Enterococcus faecalis and Sinemet

[Parkie-]

Are there supplements one can take to reduce E Faecalis naturally? Other than Camomille, which I already drink, and garlic, which I already take in my food, I didn’t find much.

According to this link, posted by aspergerian13 a few days ago, pnas.org/content/early/2020... , researchers have found that reduced benefits and many side effects of Levodopa Carbidopa can be the result of a bacterial decarboxylase enzyme, produced by the commensal gut microbe Enterococcus faecalis.

‘’Balskus and others are learning that the interactions among our microbes and medications are far more complex than previously assumed, potentially causing toxic side effects or altering drugs’ activity. Medications left unabsorbed in the body are usually marked for removal in the liver and then transported to the gut. Although human cells no longer recognize these excretory products, intestinal bacteria can act on inactivated drug molecules’’

[sharoncrayn]

I have read two studies on the issue of enterococcus faecalis and its impact. I found one to be very confusing. The implications of this cited study are theoretical in nature and assume enterococcus faecalis can "possibly" effect a drug's efficacy very early in the gut biome before it crosses the BBB. Perhaps. Possibly for those whose gut biome isn't very healthy. Otherwise, it still remains a theory.

Most neurologists acknowledge that carbidopa use over time can cause problems, but why is another unsolved, unexplained issue. Perhaps these two studies may possibly shed some light.

As an aside, the person who wrote the article did not conduct the study, nor do I agree with some of his/her conclusions.

Sharon.