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On Thu 10 Oct, Patrick J. Martin wrote: > Carbidopa is a non-selective inhibitor of decarboxylating enzymes in the > digestive system. Levodopa(Ldopa) is a large "neutral" amino acid(LNAA) that > can transfer through the blood/brain barrier and convert to dopamine that we > need. This transfer is accomplished by the LNAA receptors in our blood. Only > about 1% of the Ldopa makes its way into our brain. The remainder is digested > and utilized elsewhere in our body -- as a source of dopamine at > neurotransmitting sites and as building material for proteins. Carbidopa's > intended task is to maximize the Ldopa survival in our digestive system until it > is carried by an LNAA receptor to our brain. > > Now -- the bad news. Carbidopa is non-selective and inhibits the > decarboxylation of other LNAA's derived from our digestion of proteins. These > other "neutral" amino acids include most of our essential amino acids. Our > digestive system responds by increasing our acid production, and retention. Our > protein digestion, utilization, and competition for LNAA receptors gets screwed > up, we get barfy, get gastric reflux, start swinging in the on/off mode, and > starve ourselves to death.. > > So -- give it some thought -- keep your carbidopa input down to the level YOU > find necessary to fit your pattern of protein types, protein timing, Ldopa > timing, and everday activities. I find general agreement with the > less-than-100mg/day limit. > Factors that could affect this level are: my weight (150 pounds); my age(70); my > years of parkinsonism(10); my years of carbidopa/Ldopa(7). Unfortunately, my > need for Ldopa has reached 1000mg/day, so I am headed for troubled waters again. > Hello Patrick. Thanks for a mnost informative input. A few weeks ago I was challenged for urging people to do exactly what you advocate (keep the Carbidopa down to around 100 mg /day), and although I could quote references I lack the knowledge to explain the reasons as you have done. It just goes to show what a powerful team we members of the list make when we are communicating and sharing our knowledge. -- Brian Collins <[log in to unmask]