Parkinson’s disease and diet

The most important dietary advice for a person with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of fibre and fluids. It’s as simple as that. A routine of three balanced meals a day is a good start, although some people with PD may find it easier to manage more frequent, smaller, meals.

At different times, certain foods, vitamins or unusual diets may be advertised as being able to help PD, but there is no proof that this is the case. One common story is that broad beans (fava beans) are able to help relieve PD symptoms. It is true that broad beans do contain levodopa, but in variable, small amounts, and at nowhere near the level that is found in levodopa medications. The number of beans you would have to eat for them to have an effect would probably make you ill in other ways. This illustrates why anyone who is tempted by any unusual ‘dietary therapies’ should discuss the idea with their medical team. Members of the medical team who may be able to advise on diet and practical issues with eating include the doctor/specialist, registered dietician, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, and PD nurse.

Someone who already eats a healthy, balanced diet, may not need to make any dietary changes. However, in some specific cases, there may be other factors to consider. Follow the links to the left of this page to read more about some specific aspects of PD and diet, including weight management, food and medication, and drinking fluids.