Episode Details

It is widely known that a healthy diet can provide essential nutrients and lead to a multitude of benefits, but growing evidence has highlighted important links between diet, nutrition, and brain health, particularly related to neurodegenerative disease. In this episode, Dr. Puja Agarwal discusses her research investigating the role that diet and nutrition may play in Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Evidence from her studies and the work of others suggests that certain diets, including the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, are associated with brain health and may have the potential to delay the onset or slow progression of Parkinson's disease or other neurodegenerative conditions. We hear more about her ongoing MJFF-funded research project examining the role of diet in the progression of parkinsonian signs and its association with Lewy body pathologies, as well as future directions for this exciting line of research. Puja is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Rush University.

Mentioned in this episode:

Researchers are studying the link between sense of smell and brain health. People with and without Parkinson's can help by taking a scratch-and-sniff test. It’s free, mailed to your home and takes just 15 minutes to complete. mysmelltest.org/getstarted

This podcast episode was part of a limited series created by The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2023 and 2024 for clinicians and researchers in our audience.  These episodes provide a deeper dive into exciting new scientific research in Parkinson’s disease, as well as innovative tools and valuable resources, through conversations with a variety of experts in the field. We hope you enjoy the conversation.