"Too skinny" . . Protein - Good or Bad? - Cure Parkinson's

Cure Parkinson's

26,511 members27,917 posts

"Too skinny" . . Protein - Good or Bad?

hardtop03 profile image
6 Replies

I have read that PD patients should eat a low protein diet to help w/ the dopamine levels in the body. Is this the same for 'protein supplements'? How about 'Whey' protein?

I'm looking to add some weight, I've lost 12 pounds of muscle.

Written by
hardtop03 profile image
hardtop03
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
wordworks2001 profile image
wordworks2001

Protein enzymes can adversely effect the absorption of the l-dopa. I am not sure if the source of the protein matters. I know some people are affected by this phenomenon more than others.

liljulez profile image
liljulez

A few years ago i was hospitalised and lost one and a half stone it has taken me 5 years to put that plus another half stone ........alot of carbs later my muscle tone is back!! it s not easy and a whole lotta little meals a day...good lluck !

soup profile image
soup

It might pay you to get some advice about your nutrition from an expert. (One who understands about protein and L-Dopa.) The general advice about protein with Parkinson's is to concentrate your protein in one main meal separated from your l-Dopa meds. It doesn't matter what the source of proteinis and for me, protein shakes would be too easy to slip down whenever I fancy. Protein, whatever the source, competes with the L-Dopa absobtion sites in your gut if it is there at the same time as you meds.

Eating protein doesn't lead to muscle building if not part of an exercise programme. The body just strips off the nitrogen and uses what's left as carbohydrates. Take some time to build a food diary and try to calculate how many calories you are eating daily. If your meds or treatments have not controlled you Parkinson's movement symptoms like tremor and dystonia, you may be burning more calories than you realise.

Good luck,

Sue

PatV profile image
PatV

I lost muscle in my butt after my hernia operation. Took months of exercise to get any back at all. Since my wearing off necessitated taking sinimet 5x daily I had to eat 5 meals or snacks. I feel like a juggler getting enough fiber and calories. My pants fit, but I want my butt back!

judam9 profile image
judam9

annie, i take carbidopa-levodopa without miramex. and so far as been doing pretty good.

i've been given other drugs for PD. and all of them has caused a lot of falling. but not this particular dosage which i take three times a day. with food.

i saw my GP last tuesday after a blood test the week before. and he said my protein is perfect. but have lost 40 lbs. in the past year. down to 101 lbs. i haven't found the protein to build any muscles. just lose them. i had quite a bit of muscle as for 40 years i was a woodcaryer [sculptor in hard woods. ] which gave me a lot of muscle. i have been tested for strokes , but nothing is showing -up. is protein not good to take for trying to keep muscle growth. ? there is so much i just don't understand.

Dennis profile image
Dennis

I too have experienced much of what you have written on. I have gone from 180 to 117 and with EnSure and other things I can't gain weight and am so weak. When people see me who have not seen me in a while say "You look frail." ~~Dennis

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Whey Protein vs Vegetable Protein

I drink protein shakes every morning with whey protein and recently read that dairy can cause...

protein v Sinemet….

would appreciate any comments/suggestions on how to incorporate (or not) high protein /carb weight...
ev2413 profile image

Limiting protein

For those of you who have to limit protein during the day so that meds will work, and also try to...
rebtar profile image

Protein Update

This is an update to my previous post about protein and PD meds. I am a 68 year old female...

Keto and protein

Hey all. I decided I wanted to give the ketogenic another try. I tried it about 5 years ago when...
jeeves19 profile image

Moderation team

See all
CPT_Aleksandra profile image
CPT_AleksandraAdministrator
CPT_Anaya profile image
CPT_AnayaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.