Help Us Bridge the Nutrition Care Gap for People with Parkinson’s

Nearly 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s. As a registered dietitian, I expected clear, evidence-based guidance on nutrition.

Instead, I found very little research, advice, or support—and many people trying to cope alone.

In fact, up to 9 out of 10 people with Parkinson’s do not have access to a dietitian.

I reached out to my former professor at Ulster University, Coleraine, and worked with her team of nutrition researchers to better understand what people were really going through.

What we heard was eye-opening.

Eating shouldn’t be something to fear. Yet for many people with Parkinson’s, every meal can be a challenge— severe constipation, weight loss, fatigue, swallowing difficulties and the constant task of timing food around medication. And people are confused with conflicting information and are looking for evidence based advice.

Our Solution and Impact

That’s why we created Nutrition PD—an online nutrition platform designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s.

With innovation funding from Parkinson’s UK and Enterprise Ireland, we’re expanding access to evidence-based nutrition support.

Our programmes are helping people feel more in control of their health.

Participants report:

• Better energy and overall wellbeing

• Relief from digestive issues like constipation and reflux

• Improvements in mood, sleep, and mental clarity

• Greater confidence managing food, medication, and daily life

Our Mediterranean Diet programme supports people to adopt neuroprotective eating patterns linked to better long-term health and cognitive outcomes.

Our Gut Health programme helps people manage some of the most difficult and overlooked symptoms of Parkinson’s.

The Challenge: Financial Barriers

There is a group of people we are not reaching—simply because they cannot afford the support.

Many people with Parkinson’s are forced into early retirement or reduced working hours, placing real pressure on household finances.

Over 65% of our participants told us these programmes should be available through the health service. We agree. But right now, we are still building the clinical evidence needed to make that a reality.

In the meantime, people are going without support that could make a real difference to their daily lives.

Our Goal: €20,000 for 200 People

This Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we want to raise €20,000 to help at least 200 people worldwide access this support—people who would otherwise go without.

We also want to ensure this support reaches a broader range of people living with Parkinson’s, including:

• Single people

• Care partners

• People from diverse ethnic backgrounds

Your Impact

Your donation helps someone access support they would otherwise struggle to afford:

€55 helps one person access a short programme

Supporting constipation, delayed stomach emptying, or swallowing difficulties

€115 helps one person access a full programme

Including our Mediterranean Diet or Gut Health for Parkinson’s programmes

Make a Difference Today

Your donation—whatever the amount—will help someone feel better, have more energy, and get more good days.

It will also help strengthen the evidence needed to make Parkinson’s nutrition care more widely available in the future.

Because no one with Parkinson’s should have to figure this out alone.

Richelle Flanagan

Registered Dietitian | Parkinson’s Advocate | World Parkinson’s Ambassador Alumni | Co-Founder, My Moves Matter