Degenerative disease Parkinson's disease requires consistent management. It is also well known that high-quality protein intake is necessary to prevent muscle loss. However, it is advised to consume high-protein foods such as meat cautiously. What is the reason for this?

The correct answer is due to drug absorption. High-protein foods can interfere with the body's proper absorption of Parkinson's disease medications. In particular, levodopa-based drugs, which are commonly used to treat Parkinson's disease, are absorbed in the small intestine and then transported to the brain to exert their effects. High-protein foods hinder the absorption of levodopa in the small intestine. When the absorption rate of levodopa decreases, the effectiveness of the medication inevitably diminishes.

That doesn't mean you should blindly avoid high-protein foods like meat.

If a sufficient time interval is maintained between meals and medication intake, consuming high-protein foods does not pose a problem. If the interval between meals and medication is kept at least 2 hours, the effectiveness of levodopa-based drugs can be improved by up to 80% even after a high-protein meal. Of course, if it is difficult to maintain such a gap, high-protein meals should be avoided.

Patients with Parkinson's disease taking Levodopa-based medications need to be cautious of many things beyond high-protein foods. One of the most common supplements to be aware of is vitamin B. Among the B vitamins, B6, or pyridoxine, decreases the amount of Levodopa entering the brain, thereby reducing its effectiveness. However, the issue of reduced efficacy can be addressed by using Levodopa in combination with DDI (dopamine decarboxylase inhibitors) such as carbidopa or benserazide. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional thoroughly before taking vitamin B supplements.

==========

Parkinson's disease is closely related to proteins.

Taking medication and eating high-protein foods.

It's essential to know the key information about time intervals.