Nutrition therapy for patients with Parkinson disease

Abstract

The amount of weight loss in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) documented in the literature varies from 52 to 65%. As reduced energy input, hyposmia, cognitive impairment, depression, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and dysphagia are thought to be causally related to weight loss. On the other hand, weight loss and malnutrition are also the result of a negative energy balance, which means that energy expenditure exceeds intake caused by tremor, rigidity, and dyskinesia. To predict total energy expenditure, a calculation method to multiply basal energy expenditure by 1.1–1.3, or PD coefficient which is appropriate to the degree of rigidity and tremor has been proposed. For nutrition therapy to replenish energy in PD patients, functional food including medium–chain triglyceride supplements may be helpful.