Impact of a keto diet on symptoms of Parkinson's disease, biomarkers, depression, anxiety and quality of life: a longitudinal study
Aim: Evidence suggests low-carbohydrate diets (LCHF) may assist in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD); however, gaps exist in the literature.
Patients & methods: We conducted a small 24-week pilot study to investigate the effects of an LCHF diet on motor and nonmotor symptoms, health biomarkers, anxiety, and depression in seven people with PD. We also captured patient experiences during the process (quality of life [QoL]).
Results: Participants reported improved biomarkers, enhanced cognition, mood, motor and nonmotor symptoms, and reduced pain and anxiety. Participants felt improvements enhanced their QoL.
Conclusion: We conclude that an LCHF intervention is safe, feasible, and potentially effective in mitigating the symptoms of this disorder. However, more extensive randomized controlled studies are needed to create generalizable recommendations.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the number two neurodegenerative diagnosis globally, second only to Alzheimer's disease.
Persons with PD experience symptoms that interfere with mobility, balance, socialization, cognition, and activities of daily living.
Persons with PD often suffer from comorbidities such as hypertension, pre-diabetes, diabetes, and cardiac events.
Persons with PD can experience symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Persons with PD can benefit from dietary interventions, including the ketogenic diet, to address their general health and symptoms.
A 24-week ketogenic diet (KD) intervention in adults with PD positively influenced gait and mobility, self-care, socialization, depression and anxiety, and improved biomarkers of general health.
A nutrition-centered approach to mitigate symptoms in persons with PD has potential applications for the PD population.
As healthcare costs increase, it will become crucial for persons with neurodegenerative disease conditions to seek alternative strategies to manage their conditions due to issues of reimbursement and access to healthcare.
