has served as a Council Member of the Malaysian Movement Disorder Council since 2013 and was Co-Author of the National Consensus Guidelines for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Currently, she is the Honorary Secretary of the Malaysian Society of Neurosciences (MSN), the professional body that represents Malaysian clinicians and scientists in the neurology/neuroscience field. At the international level, she serves on several committees in the International Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) including the MDS Education Committee, which oversees the planning of movement disorder education programs around the world.
Episode 68: The Role of the Microbiome in PD: Part One
How and why Parkinson’s disease (PD) starts and progresses is still not exactly known, but active research points to genetics and environment, among other factors. The environment is both external and internal – external in terms of what people encounter outside their bodies and internal in terms of what is inside their bodies. Researchers studying a variety of diseases have learned the importance of the microbiome in health and disease. The microbiome consists of all those bacteria, fungi, and viruses that occupy niches on and inside of people, such as on the skin, in the nose and mouth, and in the gut. These organisms can have far reaching effects in the body, distant from their own locations. Some of these interactions can affect the brain.
Ali Keshavarzian, MD, Chief of the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition at Rush University in Chicago has been studying the role of the gut microbiome and its relation to inflammation, such as in inflammatory bowel disease, in addition to more distant sites including in the brain. His research includes the role of the gut microbiome as a contributing factor to the development and progression of PD as well as the potential to manipulate it to help manage the disease. He conducts both basic science research using animal models and clinical research with people with PD.
Released: November 19, 2019
Ali Keshavarzian, MD, FRCP, FACP, MACG, AGAF the Josephine M. Dyrenforth Chair of Gastroenterology, Professor of Medicine and the Graduate College, Director of the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition (1999) and Director of the Institute for Advanced Study of the Gut, Chronobiology and Inflammation (2017) at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois has been a practicing gastroenterologist with a specialty in managing patients with inflammatory bowel disease for over 30 years.
As a clinician scientist, he has been studying the impact of environmental factors [stress, alcohol, sleep and circadian disruption] on intestinal barrier function host/microbe interaction that promote intestinal and systemic [gut-derived] inflammation leading to initiation and/or progression of inflammatory disorders including IBD, IBS, food allergy, metabolic syndrome, alcoholic cirrhosis, NASH and Parkinson’s disease. He has contributed to over 350 published articles [h-index of 77] and book chapters. His works have been supported by multiple NIH, DoD, NASA and USDA grants. He was one of the first investigators to report the key role of oxygen free radicals in tissue injury in inflammatory bowel disease and one of the first investigators to begin to focus on the role of intestinal microbiota in health and disease in alcoholism, IBD, cancer, HIV and Parkinson. He is one of the early investigators to examine the effects of circadian and sleep disruption on GI tract and to report the negative impact of sleep and circadian disruption in IBD.
The focus of this webinar will be to address the needs of veteran’s living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). A healthy lifestyle is an important part of living well with Parkinson’s. Physical exercise is well-established as beneficial for symptom control and possibly disease modification, and physicians regularly counsel patients to increase overall fitness. Similarly, diet and overall brain health can be another tool to fight PD. This webinar will explore how exercise, dietary choices, stress management, sleep and social connection can affect your brain health and PD care.
John Eric Duda, MD
Professor of Neurology at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center
Director, Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center of the Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania
Co-Director, Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration of the Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania
James F. Morley, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center Staff Neurologist, Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Associate Director, University of Pennsylvania/PADRECC Movement Disorders Fellowship Program. Co-director, Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VA Medical Center
Podcasts
Episode 93: Benefits of Practicing Tai Chi Chuan Exercises
Many people find that Eastern mind-body practices complement Western medicine well and produce additional benefits. One Eastern system of mind-body integration is tai chi and its martial art practice of tai chi chuan. Using continuous, flowing movements, this moving meditation addresses flexibility through stretching and involves aerobic activity and relaxation as well. Through the practice of tai chi, people can develop better awareness of movement and actions, develop better body alignment, posture, core strength, and breath support and control. Studies have shown physical benefits on balance and slowing the decline in motor control as well as mental health benefits in terms of stress management, possibly cognition, and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s and their care partners. In this episode, Dr. Pei-Fang Tang, professor of physical therapy in the School of Physical Therapy at National Taiwan University, says tai chi is based on ancient Chinese philosophy, part of which is a dynamic balance between yin and yang, which are invoked by the movements in its practice and which bring balance to one’s life.
Released: November 17, 2020
Professor Tang earned her BS degree in physical therapy from National Taiwan University, MS degree in physical therapy from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and PhD degree in Exercise and Movement Science from University of Oregon. Her research interests focus on the influences of aging processes and neurologic disorders, especially stroke and degenerative ones, on the cognitive control, neuromuscular control, and brain mechanisms of motor control and motor learning. She also is interested in studying the efficacy and neural mechanisms of different forms of exercise interventions in the promotion of cognitive and motor functions, as well as neuroplasticity, and in the prevention of dementia and disability in middle-aged and older adults and in people with neurologic disorders. The primary research tools her lab uses are movement analysis, biomechanics, and neuroimaging techniques.
When I first mentioned my symptoms during a routine annual physical in December 2020, I expected the usual advice — get more sleep, stretch more, maybe adjust my medication. I had just had knee replacement surgery the year prior on top of having ongoing arthritis and spine issues. It didn’t seem odd to me or my wife Shari that my movements were slower, I had difficulty turning in bed, and I had fewer facial expressions.
However, when I brought up these changes with Audrey Tatar, MD, at Northwestern Medicine, she grew somber and quiet. Then she said, “These are typical signs of Parkinson’s.”
Parkinson’s? I knew that people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience tremors, but I wasn’t shaking.
At first, I felt fear of the unknown, but also relief that it wasn’t something worse and that all my symptoms were occurring for a reason. Shari and I knew little about PD, but we were willing to do anything to slow its progression. I started medication, committed to staying active and got involved with the early intervention program at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.
Shari and I explored the Parkinson.org, the Parkinson’s Foundation website, and found a wealth of resources, education and support. Together, we found events such as their Moving Day walk, as well as Tai Chi, ping pong, improv and dance classes through Northwestern Medicine. I’ve also found boxing three times a week at Rock Steady Boxing to be very beneficial.
All these activities have reinforced the importance of both exercise and community. I’ve met many inspiring people I would not have met otherwise, and that camaraderie has been invaluable.
Rather than holding me back, PD has pushed me to new experiences and unexpected places. I became an advocate for the Parkinson’s Voice Project, joined conversation groups where people with PD share their experiences, and enrolled in a Shirley Ryan AbilityLab program counting steps and heart rate. I’ve even hiked in Patagonia, Mont Blanc and the Dolomites, all of which were challenging but equally rewarding.
For anyone newly diagnosed with PD, here is my advice: Don’t go through it alone. Engage with the community, exercise regularly and use the resources available to you. Shari has been my biggest supporter throughout this journey, encouraging me when I’ve needed it most.
For care partners of individuals newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Shari offers her advice: “Be a part of your partner’s journey. Remember that Parkinson's affects you as well and becomes a significant part of your life as a care partner. Encourage your partner to take charge of their health, stay informed about the disease, and seek support from others.”
As the saying goes, “When you’ve met one person with Parkinson’s, you’ve met one person with Parkinson’s.” I wasn’t a textbook case, but each person’s experience with PD is unique; the right support and resources can make all the difference.
Find the Parkinson’s exercise class that works for you! For virtual options, explore our Fitness Friday videos. For in-person classes, visit your local chapter’s webpage or call our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).
How Empowered Volunteers Make An Extraordinary Impact
Here at the Parkinson’s Foundation, we strive to empower volunteers to make a difference in the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) every day. We are honored to support Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassadors as they spread awareness of our mission and improve their PD communities across the globe.
This year, National Volunteer Week takes place April 20-26, and we are delighted to highlight empowered volunteers who exemplify the many ways you can get involved and work with us towards better lives today. We are blown away by the impact Parkinson’s Foundation volunteers made in 2024.
Impact Numbers
In 2024, here’s what our volunteers accomplished:
$8.9 million raised through volunteer-led initiatives
32,000+ people reached through volunteer led community outreach
20,000+ service hours contributed to events and programs
430+ Ambassadors trained across all 50 states, plus DC and internationally
Meet four volunteers who have made a difference in their PD communities
Elva Brown
Person with Parkinson's Disease
Moving Day San Antonio "Team Sloth" Captain
Elva and Team Sloth raised more than $58,000 for Moving Day San Antonio in 2025, helping to advance Parkinson’s disease research, increase access to quality care, and provide education and outreach initiatives to people with Parkinson’s
“With the help, love and support from my husband, my family my friends and my faith; I know I can make an impact in our community; a good and positive impact.” – Elva Read Elva’s full story
Epin Christensen
Family member Parkinson’s Champion & Cheer Team Captain
Epin raised more than $5,000 for Parkinson’s research with her run in the NYC marathon. She then turned around to cheer on other fellow Parkinson’s Champions who ran in the Marine Corps Marathon and raised more than $36,000 combined.
“The marathon holds a special place in my heart but running it to support those battling this terrible disease is even more meaningful.” – Epin
Mark is sharing his love of Pickleball with his community while also spreading Parkinson’s awareness and opening dialog about the importance of finding an exercise you love to fight this disease.
“My work in advocacy, though it may help others, is my way of adding meaning and purpose to my diagnosis. And for me, that is essential.” – Mark
Parkinson’s Revolution Buffalo Team Captain & Host
Amanda saw an opportunity to bring a PD event to her town. Offering her indoor cycling studio to Parkinson’s Revolution, she built a community of support for her dad, making it possible to raise almost $80,000 at the 2025 event alone.
“It’s an unfortunate circumstance that brings us all together, but it is so empowering to work together to raise funds for something many of us are affected by.” – Amanda
Parkinson’s disease (PD) doesn’t just change the life of the person diagnosed — it changes the lives of everyone around them. Seven years ago, my family’s world shifted when my dad was diagnosed.
Since then, it has been a battle, one that hasn’t gotten any easier. On top of Parkinson’s, he faces several other health issues making it an uphill climb. Through it all, my mom has been his primary caretaker, but this isn’t a journey any one person can take alone. We all live together, and we all do our part to support him in any way we can.
For as long as I can remember, sports have been the foundation of my relationship with my dad. He played college baseball, and I followed in his footsteps, always looking up to him as my biggest role model. Some of my best memories are of us throwing a football around in the yard or having a catch in the driveway.
It wasn’t just about the game — it was about the bond we shared through it. The physical toll of the disease slowly chipped away at the things we used to do together, until one day, those moments were gone.
Losing that connection to my dad through sports was one of the hardest parts of this journey. But Parkinson’s, for all the challenges it brings, has also shown me something else: strength. Not just in my dad, but in my entire family. It’s in the way my mom dedicates herself to his care every single day. It’s in the way my dad keeps fighting, even when his body makes it more difficult with each passing year. And it’s in the way we’ve all learned to adapt, to find new ways to be there for him, to make sure he never feels alone in this fight.
That’s why I’m running the 2025 Boston Marathon as a Parkinson’s Champion through the generosity of Abbott. I can’t change my dad’s diagnosis, and I can’t take away the struggles he faces, but I can run for him.
I can push myself the way he always pushed me to be better, to work harder, to never give up. This race isn’t just about me — it’s about honoring him, about raising awareness, about fighting for those who live with Parkinson’s every day.
Training for this marathon has been tough. Some days, the miles feel never-ending, and I wonder if I have it in me to keep going. But I remind myself why I’m doing this — for my dad. He faces challenges every day that make a tough run seem insignificant.
This race is my way of showing up for him. It’s a way to honor him and all that he has done for myself and my family even in the face of extreme adversity.
Run as a Parkinson’s Champion today! Help raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular endurance events.
Nourishing Wellness: How to Harness Food as Medicine for Parkinson’s
Nutrition can be a powerful tool in managing Parkinson's disease (PD). Whole, nutrient-dense foods provide your body with the best building blocks for peak function, maintenance and repair. Every positive food choice is a step towards optimizing health.
The following article is based on a Parkinson’s Foundation Expert Briefing about the connection between nutrition and Parkinson’s, hosted by functional nutritionist and health coach Carolee Horner, MS, NBC-HWC.
The Relationship Between Food and PD
Food is more than just fuel for the body; it can act as medicine. Your body breaks down everything you eat — proteins into amino acids, carbohydrates into sugars and fats into fatty acids — then reassembles these components into whatever it needs, whether new cell membranes, neurotransmitters or energy. The better your fuel, the better you will feel.
Gut and brain health are strongly connected. Diet helps shape the gut microbiome — the trillions of bacteria living in the digestive system. These bacteria produce neurotransmitters, influence inflammation and affect medication absorption. Good gut health relies on a diet of whole and fermented foods, colorful vegetables and fruits, healthy fats and herbs and spices. These foods are also rich in antioxidants, substances that protect the body.
The standard American diet is centered on processed foods, refined sugars and unhealthy fats. These foods are linked to:
Chronic disease, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity, along with neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.
Inflammation, which is the body’s response to harm. This response is crucial for healing. However, chronic, systemic inflammation can potentially damage healthy tissue.
Oxidative stress, which leads to cell damage.
Inflammation and oxidative stress play significant roles in the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Targeted Nutrition and Parkinson’s
Nourishing foods and hydration can help ease symptoms of PD, such as digestive challenges, and may influence cognitive function, mood and sleep quality. Balanced meals and snacks can help stabilize blood sugar and energy levels. Different “everyday” dietary approaches, those designed for long-term, sustainable health improvements, have shown promise for people with Parkinson's, including the:
Mediterranean diet: emphasizes colorful fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, poultry, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, olive oil and other healthy fats.
Med-DASH diet: incorporates Mediterranean-style eating habits and dietary approaches to stop hypertension. This limits salt, sugar and meats, dairy and oils high in saturated fat.
MIND diet: Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay or targets brain health through a combination of Med-DASH principles while emphasizing leafy greens and dark berries.
All three diets limit processed foods, red meat, high-fat dairy, sweets, fried foods and butter.
A 2022 study update showed the MIND diet had twice the symptom-reducing power of the Mediterranean diet. Both diets are rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, which combat oxidative stress in the brain. Observational studies show the Mediterranean diet may delay PD onset by up to 17 years in women and seven years in men. The MIND diet is linked to slower cognitive decline and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Vegetarian and pescatarian diets are also high in fiber and antioxidants. Both focus on plant-based foods, boost gut bacteria diversity and may reduce the risk of diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases. Vegetarians do not eat animals, but may eat their products, such as honey, dairy or eggs. Pescatarians follow these same principles, along with eating fish.
Therapeutic Diets
Often intended as short-term resets rather than permanent solutions, therapeutic diets can be restrictive. They may be difficult to sustain long-term and require careful planning to ensure adequate nutrition. Discuss any changes in your dietary patterns with your healthcare team.
Examples of therapeutic diets include the:
Vegan Diet: excludes animal products and centers on fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains. This diet emphasizes whole, plant-based foods while minimizing reliance on pasta, soy-based substitutes and processed convenience products. Those following a plant-based diet or who have absorption issues, which is common in Parkinson's, may find that a B12 supplement is necessary.
High in fiber and antioxidants, a vegan diet promotes diverse gut bacteria and can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation — factors in Parkinson’s progression.
Plant-based eating can also lower risk for chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which can be common in people with PD.
Ketogenic (keto) Diet: a high-fat, moderate protein, low-carbohydrate approach designed to induce ketosis — a metabolic state where your body uses fat for fuel instead of glucose. This diet focuses on high-quality fats like avocado oil and nuts. If not managed carefully, this diet can cause constipation, high cholesterol levels or nutrition imbalances. Low intake of fruits and vegetables may reduce dietary fiber and antioxidants. This diet may also require regular monitoring of kidney and liver function.
PD-specific ketogenic studies are limited, but suggest potential motor symptom benefits due to reduced oxidative stress.
Evidence from Alzheimer’s research shows a keto diet may offer neuroprotective effects by decreasing inflammation and enhancing the production of brain energy.
Paleo Diet: emphasizes whole, nutrient-dense foods, including colorful fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish, while eliminating grains, legumes, dairy and sometimes, nightshade vegetables (a family of plants some believe can trigger inflammation).
Research suggests the paleo diet may reduce inflammation and boost gut health.
Rich in antioxidants and omega-3s, the diet may also offer some neuroprotective benefits.
The paleo diet can act as an elimination diet — removing and reintroducing common trigger foods can help identify specific food sensitivities or intolerances.
Therapeutic diets can be restrictive. They’re often intended as short-term resets rather than permanent solutions. Keeping a symptom and food diary can help identify patterns and distinguish between PD symptoms and nutrition-related issues. A nutrition expert, such as a registered dietician, can tailor your approach. Pay attention to how your body responds and be open to adjusting or transitioning to a more sustainable approach if needed.
A Personalized Approach
Though there is no one-size-fits-all diet for managing PD, diets that show potential to ease PD symptoms — including delayed gastric emptying, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and constipation, which affects up to 80% of PD patients — all share certain elements, including a focus on:
Whole, nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods
Vegetables
Healthy fats, such as those in olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocados
Hydration: dehydration or electrolyte imbalances can worsen muscle stiffness
These diets also emphasize reducing the consumption of processed, fried or sugary foods.
Eating the rainbow brings phytonutrients into the body, minimizing inflammation and protecting the brain from neurodegeneration. Minerals like magnesium, zinc and iron also play important roles in brain health and can be found in diets rich in colorful plants and whole foods. For example:
Red tomatoes and watermelon contain lycopene.
Orange and yellow food, such as carrots and squash, have beta-carotene.
Leafy green vegetables hold phytosterols.
Blue and purple berries offer anthocyanins.
Citrus fruits, berries, nuts, and seeds contain antioxidants like vitamins C and E.
Herbs and spices are nutrition powerhouses. Basil, oregano, or a squeeze of lemon can add zest to dishes.
B vitamins, especially B12, are crucial for neurological health. Natural sources of B12 include meat, fish, and eggs. Whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and some vegetables contain other B vitamins.
Vitamin D: People with PD are also commonly deficient in Vitamin D. It can be obtained from sunlight.
Tips To Help You Tackle Nutrition Challenges
If protein-rich foods impact the absorption and effectiveness of levodopa, talk to your PD doctor about taking medication 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after eating protein.
Pay attention to how meals interact with your medication schedule and symptoms. Smaller, more frequent meals may be beneficial.
If you experience dysphagia or difficulty swallowing, a speech-language pathologist specializing in PD can help. Softer foods and thickened liquids may be easier to manage. Sitting upright and taking smaller bites can also help.
Maintaining weight can be difficult for some people with Parkinson’s. Consider making high-calorie shakes or smoothies that incorporate protein powders. Try to avoid dyes, preservatives and other additives. Look for words you recognize from the garden, versus words from a chemistry textbook.
Limited availability or resources might make incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables difficult. Consider frozen or home-canned options.
Talk to your doctor about the right dietary approach for you.
