For those who take vitamins and supplements,how much space do you put between supplements and the medicine when taking?

[Babygirl]

[carolineb211]

I take mine all at the same time !!

Never gave it a thought that it might not be a good idea?

Caroline x

[inkyorion]

I have always left at least an hour either side of taking my PD meds. It just seems sensible to do so , allowing for optimum absorption and transmission without competition. Not sure this is absolutely essential....just my gut reaction...lol

[Norton1]

Hello,

It is not answering your question directly, but do you take 'food state' vitamins and minerals? Whilst PwP most probably have nutritional deficiencies, there are many people who believe other types can cause unnatural balances within the body. I come from the UK and have noticed that the 'recommended daily amounts' of nutrients are not always the same when compared with those in the USA. So, who is right? So, given this situation, are we doing right by our bodies? I've heard it said that we 'pee' excesses down the toilet, but what if we are not taking in an adequate amount of some nutrients into our bodies with these tablets. Also, we know that some vitamins are water soluble whilst others are fat soluble. I ask the question, if you can afford it, why not eat unprocessed, organically grown food? If so, your question would become irrelevant, apart that is, from not eating protein too close to when you take your medication.

Regards

Norton

[Sedona in reply to Norton1]

Hi Norton, Could you please explain why you mention not eating protein too close to taking meds? Thanks

[Norton1 in reply to Sedona]

Hello,

Because the protein interferes with the absorption of the medication into your system, thus reducing the effectiveness of the medication. You should have been told this when you were prescribed the medication. May I suggest you seek advice from your pharmacist.

Best wishes

Norrton

[Sedona in reply to Norton1]

Wow, in 10 tears, no one ever told me this & I have always complained that sometimes the meds just do not seem to work. It's probably on those bacon & egg breakfast days! I always thought it was good to take my meds with food to avoid feeling sick. Should you take on an empty stomach or just avoid protein & for how long after? I get my meds mail order, so no pharmacist, through CVS Caremark, I get 3 months for what it used to cost me for one. Thanks so much for the advice.

[Norton1 in reply to Sedona]

Hello Sedona,

In simple terms and in respect of carbidopa/Levadopa, if you take it immediately before or within two hours after a meal the benefit tends to be blocked. The amino acid in the medication competes with that in food, particularly protein. So, give as much time between eating meals and taking medication as is practical. There is an excellent book going into much detail about the subject which can be considerably more than I have laid out above. It is called: the Parkinson's disease treatment book, by j. Eric Ahlskog. M.D.

Regards

Norton

[Sedona in reply to Norton1]

Just ordered the book, used on Amazon. Thanks again

[Norton1 in reply to Sedona]

Well done Sedona. The book is easily understood; you'll be able to talk with your neurologist on the same level. You will not regret your purchase for you will be able to manage your PD better with having this knowledge at hand.

Regards

Norton

[Norton1 in reply to Sedona]

Hello Sedona,

I wrote the reply below before this one and I noticed that I did not give an answer to your question whether to avoid protein. The answer is NO, it is an essential food group and you will do yourself harm by omitting it from your diet.

Norton

[landman]

Very good question. I asked the opinion of my holistic Dr and my pharmacist. I mistakenly was taking an acid blocker at the wrong time. I am glad I asked for help from both of them.

[Dajudge]

I ingest about 6 supplements per day. Eg---probiotic(on an empty gut before breakfast--same with a multivitamin and fish oil. I take one pill nightly of 5 HTP ABOUT 1 HOUR before bed. I also sniff glutathione nasal spray 4 x per day. Both my neuro and naturalist doc O K ed this regimen.

[Joanne_Joyce]

I take multivitamin and calcium with meal. I take my stalevo on an empty stomach.

[PatV]

I am required to eat right after meds . Supplements say take with meals so they come right after.