NUNM Research study explores impact of Ketogenic Diet on Parkinson’s.

Natural medicine research investigators are unlocking answers to an important question: Can a ketogenic diet for Parkinson’s disease improve symptoms?

In a new study, led by the Helfgott Research Institute at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), data suggests the foods we eat may have a greater impact on neurology than we think.

“A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study of a Ketogenic Diet as Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease”, published in Frontiers in Nutrition journal on July 23, presents promising data on the power of food as medicine and the unique role nutrition can play in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

The research, led by NUNM Provost & VP of Research & Academic Excellence Dr. Heather Zwickey, brings together experts from multiple fields, marking an exciting step forward in how we understand and treat the condition.

Zwickey, a longtime champion of patient-centered research that explores the connection between lifestyle and chronic disease, noted the significance of the data.

“We know that food is powerful, but when it comes to conditions like Parkinson’s, we need data to back up that power,” said Zwickey. “This study shows that not only is a ketogenic diet safe and doable for people with Parkinson’s, it also has the potential to improve how they feel and function day-to-day. That’s incredibly exciting.”

The Study: Parkinson’s Through the Lens of Nutrition

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects movement, cognition, and quality of life. While pharmaceutical interventions can alleviate symptoms, they often don’t slow down the underlying disease progression.

Over time, researchers and patients alike have sought better information around the mechanisms of the condition and evidence-based approaches that may complement conventional care.

In this study, Zwickey and Helfgott colleagues examined whether a low-dairy Ketogenic Diet (KD)—focused on eating high-fat, and low-carbohydrate foods—could be a feasible and safe therapeutic option for individuals living with Parkinson’s.

Unlike other research studies, their mixed-methods feasibility study focused not only on symptoms or biomarkers, but also gathered clinical outcomes, laboratory results, and human insights, such as lived experiences and interviews.

Zwickey, also the author of “Eating Better for Parkinson’s: A Nutritional Starter Guide”, noted the approach was intentional, reflecting NUNM’s overall philosophy of whole-person health and commitment to patient-centered research.

How a Ketogenic Diet for Parkinson’s Disease Could Improve Symptoms

The Ketogenic diet is known for its ability to switch the body’s primary energy source from glucose to ketones, a metabolic state called ketosis. These shifts have been shown through research to potentially offer unique benefits for brain health, including improved mitochondrial function, reduced oxidative stress, and enhanced energy metabolism.

Many individuals living with Parkinson’s have differences in brain functioning compared to normal, healthy adults and often experience challenges around energy regulation and inflammation. For them, these metabolic changes could be significant.

This study aimed to determine whether patients could successfully adopt this diet and whether a ketogenic diet for Parkinson’s disease could improve their symptoms and overall well-being.

Key Findings: Feasibility, Safety, and Early Signs of Benefit

The study found that:

• Participants were able to follow the low-dairy KD with relatively high adherence, thanks to ongoing support, education, and structured planning.
• Constipation, a common problem in individuals with Parkinson’s, didn’t get worse for most participants; one participant reported improvement.
• Preliminary data showed a positive trend in energy levels, balance, and cognitive clarity.
• HDL and triglycerides remained stable; however, average total cholesterol and LDL showed a slight increase, changes that have been associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson’s.

Leaders in Integrative Research

Zwickey, who previously served on the Scientific Advisory Board for the Brian Grant Foundation, a resource hub for evidence-based research on Parkinson’s disease, emphasized NUNM’s motivation for the study.

“The ketogenic diet has long been used for epilepsy, but an animal study in the mid-2000s suggested it could help Parkinson’s—that sparked this research,” said Zwickey, noting the similarities between the two conditions. “Through my work with the Brian Grant Foundation, we connected with a group of local patients who didn’t want to wait for a traditional grant. They raised $50,000 and asked us to move forward.”

Not only was this a patient-funded trial, spearheaded by a group of Parkinson’s patients local in Portland, Oregon, she added, but it also involved students from NUNM’s Master of Science in Nutrition program.

“We ran the study on a shoestring budget, with investigators donating time, and we involved NUNM nutrition students as one-on-one support coaches—creating a truly community-based model of care,” she added.

Note from NUNM: Moving Forward with Food-Based Therapies

The study serves as a milestone in ketogenic-based dietary research and Parkinson’s treatment, laying the groundwork for further inquiry into nutritional interventions that might impact neurodegenerative conditions. 

At NUNM, we are dedicated to exploring how nutrition and integrative approaches can positively impact lives and are proud to support research that bridges science, nutrition, and whole-person health. 

We believe that food is medicine, and better health can be achieved by empowering patients on their individual health journeys with evidence-based resources, knowledge, and tools.

About NUNM: The National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) is the longest active accredited naturopathic medical university in North America (est. 1956).

It continues to be one of the most respected universities of natural medicine in the world, demonstrating leadership through its delivery of high-quality patient care, ground-breaking integrative medicine research, and innovative academic programming.