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Article
March 1987

Influence of Dietary Protein on Motor Fluctuations in Parkinson's Disease

Author Affiliations

From the Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.

Arch Neurol. 1987;44(3):270-272. doi:10.1001/archneur.1987.00520150026014
Abstract

• On a nearly zero protein diet, 11 patients with Parkinson's disease with the "on-off" effect demonstrated great sensitivity to levodopa (L-dopa)-carbidopa and reduced fluctuations. Eight patients required a 41% reduction in total L-dopa dosage and discontinuation of all adjuvant therapy to reduce the preponderance of chorea. On a high-protein diet, all patients were immobilized by bradykinesia for most of the day. A low-protein dietary regimen during the daytime offers an important technique for the control of fluctuations in patients with Parkinson's disease who are receiving L-dopa-carbidopa.

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