Camilla -
You wrote:
>>> Camilla Flintermann
<[log in to unmask]> 09/15/97 10:48am
>>>Joyce, I'm interested that you take so much B6, as we
have been told that it should be avoided because it interferes
with dopamine. What can you say on
that subject?>>>
According to Dr. Duvoisin, M.D.- "Parkinson's Disease,"
2nd ed.:
"In the early days of levodopa . . . pyridoxine [B6] was
added to levodopa treatment in the expectation that it would
enhance the conversion to dopamine in the brain . . . just the
opposite effect occurred. . . . B6 increased the rate at which
levodopa was converted to dopamine in the intestine and all
the dopamine was absorbed before getting to the brain. . . "
However, carbidopa, which accompanies the levodopa in
Sinemet [25/100 = 25mg carbidopa & 100mg levodopa]
retards the conversion of levodopa to dopamine outside the
brain, thereby allowing more levodopa to reach the brain, so
more dopamine in the brain. Merck & Co. state in their
patient insert that the effect of B6, in oral doses of 10mg to
25mg, on levodopa, is inhibited by the carbidopa.
B6 is commonly suggested for the treatment of
depression (especially during menopause) in doses of 50mg
and aids in maintaining sodium and potassium balance and
for synthesis of RNA and DNA. As a general rule doses of
more than 200mg daily are thought to have the potential for
toxic effects.
Stephan 53/7
