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Several days ago, I posted a query re Fava Beans. Only one in the listserv picked it up: Kathrynne Holden, who has written about it, and whose article I had printed off the Net. I responded to Kathrynne at length...and not one picked it up, again. The lack of response could have been due to one or more of the three reasons: (1) those on the listserv know next to nothing about Fava, which supposedly naturally produces L-dopa, the very same L-dopa that is in the chemically manufactured (? is that the term to use) levodopa in sinemet and the like prescription drugs; or (2) those on the listserv know much about it, have tried it, found it not effective, saw my post and query, and have chosen to remain silent, and wait until I have tried it and found out for myself; or maybe (3) my subject "Fava Bean" was not descriptive enough. I was/am hoping (still!!) that there would respond a few, especially those just getting started on sinemet or the like, who would try Fava with me, and share experiences; or from amont those who have tried it, even warn me I am treading on dangerous territory... I ruled out reasons (1) and (2) as preposterous, I decided that the reason could be (3). And so, on this third try, I am making the subject more descriptive: Let me recap what I wrote to Kathrynne: I was diagnosed with Parkinsons in late February 2001; was put in sinemet 25/100 (3 times a day); was not happy with the results and was told by my physician and neurothat maybe a change either in the type of med and/or quantity is needed. I do not want to be dependent on any drug, and I saw (rightly or wrongly) that what they were thinking of doing was taking me down the path of no-return. Without telling them, I decided to gradually decrease my sinemet from 3 to 2 to 1 and 1/2 from around October 2001 thru February 2002 (my anniversary). By February 2002, I was fully off sinemet, and instead went on a Vitamin-B complex regimen + 7-8 hours of rest at night (instead of my usual 5-6) + exercise. I kept looking for "something" that I could use as an alternative to sinemet. Two weeks ago, while at Costco, my wife picked up a book "Prescription for Herbal Healing" by Phyllis Balch. I went to the Index and looked for Parkinsons, and "discovered" Fava (Broad) Beans: "A 3-ounce serving of broad beans contains as much as 250 milligrams of L-dopa." At least I found the "something" that I could use as an alternative, a natural alternative, to sinemet. Went on the Net to find out more about Fava, at least what it looked like! Last week, I bought 5 lbs of fresh fava beans, and steamed a few pods at a time, took the beans, and weighed 6+ ounces which I then divided into three servings of 2+ ounces each. The empty pods I did not know what to do; I decided to put them in a plastic bag and store in the freezer, until I found out more about the beans. The other day, I went on Google and searched for "Fava beans produce L-dopa" and printed an article by Kathrynne Holden at: http://www.scienzavegetariana.it/nutrizione/favabeans.html I then re-activated my listserv membership, and did my first post: Fava Bean, and I got an underwhelming response of <1>, from Kathrynne herself. and so, here goes ... Nilo On Thu, 28 Mar 2002 07:28:06 -0500 "Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD" <[log in to unmask]> writes: > Dear Friends, > I came across information on a reminder watch, a topic that > sometimes > comes up on Parkinsn; I've posted it on "Ask the Parkinson > Dietitian" > and thought some Parkinsn folks might be interested, too. I don't > have > any personal experience with it, don't endorse it, and don't receive > any > money from the company; just passing it on FWIW. > > Cadex Medication Reminder Watch > Beep...it's time for your pill! Relax. You won't forget to take > your > medication any longer. Set this easy to use watch and let the > state-of-the-art reminder system do the work. It can handle up to > 12 > reminders each day. The digital display is large and easy to read. > Doctor recommended, it gives you back your independence and peace > of > mind. Don't let a missed dosage threaten your health. Set it and > forget > it! Available in Black or Silver. Battery included. On sale. > > http://www.ihcatalog.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=131&itemT ype=PRODUCT&sSearch=YES&sortby= > > > -- > Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD > "Ask the Parkinson Dietitian" > http://www.parkinson.org/ > Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease" > "Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy for Parkinson's disease" > http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/ > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn