How important is avoiding protein? Unfortunately it seems I prefer high-protein meals. I see on Parkinson’s websites that under high-protein diets Carbidopa Levadopa is not absorbed well. True??!? Please advise. Thanks!
Eva4
No food 1 hour before Sinemet
No food 1 hour after taking it
Especially protein
I’ve seen many different time spans on this. I went with the longest, in an abundance of caution. I personally use the shortest, 1/2 hour before 1 hour after.I’ve never had any issues with that.
You can still eat protein. You have to eat it at least 1 hour prior or two hours after you take your medication, as it does interfere with absorption of your Cabidopa/Levadopa.
A high protein diet may also exacerbate constipation, as Parkinson’s slows down stomach emptying. This is called Gastroparisis. If you eat foods, like protein that are hard to digest, you may end up with serious constipation.
My neurologist has indicated I should take my L-dopa at least 1/2 hour before meals or 1 hour after meals. I always time my doses to be at least 1 hour before meals and should I need to take after a meal, 1 hour minimum after the meal. Protein and L-dopa are absorbed in the same way so there is a high chance that ingesting both at the same time would reduce L-dopa absorption. I think this works, at least it seems to for me. I haven't given up any of my favorite foods.
Jim does the same as Dale, about 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner and an hour after lunch.