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Levodopa And Protein 24 Nov 98 Marling McReynolds (BTW, welcome back) has asked about the effect of food protein on absorption of levodopa medication such as Sinemet. The answer is in Dr. Roger Duvoisin's book, paraphrased: Only 1% or so of levodopa taken by mouth actually reaches the brain to be converted to dopamine and replenish the brain's natural supply. The remainder travels in the blood to various other parts of the body, where it is stored, converted to other compounds, and/or excreted by the kidneys. To get from mouth to bloodstream, the levodopa is absorbed by special cells in the small intestine, but those cells are the same ones that also absorb other proteins from food, and while they do that the levodopa may be lost. So, to maximize absorption of levodopa it should be taken on an empty stomach, when the coast is clear. Cheers, Joe -- J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5013