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NOTE: I am not a doctor of medicine; the following is not medical advice, 
only the personal opinion of the writer. Any contemplated change in 
treatment or medication must be referred to your treating medical 
practioner. Dr James F. Slattery PhD Soc Sc
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Parkinson’s Disease existed in ancient India over 4,500 years ago and is 
called Kampavata. Both Mucuna Pruriens and Vicia Faba (farva beans) are used 
in the Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine.) They contain L-DOPA 
(levodopa).
Seeds of Datura Stramonium have an anticholinergic effect, similar to Artane 
and Cogentin. Banisterine from Banisteria Caapi and Nicotiana Tabacum have a 
monoamine oxidase inhibitor that is similar to selegiline (deprenyl).
The amount of Mucuna powder used by Ayurvedic physicians is small compared 
to the amount of synthetic L-DOPA used to produce the same benefit, if one 
looks at the amount of L-DOPA alone. This led to further study as to how 
such a small quantity of levodopa in Mucuna could have helped PD, and it is 
thought possibly that there could be other undiscovered drugs in Mucuna that 
may enhance either the activity of L-DOPA, or there may be an independent 
compound in Mucuna that may have a direct effect on symptoms of Parkinson’s 
disease. Overdose effects of Mucuna are also recognized in the Ayurveda. 
These included headache, dystonia, fatigue, tremor, syncope, and thirst; 
many of these could also occur from synthetic L-DOPA.
Dose for dose, Mucuna is two to three times more effective than equivalent 
amounts of synthetic L-DOPA. This suggests that Mucuna may contain compounds 
that make L-DOPA function better in the same manner as carbidopa, tolcapone 
(Tasmar), or entacapone (COMTan).
It is clear that Mucuna is not a cure nor does it provide relief for 
everyone. After all, if Mucuna were a panacea everyone with Parkinson’s 
would be taking it and no one today would be suffering from its symptoms. 
Many people think of Parkinson’s simplistically as a deficiency of dopamine. 
The truth of the matter is that reasons for the symptoms of Parkinson’s are 
far more complicated than this.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s are aggravated by an imbalance of over 39 different 
neurotransmitters. When you take Mucuna (or any dopamine supplement for that 
matter) you are making a decision to focus on only a tiny fraction of the 
problem.
The body is making fine adjustments to the production and distribution of 
hormones continuously, second by second, minute by minute.  Consider the 
maze of complicated adjustments your body makes to produce and distribute 
the other 38 neurotransmitters when you take any dopamine lookalike.
Ingesting a single synthetic hormone once a day creates an instant 
imbalance. The body is challenged with the task of re-balancing all the 
other 38 hormones that must be continuously manufactured and distributed to 
the tissues.  The ”adjustment” that comes from taking a dopamine supplement 
is crude. Mucuna is taken once or twice a day. The body produces and 
distributes hormones continuously each and every second of the day. A second 
challenge you will encounter if you decide to take Mucuna - and keep in mind 
this may be a good choice for you - is that you are giving your body the 
signal it does not need to produce dopamine on its own.  Think like your 
body and you will understand the long term consequences of what happens when 
you take a dopamine producing supplement like Mucuna.
The amount of levodopa in fava beans can vary greatly, depending on the 
species of fava, the area where it's grown, soil conditions, rainfall, and 
other factors. The young pod and the immature (green) beans inside the pod 
contain the greatest amount of levodopa, and the mature, or dried bean, the 
least. Three ounces (about 84 grams or ½ cup) of fresh green fava beans, or 
three ounces of canned green fava beans, drained, may contain about 50-100 
mg of levodopa. If using the young pod as well as the beans, the amount of 
levodopa may be greater than that in the fresh beans alone.
Although some people report good effects, others find no antiparkinson 
effect from fava beans at all; and still others report adverse effects, such 
as nausea and dyskinesia.
Because fava plants have varying amounts of levodopa, it's possible to get 
either too much or too little levodopa. Too little levodopa will not relieve 
PD symptoms; and too much levodopa can cause overmedication effects, such as 
dyskinesia (violent, uncontrollable jerking of the head and limbs) - 
particularly if other PD medications are being used at the same time. Raw 
fava beans can produce an allergic reaction in some people, including 
discomfort, and occasionally, coma. Cooking may prevent allergic reactions.
Another consideration is the use of fava for people who take MAOIs 
(monoamine oxidase inhibitors). These include: isocarboxazid (Marplan); 
phenelzine (Nardil); tranylcypromine (Parnate); and selegiline (deprenyl, 
Carbex, Eldepryl).MAOIs taken in combination with pressor agents (foods high 
in dopamine, tyramine and phenylethylamine), can bring about a dangerous, 
and sometimes fatal, increase in blood pressure. Levodopa in medications or 
in fava can convert to dopamine in the bloodstream. It should be noted that 
selegiline is a different type of MAOI (MAOI-type B), and in the amount 
normally used by people with PD (10 mg daily), it is not thought to pose a 
risk when used with dopamine. However, people using any MAOI should discuss 
foods containing pressor agents with their physicians and dietitians.
Favism is an inherited disease in which a person lacks an enzyme called 
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). When these people eat fava beans, 
they develop a condition called hemolytic anaemia. This anaemia causes red 
blood cells to break apart and block blood vessels. When such blockage 
occurs in the kidneys, it can result in kidney failure and even death. 
Although favism is usually detected in childhood, adults can be affected as 
well. G6PD deficiency is rare, occurring mostly among people of 
Mediterranean, African, and Southeast Asian descent, but others can be 
affected as well. Your physician can perform a blood test for G6PD to 
determine whether you are at risk. If you find you have inherited G6PD 
deficiency, your dietitian can help you locate other foods that may be of 
concern, and can help you plan safe and healthful menus.
How often should you eat fava beans? There is too little information 
available to give an exact answer; also, each person with PD is different, 
and has different medication needs. Some people report a half cup (4 ounces, 
112 grams) of fava a day, or even every other day, gives good results. Begin 
with a small amount, increasing gradually under your doctor's supervision, 
until you find the combination of fava and/or PD medications that's right 
for you. Even if fava beans help, you shouldn't eat too much. If you fill up 
on fava, you'll be too full for other foods, and will miss out on the 
benefits they offer. A dietitian can help you plan menus that include fava 
beans and will best meet your personal needs.
Besides levodopa, fava beans are rich in valuable nutrients. Fava pods with 
beans are a good source of iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, 
selenium, and many vitamins. The beans alone are also good - 3 ½ ounces (98 
grams) of cooked fresh beans contain 56 calories, 20 grams carbohydrates, 5 
grams protein, 2 grams fiber, and substantial amounts of iron, magnesium, 
and vitamin C.
Remember that synthetic levodopa is coupled with carbidopa or benserazide to 
protect the levodopa from being "pirated" on its way to the brain; this is 
necessary because dopamine is used in other areas of the body. This 
protection is not provided with plant-based supplements. As stated above, 
the amount of levodopa obtainable from plant matter is widely variable, and 
may result in over- or under-dosage.
Jim 

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