Parkinson's Disease Caring Podcast - #15: The importance of dietary protein and protein interaction with dopamine therapy for Parkinson's disease

#15: The importance of dietary protein and protein interaction with dopamine therapy for Parkinson's disease

Explicit content warning

07/14/21 • 27 min

Perhaps you and/or your loved one with Parkinson's disease have read about protein intake and possible interactions with dopamine therapy. You may have read articles recommending a diet low in protein if you have Parkinson's disease.
On this episode, I discuss the facts and science behind dietary protein intake and Parkinson's disease. I discuss proper timing of levodopa or dopamine therapy and protein intake. I present some cases from my clinic illustrating these concepts.
As a care partner or caregiver, it is important to be familiar with proper protein intake and timing of medication around protein intake to help your loved one achieve the most from their medication and find stability and consistency in the benefits of their medication dosing.
The Parkinson's disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information.

Previous Episode

undefined - #14: Constipation, poor digestive motility, and digestive emergencies you need to know about to help your loved one with Parkinson's disease (Interview with Gastroenterologist, Dr. Matt Blankenship)

#14: Constipation, poor digestive motility, and digestive emergencies you need to know about to help your loved one with Parkinson's disease (Interview with Gastroenterologist, Dr. Matt Blankenship)

In this episode, I interview a board certified gastroenterologist, Dr. Matt Blankenship from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dr. Blankenship has experience treating numerous digestive system problems related to Parkinson's disease. He is also one of the most experienced interventionalists in the US regarding Duopa therapy.
Dr. Blankenship discusses the different types of constipation that our loved ones commonly face throughout the illness with Parkinson's disease. He offers practice treatment advise for this problem including a discussion of both over the counter treatment options as well as prescription therapies. He discusses the new therapy for chronic constipation with brand name Motegrity.
In this episode, Dr. Blankenship also discusses digestive health screening recommendations both for people with Parkinson's disease and care partners and caregivers. He discusses Duopa therapy. Finally, he educates us on some important symptoms that your loved one may experience that would alert you to seek medical attention promptly.
The Parkinson's disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information.

Next Episode

#16: Servant Caregiving (Interview with caregiver Jack)

True happiness results when a caregiver is able to serve a loved one with their entire mind, body and spirit. As caregivers, we have an incredible opportunity to find this happiness in our journey with a loved one battling Parkinson's disease. To find this happiness, we have to put aside our own selfish thoughts and desires and give our best to our loved one. This is certainly easy to say and hard to accomplish.
I interviewed a caregiver named Jack. His wife, Lois, was a patient in my practice with a long history of Parkinson's disease. Jack is one of the best caregivers I have witnessed demonstrating a servant heart in the way he cared for Lois over her last 17 years with this illness. As he says, "I did it out of love." I hope you enjoy the stories and advise Jack shares with us on this interview.
The Parkinson's disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information.