Life Neuroscience

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease and affects about 1% of the population over the age of 60 years in industrialized countries. This review aims to examine nutrition in PD. The Parkinson's disease patients has increased over the past few years to 8.5 million people in 2019. Early-stage symptoms of Parkinson's disease such as malnutrition and weight loss are eminently related to nutrition. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by motor and non-motor features. The clinical characteristics of PD are associated to dopamine deficiency in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The causes of Parkinson's disease in terms of biochemical factors such as dopaminergic neuron loss and MPTP neurotoxins that cause neuronal death are addressed. Individuals with PD are at increased risk of malnutrition due to the increased metabolic demands and disease pathophysiology. The risk of malnutrition is further complicated by anosmia, swallowing difficulties, constipation, and drug-nutrient interactions. An emerging body of evidence suggests that the intestinal tract is affected early in the disease, creating therapeutic opportunities for early intervention. Dietary modification and nutritional supplementation may improve symptoms of constipation, depression, insomnia, dystonia, and help prevent cognitive dysfunction. Edible bird's nest which is high in neuroprotective chemicals, shows good potential against Parkinson's disease. It is important to understand the interplay between PD, comorbidities, and nutritional status. The positive impact of vigorous aerobics exercise for Parkinson's disease patients is also emphasized. Physical exercise will enhance PD patients' motor function and brain health. Increasing understanding of the relationship between nutrition and Parkinson's disease will lead to the future discovery of the disease's etiology. Further research may contribute to developing interventional strategies to improve symptoms, augment care, and significantly enhance the quality of life for patients with this complex neurodegenerative disease. This review summarizes the state of the science related to nutrition and non-motor symptoms of PD.