Management of Parkinson’s Disease through Nutrition

Lewy bodies, are found in the PD brain. 5,6Multiple other processes are thought to contribute, with several studies suggesting that abnormal protein clearance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation play roles in PD onset and progression.However, the relationships between these pathways remain unclear. 7In brief, genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, 7 which may cause endoplasmic reticulum stress, 8 mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and disruption of the autophagy system, 9 contribute to PD development.Currently, there is no cure for PD.Levodopa was introduced in the 1960s to replenish DA loss, but it serves only as a palliative treatment.Furthermore, chronic use of levodopa may result in significant adverse effects such as nigrostriatal degeneration and dyskinesia. 10Other therapeutic approaches-including cell therapy, gene therapy, and deep brain stimulation-are still in the trial stages.In this context, nutritional management offers a promising option to help control disease symptoms, as foods contain antioxidants, trace metals, and energy that may help counteract cognitive decline and muscle weakness.Epidemiological and biochemical studies suggest that the right choice of foods can help manage PD symptoms. [11][12]2][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Recent studies have revealed that certain nutrients may reduce the risk of PD, while others may contribute to neurodegeneration or AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) is described as an age-related neurodegenerative disease primarily caused by the loss of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, in the substantia nigra pars compacta.In this disease, tremor, movement disorders, and postural instability are generally observed, and depression gradually develops.However, various non-motor symptoms such as mood changes, depression, cognitive impairment, anxiety, constipation, and others are often observed before the PD diagnosis and worsen as the disease progresses.Generally, this disease is still considered idiopathic, with multiple possible causes including pesticides and brain injury.In familial cases of PD, however, a set of genes have been identified as causes of PD, including the -synuclein gene, Parkin, PTEN-induced kinase 1, and Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2. To date, there is no cure for this disease, except for some palliative treatments such as dopa/dopamine therapy.Dopamine administration from external sources is effective only for a couple of years; after that, dyskinesia and other neurological complications develop.Scientists are researching gene and cell therapies, but effective solutions have yet to be found.Since environmental factors are involved in the majority of PD cases, it is important to understand the role nutrition plays in both neuroprotection and neurodegeneration.In this context, managing PD through nutrition, for example, by choosing the right foods to consume or avoid, may benefit Parkinson's patients.In short, the Mediterranean diet combined with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, known together as the Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet, has been found effective in maintaining better cognitive function and quality of life among patients.