Parkinson's Disease & Nutrition

Parkinson's disease does not require a special diet. However, eating a well-balanced nutritious diet is beneficial. A proper diet involves eating foods from all the food groups, eating regularly and eating prudently to maintain a healthy weight.

Diet with Parkinson's Disease

• Eat foods from each food group (grains, vegetables, fruit, milk/ dairy, meat/beans). Consult with your physician as to whether you should take daily vitamin supplements.

High Fiber Foods and Parkinson's Disease

• Eat high-fiber foods such as cooked dried peas and beans, vegetables, whole-grain food, bran, rice, pasta, cereals and fresh fruit in your diet. According to Nutrition You Can Live With, medications taken by Parkinson's patients can cause abnormal blood glucose levels and eating high-fiber foods can help to control blood glucose levels.

Vitamin B6 and Parkinson's Disease

• Parkinson's is a degenerative disease that affects the nervous system. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear when there is a lack of dopamine in the brain. Consumption of vitamin B6 is essential for normal brain and nervous system functioning.

CoQ-10, Vitamin E and Vitamin C and Parkinson's Disease

• Powerful components to help protect cells in the brain are CoQ-10, vitamins E and vitamin C consumption is essential.

Flaxseed and Amino Acid Mix and Parkinson's Disease

• Flaxseed and amino acid mix need to be consumed to nourish the brain. There are 20 amino acids that are needed to build the various proteins used in growth, repair and maintenance of body tissues. Foods such as meat and poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products, are the strongest dietary sources of the essential amino acids.

Ginkgo Biloba and Parkinson's Disease

• Peripheral circulation to the brain can help to be maintained with ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo biloba can be consumed as a tea and may also help with Parkinson's disease dementia according to Luan Luo, PhD, associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.