Nutrition & PD Research

MediPD Study - Evaluation of an online Mediterranean diet programme to support people with Parkinson's.

The Mediterranean diet includes lots of fruit, vegetables, nuts, fish, and olive oil. Research suggests that the types of foods in the Mediterranean diet may support gut health and may help with problems such as constipation and memory, which can be common in people with Parkinson’s and can affect daily life. 
 
A Mediterranean diet could help people living with Parkinson’s disease feel better, but more research is needed. 
 
This study to find out whether a personalised online nutrition programme called Mediterranean Diet for Parkinson’s (MediPD) is helpful for people with Parkinson’s.
 
One of the main questions they are trying to answer is whether the MediPD programme can help people with Parkinson's improve their eating habits by adopting a Mediterranean-style pattern of eating.

This paper highlights that:

• Only 11–15 % of people with Parkinson's disease have access to dietetic care.

• Malnutrition may be present in up to 24 % of PwP, while 60 % remain at risk.

• Dietitians are a critical component of the multidisciplinary team in PD management

• PD-specific training is needed for dietitians and other allied health professions.

• Future nutrition research should be prioritized for PD symptom management.

This study is currently recruiting in Northern Ireland for a study to validate a novel functional food product designed to meet the nutritional needs of people with Parkinson's. 

My Moves Matter were delighted to be involved in the design of this study.

The review article discusses the impact of dietary protein on the absorption of levodopa, a primary treatment for Parkinson's disease.​
 
Managing diet and protein intake requires proper education and monitoring to avoid complications like dyskinesias and weight loss.
 
Gastrointestinal dysfunctions, such as constipation and gastroparesis, can also affect levodopa absorption. ​