I'm taking 3,000 mg pure natural Mucuna Velvet Bean powder containing approx 200-300 mg l-dopa every two hrs, 6 times a day to help tremor. ..no side effects. My questions are...Is this too much, can I take more ? I an't take pure extract as it makes me feel tired/drunk.
This was posted by me 4 years ago. I had to make major changes in my care. The need for increased doses of l-dopa from Macuna caused such problems from lowering my blood pressure, causing severe highs and lows, to experiencing severe anxiety from too much l-dopa messing around with my Central and Peripheral Nervous System.
In June 2023 I after spending much time trying to get the right dose of macuna I gave up and decided to take CL 10/100 7 x a day. My anxiety has left.
Curious to see where you all are right now
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KERRINGTON
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I read somewhere to keep the l-dopa intake to 1gram per day, If you’re doing 250mg 6x per day that’s 1.5 grams, not far outside the norm. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, just monitor the effects and if you experience anything adverse just cut back a bit. Best of luck - JG
What's the difference and where do you buy it. I take less than 1/16 tsp of l dopa 100 % powder . It works well for 3 hours. Barlowe's macuna puriens extract 650 works well for sleeping.
The whole velvet bean is ground to a powder. In addition to containing small amounts of natural l-dopa, this whole bean has lots of other great things in it. I buy my mucuna ( also known as Kapikacchu ) from Banyan Botanicals. Now the extract (l dopa 97-100 % l dopa) comes from a process of leaching out just the dopa, and excludes the other nutritious elements. I think most people find the extract works better for them because it has more l dopa...me it works the opposite, my PD seems to get worse..so I stick, for now to the whole bean.
Thanks so much Kerrington. That's great info. I have the 100% macuna powder and it's very potent. So I'll look on Banyan botanical. . I also have Barlowe's macuna puriens 675mg capsules which are good for sleeping but not good for driving . It's a challange to get the right medicines and dosages My aim is to take the least amount of l dopa. So thanks so much
I also have Barlow, Keter Wellness, & Solaray Mucuna extracts( capsule form) . I like Banyan tablets because they're tasteless, so I can easily take them when out. There's approx 25 mg L-dopa in each tablet. Unfortunately for me higher extracts give me brain fog when I want to be awake !
Yes I agree. In fact Barlowe's put me to sleep so I use them at night but I learnrd that the hard way as
had a scare driving home when I dozed off. I find it very hard to get a good night's sleep. Do you have any tips? Also I checked banyan, couldn't find tablets and I don't think they ship to Canada
It's Banyan Botanicals. They also sell on amazon.Look for Mucuna (kapikacchu) tablets. I chew them. For sleep, I drink tart cherry juice before bed as it has natural melatonin, or sometimes I take a 3 mg pill.
Hi! Also in Canada and trying to find my dad a reliable, consistent source of pure mucuna. Have you had any luck on finding a source that works for you? Thanks!
Hi pdkid, the Barlowe's macuna puts me to sleep. It may or may not affect your dad the same way.. So don't give it to your dad in the day time, especially if he drives. The macuna by Now is not as strong, so that's what I take between sinamet in the day time. I also use organic macuna powder by nature vibe, which I buy from Amazon. By using the macuna I keep my sinamet dose down to 300mg in 24 hrs . So a guess calculation of total daily levadopa , taking the now capsule at 25 mg and a spoonful of macuna powder at 100 mg levadopa
Whoops , pushed reply by mistake, so I calculate I'm around 700 to 800 mg. of levadopa per day. I was diagnosed 9 yrs ago, I'm doing pretty good, but sometimes feel rotten when my dopamine is low.
I use Barlowe’s 40%, 1 capsule 4x per day, every 6 hours. Capsule is 650mg = 260mg L Dopa, so my daily L Dopa intake is just over 1gm. I drink a cup of green tea with my morning dose, which seems to aid absorption a bit. Best taken on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after a meal. Barlowe’s sells the 40% in bulk powder and I use that as well. One dose = 3/16 tsp. I’ve been doing this for over a year and noticed no adverse effects. Provides relief from most symptoms, both motor and non-motor. Reduces tremor but not completely. Good luck and I hope this helps.— John G
Thanks I’ll give that a try! I’ve taken 1 hour after eating but has not helped with tremor that I can tell. My symptoms are pretty mild except tremor (and sleep) as of yet.
John- checked your profile and very similar in that I’m 71 diagnosed 2 years ago, very active and take similar supplements. Taking Amantadine which helps a bit. Tremor has progressed noticeably in 2 years. If I exercise (cycle) longer that 2 hours (normal for me) tremor is quite substantial.
Mine is horrible while I walk. If I take 2 lb weights tremor is reduced 80-90%! It seems the more I exercise the less frequent and severe my tremors are regardless of Amantadine.
Happy to share. Been doing this for over a year. Walk pretty much daily 1-3+ miles in hills. Going up steep inclines were real shaky. With the weights I swing my arms and also gives me a smoother stride as well as momentum. I still tremor when I push but far less. Works every time. Never walk without them.
Looking at the label information for Banyan Botanicals Mucuna (Kapikacchu) capsules. How can you tell how much L-dopa is in each one? I am trying to replace my prescribed carbidopa/levodopa with a natural product.
Hi, I believe each tablet has roughly 5 to 7 % l-dopa, which is roughly 25 mg of dopa in Banyan....very small. Fiercely research on HU what you want to do. I am not, and have not taken prescription drugs yet. There are others on HU who have figured this out. Good hunting !
Is it helping tremor? If so, what brand are you taking? I’m taking 800-850 pure extract(99%) with green tea an helping a little. I’m 72 and weigh 162#.
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