Nutrition and Parkinson’s

Norika Malhado-Chang, MD Associate Professor of Neurology, UC Davis

Erin Lavin, RD, CNSC Senior Neuroscience Dietitian, UC Davis

We all know the adage, “You Are What You Eat!” but we are now learning that this is more important than ever in neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s. While there is no specific “Parkinson’s Diet,” nutrition has been found to have an increasingly important role in delaying disease progression. Here is a quick to-do list to make your food work best for you.

1. Make sure you are eating enough

Research has shown that unintentional weight loss and muscle loss is associated with loss of independence and increased PD severity.

2. Add an additional fresh fruit or vegetable to your day.

Better yet, add both! Fresh fruits (particularly berries) and vegetables are mainstays of popular diets researched in regard to Parkinson’s. These include the Mediterranean Diet and the MIND Diet where both have been associated with delayed disease progression.

3. Eat more whole foods and whole grains

Whole grains and foods such as beans and nuts are richer in fiber than their refined counterparts. Fiber can be helpful with managing constipation and some smaller trials have found that additional fiber or psyllium husk may lead to more stable Levodopa concentrations.

A note about supplements: There is not a lot of significant research showing benefit to particular supplements (such as Co-Q10) and some (such as turmeric) may have interactions with your medications. Please check with your provider before use.

We may need to make some adjustments to the timing of our meals if we are taking levodopa (such as Sinemet or Rytary). Levodopa competes with protein in the intestines for absorption, and protein usually wins. That means that if you are eating a high protein meal and taking Sinemet at the same time, the Sinemet may feel less effective. Taking levodopa 30 minutes before a meal or 60 minutes after a meal will give levodopa the best chance to work. If having levodopa on an empty stomach is uncomfortable due to nausea, take it with some saltine crackers. Speaking of saltines, salt helps to raise blood pressure, so salty foods or drinks can be helpful if you experience the low blood pressure that is common in PD. Staying well hydrated and having a high fiber diet will also help with constipation. Keeping our bowels moving well will not only help our medications work better, but will help us feel better overall!