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Dear Elaine, Your friend's medications could be part of the problem, particularly if part of his weight gain is fluid retention. With regard to protein, it's only a concern if he is using Sinemet or other medication containing levodopa. If he IS using levodopa, then he needs to take regular Sinemet about 30 minutes before meals, so that the protein will not block his Sinemet. If he is using Sinemet CR, he can take it with meals; however, it will take longer to "kick-in." It is very difficult to locate a dietitian who is experienced in PD. As you live in Southern California, I would call: John Amber West Coast Assistant Director The American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. 10850 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 730 Los Angeles, CA 90024 Tel: (800) 908-27321 Fax: (310) 474-0292 Email: [log in to unmask] or: Linda Squire, LCSW Coordinator APDA Information and Referral Center Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (310) 423-7933 I spoke at one of Linda's Patient-Family Workshops last year, and also gave a seminar for dietitians there. It's possible that a dietitian has contacted Linda or John about specializing in PD. My very best regards, Kathrynne Elaine War wrote: > > My boyfriend who is in the early stages of PD has a weight problem > (overweight) - partially as a result of emotional upheaval in his life > (which is now in the past) and partially, we believe because of the > medication he is taking. We feel that it is important that any diet he > goes on should be geared toward PDs and we understand that protein > plays an important part. Our initial, albeit not yet thorough, search > for a qualified nutritionist has got us nowhere. Does anyone have any > suggestions. We live in Southern California but geography is not > important if we can find the right person for guidance and need to > travel for a consultation so be it. > > Elaine > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease" "Constipation and Parkinson's" -- audiocassette & guidebook "Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy for Parkinson's disease" & Risk Assessment Tools "Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson's disease," J Nutr Elderly. V18:3;1999. http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn