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Date sent: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 14:52:33 -0400 Send reply to: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: "Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD" <[log in to unmask]> Organization: Five Star Living, Inc. Subject: Re: Fava Bean Help Needed To: [log in to unmask] > Dear Deborah, > I've researched fava beans, and have written an article, should you > care to read it: Fava Beans, levodopa and Parkinson's > http://www.parkinson.org/fava.htm > > Best, > Kathrynne With all of the renewed interest in fava beans, I suppose that I need to post this again. There is a small number of people, mostly of Italian and other Mediterranean origin, who lack an enzyme needed for the breakdown of certain substances within fava beans. This causes the accumulation of chemicals which can lead to severe symptoms, including blindness. It is called "favism". The incidence of this condition is rare, but there is no way to know in advance without esoteric (and expensive) testing. The amount of Dopamine-equivalent substance in fava beans is very small. You would have to eat pounds of them in order to get as much as in one pill. In my opinion, it is not worth the risk. Best, Bob ********************************************** Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S., P. C. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 Telephone: 510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557 WWW: http://www.rafink.com/ mailto:[log in to unmask] "Ex Tristitia Virtus" ********************************************* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn