April 17, 2026

Naturopathic Perspective on Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the 2nd most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting an estimated 2-3% of the population over the age of 65, and is more common in men than women. Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive disorder that occurs due to an accumulation of a-synuclein proteins within various parts of the body, but most importantly within the substantia nigra of the brain. This results in degeneration and loss of dopamine, which is responsible for controlling muscle tone and movement. This loss of dopamine contributes to the symptoms that we often see with Parkinson’s Disease, including rigid movements, tremors, and a slow shuffling gait. Research has shown that these a-synuclein proteins are not only accumulating within the brain, but also within the gut, which is why someone with PD may also experience constipation and slow digestive motility. As we see these abnormal proteins accumulating in both the gut and the brain, we can see the connection developing between the gut and the brain, which highlights the importance of supporting the whole person when supporting someone who is living with Parkinson’s Disease. 

If you or a loved one has a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, it is likely that you have done research and have seen different lifestyle changes and/or supplements that may be beneficial, but you may be feeling overwhelmed with where to start. Let’s take a moment to dive into a few well-researched topics that may be helpful for supporting someone living with Parkinson’s Disease.

  • Exercise has been known as a helpful tool for promoting overall health and wellness, and recent studies show that intense exercise may induce changes in the brain that may potentially help slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease, along with reducing symptom presentation. 
  • Supplemental support is often necessary for many reasons, but especially if someone is not obtaining adequate nutrients from their diet
    • Common nutrient deficiencies that have been observed in patients with Parkinson’s Disease include vitamin B6, Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), magnesium, zinc, chromium, and phosphorus
    • Recent research supports the use of melatonin for neurodegenerative diseases (including Parkinson’s Disease) because it is believed that it has the ability to modulate the immune response and act as a potent antioxidant, both of which could potentially help reduce disease progression and improve quality of life. 
    • There are many additional supplements that may be needed on a case-by-case basis, and your naturopathic doctor can help guide you towards the right recommendations based on your individual needs.
  • Microbiome support may be necessary for some patients with Parkinson’s Disease because it is common to see changes in digestion and bowel movements, especially constipation, as the disease progresses. Dysbiosis, or imbalances in the gut microbiome, can lead to decreased expression of proteins within the tight junction, which can ultimately lead to an impaired intestinal barrier. If this barrier is impaired, it allows for inflammatory cytokines to move from the gut to the brain and can cause or worsen neuroinflammation and subsequent damage to dopaminergic neurons.
  • Nervous System support is another area that is necessary to target in neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s Disease, as we know the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in our daily life, and living in a disrupted state may be contributing to nervous system function. Studies show that there is increasing evidence for the use of vagus nerve stimulation in neurodegenerative disorders, as it is believed that stimulation of the vagus nerve can help reduce neuroinflammation and help improve overall cognitive function. Daily vagus nerve exercises at home can be a great additional tool to support the vagus nerve, and craniosacral therapy can be an excellent additional tool as well. 

Naturopathic Support

The naturopathic doctors at Richmond Natural Medicine will work to assess your neurological health and will obtain in-depth information about your family history, history of illnesses and injuries, environmental exposures and occupational history, diet/nutrition, and current or previous stressors. By diving into each of these topics, it allows us to gain better insight into how we can best support you as an individual. 

We also encourage you to join our online classes where you can learn more about general nervous system health, and more specific information focused on Parkinson’s Disease! 

 
References:

Zafar S, Lui F, Yaddanapudi SS. Parkinson Disease. [Updated 2025 Sep 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470193/

de Laat B, Hoye J, Stanley G, et al. Intense exercise increases dopamine transporter and neuromelanin concentrations in the substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2024;10(1):34. Published 2024 Feb 9. doi:10.1038/s41531-024-00641-1

Alizadeh M, Kheirouri S, Keramati M. What Dietary Vitamins and Minerals Might Be Protective against Parkinson’s Disease?. Brain Sci. 2023;13(7):1119. Published 2023 Jul 24. doi:10.3390/brainsci13071119

Shen Y, He C, Wang Y, et al. Effects of Melatonin Disorders on Parkinson’s Disease: A Review of Mechanisms and Clinical Manifestations. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2025;21:2335-2355. Published 2025 Oct 18. doi:10.2147/NDT.S536997 

Wang L, Cui Y, Han B, et al. Gut microbiota and Parkinson’s disease. Chin Med J (Engl). 2025;138(3):289-297. doi:10.1097/CM9.0000000000003318