Kathrynne Holden MS, RD

Kathrynne Holden is a registered dietitian who specializes in diet for Parkinson's disease.
Drawing on her former hospital experience, she has pioneered understanding of the unique nutrition needs of people with Parkinson's. Her aim is to provide the knowledge needed to prevent nutrition-related hospitalizations, make the best use of PD medications, and maintain an independent lifestyle.

What's an RD?

 Her work includes:

Research
"Malnutrition in Parkinson patients upon admission to an acute-care setting" (currently underway)
"Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study," published in the Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, spring 1999.
"Efficacy of newsletter use to improve nutrition, diet and health in older adults" Unpublished study - 1994;Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO

Writing
She has written books and articles for the public, produced an audiocassette on managing constipation, and has authored the professional's manual "PARKINSON'S DISEASE: Guidelines for Medical NutritionTherapy." She has also developed the first nutrition risk assessment tools specific for PD.     Publications

Public speaking
She is regularly asked to speak at Parkinson symposiums and conferences, and has conducted presentations in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.   Presentations

Seminars
She has developed professional seminars and inservice training for health professionals, conducted in Australia, Canada and the United States. She is currently working on ways to identify individuals with PD upon admission to hospitals, in order to provide for their better care. Professional seminars

Kathrynne resides in both Florida and Colorado with her husband, Steve. They enjoy snowshoeing, hiking, and flying their Cessna 182. She maintains a private practice, providing medical nutrition therapy to people with Parkinson's disease. She plans further research, as well as books, audio and videotapes on the subject of nutrition and Parkinson's. 

Journal References
"Good nutrition is essential to the overall well-being of patients with both early- and late-stage disease." Olanow CW and Koller WC: An Algorithm for the Management of Parkinson's Disease: Treatment Guidelines. Neurology. 1998; 50 (3):S4.

"...total hip bone mineral density was 10% lower ... in the 51 PD patients compared with controls. The relatively lower hip BMD ... may explain their excess risk of hip fractures..." Taggart H, Crawford V: Reduced bone density of the hip in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease. Age Ageing. 1995;24:326-8.

"There was a relationship between improvement of constipation and the higher bioavailability of L-dopa." Astarloa R, et al.: Clinical and pharmacokinetic effects of a diet rich in insoluble fiber on Parkinson disease. Clin Neuropharmacol. 1992; 15(5):375-380.

Research 
Gerald C. McIntosh, M.D., Kathrynne E. Holden, M.S., R.D.: Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly. Spring 1999; Vol. 18, No. 3. 

Abstract
Conditions relating to Parkinson's disease include tremor, impaired balance, falls, constipation, food-medication interactions, and anorexia. Weight loss, bone thinning and muscle wasting are common, raising risk for malnutrition and bone fracture. This pilot study examines the lifestyle and dietary choices of 24 Parkinson's patients. Unplanned weight loss and falls were common, and most had multiple risk factors for malnutrition and fracture. Results support findings in previous studies and call for early nutrition intervention to help prevent fractures, muscle wasting, bowel impaction, and dehydration. The findings indicate that such intervention could prevent hospitalizations and related costs.