Understanding Parkinson’s Tremors: Causes, Symptoms, and How Nutrition May Help Slow Progression

April 16, 2025

Have you ever noticed a subtle shake in your hands, feet, fingers, or toes?   It's easy to blame it on stress or fatigue — but sometimes, these tremors can be an early sign of something more serious.  An estimated 6.4 million adults in the U.S. experience tremors, and that number rises significantly with age.1

There are many causes of tremors, and one of the most well-known is Parkinson's disease (PD) — a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, motor control, balance, cognition, and many other aspects of living.  Though, Parkinson's is the most prevalent neurological condition involving tremors.  In this article, we'll dive into PD and explore the impact nutrition may have on slowing its progression and reducing the severity of tremors.  

What Are Tremors — and What Causes Them? 

Tremors are neurological movement disorders characterized by involuntary, rhythmic shaking in one or more parts of the body.  They can range from barely noticeable to significantly disruptive and may affect various areas, including the hands, arms, head, voice, legs, and torso. 

Understanding the type of tremors you could experience can help pinpoint its cause.  Below are the most common types: 2 

  • Resting tremors occur when your limb is at rest.  This is a distinctive sign of Parkinson’s disease, and we’ll focus on these in this article. 

  • Action tremors appear during voluntary movements like writing or holding something.  Essential tremor is the most common example and is often confused with PD. 

  • Postural tremors happen when holding a position, like extending your arms.  It can be seen in essential tremors and other medical conditions. 

  • Intention tremors intensify as you reach for a target, such as by touching your finger to your nose.  These tremors are typically associated with cerebellar disorders like multiple sclerosis, stroke, or cerebellar degeneration.  

Tremors and Parkinson’s Disease 

Tremors can occur for various reasons, and they are one of the early signs of Parkinson's disease.  PD symptoms often begin subtly, with shaky hands or tremoring fingers, and they evolve over time.

PD develops when dopamine-producing cells in the brain's substantia nigra (a part in the middle of the brain) begin to die.  This region plays a vital role in smooth movement, and when dopamine declines, tremors and other motor symptoms follow. 

Tremors related to Parkinson's disease are distinct in a few ways:3 

  • They typically occur at rest.  Resting tremors are when the affected body part is relaxed and supported, such as when your hand rests on your lap.  The tremor often goes away during purposeful movement. 

  • They often begin on one side of the body.  In many cases, the tremor first appears in one hand, arm, or leg and may remain more prominent on that side even as the disease progresses. 

  • Other motor symptoms usually accompany them.  These include muscle rigidity and slowed movement.  This combination of symptoms helps distinguish Parkinson's tremors from conditions like essential tremors. 

Tremor Progression: Early- vs. Late-Stage Parkinson’s 

In the early stages of Parkinson's, tremors may be subtle — often just a slight twitch in one finger or hand.  Over time, they may spread to other limbs or areas, becoming more noticeable and persistent. 

As the disease progresses into later stages, tremors can become more severe and may affect the jaw, lips, tongue, and legs, especially when the body is at rest.  However, not all individuals with Parkinson's will experience tremors, and for some, rigidity or slowness of movement may be more dominant symptoms. 

The Brain’s Role in Tremors and Parkinson’s 

Tremors can originate from different parts of the brain, depending on the underlying condition.  In essential tremor, the shaking stems from disruptions in the cerebellum, which is responsible for balance and coordination.4 

In Parkinson’s disease, however, tremors are rooted in the basal ganglia, the brain’s motor control center.  The loss of dopamine causes the brain to send “scrambled” signals to the muscles, which is why people with PD often experience tremors even when their body is at rest. 5  

Recent studies show that the brain's motor pathways become overactive as dopamine levels fall.  The imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory signals leads to the involuntary shaking or trembling associated with PD. 6   This neurodegeneration in the brain isn't just limited to movement — it can also affect how the brain processes emotions, thoughts, and even sleep patterns, making PD a multifaceted condition. 

What Causes Parkinson’s Disease and Its Tremors? 

Several factors can increase a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. 

To unlock the rest of this article, enter your email below, and explore Parkinson's Disease Tremors causes, and how diet can help slow Parkinson's tremors, including the best diets, and specific nutrients to focus on.  Plus, you'll also get our FREE 18 page e-guide with 6 Steps to Help Build Lasting Brain Power, with science-backed strategies and more. 


 

 

References

1. Crawford, S., Lally, C., Petrillo, J., Paskavitz, J. & Louis, E. How many adults in the US have essential tremor? Using data from epidemiological studies to derive age-specific estimates of prevalence (4458). Neurology 94, (2020). 

2. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Tremor. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (2025). 

3. Tremor in Parkinson’s | American Parkinson Disease Association. https://www.apdaparkinson.org/what-is-parkinsons/symptoms/tremor/. 

4. Cagnan, H. et al. The nature of tremor circuits in parkinsonian and essential tremor. Brain 137, 3223–34 (2014). 

5. Abusrair, A. H., Elsekaily, W. & Bohlega, S. Tremor in Parkinson’s Disease: From Pathophysiology to Advanced Therapies. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 12, 29 (2022). 

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