Can any PWP recommend a reliable source of Mucuna Pruriens?

[ramotswe]

I want to try the alternative to synthesised Dopa for now at least. I live in Wales, known as a country the size of Wales!

Thank heaven for this forum.

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[Skydome]

This is a fairly consistent product from a reliable UK supplier, in my experience:indigo-herbs.co.uk/shop/buy...

[park_bear in reply to Skydome]

Important to use the unconcentrated whole bean powder which this appears to be.

[Skydome in reply to park_bear]

I agree park_bear. This product is not an extract.

[Redginger in reply to park_bear]

Why important to use whole bean instead of extracts? Is there a thread on here explaining that?

[park_bear in reply to Redginger]

The extracts are concentrated levodopa which is likely to cause nausea

[ramotswe in reply to park_bear]

Would not the L-dopa dose taken as unextracted mucuna powder be just as likely to cause nausea as the same L-dopa dose taken as extract? If not, how is the difference explained?

[Skydome in reply to ramotswe]

One explanation that I like is that with a natural whole mucuna product we get the benefit of rest of the plant which are integral and complimentary to the growth of the seeds. I have not experienced nausea from my mucuna powder nor from Sinemet so I cannot compare.

The reason that I am cautious about using extracts is because I’m not clear how extracts are obtained. I have never come across a detailed description of the process to extract levodopa from mucuna plants. I have a mental picture of factories in India with heavy machinery… but maybe not because the costs of extract products are relatively low. As for ‘100% natural mucuna extract with 99% Ldopa’, it’s just plain absurdity, yet too many of us fall for it. To err on the side of caution, I would go for a whole bean product with 4-7% Ldopa or an extract with a low % Ldopa.

[kevowpd in reply to Skydome]

Motivated in part by the frequency with which I have seen 99/100 products called 'natural' on this forum, I spent some time trying to establish the extraction process for them. I wasn't able to really uncover anything, and I suspect a full accounting of the process would look far more synthetic than it would 'natural'. The end product definitely bears no resemblance to the plant material. I also noticed that the nutrivita 100% packet doesn't say 'mucuna' at all (though their website does). Significant? Dunno.

Doesn't matter to me since I'm pretty sure 100% ldopa is exactly that regardless of where it came from, but it might matter to those with a preference for the 'natural'.

The issue with mucuna products with a much more faithful % of ldopa (so roughly 5, as you said) is that you end up having to swallow an outrageous amount of them as your ldopa needs increase.

[Skydome in reply to kevowpd]

‘I also noticed that the nutrivita 100% packet doesn't say 'mucuna' at all (though their website does). ‘

Thank you, kevowpd, for pointing this out!

[Gioc in reply to Skydome]

hello Skydome, the L-DOPA extracted from the beans already in 1915 as you can see in this article on the history of ldopa and how it was discovered. A real stroke of luck? or someone, wand endowed with a strong intention, was very attentive to them?. There is also a historical video.😀comitatoparkinson.it/2017/0...

[Skydome in reply to Gioc]

Thank you, Gio, for the article along with the precious historical video. The wonderfully expressive Italian language, even after being translated into English, makes the development of Madopar and Sinemet read like a romantic adventure.

No doubt the dedication of the earliest scientists determined to find therapeutical and commercial applications for Levodopa laid the foundation for the pharmaceutical preparations available to us today, but a number of auspicious, seeming coincidences such as the discovery of decarboxylate inhibitors had to happen as well along the way. The universe is omniscient!

I am left wondering, when we speak of the wide range of mucuna pruriens extracts today, where that extracting process takes place and what is its end product, which is then sold as ‘natural’.

🙏

[Gioc in reply to Skydome]

The beans grow well in my garden and keep for a long time, but I would use them together with the pharmaceutical product.

This is the only way I know to know if the product is truly natural.

Here is an article that talks about preparing ldopa from mucuna seeds, but I think it works the same for green beans. Doctor Cilia has conducted important research in Ghana on the use of LDopa.

aboutpharma.com/blog/2020/0...

[Skydome in reply to Gioc]

Respect to doctors like Dr. Cilia 👊.

Gio, thank you!

[park_bear in reply to ramotswe]

Excellent question. It is my observation that 100 milligrams of concentrated levodopa as Mucuna extract does cause me nausea, whereas a similar amount of levodopa in the whole bean powder does not. As to why this is the case your guess is as good as mine. It seems to me most likely that there are cofactors in the whole bean powder that are responsible for this. Another possibility is the more diluted form is the cause of the benefit.

[ramotswe in reply to park_bear]

Yes, puzzling. Am I right in thinking you take Mucuna instead of the usual PD meds? That is my intention.

[park_bear in reply to ramotswe]

I experimented with Mucuna but I take generic carbidopa levodopa ER because I tolerate it well and it is easy.

[binnyrox in reply to park_bear]

Hi Park Bear

By chance would you know the max levodopa dosage from Mucuna one can take - if spread over the day ?

I use this study as reference, however it’s a single daily dose regimen

intechopen.com/chapters/60608

[park_bear in reply to binnyrox]

Good find at your link.

When I was experimenting with Mucuna I took additional doses over the course of the day as needed. So that is how I regard it personally - but not making a guarantee for others.

[binnyrox in reply to park_bear]

Thanks much.

[binnyrox in reply to park_bear]

Hello ParkBear

Could I please check with you if you took anything in lieu of the Carbidopa/Benseride component with Mucuna then?

If so what dose please?

I’m taking a green tea extract but it’s not working as well. Perhaps it’s not strong enough or I should be using the entire matcha. Some have mentioned grapefruit juice - again I’m unsure of effective amount

I’m unable to purchase Carbidopa/Benseride where I live

Thanks much

BR

[park_bear in reply to binnyrox]

When I was taking Mucuna I did not take anything else to enhance it. As I mentioned the whole bean powder did not cause me nausea, versus the concentrated extract which did.

[binnyrox in reply to park_bear]

Oh I think I’m beginning to understand The Carbidopa/Benseride component is to negate side effects from Levadopa

I was under the impression it’s to aid absorption of levodopa- be it in the form of 100% natural mucuna or synthetic levadopa

Thanks for the response. Much appreciated

[kevowpd in reply to binnyrox]

It's both

[binnyrox in reply to kevowpd]

Thanks very much for your reply

[Michel0220]

My dietitian recommended this oneyourhealthbasket.co.uk/prod...

I live in Oxford and had no problem ordering it.

[gregorio]

I buy from piping Rock, very reliable company so far and products are well priced

[Feargaire]

Greetings from over the pond

I have recently been reviewing Mucuna for my ex and found the following of great help

top10supps.com/best-mucuna-...

But I must draw your attention to standardised extracts. Be sure the product you opt for provides detail on the quantity of L-Dopa per serving and that you have a suitable dosing strategy.

Biovea provide caps with 100mg L-dopa per serving (Biovea brand) and Solaray (standardised to 60mg L-dopa per serving) Both available in the UK from biovea.com/uk/productlist/r...

[JeanieBeanie]

Pure Selva on Ebay Uk. From North Yorkshire or Scarborough. Been buying this for more than 3 years. Very reliable service and reasonably priced. And it works.

ebay.co.uk/itm/323306513951

[Painty23Painty]

Indigo herbs - Glastonbury organic powdered whole bean totally natural product

[ramotswe]

thankyou everyone for responding so generously. One more question! Are there any PWP's who chose Mucuna etc instead of regular meds on the forum? I would love to hear their experience.Ramotswe

[andrewalthuis]

Hi. I take a 100% extract of pure l-dopa from Mucuna pruriens. From nutrivitashop.comComes as a powder. You can order any amount. I usually buy a Kilo at a time. Costs about

$250 us a Kilo. Because it is a 100% Extract you only need 250 -500mg per serve. Mix with

4 Oz water. Have first thing on an empty stomach and 2-3 hours after food during the day.

I've had Parkinson's for 8 years and this plus other supplements is all I take.

Start off smaller doses to avoid nausea. Virtually side effect free.

I also take l-tyrosine, magnesium , a good quality multivitamin/mineral , coq10, vitamin B6, nac, and 5htp. These are to balance out the l-dopa.

[ramotswe in reply to andrewalthuis]

Thank you! Your response has cheered me up no end. Your regime looks ideal to me. I've had PD since 2014 - on a slow burn until 6 months ago. How are your symptoms? I have left hand tremor and increased slowness and stiffness but none of the other common ones. Which multi did you get by the way??So here we go for better quality of life!

warm wishes and many thanks again.

Ramotswe