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How Much Protein Are We Supposed To Eat?
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member asked a question 💭
posted July 8, 2022
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A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

In general, make sure protein servings are no larger than 1/4 pound or 4 oz.

per https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown...
"Anywhere from 10% to 35% of your calories should come from protein. So if your needs are 2,000 calories, that’s 200–700 calories from protein, or 50–175 grams (Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators) ounces or 1/10-1/3 of a pound]. The recommended dietary allowance to prevent deficiency for an average sedentary adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, a person who weighs 165 pounds, or 75 kilograms, should consume 60 grams (Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators) ounces or almost 1/8 pound] of protein per day.
"Once you reach ages 40–50, sarcopenia, or losing muscle mass as you age, begins to set in. To prevent this and to maintain independence and quality of life, your protein needs increase to about 1–1.2 grams per kilogram or 75–90 grams [2.64555-3.17466 ounces or 1/6-1/5 pound] per day for a 75-kilogram [165 lb] person.
"People who exercise regularly also have higher needs, about 1.1–1.5 grams per kilogram. [6.4022241-8.7303056 oz or 2/5-1/2 lb for a 165 lb person.] People who regularly lift weights, or are training for a running or cycling event need 1.2–1.7 grams per kilogram. [7-10 oz or 7/16-⅝ lb for a 165 lb person.] Excessive protein intake would be more than 2 grams per kilogram of body weight [12 oz or ¾ lb for a 165 lb person.] each day.
"If you are overweight, your weight is adjusted before calculating your protein needs to avoid overestimating. You can see a dietitian to help develop a personalized plan."

This info really surprised me.

posted July 8, 2022
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member - Sorry to be so confusing. I was quoting the Mayo Clinic article. I usually like their info. What is your ideal weight? I will send get your protein grams for you if you like. My ideal weight is 135. I used to be 5'7", but I'm only 5'5 1/2" now, so that is way above the height/weight charts for "normal". (Is Anyone ever Really "normal"? I'm Glad I'm Not!) I know all about how to lose 20#. Can I do it? No! I used to be able to easily with Allegra Kent's book A Dancer's Body, but that hasn't worked since PD.
In general, don't let anything pass your lips that isn't nourishing food.
Nourishing Foods
organic & not preharvested (poisoned to kill the plant to make it easier to
harvest) if possible
meat & poultry
fish
veggies
fruit
whole grains
iodized salt
rock salt or sea salt
water with minerals

Non-nourishing Non-foods
candy
chips
white flour
soda pop (diet or regular)
distilled, purified, or "cloud" water

Poisonous non-foods
food coloring
nitrates (the things they put in bacon, sausage & ham as preservatives)
aluminum (found in "When it rains, it pours" salt and in cookware & foil)

posted July 9, 2022
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

How much protein you need depends on how big you are, and whether you are trying to build or maintain muscle. I aim for about 1 g. per pound of lean bodyweight because I am trying not to lose what little muscle I have.

posted July 8, 2022
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

If you use Carbidopa/Levadopa you have to wait a half an hour after taking it before you can eat any protein or an hour after eating otherwise the medication will be absorbed by the protein and won’t work.

posted July 8, 2022
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

Joyceann & @A MyParkinsonsTeam Member - usually your food labels will tell you how many grams is in a serving & how many servings are in a container. Look for the white rectangle of Nutritional Information on the label. The price tag on the meat package tells you the weight of the meat, so if you have a pound of hamburger and want to eat 2 oz, or 1/8 of a pound, you divide the burger into 8 patties. The nutritional info labels are actually best because they give you the exact # of grams of protein, subtracting for fat & other ingredients.
I love math. I was even chosen to go to day-long math contests when I was in elementary school. But I use my calculator now. And I never could figure out those weird story problems about Train A leaves the station at 8:00 AM going 60 mph. Train B leaves a different station at 9:30 AM going 45 mph. What time will the 2 trains meet? Or those awful brain teasers that tell you a little bit about several objects & you have to categorize the objects.
Joyceann - If you want to prevent sarcopenia, or losing muscle mass as you age (I definitely want to prevent this) and to maintain independence and quality of life, your protein needs are about 47-56 grams (1 1/3-2 ounces or about 1/8 of a pound) per day. (Unless you are exercising heavily?) If you are able to gain weight, add 1 gr more for every 3 1/2 lb you gain. I lost a lot of weight at about year 3 of PD. The only way I reversed it and started gaining weight was to start each day with olives & beer before breakfast! Unfortunately, this went too far & now I'm Overweight. I blame the side effects of PD meds. Lots of Parkies on meds have noticed uncontrollable weight fluctuations. Plus alcohol brings its own problems.
Dale - HaHa! I have read that we are all dying from the moment of birth. No wonder you felt best when you were born! Your numbers for not losing muscle yet not overestimating for those extra pounds are 91-109 gr (3-4 oz or 3/8-1/4 lb) per day. (Unless you are exercising heavily?) If your weight goes up or down, this does not change unless you get below 200 lb. Then subtract 1 gr less for every 3 1/2 lb you are below 200, beginning at 196 1/2 lbs. Thank you for the info about protein & Carbidopa/Levadopa. I kept reading about people mentioning it, but didn't know how it works until you explained it so well.
If either of you have any more questions, I enjoy doing the math, although a professional dietitian would probably do a better job developing a personalized plan for you. Definitely tell them that you have PD, you want to prevent sarcopenia, & how much you really exercise each week. I exercise much less than my goals - so far.
Good question Joyceann!

posted July 9, 2022 (edited)

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