Ketogenic Diet for Parkinson's Disease
(KIM Trial)
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you must be on stable dopaminergic medication for at least one month before joining. If you are using immunomodulatory agents, probiotics, or antibiotics, you may need to stop before participating.
What data supports the effectiveness of the Mediterranean-Ketogenic Diet treatment for Parkinson's Disease?
Is the ketogenic diet safe for people with Parkinson's disease?
The ketogenic diet, including versions with Mediterranean influences, has been studied for safety in various conditions. It is generally considered safe, but substituting unsaturated fats for saturated ones may help prevent cholesterol increases. More research is needed to fully understand its safety in Parkinson's disease.25678
How does the Mediterranean-Ketogenic Diet treatment differ from other treatments for Parkinson's disease?
The Mediterranean-Ketogenic Diet is unique because it combines the high-fat, low-carbohydrate approach of the ketogenic diet with the heart-healthy principles of the Mediterranean diet, using olive oil and vegetable fats instead of saturated fats. This approach may help improve Parkinson's symptoms by providing an alternative energy source for the brain and potentially reducing cholesterol levels.24679
What is the purpose of this trial?
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder with common gut-related symptoms, which are attributed to alterations in the gut microbiome - the collection of microorganisms that live within the gut. Classical ketogenic diets (KD) have shown to be beneficial in PD and non-PD populations but are associated with alterations in the gut microbiome that are characteristic of a perturbed system. This study aims to investigate the safety of modified Mediterranean-ketogenic interventions that are thought to be safer alternatives to the classical KD, as it relates to the gut microbiome health in patients with PD. We hypothesize that the modified Mediterranean-ketogenic interventions will not be associated with any significant perturbation of the gut microbiome in PD patients.
Research Team
Silke Appel-Cresswell, MD
Principal Investigator
University of British Columbia
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for people aged 40-85 with Parkinson's Disease, who have a mild to moderate severity score (Hoehn & Yahr score of 1 to 3) and are on stable medication. It's not suitable for those outside this age range or disease severity, or whose treatment isn't consistent.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention 1: Mediterranean Ketogenic Diet (MeDi-KD)
Participants undergo an 8-week Mediterranean ketogenic diet intervention
Washout
Participants undergo an 8-week washout period between interventions
Intervention 2: Mediterranean Diet with Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MeDi-MCT)
Participants undergo an 8-week Mediterranean diet supplemented with medium-chain triglycerides
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Mediterranean diet supplemented with medium-chain triglyceride oil
- Mediterranean-Ketogenic Diet
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of British Columbia
Lead Sponsor
Weston Family Foundation
Collaborator
Weston Family Foundation
Collaborator