Help with mucuna

[Rebtar]

I decided to start mucuna pruriens to see how it works for me. The only med I've been on so far is Azilect, which I don't think helps me symptomatically. I have moderate left side tremors, weakness and stiffness. I've had depression and anxiety for a long time, before PD. I'm starting with Silvestrov's protocol of ECGC, Vitamin C, salmon oil and MP extract 99%.

I'm wondering if any of you can suggest a timeline for increasing dosage that makes sense, how long to wait at each dosage and how much to increase by? Any other procedural suggestions for doing this, from people who have been successful with MP supplementation? I'm just feeling really unsure of how to proceed. Any help will be much appreciated.

[MBAnderson]

Maybe someone else will confirm this. The 99% means it's all L-Dopa, so if you wanted to start with 100 mg dose of Sinemet, 100 mg 99% pure is the same thing. I think the point of MP is that (there are other compounds (chelates iron) in it so that ) it diminishes, delays, or in small enough doses, avoids dyskinesia - so if you're taking pure L-Dopa, you miss the benefits of MP. Also, if you are going to take pure L-Dopa, you may want to look into taking 5-HTP which, as a precursor to serotonin, acts like carbidopa.

[MBAnderson in reply to MBAnderson]

Maybe Silvestrov will see your post. He'll know for sure.

[Rebtar in reply to MBAnderson]

Yes, I've read that as far as using whole MP as opposed to the extract. Silvestrov and others who use his protocol, use the extract. This is confusing to me -- I'd like to hear the reasoning behind using the extract from someone who has gone that route. One reason I know of is to elimitate carbidopa from the equation, using EGCG instead. It would be useeful to have a discussion here to illuminate these two routes and the pros and cons of each. I opted for Silvestrov's protocol because I tried a whole MP product and it gave me pretty severe digestive upset. Could have been the brand.

[Harleybob08 in reply to Rebtar]

Hi Rebtar, I have been on amino acids for over a year, and it is going well. There are a couple of reasons for using extracts.

1. The quantity of LDopa in Mucuna is so small that the bulk required to be ingested would be unacceptable.

2. The exact amount of LDopa is unknown, and the amount required by any individual is pretty precise.

If you use 98% extract life is easier, but treat it with respect, you can OD. Buy jewellers scales.

The dose we are seeking is normally in the range 2 - 7 grams per day. Start with around 0.5G per day, split over 3 doses at 4hr intervals. Increase by 0.1G per dose (0.3G /day) each week, or twice weekly if the effect is minimal. Be wary of going beyond 7G.

Chances are you will be a bit nauseus. Take 5HTP as required to counter this. Again starting low and increasing gradually.

Do not take any Carbidopa, Levadopa, etc.

This is from my personal experience, I am not otherwise qualified. We are the blind leading the blind.

God Bless

[ruthgt in reply to Harleybob08]

You were very helpfull. Where did you found the information on taking 2-7 grams LDopa 98 % extract .what kind of aminoacids are you taking.

Carbidopa prevents levodopa from turning in to Dopamin in the body and helps

L dopa cross ing the BBB

[Harleybob08 in reply to ruthgt]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

This is the basic protocol.

I got my dosing info from Dr. Ron.

Carbidopa apparently destroys the B12 system, 5HTP does the same job, but without the damage.

[Rebtar in reply to Harleybob08]

Thank you HarleyBob

[Harleybob08 in reply to Rebtar]

PS there is a lot more to the Amino Acid Regime. I have tried to answer your specific questions, but would advise professional help. My doc is Dr. Ron Cargioli. [e-mail]

[Rebtar in reply to Harleybob08]

Thanks

[ruthgt in reply to Harleybob08]

Can anyone write to him?

[Harleybob08 in reply to ruthgt]

Don't see why not.

[ruthgt in reply to Rebtar]

Whole mucuna has very little % of LDopa

[ruthgt in reply to MBAnderson]

I dont know in mg. I have L Dopa98% 2 little scoops send by the company are 150 mg L dopa

[Hikoi]

I just read this and I wondered if the extraction method is given on packages.

Mucuna Pruriens

The plant contains relatively high (3–7% dry weight) levels of L-DOPA; some people are sensitive to L-DOPA and may experience nausea, vomiting, cramping, arrhythmias, and hypotension. Up to 99% of the L-DOPA can be leached out of M. pruriens by repeated soaking in boiling water and then cold water. Acidic water significantly increases the rate at which L-DOPA is leached out.

[Rebtar in reply to Hikoi]

Interesting

[ruthgt in reply to Hikoi]

In the package that I bought was a little scoop and was written to take 2 scoopes--150 mg 98% ldopa

[Lionore]

I read that MP should not be taken with Azilect/rasagiline. I did that once and felt awful for several hours.

[Rebtar in reply to Lionore]

I've read that caution should be used with that combination but after talking to someone who uses both, decided to go ahead. Sinemet is prescribed together with Azilect frequently and the drug interaction info I've seen online says that Azilect may increase side effects. So far no problems.

[ruthgt in reply to Rebtar]

Azilect is usually the first choice for PD