RESUMO
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disease. People with PD are particularly susceptible to weight loss and malnutrition. Involuntary movements associated with PD result in increased energy expenditure, while both disease symptoms and medication side-effects can limit food intake. In addition, patients with the disease may choose to follow unconventional nutritional therapies that exacerbate malnutrition. Dietitians play a key role in helping patients with PD to optimize their nutritional status and manage various nutrition-related symptoms and medication side-effects. To assume this role, dietitians need to have current knowledge about PD and its nutritional consequences, as well as strategies for managing a variety of nutrition-related symptoms.
