Acknowledgement
Our thanks to Nan Millette, MEd, RD Freelance Dietitian, for her help in reviewing this article.
Most medications can be taken at any time and do not need to be specially timed in relation to mealtimes. If you take levodopa though the timing of your medication should be discussed with your doctor as food can interfere with the absorption of levodopa.
Protein, found mainly in meat, dairy products, eggs, fish, nuts and pulses, is known to particularly interfere with the levodopa absorption and you may be advised to take all your daily protein in one meal at the end of the day, thus allowing levodopa to work more effectively throughout the rest of the day.
In this case you will need to make your other meals up from low protein foods such as carbohydrates, vegetables, fruit, sweets and fats. Your doctor will advise on when to take your drugs and may suggest that you take levodopa 45 minutes before a meal, ideally with some carbohydrate such as a biscuit. It may also be taken an hour prior to a meal on an empty stomach so as to avoid the protein problem but this may cause nausea.
It is best to avoid taking antacid/indigestion tablets at the same time as Parkinson's medications as they too can interfere with drug absorption. They can however generally be safely taken at a different time to your medications.
It may be helpful to sip a drink in order to help you swallow your tablets but remember not to drink milk, a protein, when taking levodopa.
Those with advanced Parkinson's disease may find that foods rich in carbohydrate and sugar can worsen dyskinesias . However it is important not to exclude carbohydrate from the diet as they are important in maintaining body weight and energy levels so as with all nutrients, a sensible balance is recommended.
Some foods, vitamins or special diets are sometimes recommended as being beneficial to those with Parkinson's but there is generally no scientific evidence to support these. Broad beans (fava beans) are reputed to help Parkinson's symptoms as they contain levodopa but unfortunately in such small and variable amounts that they cannot be effective. The quantity that would necessary in order to obtain an effective amount of levodopa would probably cause illness or other side effects so this is not recommended. Dietary ‘wonders’ come and go and it is always best to discuss any ideas with your doctor or dietician.
The main type of drug prescribed to treat Parkinson's disease and has been in use since the late 1960s. The aim is to increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine cannot be directly replaced because it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier that prevents potentially harmful substances in the blood from entering the brain. Levodopa is a chemical compound that can cross this barrier and is then converted into dopamine.
See also Types of medication available.
A dietician advises on a healthy diet and specific dietary needs. They can offer advice on how diet can ease some symptoms, such as constipation. They may also liaise with a speech and language therapist regarding swallowing and eating difficulties.
Involuntary movements that tend to occur in people who have had Parkinson's disease for some years as a side effect of long-term use of Parkinson's medication.
Nausea (from the Greek Ναυτεία or "sea-sickness") is the sensation of unease and discomfort in the stomach with an urge to vomit.
