Pilot dietary study with normoproteic protein-redistributed plant-food diet and motor performance in patients with Parkinson's disease

Nutr Neurosci. 2011 Jan;14(1):1-9. doi: 10.1179/174313211X12966635733231.

Abstract

Although a plant-based diet can provide some benefits in Parkinson's disease (PD), no study to date has evaluated the effectiveness of a plant-food diet in the management of the disease. In this pilot study, we compared the effect of a plant-food menu (PFD) and of a omnivorous menu on motor performance of 25 PD patients, 12 in the intervention group (PDi) and 13 in the control group (PDc). After 4 weeks, the PDi group showed a significant reduction (Mann-Whitney test) in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, total score (47.67 vs. 74.46, P = 0.008) and sub-score III motor performances (25.42 vs. 46.46, P = 0.001), and the modified Hoehn and Yahr Staging Scale (1.96 vs. 3.15, P = 0.005). These data suggest that PFD may be useful in the management of PD patients by improving their motor performances. Additional studies are needed in order to confirm these preliminary results.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diet*
  • Dietary Fiber / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Food
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / diet therapy*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Plant Proteins, Dietary / administration & dosage*
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Dietary Fiber
  • Plant Proteins, Dietary