High Fiber Supplement for Parkinson's Disease
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires that participants with Parkinson's disease be untreated, meaning you would need to stop any current Parkinson's medications. Additionally, you cannot have used anti-inflammatory medications within 3 weeks before joining the trial.
What data supports the effectiveness of the high fiber supplement treatment for Parkinson's disease?
Research shows that a diet rich in insoluble fiber can improve motor function and increase the effectiveness of L-dopa, a common Parkinson's medication, by improving constipation. Additionally, psyllium, a type of fiber, has been shown to improve constipation in Parkinson's patients, and prebiotic fibers have been associated with beneficial changes in gut health and inflammation in these patients.12345
Is the high fiber supplement safe for humans?
How does the high fiber supplement treatment for Parkinson's disease differ from other treatments?
The high fiber supplement treatment for Parkinson's disease is unique because it focuses on improving gut health and increasing the bioavailability of L-dopa, a common Parkinson's medication, by addressing constipation, a frequent non-motor symptom in Parkinson's patients. Unlike traditional treatments that primarily target motor symptoms, this approach uses dietary fiber to enhance gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid production, potentially offering additional benefits beyond symptom management.12456
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial is testing a high-fiber supplement to see if it can change the microorganisms in people with Parkinson's disease and study how these changes might affect brain health.
Research Team
Gian Pal
Principal Investigator
Rutgers University
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for Parkinson's disease patients who haven't started treatment. It excludes those with significant GI issues affecting motility, acute illnesses needing hospitalization, alcohol misuse, transplant recipients, diabetes, obesity (BMI > 30), dehydration or edema, short bowel syndrome or severe malnutrition, recent use of immunosuppressants or anti-inflammatories, chronic diuretic use, certain occupations like sanitation workers that affect the microbiome; people on parkinsonism-inducing meds; recent antibiotic users; inflammatory bowel disease sufferers; and those with serious liver/kidney/psychiatric/lung diseases or heart failure.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive a high-fiber nutritional supplement to study its effects on the microbiome
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in microbiome composition and health outcomes after treatment
Treatment Details
Interventions
- High Fiber supplement
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Lead Sponsor