_______________________________________________________________ __Vitamin B6, protein, antioxidants____________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 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. ________________________________________________________________