The Vital Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Parkinson’s Disease

Written By: Renee Rouleau- B.S., PhD student, Jacobs School of Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo

The Vital Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Parkinson’s Disease

Let’s continue with our discussion on nutrition, specifically the role of nutrition and healthy eating and how it can help with symptom management and disease progression.  Today, we’re looking at the importance of certain vitamins and minerals.  

• #1 -  Strive to consume as many vitamins and minerals as are  healthy with an emphasis on obtaining these nutrients from whole foods rather than a heavy reliance on supplements. 

• #2  - identify those specific vitamins and minerals that may help decrease symptoms, slow disease progression, and support overall well-being.                Our goal: eat a healthy balance of foods that contain:

• Vitamin D

 Vitamin D is especially important  in maintaining  strong bones and muscles. Studies show that many people with PD have low levels of this vitamin (Pignolo et al., 2022). Low Vitamin D has been linked to balance issues and a higher risk of falls, and those who have lower levels of this vitamin have been correlated with a higher UPDRS score, which is indicative of disease progression. This vitamin also plays a direct role in brain health—supporting mood and possibly slowing the loss of dopamine-producing neurons, which are key in Parkinson’s (Suzuki et al., 2012). Some great food sources containing Vitamin D include fatty fish such as  tuna or salmon, egg yolks, and some mushrooms ! Vitamin D is also fortified in milk and yogurts, which are also good sources of calcium that’s critical for bone health.

• B Vitamins 

 B vitamins, especially B6, B12, and folate (B9), are essential to keeping the brain healthy through preventing oxidative stress, which has been found to occur at higher levels in people with PD (Liu et al., 2023). This oxidative stress, which can lead to dopamine cell death, is caused by a buildup of an amino acid called homocysteine. Some research shows that high homocysteine levels may speed up cognitive decline in people with PD because of this oxidative stress.(Jenner, 2019). In addition, certain medications for Parkinson’s such  as  levodopa, can lower levels of B vitamins, especially B6, making it extra important to get enough from food or supplements (Rojo-Sebastian et al., 2020). Some great ways to get B Vitamins are leafy greens, especially kale and spinach, eggs, nuts, and dairy products.

• Minerals 

Yes, your body needs trace metals and minerals to function, as they also provide some building blocks to proteins and amino acids.. Magnesium and potassium are two such minerals that help muscles function properly (Barbagallo and Dominguez, 2010). They support nerve signals and are important for neurotransmission, and mitochondrial health (Barbagallo and Dominguez, 2010). Magnesium  is especially implicated in lowering inflammation and oxidative stress, which can have great effects on the body such as less stiffness or aches and cramping. Leafy greens, nuts, bananas, and beans are good sources of these minerals, and  you guessed it: fortified dairy products!

• Antioxidants

Vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium, which have a neuroprotective effect by protecting mitochondrial dysfunction, allowing the powerhouse of the cell to keep powering up (Park and Ellis, 2020)! These vitamins  can lead to all sorts of good effects all over the body, such as lower inflammation, better muscle control, and better brain health. Consuming antioxidants from fruits such as  blueberries and raspberries, vegetables such as leafy greens, and treats like dark chocolate can help the body fight inflammation and protect the brain over time.

In closing, eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is more than just good advice, it’s a key part of managing Parkinson’s Disease. If you’re having trouble with symptom management, please talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about checking nutrient levels and finding the right foods or supplements to support your brain and body. That’s all for now, and we’ll see you for our next topic!

References

Barbagallo, M., Dominguez, L.,  Magnesium and Aging, Current Pharmaceutical Design; Volume 16, Issue 7, Year 2010, .DOI: 10.2174/138161210790883679

Hauser, D., Hastings, T., Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease and monogenic parkinsonism, Neurobiology of Disease, Volume 51, 2013, Pages 35-42, ISSN 0969-9961, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2012.10.011.

Jenner, P. (2003), Oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease. Ann Neurol., 53: S26-S38. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.10483

Park HA, Ellis AC. Dietary Antioxidants and Parkinson's Disease. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 Jul 1;9(7):570. doi: 10.3390/antiox9070570. PMID: 32630250; PMCID: PMC7402163.

Pignolo, A., Mastrilli, S., Davì, C., Arnao, V., Aridon, P., dos Santos Mendes, F. A., Gagliardo, C., & D’Amelio, M. (2022). Vitamin D and Parkinson’s Disease. Nutrients, 14(6), 1220. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14061220

Rojo-Sebastián A, González-Robles C, García de Yébenes J. Vitamin B6 Deficiency in Patients With Parkinson Disease Treated With Levodopa/Carbidopa. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2020 Sep/Oct;43(5):151-157. doi: 10.1097/WNF.0000000000000408. PMID: 32947426.

Yiti Liu, Maoyuan Gou, Xiaoyan Guo. Features of Plasma Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, and Folate in Parkinson's Disease: An Updated Meta-Analysis. J. Integr. Neurosci. 2023, 22(5), 115. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2205115