Nutrition for Parkinson’s Disease by Masha Power, MA, MBA, E-RYT500, C-IAYT

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide after Alzheimer’s. Parkinson’s affects approximately 1% of the population over the age of 60, and it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Emerging evidence suggests that initial pathophysiological changes may occur in the gastrointestinal tract long before changes can be seen in the brain. Specifically, researchers found that gastrointestinal microbiota plays an important role in the development of PD.

Gut Microbiome

The gut microbiome is made up of 10-100 trillion symbiotic microbial cells, including bacteria, fungi, and archaea in a diverse community that is unique to each individual and maintains several critical functions such as metabolic homeostasis, vitamin biosynthesis, and drug modification.  An alteration to the gut microbiome has been associated with a number of inflammatory diseases, namely Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Alzheimer’s disease, and obesity.

The Braak Gut Theory suggests that PD starts in two places – the neurons of the olfactory system and the gastrointestinal tract and consists of six stages. Stages 1 and 2 affect the hindbrain, stages 3 and 4 involve the midbrain when motor symptoms become recognizable, and stages 5 and 6 will affect the entire neocortex.

In addition to the most notable issues with motor functions, non-motor symptoms involving GIT are also common in PD and include abnormal salivation, dysphasia, constipation, abdominal bloating, early satiety, and fecal incontinence. Adverse changes in the gut microbiota may be related to consuming certain dietary compounds and may play a role in PD physiology.

Caffeine in Parkinson’s

 Research suggests that the consumption of caffeine may be a risk for developing PD symptoms. At the same time, the consumption of more than one cup of non-caffeinated tea per day has been associated with a reduced risk of PD due to flavonoids and antioxidants present in tea.

What should I eat?

The general guideline for patients with PD recommends eating a variety of foods, consuming healthy portions, balancing food groups, eating regular meals, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating at least five portions of fruits and vegetables a day. A healthy diet should contain at least two portions of fish (with one potion being “oily” fish). Alternatively, fish could be substituted with soybeans or walnuts which will provide the essential amount of Omega-3. Try to stay away from fatty and sugary foods.

It is very important to drink plenty of fluids – at least eight glasses each day. However, fluid intake also counts when eating juicy fruit such as melon, watermelon, and grapefruit. Additional sources of fluids come from soups, Jell-O, custards, and ice pops.

Fitness and Yoga

Multiple research studies have demonstrated that fitness and regular exercise are beneficial to maintain functional muscles and balance to stabilize the loss of motor function. Yoga is a mind-body practice where movements, postures, and breathing practices are utilized to achieve optimum relaxation. Numerous studies show the beneficial effects of yoga practice on the reduction of PD symptoms such as freezing of gait (FoG), achieving better alignment and balance, and reducing anxiety and depression. A combination of a healthy diet, fitness, and yoga practice may be the ultimate solution for controlling PD symptoms.

References:

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