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

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

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

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

October 17, 2022

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.

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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

People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may hear, whether through word of mouth or the internet, about herbs or supplements that claim to ease PD symptoms. It’s important to recognize that nutritional supplements are not federally regulated, and there is limited research supporting their overall effectiveness. You should always speak with your healthcare provider before starting a new medication or supplement.

Nutritional supplements can include herbs, vitamins, or other drugs that are often available without a prescription. Since these products are not formally regulated, there is a high risk for potentially dangerous drug interactions when mixed with other medications, regardless of if they are prescribed by a doctor or available over the counter.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Angela Hill, a pharmacist and professor at the University of South Florida, to better understand the precautions of taking supplements while living with PD. She discusses the potential side effects and risks of taking drugs without fully knowing what’s in their ingredients, as well as the warning signs to watch for. She shares tips for reading and evaluating labels and offers guidance on the type of questions to ask a pharmacist to help decide whether the supplement may be a good fit based on your specific health condition.

During the episode, Dr. Hill mentions additional resources for evaluating herbal medications and understanding medication timing. Click here to view the articles, along with her contact information for any follow-up questions.

Released: July 15, 2025

May 22, 2025

Exercise and staying active are essential not only for physical health but also for mental and emotional well-being, especially as a veteran living with Parkinson’s disease. This program will address how staying active can positively impact physical symptoms, mood, and overall health. Participants will learn about the benefits of exercise, discover strategies to stay active beyond traditional workouts, and explore meaningful activities that bring joy and purpose.

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Additional Resources

Presenters

Hillari Olson, DPT, RYT 200
LSVT BIG®, PWR! Moves® Certified Clinician
Program Coordinator / Physical Therapist
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program
Minneapolis VA Health Care System

Emily Hall, LCSW
Southeast PADRECC Senior Social Worker
Central Virginia VA Healthcare System

Konner Kielman, OTD, OTR/L
LSVT BIG® Certified Clinician
Occupational Therapist
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program
Minneapolis VA Health Care System