Which nutrient should Parkinson's patients avoid because it deactivates Levodopa?

Which nutrient should Parkinson's patients avoid because it deactivates Levodopa?

• A. Vitamin B6
• B. Vitamin C
• C. Calcium
• D. Iron

Answer: (A)

Nutrient-drug interactions can change how a Parkinson’s medication works in the brain. Levodopa needs to reach the brain to be converted into dopamine there. Vitamin B6 acts as a cofactor for an enzyme that converts Levodopa to dopamine outside the brain, so high B6 levels increase peripheral conversion and reduce the amount of Levodopa that gets into the CNS. That’s why avoiding high-dose Vitamin B6 is advised to preserve Levodopa’s effectiveness. The other nutrients listed don’t have this direct effect on Levodopa’s brain availability.

Nutrient-drug interactions can change how a Parkinson’s medication works in the brain. Levodopa needs to reach the brain to be converted into dopamine there. Vitamin B6 acts as a cofactor for an enzyme that converts Levodopa to dopamine outside the brain, so high B6 levels increase peripheral conversion and reduce the amount of Levodopa that gets into the CNS. That’s why avoiding high-dose Vitamin B6 is advised to preserve Levodopa’s effectiveness. The other nutrients listed don’t have this direct effect on Levodopa’s brain availability.