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.
Temblores, estremecimientos y todo lo demás: enfrentando los síntomas motores del Parkinson
🧠 ¿Qué aprenderá en este artículo?
Los síntomas motores (movimiento) pueden afectar casi todos los aspectos de la vida de las personas con Parkinson.
Descubra cómo el ejercicio, los medicamentos y las terapias pueden ayudar a las personas con la enfermedad de Parkinson a moverse con mayor facilidad en cada etapa.
Los síntomas —incluyendo el temblor, la rigidez (agarrotamiento), la bradicinesia, la distonía, los problemas de marcha y equilibrio, y los cambios en el habla— se deben a la pérdida progresiva de las neuronas que producen ‑dopamina.
El ejercicio y los medicamentos (especialmente la levodopa) son los tratamientos más eficaces.
La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) puede dificultar moverse cuando quiera, de la manera en que quiera y puede ser igual de difícil mantenerse quieto. Desde el temblor y la rigidez hasta los calambres musculares y la dificultad para caminar, los problemas motores pueden afectar todos los aspectos de la vida diaria en la enfermedad de Parkinson. Descubra cómo el ejercicio, los medicamentos y otras estrategias pueden ayudarle a moverse con mayor facilidad.
El siguiente artículo se basa en una de las Charlas con Expertos - Expert Briefingsde la Parkinson's Foundation, que explora los síntomas motores en la EP, presentada por el especialista en trastornos del movimiento, el Dr. Pablo Coss, de la residencia de Neurología y la subespecialidad en trastornos del movimiento del University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, parte de la Red Global de Atención de la Parkinson’s Foundation.
Puntos clave para el Parkinson
La enfermedad de Parkinson se denomina un trastorno del movimiento porque afecta la forma en que la persona se mueve. Aunque los síntomas suelen desarrollarse lentamente con el tiempo, el Parkinson es progresivo; las necesidades pueden cambiar a medida que la EP avanza a través de sus etapas. La historia de una persona, sus síntomas y el examen físico se utilizan para hacer el diagnóstico.
Para considerar un diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Parkinson, debe estar presente la lentitud de movimiento (bradicinesia) junto con alguno de los siguientes:
Temblor en reposo: movimiento rítmico e involuntario que tiende a ocurrir cuando la parte del cuerpo afectada está en reposo. Esto tiende a afectar un lado del cuerpo en las etapas tempranas de la EP.
Rigidez (agarrotamiento): resistencia al movimiento causada por la activación involuntaria de los músculos en reposo.
Aunque los científicos aún trabajan para comprender las causas del Parkinson, sabemos que se trata de un trastorno cerebral progresivo que daña las neuronas productoras de dopamina. La dopamina es un mensajero químico que regula el estado de ánimo y ayuda al cuerpo a moverse con fluidez.
Cambios motores en la EP
La pérdida de dopamina en una zona del cerebro llamada sustancia negra y otros cambios químicos en la enfermedad de Parkinson interfieren con las señales cerebrales, lo que provoca muchos síntomas no motores —incluidos cambios emocionales, problemas gastrointestinales y fatiga— y afecta el movimiento de distintas maneras, entre ellas:
Bradicinesia: lentitud de movimiento que puede afectar a todo el cuerpo, causando fatiga y dificultad para caminar o realizar actividades cotidianas. También puede causar:
Enmascaramiento facial: rigidez en los músculos del rostro que dificulta expresar emociones.
Desafíos con movimientos de las manos, lo que dificulta más hacer cosas como abrir una bolsa, abrir un envase o escribir. La micrografía, escritura pequeña y amontonada que se ve frecuentemente a principios de la EP, suele estar conectada con la lentitud de movimiento.
Temblor.Las personas con Parkinson suelen tener temblor en reposo en una mano, pero también puede afectar las piernas, la mandíbula o la cara. El temblor de la mano suele describirse como “pill-rolling”, como si la persona estuviera haciendo rodar una pastilla entre el pulgar y el índice.
Alrededor de un 70% de las personas con Parkinsonexperimentan temblores. Para algunos, los temblores son leves, pero para otros pueden causar inseguridad e interferir con el sueño y las tareas diarias.
El temblor de acción, otro síntoma de la EP, sucede cuando la parte del cuerpo afectada está moviéndose o tratando de hacer una tarea como escribir o tomar de un vaso. Muchas personas con Parkinson experimentan una combinación de temblor de acción y de reposo.
La rigidez, que a veces se describe como “rigidez en tubo de plomo”: la resistencia del cuerpo al movimiento durante un examen físico (cuando está relajado) puede ser tan fuerte que puede sentirse como si el examinador intentara doblar un tubo de metal pesado. La rigidez puede conducir a:
Molestias dolorosas y dificultad para dormir
Menor movimiento de brazos y piernas al caminar
Rigidez facial
Distonía;calambres y retorcimientos musculares dolorosos y repetitivos, frecuentes en Parkinson, pueden:
hacer que los dedos se engarroten o mantengan una posición anormal
provoquen que el tobillo se gire hacia adentro naturalmente y que los dedos se giren
impactar la cara y los ojos, dificultando para algunos abrir los ojos de manera voluntaria
ir acompañado de un movimiento que puede sobreponerse con otras formas de temblor de la EP
Hipofonía (problemas del habla) puede incluir un habla suave o arrastrada, dificultades con la articulación, menor volumen o monotonía al hablar lo que, — a la par de la rigidez facial—, puede ser que la expresión emocional sea un desafío. Hipofonía también puede provocar respiraciones poco profundas, vacilantes, acelerada.
Marcha parkinsoniana—Cambios en la forma en que camina una persona debido a la EP, provocando pasos pequeños arrastrados, hombros encorvados, menor balanceo de los brazos o dificultad para levantar los pies.
Estos problemas de equilibrio y de la marcha, —junto con pasos cortos y rápidos que tienden a acelerarse (festinación), inclinación hacia atrás y falta de equilibrio—, aumentan el riesgo de caídas y lesiones, al igual que la congelación de la marcha: una sensación temporal pero peligrosa de que los pies están pegados al suelo. Las áreas concurridas, las puertas y los umbrales pueden desencadenar el congelamiento de la marcha.
Aumentar la dopamina: ejercicio y medicamentos
Debido a que la pérdida de dopamina impulsa los síntomas motores del Parkinson, aumentar la dopamina es la forma más eficaz de manejarlos y el ejercicio es una de las maneras más simples de ayudar a incrementarla y ralentizar la progresión de la enfermedad.
El ejercicio puede aliviar los síntomas motores del Parkinson y mejorar la fuerza y el equilibrio. Encontrar un ejercicio que disfrute puede darle la motivación para mantenerse activo. Nuestros ejercicios Viernes de Ejercicio de EP Salud en Casa, una colección de videos de ejercicio adaptados para personas con Parkinson, pueden ayudar a mantenerlo activo en casa.
La levodopa es el tratamiento más eficaz para la enfermedad de Parkinson. Las células cerebrales metabolizan la levodopa para convertirla en dopamina. Se suele combinar con carbidopa; esto permite que una mayor cantidad de levodopa llegue al cerebro sin ser metabolizada primero en el intestino (donde puede causar náuseas).
Para mantener los niveles necesarios de dopamina que ayuden al cuerpo a funcionar de manera óptima, es fundamental tomar los medicamentos exactamente como se prescriben. Es común que el médico ajuste la dosis a medida que la enfermedad de Parkinson progresa, para manejar los cambios en los síntomas.
Existen muchas formulaciones de levodopa, entre ellas:
Liberación inmediata (Sinemet IR), a menudo recetada en tres o más dosis al día.
Liberación controlada (Sinemet CR), a menudo recetada en tres o más dosis al día.
Las formulaciones más recientes de liberación prolongada (Rytary o Crexont) pueden ofrecer efectos más rápidos y de mayor duración. Estas pueden recetarse de dos a cuatro veces al día.
Las terapias con bomba administran un suministro continuo de medicamento:
Vyalev administra foscarbidopa/foslevodopa mediante una bomba portátil y una aguja insertada debajo de la piel.
Duopa proporciona un gel continuo de carbidopa/levodopa a través de una sonda colocada quirúrgicamente.
La levodopa inhalada (Inbrija) se utiliza según sea necesario para tratar la reaparición de los síntomas entre las dosis regulares de carbidopa/levodopa, de cuatro a cinco veces al día.
Con el tiempo, algunos medicamentos para el Parkinson también pueden causar movimientos irregulares (discinesia), incluidos retorcimiento, balanceo, contorsiones y movimientos tipo “baile”. Esto puede ocurrir con frecuencia después de tomar una dosis, cuando la levodopa alcanza su máxima eficacia en el cuerpo.
Progresión del Parkinson, fluctuaciones motoras y tratamientos avanzados
Aunque la enfermedad de Parkinson afecta a cada persona de manera diferente, a medida que avanza, en muchas personas la reaparición o el empeoramiento de los síntomas (fluctuaciones motoras o periodos en “off”) entre las dosis de los medicamentos puede ocurrir con mayor frecuencia. Esto puede provocar un aumento de la discinesia, el desequilibrio o las caídas, o la necesidad de dispositivos de asistencia — herramientas diseñadas para mejorar la vida diaria.
Hable con su médico acerca de sus inquietudes. Él o ella puede trabajar con usted para ajustar su medicación o explorar tratamientos avanzados.
Los medicamentos utilizados para mejorar el efecto y la duración de la levodopa incluyen:
Estos medicamentos pueden causar diversos efectos secundarios, incluyendo náuseas, discinesia, dolor de cabeza, presión arterial baja, mareo, retención urinaria o decoloración de la orina, problemas de sueño o insomnio.
La cirugía puede ser una opción para los síntomas motores en el Parkinson avanzado. Las opciones pueden incluir:
Ultrasonido focalizado: un procedimiento más reciente, sin incisión, guiado por resonancia magnética (RM), que utiliza energía para interrumpir la señalización anormal en un área del cerebro relacionada con el temblor.
Aprenda más
Para aprender más acerca de cómo manejar los síntomas motores de la enfermedad de Parkinson, explore los recursos a continuación o llame a nuestra Línea de Ayuda gratuita al 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636), opción 3 para español:
Steve Fischlin’s journey with Parkinson’s disease (PD) started with a tremor in his foot, followed by his right arm not swinging while he walked. His next symptom was a stoic expression that left his wife, Lisa, asking if he wasn’t having fun — she noticed he wasn’t smiling. Two appointments with different neurologists and a series of tests confirmed Steve had PD and left him and his family with more questions than answers.
One thing Steve did know was that exercise is proven to help ease Parkinson’s symptoms, so he got moving.
“That first year he was walking every day,” Lisa said. “Rain or shine, he went out walking. His friends at work made sure he walked during his lunch hour. We walked together, our neighbor walked with him, it was a consistent routine.”
All this walking made Steve and Lisa wonder if there was a race or walk that supported the Parkinson’s community, which led them to Moving Day, A Walk for Parkinson’s.
“We immediately got on the committee and started making connections,” Lisa said. “We were both working at the time and had a fairly large Moving Day team, and we were one of the top fundraising teams for the last four or five years for Sacramento. It was a great way for all of us to come together and support Steve and his diagnosis.”
Steve retired in 2020 to focus on his health, and Lisa joined him when she retired in 2023. They wanted to dive deeper into the Parkinson’s community and became members of the Parkinson’s Foundation California Chapter Board. They continued fundraising for Moving Day, but they wanted to do more.
They created the non-profit, FISCH 4 Parkinson’s, a Steven J. Fischlin Charity, dedicated to raising awareness and supporting people with Parkinson’s. They launched a signature fundraising event through the non-profit, the annual FISCH 4 Parkinson’s Golf Tournament. The first tournament, held in August 2024, raised more than $26,000, which they donated to the Parkinson’s Foundation. The event returned in August 2025, raising $35,000 to support the Foundation.
“In the second year we were able to expand the tournament, get sponsorships and really reach out to the wider Parkinson’s community beyond our family and friends,” Lisa said. “It took some time to explain what we were trying to accomplish, and for Steve to feel comfortable telling his story and making connections.”
This tournament has helped Steve and Lisa support the Parkinson’s Foundation and has helped them create their own support network of people near them in the Parkinson’s community.
Parkinson’s Foundation friends at the 2025 FISCH 4 Parkinson’s Golf Tournament, including Vikas Chinnan, Donna Cline and Jeff Bell.
“Last year we had several golfers at the tournament who had Parkinson’s,” Steve said. “Now we meet up with them and their wives three or four times a year. We get dinner and catch up and talk about how we’re doing and things about Parkinson’s we can all relate to. We’re always trying to find more people to join our group.”
Steve and Lisa are passionate about supporting the Parkinson’s Foundation because of the resources and information they have received.
“When you find out you or a loved one has Parkinson’s, you have to just start digging in and learning about it,” Lisa said. “We use the Parkinson’s Foundation website, attend webinars and Steve participated in PD GENEration because his kids were wondering if this was something they could be passed down.”
“The Foundation doesn’t just support people with Parkinson’s, it supports the whole family and care partners, and that’s so important.” - Lisa
Steve and Lisa have also found a great deal of support through the University of California (UC) Davis Health Center for Movement Disorders & Neurorestoration, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence. In 2024, the center opened a multidisciplinary clinic that brings together care providers from several specialties, including neurology, speech therapy, physical therapy, nutrition and more.
“To be able to have one stop and ask all these experts questions and find support is incredible,” Lisa said. “We’ve made really strong connections through UC Davis, and we’re able to talk to them throughout the year. This clinic is possible because of the Parkinson’s Foundation, and it makes us feel like we are never alone.”
The next FISCH 4 Parkinson’s golf tournament is scheduled for August 10, 2026 at Catta Verdera Country Club in Lincoln, CA. Steve and Lisa’s goal is to raise $40,000 this year, and are excited that 100% of the money will go to the Parkinson’s Foundation, with 50% going to the multidisciplinary clinic they have found so much support through.
“Right now, the multidisciplinary clinic is only open on Tuesdays, and it runs on donation, so we want to make a difference and support it,” Lisa said. “We’re proud to support the Parkinson’s Foundation and everything it does for people with Parkinson’s, while also supporting this resource right in our own community. We want to be loud about this disease, share our story and raise money to find better treatments and a cure.”
“I’ve met other people who have Parkinson’s, and I will always talk to anyone about it,” Steve said. “It’s a small world and we want to meet with people, do whatever we can to help. We want to talk about it, and we want to help find a cure.”
Create your own Parkinson’s fundraiser! Visit Parkinson.org/DIY to get started.
This article shares real experiences from people living with Parkinson’s and highlights what helps them maintain quality of life. It highlights how:
Staying physically active and mentally engaged can improve movement, mood and cognitive function.
A positive mindset and sense of purpose help people cope with challenges and live more fully.
Building community and support systems reduces isolation and provides encouragement.
Learning about Parkinson’s empowers individuals to better understand symptoms and manage their care.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) looks different for everyone. Symptoms vary, as do the ways people maintain and improve their quality of life. People with Parkinson’s often discover strategies that work best for them, whether it’s staying physically active, keeping mentally engaged, connecting with others or practicing gratitude.
The Parkinson’s Foundation offers a wide range of resources to help people manage their symptoms. Additionally, some of the most meaningful insights come from those living with Parkinson’s themselves.
We asked our social media community to share what has helped them live well with Parkinson’s. Here’s what they had to say:
Exercise and Movement
Staying physically active was one of the most popular strategies. Research shows that regular exercise can improve mobility, balance, mood and even cognitive function for people living with Parkinson’s. Many described movement not just as therapy, but as empowerment.
“Exercise and staying mentally active have helped me the most. I was diagnosed in 2018. Don’t give up. Sometimes I have to force myself to exercise, but I always feel better when I do.” - Val
“I was diagnosed at age 75 and I plan on being here for a long time. I exercise every day, walk a couple of miles, take my medication and listen to my doctor.”- Frank
“A dance class called Dance Health Alliance has helped me a lot. You can even do it sitting in a chair if you have balance issues. It’s definitely helped improve my walking.” - Christine
Keeping the brain active can be just as important as keeping the body moving. Engaging in hobbies, learning new skills and staying mentally stimulated may support cognitive health and overall well-being.
For many, creative expression and intellectual engagement provide both joy and a sense of purpose.
“Learning new tunes and staying musically active has been a real benefit. I’ve been a professional musician for over 50 years and staying active in my music career — even at age 71 — has helped keep my Parkinson’s under control.” - Joe
“I write short stories, read, belong to a book club and take part in quizzes.” - Val
Mindset, Hope and Perspective
A positive outlook doesn’t erase the challenges of Parkinson’s — but many people shared that mindset plays a powerful role in how they navigate them.
“I was diagnosed 25 years ago, in my 40s and I’m now in my 70s. Focus on what you still have. If you have love, learning and laughter — even a friendly phone call or a good book — you are lucky.” - Fillis
“What truly helped me was hope with purpose. When I stopped seeing Parkinson’s as an ending and started seeing it as a teacher, everything changed. Healing isn’t just about the body — it’s about the mind, heart and spirit working together.” - Ellen
“After my diagnosis, I started learning about Parkinson’s and its treatments. I’ve learned to accept it, appreciate the small blessings, exercise, take my medication as prescribed and live with a positive attitude.” - Daisy
These reflections remind us that resilience can take many forms, including acceptance, gratitude, determination or simply continuing forward one day at a time.
Community and Support
Connecting with others who understand Parkinson’s can reduce isolation and provide encouragement. A strong online or in-person support network often makes a meaningful difference.
“As a woman in my 30s with young-onset Parkinson’s, community has helped me the most. Exercise is second and reading The Parkinson’s Plan has also been incredibly helpful.” - Erin
“Joining the Facebook group Life With Parkinson’s and accessing resources like yours has been extremely helpful. I also participated in an eight-week class for the newly diagnosed through my local hospital.” -Lin
Many people living with Parkinson’s find that sharing experiences, learning together and supporting one another strengthens both confidence and quality of life.
Explore our Community Network groups that empower key groups within the PD community — including people who are newly diagnosed, women with PD, those with early-onset PD and more! Find your community.
Learning about PD
Learning more about Parkinson’s can bring clarity, reassurance and empowerment. Understanding movement and non-movement symptoms can help people feel more in control of their care.
“Education has helped me so much. I didn’t realize many of my symptoms were part of Parkinson’s. Learning about the disease helped me understand that I’m not crazy. Physical therapy has also made a huge difference.” - Sharon
When people understand what is happening in their brain and bodies, it can ease uncertainty and make it easier to advocate for the care they need.
Living well with Parkinson’s does not mean symptoms disappear — it means finding tools, support and perspective that help you move forward.
As these shared experiences show, there is no single path. What works for one person may look different for another, and that’s okay.
If you’re looking for support, resources or ways to connect, we are here to help. Explore resources and information at Parkinson.org or contact our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).
My name is Kim Lundgreen. I just turned 68. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2017 at the University of Utah’s Movement Disorder Clinic, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, in Salt Lake City. I remember thinking, “What a strange name for a place.”
My wife, Mindy, was 50 at the time. She cried when we heard the diagnosis. I was stunned. Shocked.
Prior to my diagnosis, running was more than exercise. It was my therapy, my prayer time, personal solitude time, my way of solving the world’s problems. I was an ultramarathon runner with nearly 50 marathons and ultramarathons under my belt. I ran the St. George Marathon 25 years in a row. I once beat ultramarathon legend Dean Karnazes at the finish line there during his famous 50/50/50 tour. That moment qualified me to run Boston two years later.
When I received the diagnosis, my first reaction was dramatic but honest: “If I can’t run anymore, I’ll go to Yosemite and base jump off El Capitan without a parachute.” That’s how much running meant to me.
Parkinson’s had forced me to stop running altogether. Symptoms like rigidity (stifffness), cramping and neuropathy made training nearly impossible.
Then, last June (after Cassie Webster, my Rock Steady Boxing coach kept encouraging me for years to try) I completed the Logan Peak Trail Run with a right sprained ankle, an ultra-distance race of 28 miles with over 7,000 feet of elevation gain with virtually no training. It was my first race in five years.
I fought my way back.
A news article in the Herald Journal highlighted the run. KSL News out of Salt Lake City, after getting wind of my seemingly impossible feat, covered my successful summit of the Middle Teton via the Southwest Couloir, which I achieved just a couple weeks prior. We climbed at night with headlamps, ice axes and micro-spikes. My “soul brother” David Toone saved my life more than once on that descent as my symptoms kicked in. Exhaustion, vertigo and total fatigue set in hard.
Throughout everything, I needed information about Parkinson’s and I found on Parkinson.org — I love the website and it has been very helpful for me.
Two years after my diagnosis, in the fall of 2018, Mindy received devastating news of her own: serious ovarian cancer. We had no warning, and the shock was overwhelming. Suddenly, we were both facing life-threatening diseases, and the reality of our situation hit hard. We both wept when Mindy’s doctor gave us the grim news while we were shopping together.
In that moment, I felt a heavy burden of responsibility. I had to be strong for Mindy, and I also had to manage my own Parkinson’s. We were both in for the fight of our lives.
Mindy was only 52, and I had just turned 62. Our dreams for our golden years felt shattered. I remember lying awake that night, overwhelmed by a sense of doom. I prayed to God, “Why now? Isn’t Parkinson’s enough for us?”
I lost Mindy, my beautiful wife of 23 years, in 2024 to ovarian cancer after a brutal five-year fight. She was only 57. We were both strong, active and healthy. We mountain biked, ran trails, paddle-boarded, lifted weights, practiced yoga and stayed committed to our physical and spiritual health.
Experiencing loss with Parkinson’s is horrible, however movement and exercise — especially weight-lifting, trail running combined with my Rock Steady Boxing now — are so vital for me in providing hope and light each new day!
A few months ago I spoke to the Salt Lake City support group alongside the doctors from University of Utah neurology, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, and that was very powerful for me and for the audience. It was a win-win.
Parkinson’s disease is relentless. The only real weapon against Parkinson’s is movement. Exercise, especially strength training and cardio, has been shown to slow the progression of the disease.
I’ve made intense exercise a daily part of my routine, seven days a week. It’s the “silver bullet” that keeps me fighting, and I’m convinced it’s the key to maintaining a good quality of life while living with PD. Also, it is so helpful to me in coping with Mindy’s death.
Now, I carry her with me through every climb, every run, and every battle with Parkinson’s.
