On 17-Jan-07, at 12:09 PM, Ervin McCarthy wrote:
> Max, please tell us more about Zandopa. Thank you
>
>
> From: "Max LaFontaine" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2007 1:08 PM
> Subject: Re: Mucuna (Zandopa)
Zandopa (originally called HP200) is a natural herb (Mucuna
pruriens) from India. Mucuna or “cowage” in English: 4500 years ago,
Indian Ayurvedic people used this legume’s seeds for tremors and
spasm syndromes. It turns out that it has the L-Dopa compound and it
has no adverse effects presented in research. I'm not sure but I
think it's now FDA approved in the United States (it has been
approved for FDA testing in the States some years back). Someone told
me that it is approved in Canada and most European countries. You
don't need a prescription to get it. Mucuna is a natural herb, you
can get it in a lot of natural herbal outlets; Here's one in
California: http://www.satveda.com/product.asp?
pID=160&cID=5&c=183919 Mucuna is two to three times more effective
than the equivalent amount of synthetic L-Dopa. I live in Canada
and I've purchased it directly from India. My source is for Zandopa
is: http://mall.coimbatore.com/bnh/zandu/zandopa.htm
As always, consult with your medical doctor, licensed acupuncturist/
herbalist or an Ayurvedic practitioner to create a healing protocol.
Here's a pretty good link for more info on Mucuna: http://
www.parkinson.org/site/pp.asp?c=9dJFJLPwB&b=184301
I have a brochure on Zandopa from the manufacturer.
Here's some information directly off their brochure.
- Ayurvedic formulation derived from the seeds of Mucuna pruriens Bak
-Long history of use in Ayurvedic Practice for CNS disorders and
also as a geriatric tonic
-Richest known natural source of L-Dopa
-Efficacious in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
-Offers predictable efficacy
-Suitable for long term use.
-Readily bio-available
-Crosses blood brain barrier easily as compared to synthetic L-Dopa
-Better tolerated
-Better compliance due to better tolerance or lesser side-effects
-Cost effective
-A recent study in the US has shown that tablets of synthetic L-Dopa/
Carbidopa, when administered in liquid form showed better therapeutic
efficacy as compared with the tablets as such. Hence Zandopa which is
administered in liquid form will show better efficacy.
Zandopa is a standardized, safe, effective and economical natural
source of levodopa which can effectively replace Synthetic L-Dopa
formulations in patients who comply with its dosage regimen.
The pharmacological action of Zandopa is due to action of levodopa
on the brain. Evidence indicates that symptoms of Parkinson's disease
are related to depletion of stratal dopamine activity in basal ganglia.
Levodopa is metabolic precursor of dopamine and unlike dopamine can
cross the blood-brain barrier. Once in the brain it is decarboxylated
to form dopamine.
Zandopa improves all the signs and symptoms of parkinsonism.
Bradykinesia responds first followed by rigidity and tremors.
Improvement of these primary neurological symptoms is accompanied by
similar improvement in overall functional ability. Secondary motor
symptoms such as disturbance in posture, gait, associated movements,
facial expression, speech, handwriting, swallowing and respiration
are also prominently improved.
Zandopa also favorably influences the psychic behaviors producing a
sense of well-being, an increased interest in self and surroundings.
After initial treatment regimen, the beneficial effects of Zandopa
can be maintained for prolonged periods by smaller maintenance dose.
PRECAUTIONS: All known precautions and contraindications as
applicable to synthetic L-DOPA formulations should also be followed
while prescribing Zandopa.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, if taken by patients, must be
discontinued at least 2 weeks prior to institution of Zandopa therapy.
- As with levodopa, periodic evaluations of hepatic, haematopioetic,
cardiovascular and renal function are recommended during extended
therapy with Zandopa.
-Zandopa should be administered with caution in severe cardiovascular
or pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, renal hepatic or endocrine
disease and in presence of peptic ulcer or chronic narrow angle
glaucoma.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Side effects include nausea, anorexia, cardiac irregularities,
orthostatic hypo-tension, weight gain, hot flushes, numerous
dyskinesias and psychiatric symptoms such as agitations,,
hallucinations, delusions and nightmares.
Side effects as encountered with synthetic L-DOPA formulations have
not been seen to the same severity with Zandopa, however the same may
be observed in some patients taking large doses of Zandopa.
SAFETY:
Long term safety studies conducted in laboratory animals have not
shown any serious toxicity with Zandopa in dose as high as 10% of the
diet.
COMPOSITIONS: Each 7.5 g. contains: Standardized processed seed
powder of Mucuna Pruriens Bak . . . . 6.525g. in a flavored base.
One thing that is important, for anyone wanting to try Ayuredic
Herbs, is to consider this:
Treating Parkinsons is not just taking Zandopa. So you might want to
consider looking into Ayurvedic medicine, if you plan on trying Zandopa.
So what is Ayurvedic medicine?
Ayurvedic medicine is also called Ayurveda. It is a system of
medicine that originated in India several thousand years ago. The
term Ayurveda combines two Sanskrit words--ayur, which means life,
and veda, which means science or knowledge. Ayurveda means "the
science of life."
In the United States, Ayurveda is considered a type of CAM and a
whole medical system. As with other such systems, it is based on
theories of health and illness and on ways to prevent, manage, or
treat health problems. Ayurveda aims to integrate and balance the
body, mind, and spirit (thus, some view it as "holistic"). This
balance is believed to lead to contentment and health, and to help
prevent illness. However, Ayurveda also proposes treatments for
specific health problems, whether they are physical or mental. A
chief aim of Ayurvedic practices is to cleanse the body of substances
that can cause disease, and this is believed to help reestablish
harmony and balance.
Interconnectedness
Ideas about the relationships among people, their health, and the
universe form the basis for how Ayurvedic practitioners think about
problems that affect health. Ayurveda holds that:
• All things in the universe (both living and nonliving) are joined
together.
• Every human being contains elements that can be found in the
universe.
• All people are born in a state of balance within themselves and in
relation to the universe.
• This state of balance is disrupted by the processes of life.
Disruptions can be physical, emotional, spiritual, or a combination.
Imbalances weaken the body and make the person susceptible to disease.
• Health will be good if one's interaction with the immediate
environment is effective and wholesome.
• Disease arises when a person is out of harmony with the universe.
If anyone decides to try this route, please keep us informed on your
results.
It's really works for me........ You can check my previous e-mails
for my history.
Take care, Max LaFontaine
P.S. I'm all new to this, just tried it two months ago, and I"M
SHOCKED at how well Zandopa works. I've reduced my Sinemet from 4
(200/50) tablets a day to only 3/4 of one tablet a day. I'm hoping
that I can eliminate sinemet all together. I'm still looking for an
Ayuredic practitioner. I'm experimenting on my own right now. I
haven't had any side effects. I'll keep this group informed of my
progress and any new info that I'll find.
We appreciate any info out there on Zandopa (mucuna), that you are
willing to share with us.
THANKS again.......
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