PRO-PD – What is the best/worst food, supplements and food behaviors

Impact of Diet and Supplements on Parkinson's Disease Progression - best/worstu - A very interesting piece of research by the well-regarded Laurie K. Mischley and team sought to identify the best/worst foods to eat, supplements to take, and dietary behaviors for individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD). It was published in 2017, but I was just made aware of it, as well as the app they provide, which self-evaluates your progression on PD.

I will leave the app to one side—I have tried the scoring five times, and each time I come out with what is clearly far more aggressively advancing PD than average for my age (which makes sense given that I am on the pump, so I guess I knew this).

Let's focus on the foods, behaviors, and supplements.

Foods



The list of positive foods that reduce the PRO-PD score are the core ingredients of the Mediterranean Diet—namely fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts, fish, and olive oil (and wine). Surprisingly to me, the bottom of the list includes canned fruit, diet soda, and canned vegetables.Clearly their processes nature is a challenge (as well as canning).  Behind these came the more naturally obvious to me—fried food, soda, beef, and ice cream. Interestingly, in the list of negative products are black tea, pasta, and chicken, as opposed to green tea, coffee, and turkey, which are on the positive list (see Appendix A).

I suppose this is why my dietician four years ago asked me to stay off chemicals, processed foods, red meat, and too much dairy.

Hygiene Habits



This is a bit more predictable. Top of the list is home cooking, buying from local farmers, and eating organic. Bottom of the list is the challenge of not being able to afford quality ingredients and being overweight (see Appendix B).

Supplements



I am not an expert in this field—I take magnesium, fish oil omega-3, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. It turns out fish oil is good, as is vitamin D. Vitamin B12 is less so, and magnesium is not mentioned. Many supplements I have never heard of are in this list, so I have homework to do (see Appendix C).

Although science has clearly moved on, specialists in the field still seem to indicate a preference for the Mediterranean diet, so the key conclusions still seem to make sense.

I am not sure if there is follow-up research or rebuttals, but to me, a lot of the findings make sense. Sadly, I have a very high score, so I need to up my game on a number of these topics. The good news is they clearly have the ability to impact.

Conclusion

Overall, Laurie K. Mischley's research provides a valuable insight into how diet and supplements can influence the progression of Parkinson's Disease. By focusing on fresh, unprocessed foods and beneficial supplements, individuals with PD may be able to positively impact their disease progression. 

From my perspective changing diet is very hard and it takes a lot of focus. If you are going to do it, it makes sense to direct it to methods which benefit PD albeit I am sure there are other studies that same different things, Please share alternative studies etc

Appendix

Appendix A: Foods

• Positive Impact:

  • Fresh Vegetables and Fruits: High in antioxidants and fiber, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

  • Nuts and Seeds: Rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, supporting brain health.

  • Nonfried Fish: Provides omega-3 fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties.

  • Olive Oil and Coconut Oil: Contain healthy fats that support brain function.

  • Wine (in moderation): Contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that may protect brain cells.

  • Fresh Herbs and Spices: Add flavor without processed additives and may have anti-inflammatory properties.

• Negative Impact:

  • Canned Fruits and Vegetables: Often contain added sugars and preservatives, contributing to inflammation.

  • Diet and Nondiet Soda: High in artificial sweeteners and chemicals that may negatively affect brain health.

  • Fried Foods: High in unhealthy fats, increasing oxidative stress.

  • Beef and Ice Cream: High in saturated fats and sugars, exacerbating inflammation and oxidative stress.

  • Yogurt and Cheese: Excessive consumption linked to faster PD progression.

Appendix B: Hygiene Habits

• Positive Behaviors:

  • Home Cooking: Allows control over ingredients, reducing exposure to processed foods.

  • Buying from Local Farmers: Ensures fresher produce with fewer preservatives.

  • Eating Organic: Reduces exposure to pesticides and chemicals that may affect brain health.

• Negative Behaviors:

  • Inability to Afford Quality Ingredients: Leads to reliance on processed and less nutritious foods.

  • Being Overweight: Associated with higher levels of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Appendix C: Supplements

• Beneficial Supplements:

  • Coenzyme Q10: An antioxidant that supports mitochondrial function and may slow PD progression.

  • Fish Oil (Omega-3): Reduces inflammation and supports brain health.

  • Vitamin D: Important for bone health and may have neuroprotective effects.

• Less Beneficial or Harmful Supplements:

  • Iron Supplementation: Associated with faster PD progression due to its role in oxidative stress.

  • Vitamin B12: Essential for nerve health, but its impact on PD progression was less significant in this study.