There are several schools of thought on the issue of vitamin B6 and Parkinson’s disease patients.

My husband, who has PD, does not take levodopa – he can and does take vitamin B complex which includes the important B2, B6 and B12 all of which are very important for Parkinson’s disease. He takes a 50 mg style complex although I am considering the addition of separate elements of the complex to take him to 100mgs of B6 daily with a zinc co-factor to stimulate dopamine production.

For patients who do take Levadopa without carbidopa, it may be a question of timing and possibly dosage as B6 can interfere with the metabolism of levodopa. As a matter of fact levodopa alone may raise the levels of B6. However, when a patient is taking Sinemet or any combination of levodopa/carbidopa there may be a B6 deficiency. In this situation timing is important – not in the same dosing period

But treat it as medicine -actually all supplements should be discussed with your doctor – we periodically provide such a list to my husband’s primary care physician. We take him other information as well because it is important for the discussion and does not put him on the spot – he doesn’t have that many PD patients.

One source I read recently suggested that although the timing is important that a maximum dosage of something less than 25mgs. And actually it is important not to overdose on the B complex anyway because an excess causes the kidneys to work harder precessing the excess for excretion. Do not take the vitamins in the same dosing period as the levodopa. The same thing has been said of higher protein meal – especially meat but only some PD patients have that issue.

You are correct, PD has been treated by B6.

To read more: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-b6-000992.htm

You might like to check one of my favorite sites for supplement information. I am always amazed at the open-minded approach to treatment from the University of Maryland Medical School.
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/parkinsons-disease-000123.htm
Here is another resource you might like:
http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/ABSTRACTS/Parkinsons_Disease_as_Multifactorial.shtml

One of the problems is that we have a tendency to see things as across the board. Diseases like Parkinson’s have somewhat delicate chemical balances – as a matter of fact, the symptoms result from a lack of balance. But because there are so many chemicals involved once you begin adding medications, nutritional supplements, diet itself, that what is good for one patient on one regimen may not be as good for another on a different set of meds.

This was a good question. You did your homework first making it a pleasure to answer.

I used to take a mega b vitamin and a vitamin C (berocca) with added b vitamins for womens monthly problems, it used to help me a lot so I hope I did the right thing, am now on a womens multi and folate tablet, I hope they are doing me good and not damage, you never really know until years of usage gives you illness signs