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Low-carbohydrate eating and Parkinson's symptoms

Researchers are comparing eating patterns during a 36-week study to investigate changes in symptoms.

Testing a treatment or activity · Study reference: ISRCTN13221188

Plain-language introduction written with AI from the registry; not independently checked by a clinician. Read the original details below ↓

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Results reported

Start (reported date)
2023-01-04
Study finished (reported date)
2025-12-31

Planned dates can move. A study finishing does not tell us when a paper will be published.

Read the results reported in the registry

Changes we have recorded
  • 2026-10-11 — recruiting

These are dates we observed a change, not necessarily the dates it happened.

Papers connected to this study

No connected paper has been found yet. The tracker checks the growing library for study identifiers and registry-linked publications.

Who can join?

Age range not listed · Ask the team who can join

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Sex eligibility reported by registry: both

Inclusion criteria: 1. Between the ages of 30-85 years 2. Live in the United States 3. Can speak, read and understand English 4. Diagnosis of PD (H-Y Stages I-IV) 5. BMI>18.5 kg/m² 6. Ability to understand and follow an LCHF/KD diet 7. Obtained permission to participate from their Primary Care Provider (PCP) or neurologist 8. Signed the informed consent and the HIPAA Release of Medical Information form Exclusion criteria: 1. Does not meet inclusion criteria 2. Persons with PD H-Y Stage V 3. Persons with unstable/uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
Full study name & original research details

Official study title

Effects of three dietary approaches on biomarkers, cognition, sleep and fatigue in Parkinson’s disease: a 36-week crossover pilot study

Short title used by the registry

How a low carb/ketogenic diet affects Parkinson's disease symptoms: a 36-week study

Original description

Intervention: The research will involve a comparison of: Intervention 1: 8 weeks of consuming a Standard American Diet as defined by the USDA Food Pyramid Intervention 2: 8 weeks of consuming a Standard American Diet (USDA Food Pyramid) + MCT Oil. Intervention 3: 8 weeks of consuming a Low Carbohydrate Healthy Fat/Ketogenic Diet (70% Fats, 25% proteins, 5% carbohydrates) for a total of 36 weeks. Three groups will each progress through each of the 3 interventions for periods of 8 weeks, with a 4-week washout period between each interventional strategy. Randomization will be done using a Simple Randomization method (Dice Throw method with dice containing numbers 1, 2 or 3) Baseline and post-intervention testing will investigate the effectiveness of each intervention by repeating the same biomarker blood tests, cognition, sleep, and fatigue scales and comparing post-study results with the baseline results in adults 30-85 with PD Hoehn and Yahr Stages I-IV. The research will involve a 4-week washout period between dietary interventions. The study protocol will also require daily blood glucose and ketone testing using a home Glucose/Ketone meter provided at no cost to participants for all interventions, (SAD, SAD + MCT OIl, and LCHF/KD) dietary interventions. The 8 week SAD will be the typical diet based on the 2020 USDA Dietary Guidelines for all Americans. Adherence to the LCHF/KD-MCT nutrition plan will be based on Dr. Eric Westman's (Duke University) Page 4 Food list, For all dietary interventions, data using daily food logs, cognition, sleep quality, and fatigue surveys, with baseline metabolic biomarkers (free of charge) of HgA1C, Triglycerides, HDL, Fasting Insulin, C-Reactive Protein, weight, and waist circumference will be collected. Primary outcome: Measured before and after each 8-week diet period: 1. Blood biomarkers measured using blood test: 1.1. Biomarkers HDL 1.2. HgA1C 1.3. Triglycerides 1.4. Fasting Insulin 1.5. hs-C-Reactive Protein 2. Biometrics 2.1. BMI (kg/m²) 2.2. Waist circumference (cm) 3. Parkinson's symptoms 3.1. Cognition using scores on the Parkinson’s Disease Cognitive Rating Scale 3.2. Sleep quality as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale 3.3. Fatigue scores measured by the Parkinson’s Disease Fatigue Scale 3.4. Scores on Part I of the United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) 3.5.Scores on Part II of the United Parkisnon’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Secondary outcome: There are no secondary outcome measures

Conditions reported: Nutritional interventions for Parkinson's Disease Nervous System Diseases

Registry records for this study

Records are joined using registration identifiers. Titles alone do not establish that two studies are the same.

Study type
Interventional
Interventions
The research will involve a comparison of: Intervention 1: 8 weeks of consuming a Standard American Diet as defined by the USDA Food Pyramid Intervention 2: 8 weeks of consuming a Standard American Diet (USDA Food Pyramid) + MCT Oil. Intervention 3: 8 weeks of consuming a Low Carbohydrate Healthy Fat/Ketogenic Diet (70% Fats, 25% proteins, 5% carbohydrates) for a total of 36 weeks. Three groups will each progress through each of the 3 interventions for periods of 8 weeks, with a 4-week washout period between each interventional strategy. Randomization will be done using a Simple Randomization method (Dice Throw method with dice containing numbers 1, 2 or 3) Baseline and post-intervention testing will investigate the effectiveness of each intervention by repeating the same biomarker blood tests, cognition, sleep, and fatigue scales and comparing post-study results with the baseline results in adults 30-85 with PD Hoehn and Yahr Stages I-IV. The research will involve a 4-week washout period between dietary interventions. The study protocol will also require daily blood glucose and ketone testing using a home Glucose/Ketone meter provided at no cost to participants for all interventions, (SAD, SAD + MCT OIl, and LCHF/KD) dietary interventions. The 8 week SAD will be the typical diet based on the 2020 USDA Dietary Guidelines for all Americans. Adherence to the LCHF/KD-MCT nutrition plan will be based on Dr. Eric Westman's (Duke University) Page 4 Food list, For all dietary interventions, data using daily food logs, cognition, sleep quality, and fatigue surveys, with baseline metabolic biomarkers (free of charge) of HgA1C, Triglycerides, HDL, Fasting Insulin, C-Reactive Protein, weight, and waist circumference will be collected.
Phases
Not Applicable
Sponsor
Colorado Parkinson Foundation
Start date reported by registry
2023-01-04 (reported)

Registry updated: Not reported · Status last verified by the registry submitter: Not reported

Registry records retrieved 2026-10-11 (UTC). Individual records may have older updates. Recruitment and eligibility must be confirmed with the study team.

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Study locations

Site status can differ from overall study status. “Status not reported” means local availability needs confirmation. Remote participation and travel arrangements must be checked with the team.

Facility not reported

United States of America

Status not reported

The original descriptions and participation rules come from the registry. Participation is voluntary and does not guarantee benefit.