I am getting tired of not having any protein during the day or just fasting all day and I would like to be able to get "cheat days" once in a while. In this quest, I am convinced that there might be ways to digest food and in particular, protein faster 🧀🍕
Has anyone tried anything that you have found helpful?
I tell you what comes to mind, is taking HCL and other protein specific digestive enzymes to aid digestion, and chewing really thoroughly; and not having fat with the meal which would slow digestion?
I've tried Betaine HCL with pepsin along with broad-spectrum enzymes with food, but they didn't help me with the meds issue. I struggle a LOT with my meds not working (or not kicking in until 1.5-3.5 hours after I take them) based on whether I've eaten anything (not just protein, but protein is the worst). It's incredibly frustrating because I'm trying to gain weight and I have mild osteoporosis, so I need to eat a lot and I need protein. I often skip meds for the first half of the day so that I can eat as much as possible, but I know that at some point that will no longer be an option. If anyone finds something that helps, I'd love to know.
EXACTLY my situation & thoughts, LittleWIllow! Its like I wrote that entry myself! I am trying to sneak in 5 g vegan protein , an hour after my meds. Something easily digested, like nut butters, etc.So by the time I sit for dinner, my meal of the day, I have at least 10-15g protein under my belt. As for mild osteoporosis, I am buying th3 Marodyne Liv vibration plate to help my bone density.
I find nut butters really slow and hard to digest - classic example of fat with protein plus a legume to boot - I would try scrambled egg eggs without fat or the whey isolate someone mentioned and see how that goes. Plus don't overlook the powerv of chewing well and being calm as you eat!
would whole milk help? Especially whole goats milk? Easier to digest. Just a thought. I’m new here. Best wishes.
A subject that probably affects most of us and gets harder to deal with as the years go by and medication doses get closer together.
I wish I had the perfect solutions but there are a few things that can help. As Reet says, chewing everything well, and chase food down with plenty of water/liquid. Soup can work well, it’s satisfying but being a liquid passes through the stomach quickly. Scrambled eggs I find OK. Otherwise , I eat no protein salads, and salad filled sandwiches . I avoid lumps of meat or anything that looks like it will take some digesting
I would say don’t chase food down with so much liquid, the reason is it will dilute the digestive juices, also not drinking big amounts of liquid right before eating is a good idea. It’s better to sip some liquid if you really need it while eating, but I always wait til I’m done eating to drink.
I find that fish, and vegetable protein e.g. pulses digest a little faster. But in reality I'm very hungry during daytime, and go to bed often with indigestion. I would love to see progress with transdermal levadopa.
I have used Now brand whey protein isolate for years with excellent results. It digests so quickly that I'm easily able to fit it in between medication times. I have been able to keep my daily protein intake over 100 g for retention of muscle mass despite the various PD-related dietary restrictions. Your mileage may vary, of course -- some people object to any dairy, for example.
I would say trying protease enzyme which is specifically intended to help digest protein. Ox bile is also very helpful to speed and improve digestion.
In my experience I have found that different things have different break down times. I can eat eggs and take my meds about 2.5 hrs later, same with cheese and milk, amount matters, the bigger the amount the longer it takes to digest.
Sea food digests quicker than chicken or beef. I’ve eaten shrimp and taken meds 3 hrs later and it works. Chicken digests faster than red meat, red meat takes the longest, over 5 hours.
The quickest digesting food I eat before taking meds, about 30 min or so before is fruit, it takes around 20 min to digest fruit.
I know that after 1 hr of taking meds they should have worked, if they haven’t, I start eating anyways, most of the time meds kick in latter. It has never happened that when I eat an hour after taking meds ( I take mucuna with carbidopa) the meds don’t kick in, unless it’s because of having eaten protein or food I know I shouldn’t have before taking meds.
you could try Whey Protein Isolate. All of your essential amino acids and 30g of protein in one scoop.
When its meal time and we are eating i give the pills then eat all of the carbs and starches THEN follow up with the protein. This way the starches act as a buffer. It works for us.
Where did you get the idea to limit protein consumption? Stomach enzymes are acidic and neutralize proteins before letting them move into the intestines.
Protein interferes with Levodopa absorption for some patients.
Use protein powder instead of food. I use the Sun Warrior Brand made with brown rice protein (to avoid too much iron). By taking a powder you reduce most of the work the stomach has to do in breaking down meat. If you stay under 12 g powder in a smoothie, 30 min after dosing you won't have a problem at your next dose. Whatever you do, don't eat deep fried meat - that will take 4-6 hours to digest
my reflux issues disappeared when I lost 50 lbs on the plant based “Forks over Knived” diet. My Dr said watch the FOK video, flollow the diet exactly,, plus eat one cup of blueberries (frozen or fresh) and 6 cups of green leafy veggies fresh or cooked) per day. It too a year! But it worked! I also had to taper off from lansoprazole using famotidinr. Also off BP meds. God bless that doctor and thank God for his help.
understand where your coming from. Have the same issues your describing.
pdp,
I have some success by dissolving my dose of sinemet (c/l) plus mucuna powder, or whatever your dose is, usually in tea (green tea preferred as there was always the unproven possibility of it delaying levadopa breakdown until reaching brain).
I microwave 1.5-2 oz of tea, mix in the meds and I get relief from some meals. It's not 100%, but relief is welcome when you can find it.
I have in the past & occasionally still,
suffered for hours after a protein meal. When I am on the move, I dissolve and put doses in small travel,
liquid holders which work for air travel or putting in your coat pocket. Give it a try, no downside.
Eric
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