Dyskinesia is a disorder in which a person experiences involuntary muscle movement. The extremities move without conscious control. Some feel the effects in their entire body while others may only experience the movements in a single body part. Dyskinesia develops as a side-effect of long-term use of levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Though prevalent in Parkinson’s patients, other conditions may also develop into dyskinesia.

Special health choices help reduce the symptoms of this debilitating disorder. For instance, patients are often told to avoid protein-rich foods, ensure proper medicine-to-meal timing, regulate medications, physical activity, as well as other personal health choices:

1. Protein’s negative effects on dyskinesia
Protein is an asset to a person’s health, but when combined with levodopa the protein reduces the absorption of the medication. Levodopa helps to regulate dopamine neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Protein negatively affects medication, causing increased involuntary motor activity. Reduce protein-rich foods like eggs, red meat, and cheese to keep your body’s regulation on track to allow the medication to do its job. A dyskinesia diet regulates and reduces protein consumption. Research has shown that a protein restrictive diet can have a positive effect on someone suffering from dyskinesia, improving the way levodopa works in the brain to help combat the involuntary motor behavior. It is important to note, however, a reduced-protein diet can cause negative effects such as weight loss and malnutrition.

2. Time medication with meals
Since reduction in protein may be difficult if not harmful, one might consider modifying food and medication schedule. If one cannot avoid eating protein, they should manage a schedule to ensure the medication has its best chance of regulating dopamine. Consider eating on a schedule that provides at least an hour after taking medication to give it a chance to absorb into the bloodstream and reach the brain.

3. Medication regulation
Research has found levodopa loses its effectiveness over time because the body becomes accustomed to the medication. Discuss with your physician about the possibility of fluctuating your dosage to keep your body from becoming ineffective. One should take the smallest dose possible to ensure the body’s ability to function at a near-normal state.

4. Physical activity
Diet is important in reducing the symptoms of dyskinesia, but exercise is equally important. External research on exercise and dopamine levels indicate the neurotransmitter increases in the brain after moderate levels of exercise. Since individuals with dyskinesia have problems with fine motor skills and control of their musculature, one should ensure they do not exercise alone. A walk, sitting exercises, or light-weight lifting can increase dopamine levels in the brain and reduce the symptoms of dyskinesia. Physical activity may also reduce the need for high doses of levodopa, which can enable the medication to work effectively.

5. Other personal health choices
Researchers do not completely understand Parkinson’s disease, though they are coming closer to answers every day. The knowledge that extended use of levodopa leads to dyskinesis has enabled specialists to look for alternative methods of reducing the occurrence of involuntary motor activity through diet and exercise.