The association between Mediterranean diet adherence and Parkinson's disease

Recent studies have demonstrated an association between a Mediterranean-type diet and Alzheimer's risk. We assessed the association between Mediterranean-type diet adherence and Parkinson's disease (PD) status.

Two hundred and fifty-seven PD participants and 198 controls completed the Willett semiquantitative questionnaire that quantifies diet during the past year. Scores were calculated using a 9-point scale; higher scores indicated greater adherence to the Mediterranean-type diet. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between PD status and Mediterranean-type diet, adjusting for caloric intake, age, sex, education, and ethnicity. Adjusted linear regression models were used to examine the association between Mediterranean-type diet adherence and PD age at onset.

Higher Mediterranean-type diet adherence was associated with reduced odds for PD after adjustment for all covariates (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77-0.97; P = .010). Lower Mediterranean-type diet score was associated with earlier PD age at onset (β = 1.09; P = .006).

PD patients adhere less than controls to a Mediterranean-type diet. Dietary behavior may be associated with age at onset.