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__Vitamin B6, protein, antioxidants____________________________________
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    I collected some nutrition information for Parkinsonians.  Consult your
physician before trying anything.
 
__Vitamin B6__
 
    Seems to counteract levodopa, although it aids the conversion of levodopa
to dopamine.  Patients who are on levodopa WITHOUT sinemet should avoid foods
high in B6 (avocados, lentils, lima beans) (Lieberman et al., Parkinson's
disease handbook, APDA).  In contrast, Eades recommend huge doses, i.e.,
50-100mg or 2500%-5000%RDA vitamin B6 (Eades, 1994, The doctor's complete
guide to vitamins and minerals, Dell.).
 
    Niacin (Vitamin B3) is needed to convert certain amino acid building
blocks into natural levodopa: 20-40mg/day (Eades, 1994).  Folic Acid
deficiency may contribute to progression of Parkinson's disease in some
patients (Eades, 1994).
 
    Thiamine (Vitamin B1) may help to prevent the decline in dopamine in the
brains: 50-100mg/day along with 50-100mg vitamin B-complex (Eades, 1994).
 
__Protein__
 
    Levodopa taken with a meal rich in protein is absorbed slower.  Levels of
levodopa in the blood are reduced (Lieberman et al.).  On the other hand,
levodopa on an empty stomach may cause (a) nausea or (b) dyskinesia (Carter,
1992, Good nutrition in Parkinson's disease, APDA).
 
    Levodopa is not absorbed in the stomach but in the small bowel.  Anything
that delays emptying the stomach contents into the small bowel can decrease
absorption of the drug.  For patients who have marked motor fluctuations,
taking most of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of protein in the
evening improves the time a patient is mobile during the day.  For patients
who have moderate motor fluctuations, a diet with protein spread evenly
during the day will reduce high levels of amino acids and improve the amount
of mobile time.  RDA is 0.8g / kg body weight.  (Carter, 1992).
 
 __Antioxidants__
 
    Vitamin C helps to reduce nausea or salivation due to levodopa.
 
    Vitamin E helps to slow the development of Parkinson's disease when
taking huge doses: 800-1200IU = 5000-7500%RDA (Eades, 1994).
 
    Researchers at Columbia University, New York, gave a group of Parkinson's
patients high doses of antioxidants.  These patients were able to avoid
traditional medication 2.5 years longer than those who were not given
antioxidant supplements.  Antioxidants were able to slow progression of the
disease.  (Earl Mindell, 1995, "Miracle health secrets: The shocking truth",
Audiotape, Adanac Management Inc.)
 
__Antioxidant supplements__
 
    Mindell (1995) has proposed a products with miraculus benefits on the
aging body.  I am copying the contents:
 
    (a) Soygenol 100 shows many health promoting effects.  It has 100%
proanthocyanidin complex (OPC) or procyanidolic oligomer (PCO).  Based on
extensive research between 1951 and 1978, the PCO extract from grape seed
emerged as the preferred source above PCO from pine bark ("picnogenols").
(Schwitters & Mesquelier, 1993, OPC in practice, Alfa Omega).
 
  o 100mg Soygenol (tm) (Soy-Phosphate-bonded Japanese Grape Seed extract and
purified phosphatidylcholine (PC) derived from the soybean in 1:2 ratio)
  o 100mg Green Tea Extract (30% polyphenols) 100 mg
  o 5000IU Ultra soy delivery system (tm) (Soy polysaccharides and plant
enzymes)
 
    (b) Antioxidant - Ultra Soy Complex III (standardized soy kernel
concentrate (genistein, daidzein, saponins), soybean sprouts (antioxidant
enzymes), pine bark extract, grape seed extract, glutathione, red cabbage,
green tea, carrots, broccoli, celery, brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower,
green onions, yams) 200mg
 
  o 15000IU ( 300%USRDA) Pro Vitamin A (beta and alpha carotenes)
  o 500mg   ( 833%USRDA) Vitamin C (calcium ascorbate)
  o   400IU (1333%USRDA) Vitamin E (natural d-alpha tocopheryl succinate)
  o  50mug  Selenium (L-selenomethionine)
  o  50mg   N-Acetyl Cysteine
  o 200mg   Alfalfa Juice Concentrate (Medicage sativa)
  o  25mg   Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillis)
  o 100mg   Citrus Bioflavonoids (Citrus lemon)
  o  50mg   Grape Skin Extract (Vitis vinifera)
  o 100mg   Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
  o  50mg   Quercetin (Sophora japonica)
  o  50mg   Turmeric (Source of Curcumin)
 
    In case you are interested you may want to try these products.  There is
a 30-day money-back guarantee.  Please, consult your physician first.  For
USA and Canada, tel.: 1-800-882 7240 (refer to any of the following ID
numbers for wholesale prices: 8245-3, 8244-6, or 9195-9).  In Europe: fax:
+31-(0)80-601507 or tel.:+31-(0)80-227725.
 
__Warnings__
 
    Iron renders levodopa and carbidopa less effective.  Do not take
supplements (Eades, 1994).
 
    Manganese causes Parkinson-like symptoms.  Do not supplement above RDA
(Eades, 1994).
 
I hope you find this interesting.
 
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