Protein redistribution diet remains effective in patients with fluctuating parkinsonism

Arch Neurol. 1992 Feb;49(2):149-51. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1992.00530260049018.

Abstract

Forty-three carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet)-treated parkinsonian patients with protein-sensitive motor fluctuations were started on the protein redistribution diet within the past 48 months. Thirty patients (70%) are still using the diet successfully after more than 12 months (mean duration, 33.6 months; range, 12 to 48 months). The diet was discontinued in the other 13 cases. In 10 of these 13 patients, the protein redistribution diet was discontinued for a variety of reasons, despite continued sensitivity to dietary protein; in only three patients (7%), those with the most severe and complicated disease, was the protein redistribution diet stopped because of its limited therapeutic benefit. The protein redistribution diet is a simple adjunct to the treatment of Parkinson's disease that can significantly prolong the efficacy of levodopa therapy in many fluctuating "end-stage" patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Carbidopa / therapeutic use
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / diet therapy*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Drug Combinations
  • carbidopa, levodopa drug combination
  • Levodopa
  • Carbidopa