I’m sorry to hear about your uncle but it is nice to see that you are attempting to learn more about the disease in an effort to help him.

Loss of appetite and slurring of speech are often related in people with PD. There are also separate reasons for the occurence of these symptoms.

It is most important to address the reasons behind the difficulties he has with speaking because they indicate several other problems.

Muscle stiffness or rigidity is a key symptom of Parkinson’s disease. The slurring of speech is usually directly related to muscle stiffness in the face and throat. It is very important that your uncle begin vocal exercises to help with speaking, breathing, swallowing, choking.

I am including a link to 7 articles about voice and swallowing probelms in PD. In the 3rd article below you will find further discussion of the problem and a link to an inexpensive but effective DVD which was released by a qualified speech pathologist in Florida. My husband uses this DVD and really enjoys it. He has PD and swallowing problems.
http://parkinsonsfocustoday.blogspot.com/search?q=voice+exercises

It really isn’t appropriate to recommene medications without a license but the problem can be discussed with your uncle’s neurologist – probably by your uncle or his caregiver. The additional problem here is that suggesting natural foods such as mucuna puriens is contra- indicated if your uncle is taking levadopa meds.

Loss of appetite can come as a side effect of medications he is taking, depression which is a serious PD symptom as well as a medication side effect, dental issues common to PD, loss of sense of taste and smell, change in the taste of foods as caused by medications, apathy.

Finding out the causes by talking to your uncle and/or his caregiver. Is he afraid of choking – voice exercises can help as well as some meds and most certainly dietary adjustment. What can he swallow? That might provide a clue. There are special cups which can help PD patients swallow liquids. Special flatware for those who can no longer manage regular tableware.

Supplements to aid tremor reduction include some of the powerful antioxidants such as CoQ10. Making sure that sufficient B3, B12 and D3 are included in the diet one way or another is important as is B6 if he is not on levadopas.

Timing protein intake with meds may be necessary with about 50% of levadopa patients.

Here are links to some other sites of interest:
Ayruvedic medicine:
http://www.drpaneri.com/parkinson-disease-cure-treatment.htm
http://www.parkinson.org/Page.aspx?pid=459

And the MUST READ for general information:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/parkinsons-disease-000123.htm

Best wishes to you both

i’m sorry to hear that and I hope your family is holding up well, these websites may have more info for you. good luck.