Green tea and Mucuna

[MissRita]

Hey all! Is there decaf green tea? If I have anything with caffeine in it the tremors get worse. Also why is green tea good with Mucuna?

Thanks!

Rita

[WinnieThePoo]

You can get decaf green tea. I'm not sure if the decaffienation process would reduce its efficacy as a decarboxylase inhibitor (DDCI). Green tea is a natural DDCI. The DDCI's used in pharmaceuticals are Bensezaride (Madopar) or Carbidopa (Sinemet)

A DDCI reduces the amount of levadopa converted to dopamine in the general metabolism leaving more levadopa to cross the blood brain barrier and be converted into dopamine in the brain

In effect a DDCI boosts the amount of dopamine delivered to the brain by levadopa. The rule of thumb for pharmaceutical DDCI's is you can achieve the same effect with 1/5th the amount of levadopa ( or put another way 5 times as much dopamine is produced in the brain for the same amount of levadopa

I don't have any figures for how effective green tea is as a DDCI

[MissRita in reply to WinnieThePoo]

Wow that’s awesome information. I will try the green tea with caffeine to see if I can get through it.

[BUSHPILOTS]

EGCG found in green tea is a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor similar to carbidopa and benserazide. This prevents premature conversion, before it reaches the brain, of levodopa to dopamine which makes you nauseous and does no good for PD symptoms. Levodopa crosses the blood brain barrier but dopamine does not. You can suppliment with Egcg but watch out for liver toxicity. Also look at grapefruit juice if it doesn't interfere with your other medicines.

[Kelrjd]

There are quite a few brands out there that are decaffeinated. I have a sensitivity, or an allergy to caffeine. I do notice the difference when I drink the green tea and take my fava beans. It seems to work for me at least 3/4 of the day. I've recently had to add a small dose of fava beans in the evening, so I can sleep a little bit better and wake up in the morning without stiffness and pain.

[gigiwillms]

Yes, I get decaf green tea bags from a well-known brand at the grocery store. I too have a sensitivity to caffeine.

[MissRita]

Wow that’s awesome information. I will try the green tea with caffeine to see if I can get through it.