Nutrition

Nutrition has an important role to play in the management of Parkinson’s. On diagnosis of Parkinson’s there is no need to make dietary changes, once the diet is well balanced.

This leaflet provides information and advice about following a healthy well balanced diet. It also provides information and advice on nutritional issues such as constipation, changes in weight and appetite, and ways to overcome these problems. It also includes information on diet in relation to Parkinson’s medications.

For further information

Other Relevant Information Pages:

1. Dry Mouth
2. Problems with Swallowing in Parkinson’s disease
3. Problems with Eating and Drinking in Parkinson’s disease
4. Bladder and Bowel Problems

Irish Dietetic and Nutrition Institute (INDI)

Ashgrove House, Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
Tel: 01-2804839. Fax: 01-2892353. Email: info@indi.ie Website: http://www.indi.ie

Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT)

P.O. Box 541, Ballinlough, Co. Cork
Tel: +353 (0)85 7068707. E-mail: info@iaslt.ie Website: http://www.iaslt.ie/

References

1. Govind T Vatassery, Timothy Bauer and Maurice Dysken (1999) ‘High doses of vitamin E in the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system in the aged’ American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 70, No. 5, 793-801, November 1999© “http://www.ajcn.org/content/70/5/793.abstract” American Society for Clinical Nutrition
2. The DATATOP Study found that pharmacologic doses of vitamin E were not effective in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
3. Vatassery GT, Fahn S, Kuskowski MA, The Parkinson Study Group. Alpha tocopherol in CSF of subjects taking high-dose vitamin E in the DATATOP study. Neurology 1998;50:1900–2.

DISCLAIMER – The information on these pages is not intended to be taken as advice. No changes to your treatment should be made without prior consultation with your doctor or allied health professional.

Acknowledgements

This booklet was produced by Dietitians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI). With special thanks to Richelle Flanagan RD and PD Advocate and the Dietitians of the Older Person Nutrition Interest (OPNIG) group.