Long term use of Macuna Pruriens

[procaffeinator]

Are there any negative side effects in using Macuna Pruriens, such as the side effects of long term use of Carbidopa or Sinemet? Is using Macuna Pruriens a greater benefit or is it just a natural way of managing Parkinson’s? Would the dosage/use of Macuna Pruriens need to be increased as person with Parkinson’s ages?

[Cagey84]

The levodopa in Sinemet is exactly the same as the levodopa in MP, so you should expect the same problems. The only difference is you know exactly what you’re getting with Sinemet.

[procaffeinator in reply to Cagey84]

I don’t understand why MP is so highly recommended to use as a replacement for Sinemet/Carbidopa?

[Cagey84 in reply to procaffeinator]

Neither do I. My impression is that neurologists don’t recommend it (happy to be corrected if others have different experience).

[Despe in reply to Cagey84]

MP is made by NATURE not big pharma. Once you find the correct dose, you don't have to increase it over time, and no side effects like Sinemet or similar synthetic drugs cause. Search HU and you will find out tons of info on MP!!

Why would neurologists recommend MP? They are trained to "sell" synthetic dopa 'cause that's where the $$ is.

[procaffeinator in reply to Despe]

Thank you so much. That makes so much sense. I was so disappointed at the thought that the Macuna Pruriens had absolutely no long term benefit. You don’t know how much you’ve put me at ease.

[Despe in reply to procaffeinator]

You're very welcome. If you search here MP, you will find out that a lot of PwP are trying to titrate C/L meds and switch to MP. Good luck!

[procaffeinator in reply to Despe]

Does the Macuna Pruriens help to stop the progression of Parkinson’s? You stated that once the correct does is found, one would not need to increase the dose over time, does it mean Parkinson’s symptoms are put at a halt? I hear that a person with Parkinson’s as they age, the disease also progresses or gets worse?

[Despe in reply to procaffeinator]

No, it doesn't stop the progression, but you don't experience horrible side effects that C/L causes over time. You can stop the progression by exercising, taking vitamins/supplements, eating healthy fats, and most of all starting B1 therapy. I am sure you have read about B1 protocol here in HU.

[procaffeinator in reply to Despe]

Yes I have read that. I will continue my vitamins/ supplements. I am due to start the Thiamin soon

[PDbust in reply to Despe]

Exactly right. Big pharma don't make any money money from it as you can't patent a natural product. I was diagnosed with PD 10 years ago and have been on all the usual synthetic dopa medication in increasing doses with all the corresponding side effects and since totally moving to MP in June this year I feel like a reborn person able to do everything I used to prior to being diagnosed. MP does have a "half life" as it degrades over time but keeping it in the fridge out of sunlight prolongs the lifespan and you have to readjust the dose towards the end of the batch. If I had to grade my condition with MP I would say I am 85% better off than with the classic meds. I just don't understand why not all PD suffers haven't tried this miracle powder. You have nothing to lose and you can get your life back if you do. I no longer have "off" times and even if I don't take my MP dose I don't become a vegetable as I used to with classic meds. In fact I experimented by not taking any MP for a few days at a time and was still able to function normally with just a hint of poor gait and slowness. MP is absorbed almost immediately into the system and you don't have to wait for the "On" time as you are permanently "On". I no longer have to worry about timing my dose of meds with my food intake and enjoy my meals without fear that I will "freeze" after a meal.

[bibsie in reply to PDbust]

Can you tell me what brand MP you use? Are you in the US? Where can I find recommended dosages for a particular brand?

[PDbust in reply to bibsie]

I buy mine from China on Alibaba.com There are many suppliers. I use a company called Natural Field. I am based in South Africa not the US. There isn't a recommended dosage. You will have to fine tune that but I use 1 teaspoon-full 3 times/day

[LAJ12345 in reply to PDbust]

Hi, could you please post the link to this alibaba product? I can’t seem to find it, thanks very much.

[PDbust in reply to LAJ12345]

Hi. Here it is. You can register for free and then you can search for MP powder manufacturers as there are many. I use the 99% purity.

login.alibaba.com/?flag=1&r...

Just copy/paste the link

[LAJ12345 in reply to PDbust]

Thanks😊

[jeeves19 in reply to Cagey84]

MP is NOT the same as Sinemet. The former comes from a tree and the latter a lab. In addition, the Sinemet contains Carbidopa which whilst designed to assist carrying to brain and reducing nausea is probably the factor that promotes dyskinesia from what I understand.

[keepsie]

lolyourmother, here is the answer to your question: healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

[procaffeinator in reply to keepsie]

The link isn’t working. Can you repost please?

[keepsie in reply to procaffeinator]

healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

[keepsie in reply to procaffeinator]

lolyourmother, if the link still doesn't work, just copy and paste it into the url address bar.

[procaffeinator]

It didn’t work directly from the forum but it worked directly in the link email notification.

[Cagey84]

Hi everyone - thanks for the replies, here are some more comments.

1. Whether made by nature or in a lab, levodopa is chemically exactly the same. If you purify it from both sources you can't tell the difference.

2. Carbidopa in Sinemet delays the breakdown of levodopa in the brain, meaning you need to take less - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbi... .

3. Carbidopa doesn't cause dyskinesia, as far as I'm aware. Here's more - medium.com/parkinsons-uk/tr...

4. Here's more about MP in Parkinson's - medium.com/parkinsons-uk/co...

5. When you take Sinemet, you can be pretty sure you get what's on the label plus or minus a few percent. The levodopa content of MP preparations is variable - liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1...

6. Levodopa in MP would appear not to be as stable as in Sinemet, with degradation to potentially damaging chemicals - nature.com/articles/srep11078

7. Management of Parkinson's by both us and our neurologists needs a very good handle on how much levodopa we're actually taking. For me, that needs a pure form of levodopa so we know how much I'm taking, and when to increase it (and by how much) as my condition declines. That's why it's Sinemet for me over MP any day.

8. @Despe - if you don't want to use Sinemet because it's a pharmaceutical, that's entirely up to you, but herbal and homeopathic manufacturers are just as interested in the $$$. Neurologists don't get commission on Sinemet. Also, given that levodopa is the same no matter what the source, why would MP have fewer long term effects?

[procaffeinator in reply to Cagey84]

I’ll read this after I’m done with breakfast

[Kia17]

MP to Sinemet is like Opium to Heroin. Opium (poppy tears)Approximately 12 percent of the opium latex is made up of the analgesic alkaloid morphine, which is processed chemically to produce heroin and other synthetic opioids for medicinal use and for illegal drug trade. Opium is a herbal morphine but heroin is a synthetic one made from poppy tears. They both are narcotics and addictive. Does anyone say because Opium is herbal then it is safe? I don’t think so.In Sinemet case at least we know what we are taking. FDA has approved the medication. Who knows how MP is being made with no certification or approval from FDA or similar agencies.

[procaffeinator in reply to Kia17]

I see your comparison but I don’t believe or think Macuna is at any level the same as heroin or opium. Anything in the universe if used and abused in excess is going to have a terrible outcome in the end. I haven’t done opium or heroin but I have had both Macuna And Carbidopa and I’d rather lean towards a natural supplement rather than a long term prescription with terrible long term side effects. A better example could be Redbull and coffee

[Kia17 in reply to procaffeinator]

My point is that both are addictive with side effects. One is natural (Opium - MP)and one is synthetic ( heroin - Sinemet).

[Cagey84 in reply to procaffeinator]

Hi - it’s the levodopa that’s important, whether it’s from MP or Sinemet, it’s exactly the same molecule. So no difference in the longer term. Except, you might need to take more MP for the same effect; you can’t guarantee how much you’re taking; it’s not as stable; the degradation products haven’t been characterised and tested; etc. So it’s Sinemet for me.

MP is not just a natural supplement, it’s a source of levodopa.

[RunnerRN in reply to Cagey84]

How long have you been on Sinemet?

[Cagey84 in reply to RunnerRN]

Five years - Madopar rather than Sinemet, does the same thing

[RunnerRN in reply to Cagey84]

TY for responding. That’s a relatively short amount of time.

[Erniediaz1018]

examine.com/supplements/muc...

[Psalm1]

Read on Mucuna & Parkinson's by F. Maldonado, a neurologist

[Psalm1]

Read on Mucuna & Parkinson's by F. Maldonado, a neurologist