Parkinson's disease (PD) patients can benefit considerably from appropriate nutritional care, particularly from diet. However, there is limited evidence on the eating habits of PD patients and their relationship with the features of the disease.
METHODS:
We conducted a large case-control study. Consecutive PD patients (N = 600) receiving systematic nutritional care and healthy controls (N = 600) matched (1:1) for age, gender, education, physical activity level and residence were studied using a 66-item food frequency questionnaire. The relationship between dietary habits and the following features of PD were investigated in patients: body weight, energy balance, constipation, and levodopa therapy (dose) and its related motor complications.
RESULTS:
PD patients had lower BMI and reported higher food intake than controls. BMI was found to be inversely associated with disease duration and severity, and levodopa-related motor complications, whereas energy intake was positively associated with these variables. An increase in protein intake by 10 g over physiological requirements (0.8 g/kg/day) corresponded to a mean increase in levodopa dose of 0.7 mg/kg/day. Constipation was also associated with higher levodopa requirements. Finally, protein intake and its distribution throughout the day influenced levodopa-related motor complications.
CONCLUSION:
The management of protein intake and the treatment of constipation should be considered to be an integral part of the care of PD patients. Attention should always be focused on energy intake also. This would result in the maintenance of nutritional status, the optimization of levodopa-therapy and the minimization of its related motor complications.
Barichella et al 2016 seems such an important study. I was tempted to purchase it. However , the web link seems only to offer subscribing to the journal. Does anyone know how to obtain just the one article?
As with other neurodegenerative diseases, neurologic and nutritional elements may interact affecting each other in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the long-term effects of such interactions on prognosis and outcome have not been given much attention and are poorly addressed by current research.
Factors contributing to the clinical conditions of patients with PD are not only the basic features of PD, progression of disease, and the therapeutic approach but also fiber and nutrient intakes (in terms of both energy and protein content), fluid and micronutrient balance, and pharmaconutrient interactions (protein and levodopa).
During the course of PD nutritional requirements frequently change. Accordingly, both body weight gain and loss may occur and, despite controversy, it seems that both changes in energy expenditure and food intake contribute.
Nonmotor symptoms play a significant role and dysphagia may be responsible for the impairment of nutritional status and fluid balance. Constipation, gastroparesis, and gastro-oesophageal reflux significantly affect quality of life.
Finally, any micronutrient deficiencies should be taken into account. Nutritional assessments should be performed routinely.
Optimization of pharmacologic treatment for both motor and nonmotor symptoms is essential, but nutritional interventions and counseling could and should also be planned with regard to nutritional balance designed to prevent weight loss or gain; optimization of levodopa pharmacokinetics and avoidance of interaction with proteins; improvement in gastrointestinal dysfunction (e.g., dysphagia and constipation); prevention and treatment of nutritional deficiencies (micronutrients or vitamins).
A balanced Mediterranean-like dietary regimen should be recommended before the introduction of levodopa; afterward, patients with advanced disease may benefit considerably from protein redistribution and low-protein regimens.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Fast acting Levodopa?
Levodopa just for exercise?
Levodopa and Mucuna Purins
Levodopa May Reduce Neuroinflammation
how much levodopa is normal?
