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>>>Liz asked: Why is protein an important consideration with PD meds?<<< Hi Liz: Digested protein in the stomach and small intestine interferes with the absorption of levodopa into the blood. Hence, not enough levodopa from each dose will reach the brain. Drs. counsel patients taking levodopa (Sinemet) to refrain from eating protein (meats, fish, eggs and milk) for breakfast or lunch and to limit protein to dinner. Eldepryl, on the other hand is a monoamine-oxidase-inhibitor (MAO-b) which interferes with the oxidative metabolism of dopamine in the brain prolonging the natural dopamine produced by the reduced number of neurons. Patients taking Eldepryl are counselled to avoid figs, raisins, yogurt, cheese, sour cream and soy sauce to reduce the possible side effects of insomnia, nausea, edema and hypertension. It gets more complicated as the disease progresses and other drugs are added to control the PD symptoms. That's why there's so much list traffic concerning the administration and dosage of meds to mitigate the side effects. Everyone is slightly different in their tolerance and metabolism of medication and each patient must find his/her appropriate level and timing of dosage to get the best response. Stephan 52/6