Dietitian Course: Nutritional Considerations for Patients with Parkinson's Disease: Beyond Protein-Levodopa Interaction

NUTRITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE: BEYOND PROTEIN-LEVODOPA INTERACTION

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects several parts of the brain, including the dopamine-producing neurons. The traditional nutritional considerations for patients with PD has to do with timing of protein-rich food intake as ingested protein interacts with levodopa, which is the first line of drugs for these patients. The status of specific nutrients including some vitamins and fatty acids have been associated with both the risk of PD diagnosis and the rate of PD progression. Interestingly, treatment with levodopa compromises the status of the same nutrients. In addition, PD diagnosis is a risk factor for depression, dementia, and accelerated brain atrophy, and the same nutrients are associated with both the risk of developing these conditions and outcome of their treatments. In this webinar, we will summarize research findings regarding how the status of specific nutrients impacts PD diagnosis and management.

Upon successful completion of this one-hour course, the participant should be able to:

Define PD and summarize PD-related comorbidities.

Review how nutrient intake and status impacts risk of PD diagnosis.

Discuss research findings regarding how nutrient intake and status are associated with PD progression and severity of symptoms.

Suggest specific recommendations for PD patients to improve their disease outcome.

Live Event Date: Oct 13, 2022

Expiration Date: May 31, 2024

Performance Indicators/Learning Objectives: 4.2.6, 6.2.3, 6.3.2

Target Audience: RDs, DTRs, Health Professionals

Number of Credits: 1.0

Level(s): 1, 2

Total Cost: $18 ($18.00 per credit)

About the Presenter: Roman Pawlak, Ph.D, RD

Associate Professor of Nutrition at East Carolina University. Authored: 'Vitamin B12. Combating the epidemic of deficiency' (published in English and Polish), 'Vegan/vegetarian mother and her baby' (published in English, Polish and Czech), 'I am the LORD who heals you' (published in English, Russian and Japanese), 'Forever young. Secrets of delaying aging and living disease free' (published in English and Polish), 'Healthy diet without secrets' (published in English and Polish), 'In defense of vegetarianism' (published in English and Polish), 'Diabetes. How to prevent it? How to cure it? How to prevent diabetes complications' (published in Polish), 'Diet – facts and myths' (published in Polish). Published in the best American and international nutrition journals, including, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, European Journal of Nutrition, Nutrition Reviews, American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Lectured in five continents, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.