protein v Sinemet….: would appreciate any... - Cure Parkinson's

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protein v Sinemet….

ev2413 profile image
11 Replies

would appreciate any comments/suggestions on how to incorporate (or not) high protein /carb weight gaining drinks.

Prior to PD I was a regular on the road cyclist with a pretty constant weight of 9st 10oz/62.7 kg. BlamingPD i am now 8st 12oz/56.3kg - and have been this weight for at least the last 2months.

Following on from an appointment with a Dietician I have taken delivery of  a variety of Ensure high energy drinks (12.8g protein per 125ml for one of the drinks 17.2g per 200ml).

My current medication regime is 2 x Sinemet 12.5/50mg three times a day.Understanding that protein can hinder Sinemet

How best, if at all. To take these drinks to minimize the impact of protein on the Sinemet.Taking  2 x Sinemet 12.5/50 3 times a day, 6.30am, 2.30pm and 1030pm

Over what period of time would the protein effect lessen, to the point where Sinemet would be unaffected.T

hank you,

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ev2413
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11 Replies
HekateMoon profile image
HekateMoon

Hi ev! How are you? I think before an hr of sinemet only have carbs salad, porridge, berries etc...after an hour to an hr and a half id say the sinemet is "claiming up the ladder" if u want to be on the safe side. You can then have protein such as lentils legumes, nuts etc. I leave heavier animal protein for evening meal.

Michel0220 profile image
Michel0220

Hi ev. I follow my nutritionist’s recommendations:

- I wait one hour without food after Sinemet intake,

- I wait two hours after food (especially if high in protein) before taking my next Sinemet.

In practice:

07.00 first Sinemet

08.00 breakfast

11.30 second Sinemet

13.00 lunch

16.00 third Sinemet

Hope it helps!

jimcaster profile image
jimcaster

I agree with Michel0220. According to a famous American neurologist/movement disorder specialist, J. Eric Ahlskog of the Mayo Clinic, it's best to take sinemet at least one hour before consuming protein and two hours after consuming protein.

Raphaekg profile image
Raphaekg

I am a vegetarian so usually have incomplete proteins which tend to compete less with carbidopa/levodopa at the blood brain barrier. I also have problems with weight loss and was recommended to take Ensure. Please read the ingredient list! Some Ensure products have SUGAR as the 2nd or 3rd ingredient. That's something we should all avoid as much as possible. I buy a powdered protein supplement with zero sugar and combine it with various high-antioxidant organic fruits (frozen blueberries!) and veggies to make my own daily drink. Oh, yeah, I usually add water but some folks add higher calorie liquids like coconut milk.

ev2413 profile image
ev2413 in reply toRaphaekg

Thank y on for your comments Raphael’s, I will certainly check the Ensure ingredients. I received powder mix and two fluid sizes, has the Ensure contributed to an increase in weight for you.?

Raphaekg profile image
Raphaekg in reply toev2413

I use an organic protein powder, not Ensure. But it has helped me regain a small amount of the weight I have lost. Having not much of an appetite still makes eating a challenge.

ev2413 profile image
ev2413 in reply toRaphaekg

RaphaekgWith sugars, are all sugars to be avoided?

Is there an amount of sugars that can be tolerated?

What is the effect if sugars are taken?

Thank you.

Raphaekg profile image
Raphaekg in reply toev2413

No simple formula can be provided. Unfortunately, ultraprocessed food containing refined sugar tend to be consumed increasingly as PD progresses.

karger.com/Article/Abstract...

frontiersin.org/articles/10...

The best write-up of the relation between sugar and PD is probably from Simon Stott's newsletter The Science of Parkinson's.

scienceofparkinsons.com/202...

Hope this helps answer your question.

parkie13 profile image
parkie13 in reply toRaphaekg

Another choice that is not Ensure is katesfarm.com. it's organic with many different formulas.

I, too, eat the majority of my protein in the evening. Remember, things like beans, yogurt, cheese, protein drinks and other foods with protein can affect your absorption of sinemet. You can have protein during the day but timing is everything, at least an hour after or before you take the sinemet. I personally have found that not having any protein during the day works best for me. It took some trial and error to figure it out though so you may need to experiment to find what works best for you.

ev2413 profile image
ev2413 in reply to

Thank you for your comments Ca1208, I currently take Sinemet 3 times a day (7am, 2,30pm and 1030pm which gives me a window before and after taking meds which should be sufficient, like you I try to control protein intake to evening time,

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