Will, Thanks for the response. Amazingly enough, one message I read said that a significant therapeutic effect could be obtain from as few as three beans. The message did mention that this dosage is based on a strong variety that comes from Israeli. I don't know what is in my local store and what is a proper dosage. Maybe the beans can be used to reduce the need for other medication. ==Clay= >---------- >From: will johnston[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] >Sent: Sunday, September 08, 1996 8:49 PM >To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN >Subject: Re: Fava Beans > >At 10:13 PM 9/8/96 -0400, you wrote: >>I have just joined this group, so this may be a topic that has been >>around for awhile. >> >>I ran across an article on a WEB site several weeks ago that stated that >>fava beans might be used for treatment of PD in third world countries, >>since they are a source of L-dopa. I send out an e-mail and got the >>following response: >> >>"There was a good paper on Parkinson's including a discussion of fava >>beans as >>a food source of L-dopa, in Nutrition Reviews, May 1994;52:51-8. You >>should >>be able to get a copy at [any] medical library." >> >>I have not read the article, but the prospect of fava beans being a >>source of L-dopa brings up many questions: >> >>* What are the pros and cons of fava bean therapy? >>* Is this any better, worse, or just different than other sources? >>* Should one take these? If so, how much? >>* How should they be prepared? >>* Are fava beans the only food source for L-dopa? Are there others? >>* Do other flat beans provide some L-dopa, such as lima beans? >>* How dangerous is Favism, a hereditary disease in the Mediterranean >>area? >>* Will dried beans work? >>* Are there different varieties that have various strengths? >>* etc? >> >>Thanks >> >>==Clay== >> >>[log in to unmask] >> >Dear Clay, > >WElcome to the group. Fava beans are a source of dopa, but from what I >understand, using fava beans would likely make you a social outcast since >the quantity required for a therapeutic dose is relatively large and fava >beans cause considerable flatulence. > >Perhaps if you were living on a desert isle.... >WILL JOHNSTON 4049 OAKLAND SCHOOL ROAD > SALISBURY, MD 21804-2716 > 410-543-0110 >Pres A.P.D.A. DelMarVa Chapter >63 Dx1991 Symptoms 1971 >