Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a multifaceted and evolving condition that impacts each person in unique ways. As research advances, new perspectives are reshaping how we understand where Parkinson’s begins, what influences its progression, and how lifestyle factors-from diet to environment-can play a role in risk and management.

This May, Parkinson Society British Columbia invites you to expand your knowledge through our Global Symposium Series, a three-part online event featuring leading international experts sharing the latest in PD research and care. Each session is designed to inform, inspire, and empower people with Parkinson’s, carepartners, and health professionals alike.

Session 3: Nutrition and Parkinson’s: Feeding the Brain, Fueling Wellness I Richelle Flanagan, MSc, RD I Thursday, May 29 | 9:00am – 10:00am PT

Good nutrition can be a powerful ally in managing Parkinson’s disease. In this inspiring session, registered dietitian and Parkinson’s advocate Richelle Flanagan shares expert guidance through a deeply personal lens-drawing from both scientific research and her own lived experience with Parkinson’s.

Explore how targeted dietary strategies can support brain health, ease symptoms, and improve overall quality of life. Richelle will address common challenges like appetite changes, digestive issues, and meal timing with medication, offering practical tips you can apply right away. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, navigating the later stages of Parkinson’s, or seeking to understand the role of nutrition in Parkinson’s care, this session offers insight, encouragement, and empowering tools for living well.

About Richelle Flanagan: 

Richelle Flanagan is a CORU state-registered dietitian with 18 years of experience and former President and CEO of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI). Diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s during pregnancy, she spent two years keeping her diagnosis private due to stigma. Inspired by others at the 2019 World Parkinson Congress, she began speaking out to improve treatment, care, and research. Richelle is now a World Parkinson Congress ambassador, a committee member of the Dublin branch of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland, and the co-founder and CEO of My Moves Matter, a digital health app designed to meet the specific needs of women living with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson Society BC appreciates all gifts, as they allow us to continue to offer programs people with Parkinson’s disease and their carepartners rely on. If you wish, you can make a donation by entering an amount in the Additional Donation field.

Please note: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. Please note that any Q&A sessions that take place will not be recorded.