Previous studies suggest that an ultra-fat diet may help neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease and Lou Gehrig's disease. Now research reports that an ultra-fat diet may also benefit Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder that has no cure. The symptoms include tremors, a shuffling walk, muscle stiffness, stooped posture, and a mask-like, expressionless face.
The study, published in Neurology, investigated the effects of an ultra-fat diet in patients with Parkinson's disease. Researchers at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, administered an ultra-fat diet with very small portions of protein and carbohydrates to five Parkinson's patients, for 28 days. In four of the participants, unsaturated fats (such as olive oil) were substituted for saturated fats (such as butter).
The researchers found that the participants had improvements in balance, tremors, and mood. However, a placebo effect is possible. The patients with the unsaturated fat diet did not have increases in cholesterol. Nevertheless, an ultra-fat diet can increase the risk for heart disease and diabetes.
"Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores improved in all five during hyperketonemia, but a placebo effect was not ruled out," the study authors write. "An experimental ultra-fat diet treatment at New York's St. Luke's-Roosevelt Medical Hospital Center may help fight Parkinson's disease."
REFERENCES:
1. Vanitallie TB et al. Treatment of Parkinson disease with diet-induced hyperketonemia: a feasibility study. Neurology 2005 Feb 22;64(4):728-30.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 11, 2006 02:38 PM
