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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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn