PD & Mucuna: I was diagnosed with PD when... - Cure Parkinson's

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PD & Mucuna

Stevenmast profile image
111 Replies

I was diagnosed with PD when I was 50 years old I'm now 55 but suspect it started three years prior. I held off taking medication not because the neurologist didn't want to drug me up I just felt I didn't need it at that time. This past December I reluctantly succumbed to the inevitable Carbidopa levodopa. 25 / 100 milligrams. In my quest to get in better shape to eat more healthy and fight this debilitating disease I came across someone with PD using a natural Bean called mucuna. I have since been taking it for 3 months now; i no longer take levodopa and I'm having remarkable results. It's all new to me including my neurologist. LOL I was wondering if anybody out there has discovered mucuna purines and can share how they mix it and what they think about it?

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Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast
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111 Replies
hanifab23 profile image
hanifab23

please tell which brand and how much you take

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to hanifab23

Nutrivitashop.com

3/8 of a teaspoon at least 2 times a day sometimes 3 I need at least three times I just try to minimize the amount in the event of building up a resistance I don't mind bouncing off the walls when I get home but I still work

hanifab23 profile image
hanifab23 in reply to Stevenmast

Thank you so much

ion_ion profile image
ion_ion in reply to Stevenmast

3/8 of a teaspoon? How you measure that? Is not easier 4/8 = 1/2 teaspoon?

1953bullard profile image
1953bullard

What is the percentage of levadopa in it? I am trying to translate how much equals 100 mg of CL

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast

It says 100% l-dopa no fillers no additives. It's pure white

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Stevenmast

NutriVitaShop 99.6% L-Dopa is the highest purity available on the market

rustjudge profile image
rustjudge in reply to Stevenmast

hi--how does one contact nutrivitashop? jsj

maricor828 profile image
maricor828 in reply to rustjudge

Go to their website:

nutrivitashop.com

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to rustjudge

Sorry for the delayed response. Nutrivitashop. Com phone number is 949-232-2183.

rebtar profile image
rebtar

There's a protocol that a member of this site worked out that works well for some folks. I use it. So far, so good.

Here's the link to the post, you have to scroll down to see Silvestrov's protocol...

healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

Also, if you search for mucuna on this site, you'll find quite a lot of folks use it and there's more information.

marcet profile image
marcet in reply to rebtar

Does mucuna help reduce tremors ?

rebtar profile image
rebtar in reply to marcet

Like any PD med, I think it's an individual thing. For me I think it helps a little but my tremors are mild.

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to marcet

For me it works like a charm! I take 3/8 of a teaspoon mixed with cold organic green tea or in the morning it's very effective in 8 oz cup of coffee. It'll last me roughly 4 to 5 hours similar to the Carbidopa levodopa I was taken 25 / 100 milligrams. The difference for me is the mucuna is much more effective it makes me feel almost perfect

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to rebtar

Thank you I will take a look

JANVAN profile image
JANVAN

Thank you very much for the post !! >>>>> Powder City : >>> an american company ??

Alistairs profile image
Alistairs

Yes I take something Similar occasionally when all else fails. But I believe the source is India and concerned re heavy metal contamination. It works well .

I searched for your drug at Nutritvita shop but could not find.

You take no other med ?

Alistair

Derbyshire

UK

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to Alistairs

Use Blackburn Distributions in the UK

Alistairs profile image
Alistairs in reply to jeeves19

Thanks for this

lempa_nik profile image
lempa_nik in reply to Alistairs

nutrivitashop.com/products/...

Alistairs, NutriVita claims to have tested for heavy metals and other toxins. If in doubt, ask them to send you the Certificate of Analysis for a give Lot No. :

"Raw Ingredient Selection: Superior supplements begin with superior raw materials. As the foundation that supports our line of quality products, our raw ingredients are independently tested for contaminants, heavy metals, pesticides and fillers."

nutrivitashop.com/pages/about

jimmydook profile image
jimmydook in reply to jeeves19

Are you using it ,any good ?i live in uk recently diagnosed, not taking anything yet;only eating well and exercising

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to jimmydook

No I’m not using it as I’m on a very low dose of Madopar and Requip. If this increases substantially I’ll be transferring to MP

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to jimmydook

My advice to you would be to keep eating well and exercising and don't take anything until you truly need it! Whether it be synthetic medicine or mucuna.

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Alistairs

Go back to the site and put in l-dopa it is 100% organic. The gentleman that turned me on to it has been caring for his wife for 17 years this stuff is the real deal High quality I buy 250g bag roughly $62 and it lasts me two and a half months. They have much smaller quantities if you want to try it first. I was taking CL 25 / 100 but stopped before I started taking mucuna.

bobparty profile image
bobparty in reply to Stevenmast

could this be 100%. I'm taking 40% l-dopa mucuna

bob

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to bobparty

Hey Bob, I don't remember if I responded to you but I believe they claim it's 98.6% l-dopa. This is from nutrivitashop.- com. I believe powder City claims 98% extract basically the same thing I've never use theirs

Mike1942 profile image
Mike1942 in reply to Alistairs

Hi Alistair. I am now 4' weeks' clear of Madopar and patches. It's not been easy but mucanu pruriens is the way forward. I am not sure of the correct dosage for me as yet so it's still a bit experimental. Mike

Yo1ku profile image
Yo1ku in reply to Mike1942

Me too, I just put my husband f we from all med but only macuna. We are clear for 2 weeks now- he is much better. These are results;

1. Deep sleep REM and deep sleep longer- that mean he can repair all damage while sleeping (using fit bit follow up sleep patten)

2. Consipation gone! he can do toilet without any laxsative.

3. Tremors stop while taking if - now adjust the dose.

4. Episode of muscle spasm, cramps, pain and freezing in the middle of the night - zero

5. Mood and motivation- improve dramatically. ( Rivotril-zero, all depression med -zero).

6. Recovered and able to reduce 1 dose of macuna. No sign of need to increase dosage now addiction to.

7. Nerve pain and bending feet - improved. ( shoulder , back, thighs)

8 HRV value improved

9. Stoop and posture improved. Can walk close to normal without stick.

10. Vivid dream- zero episode.

11. Energy level- improved and can push himself to stand up from chair.

This is my experiments. General conclusion is I natural form of MP result in better improvement not only tremors but also mood and nerve pain in body.

This Friday is going to be my peaceful second week that he cleared from all meds.💪☺️🌸

Hope this info useful for all, but MP should be used very carefully if you still on prescription med.

Mike1942 profile image
Mike1942 in reply to Yo1ku

Hi Yo 1ku. I found many improvements same as you. Main one being sleep. For months my Fitbit showed sleep patterns of about 2.5/ 3.00 hrs a night. It's now amazing I sleep for 7 of 8 hours every night. All dreams and nightmares are a thing of the past. Best of luck . Mike

rustjudge profile image
rustjudge in reply to Mike1942

Do you take a dose i,mediately before go ing to bed? Wha is your daily doseage amounts and times? JSJ

Erniediaz1018 profile image
Erniediaz1018 in reply to Yo1ku

Wow excellent!!! You need to repost this as personal post. Thanks for the encouragement.

Yo1ku profile image
Yo1ku in reply to Erniediaz1018

Thank you Erniedianz, he is now not any other prescribed medicine at all and Doctor is very suppraised by his improvement. We stop all med in December and it was tough since we have to face with withdrawal effect from Hadol and siligiline. Now he have his life back and can walk - work / enjoy eating. Now Rehabilitation and start weight gain program. It was amazing. Thanks 🙏

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19

Do you or have you ever used Azilect? Just wondered about potential interactions between the two.

Alistairs profile image
Alistairs in reply to jeeves19

I use Azelect does not seem to clash but only take the Mucuna on rare occasions. We call it magic powder.

I really would like to take it as main treatment as Sinemet after 9 years it not dependable

But everyone thinks not wise.

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to jeeves19

No only CL 25 / 100 but I don't mix them. I just take mucuna now.

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace

You might want to purchase a jeweler's scale to measure the weight. I tried that same product several months ago-caused dyskinesia for me so I did not continue - and I weighed it on a scale and I think it was something like 1/16 of a teaspoon was around 40 mg. That would make 3/8 of a teaspoon 240 mg.

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Juliegrace

I agree I need to buy a scale

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Juliegrace

I have not bought a scale yet so this morning I took 3/16 instead of 3/8. Hopefully it works! Thanks again!

Erniediaz1018 profile image
Erniediaz1018 in reply to Juliegrace

I take this same product 1/8 of a teaspoon and it also caused me dyskinesia initially, but I started taking B1 with it and that cured the dyskinesia

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Erniediaz1018

Good morning Ernie! Just curious how much B1 do you take?

Erniediaz1018 profile image
Erniediaz1018 in reply to Stevenmast

Good morning. I take 4 grams of B1 a day, and 1/8 of a teaspoon of the same mp you take twice a day.

Rosabellazita profile image
Rosabellazita

How much..what brand....how often?

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Rosabellazita

Nutrivitashop.com. search for L - Dopa. I take 3/8 of a teaspoon twice a day and sometimes 3 times if I'm struggling at home after work.

kievian profile image
kievian

Mucuna pruriens (means ichy or irritating) is a plant like a shrub which bears beans in shiny brown pods the pods are covereds wih hairs, which, if your skin touches them, wll raise a viiolent inflammatory response. In ordr to harvest the beans, people usually wear protective clothing, including goggles. The secretions include serotonin and l-dopa (a precursor of serotonin as well as of dopamine, which is probably also present in very small quantities).

Mucuna pruriens was used to reat Parkinson's for 2-3000 years befire the present, although nothing ws known about why it was effective.l-dopa is found mainly in the husk and skin of the beans. It seems that l-dopa inhibits gemination of beans of plants that would compete with M. pruriens. Now you can purchase on the web extracts of beans with concentrations of 10-20% l-dopa. But there are no fileds where M. prurins is cultivated and harested so that the material extracts have at least a common genetic imprint.

Doctors cannot precriibe it because they don't know what else the capsules might contain. Serotonin is a serious drug to give someobody as an accidental dose of unknown strength.

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace

I used to have a GREAT memory, but 9 years of PD have taken a toll. I was completely off in what I wrote above. I re-measured this morning and the results were 1/32 (level) of a teaspoon equaled .099 gram, or 99 mg. So 1/32 tsp = 100 of the Nutrivita L-dopa, according to my measurements.

I measured using these spoons, amazon.com/Braille-Tactile-..., and this jeweler's scale, amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-GEM2....

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Juliegrace

You were right unfortunately the scale doesn't lie. The 1/8 measuring spoon I have been using weighs in at roughly .36 grams which means 3/8 is roughly 1.1 grams which equals 1100 mg Ike's! Unfortunately, it's what I need for it to work and lately it's not lasting as long Ike's again!

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast

Ugh! I just ordered a scale today but that is not the answer I was looking for because I took three sixteenths today instead of 3/8 and I didn't get very good results. It seems like 3/8 of a teaspoon I'm good for 4 to 7 hours. Really good much better than I ever got from CL. I've got PD about 8 years but I only went on meds last December. Thank you so much for your follow-up. It's a little scary when you have a neurologist that runs the Parkinson's Center for Columbian Presbyterian that won't be able to guide me. I guess I'll find out for sure tomorrow because I have an appointment to see him. At the moment I feel like I'm on my own with this..

AmyLindy profile image
AmyLindy

Stevenmast you are not on ur own w this. Pls keep posting. We r here with you!

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to AmyLindy

Thank you!

AmyLindy profile image
AmyLindy

But clinically, I also “know that feeling” of “aloneness “.. the clinicians cannot Support nonevidence based approaches . Our affiliation is certainly that of Lone Rangers and Renegades of sorts! Ha

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to AmyLindy

I can see you on a horse. LOL

katz2017 profile image
katz2017

Hello Stevenmast- I have my hubby taking MP and it helps with his arm tremors, concentration and quicker thoughts action time if you will.. he is not yet diagnosed with PD but has been told he has it and waiting on the Specialist apt in 2018 but yes it helps him also. I bought the Barlowes herbal elixer brand that is 650 mg capsules and 40% strength, he was taking 1 at first them increased to 2 per day , 1 only slowed the tremors 2 helped to stop them. Yes this stuff works I have done much research on it and ppl don't need to take L/C if using this and the effects of this is safer and better for a person than the actual RX drug.

I have just now ordered a different brand in a much larger strength of 99% pure L Dopa in powder form and the dosage is 1/8 tsp to start, this is in the mail and we bought this from a site called highdoseresveratrolacai.com...

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast

Best wishes to you and your husband. It sounds similar to what I'm taking and I agree with everything you are saying. Recently I have been mixing my Mucuna with 6 - 8 ounces of unsweetened almond milk with 1 Truvia in a small mason jar. shake it up really well and it tastes like a milkshake without the protein. Soon ill be sprouting Fava beans to grow in my garden this spring. They don't have nearly as much l-dopa as mp but the young beans have some and I LOVE beans! I also have a new neurologist appointment in NYC on Jan 30th with a doctor that was very involved with a mucuna study. I have a lot of questions I'm sure he will be able to answer for me. After my visit, i will share the info with you...If you're interested?

laglag profile image
laglag in reply to Stevenmast

Hi Stevenmast. I just saw your replies concerning MP. How did your Neuro appt. go in NYC? Also, do you live in the US?

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to laglag

I wish I could tell you great but the appointment is January 30th

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Stevenmast

I live on Long Island New York. Are you from the US? I will send a post out after my appointment hopefully I get some good information because I've been doing mucuna all of my own. Happy New Year!

laglag profile image
laglag in reply to Stevenmast

I'm in Indianapolis. Will be anxious to hear how your appt goes. Good luck & keep warm.

maricor828 profile image
maricor828 in reply to Stevenmast

Following

maricor828 profile image
maricor828 in reply to Stevenmast

Following

AmyLindy profile image
AmyLindy in reply to Stevenmast

After u see NY dr. Please post🧐I want to grow my own beans and use frozen Lima beans in my smoothie already !

KERRINGTON profile image
KERRINGTON in reply to Stevenmast

Hi ! Did you ever post how that appt went with the doctor who is/was involved with mucuna ?

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to KERRINGTON

I wish I did. He retired I reached out a couple times via email and he never responded.

KERRINGTON profile image
KERRINGTON in reply to Stevenmast

bummer :(

Ramuu profile image
Ramuu

Interesting !!!. I have been taking Kapikachu ( Indian Mucana) from Vaidyaratnam Kerala INDIA since 2012, but max ON time I have been able to get is only 3.5 Hrs , generally average 2.5 Hrs full ON time. I take in empty stomach with plain room temperature water 1 TBS ( 7.5 Grams) in 250 ml water x 3 times, i.e. , about 40 min before breakfast, before lunch, and before dinner . It will be active / ON within 20 min of consuming, but I allow another 20 min to be on safer side, so that it reaches brain, as food in stomach also competes for dopa. If you are getting 7 Hrs ON time really great !!!. Please let me know in detail how do you take ?? .

REgards

Ramuu

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Ramuu

Hi Ramuu, im sure the difference lies in the amount of l-dopa in what you are buying versus what I am buying. Also, the eighth of a teaspoon that I have been using weight is roughly .36 grams so 3/8 is almost 1.1gram. It is not often i go 7 hrs it's usually 4 to 6 with my morning dose always seems the best. Lately my favorite way to take it is with approximately 6 oz of unsweetened organic almond milk with one package of Truvia. I take it in a small mason jar which I shake up vigorously and it taste like a milkshake. I also have great results in 8 oz of coffee. I also take it with Organic green tea matcha that I buy from the same source. As I have mentioned before I buy my l-dopa from nutrivitashop com powdered extract. I also have an empty stomach there is one gram of protein in one cup of almond milk but it doesn't seem to hinder the l-dopa reaching my central nervous system. Good luck let me know how you make out

Ramuu profile image
Ramuu in reply to Stevenmast

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. Nutrivita product is quite expensive !!.. Vaidyaratnam Kapikachu is USD 1.3 per 100 Grams box ( Indian Rupees 85 only ). Let me experiment with another Indian brand Organic Kapikachu which cost appx USD 3.7 for 100grams. ( Appx Indian Rupees 245 /- ).

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Ramuu

I buy the 250 g bag for roughly $62 us that equates to $0.24 per gram.

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Stevenmast

Good luck let me know how you make out with that new brand

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Ramuu

That is 3/8 of a teaspoon

Mike1942 profile image
Mike1942

Time for my pennyworth. It must be 6 weeks now since I went ,coldturkey on Madopar and the patches. Alistair knows me.

The good bits now sleep like a baby for 7 hrs plus. (Now needs to alarm on to start MP meds)

No dreams of nightmares.

Absolutely no sign of leg cramps.

Bad bits. Increase in night time dribbling on pillows

Some difficulty in speech due to excess of fluid in my mouth.

Some slowness of movement.

I take 2 x teaspoons (100 ml ) of MP tinkture from Indigo Herbs 3 ,times daily. Please be aware I have no medical qualifications so don't copy my behaviour.

And bear in mind I go in for extrem physical exercise which generates my own dopamine. Good luck for the new year everyone. I am off in the morning for an end of year 10 km fun run. (Mad Mike)

laglag profile image
laglag in reply to Mike1942

Mad Mike. I'm getting a little curious about MP. What meds were you on, for how long, and when were you diagnosed? And, if you don't mind, your age? I'm 60, dxd 14 yrs ago, been on C/L approx 8 yrs (taking 4 per day), also taking Azilect & Amantadine. Seems I've heard it's difficult to go off C/L, especially the longer you're on it?

Thanks, laglag

Mike1942 profile image
Mike1942 in reply to laglag

Hi lag lag . me age 75. dxd 4yrs 25/100 madopar plus 6 mg nifedopine patch per day. Was not hard to stop. But again check with your Dr or PD nurse before undertaking any changes. Professional monitoring is better than guesswork.

Cons10s profile image
Cons10s

3 years PD. This year I started using Mucuna seed powder and Moringa powder with fantastic results. I buy the dark brown Mucuna from wwwtherawfoodworld.com. My morning dose lasts 5-6 hours. I’ve realized better balance and complete reduction of tremor, as well as Improved gait.

Still working full-time, and enjoying it. Traveling shopping daily stuff in general. I am 56 years old.

I believe the dark brown powder is better for those sensitive to nausea.

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Cons10s

Hi. I was wondering where you buy the brown mucuna? Do you have any idea of the purity?

ConnieD profile image
ConnieD in reply to Stevenmast

Hi Are you still having good results? Are you still taking 3/8 of a teaspoon? Does 3/8 of a teaspoon equals 25/100 of carbidopa levodopa? Thanks for any info

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to ConnieD

I am now taking a half a teaspoon which is 4/8 and getting good results. It lasts roughly 4 hours. It is unfortunately a lot more than 100 mg levodopa if you put it on a scale but that is to amount necessary for me to get similar uptime as the C/L

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace in reply to ConnieD

His 3/8 tsp equals 1100mg. That is not a typo, 1100.

marcet profile image
marcet in reply to Cons10s

Hello, are you attributing your fantastic results to mucuna or moringa ? Are you still tremors free ?

ConnieD profile image
ConnieD

Hi Are you still having good results? Are you still taking 3/8 of a teaspoon? Does 3/8 of a teaspoon equall about 25/100 of carbidopa levodopa? Thanks for any info

ConnieD profile image
ConnieD in reply to ConnieD

Thank you !

STEVEDAFISHMAN profile image
STEVEDAFISHMAN

The first time I tried Mucana, I was using Zandopa..And it the Zandopa container there is this curious looking red spoon that has raised lettering on it the says 7.5 grams..About the same volume surface area of a tablespoon..Looks like alot compared to a little yellow Sinemet tablet..T

STEVEDAFISHMAN profile image
STEVEDAFISHMAN

My first experiment with Mucana was with the Zandopa brand..I had no idea on how to mix or dose this stuff..It has very simple directions on the container, and it says, As directed by your Physician..Then it has a picture of this curious looking red spoon that you find on the inside the container, that has raised lettering that says 7.5 grams on the stem of the spoon, which looks to be about the same surface area of a table spoon..Then it has a large glass of water next to it..Looks like it takes alot of that powder to produce the effect of one those little yellow Sinemet tablets..I had no reason to believe otherwise that the red spoonful was the suggested dose..So I scooped a bunch of the powder out of the container and leveled it off with a knife, dumped it in the water, and began stiring, and stiring, and stiring this stuff up trying to break up all of the dry clumps floating around..Looks like alot, I was thinking to myself..So I drank it down, and it looked like something the Three Stooges cooked up..I could even see Shemp going e-b-b-b-b-b-b-beep, as it went down the the ol' hatch..When it kicked, in a very short time, I was off and running like the enegizer bunny for six solid hours..It was like taking speed..I couldn't stop..Now I use 1/4 of a teaspoon at the most, and mix it up

in a dixie cup..I lovingly call it "Parkie Crack" today

paloshealth profile image
paloshealth

Best way to take macuna powder is to weigh it. Must dial in optimal dose at cosistant frequency. Then add small dose of 5HTP (precurser to serotonin) to prevent dopamine pathway from crashing. This provides the foundation for any other support.

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to paloshealth

I've got a couple of bottles of 5-HTP how low of a dose are you recommending? What are your thoughts on tyrosine? I read it's another supplement necessary when taking mucuna. I only take mucuna and now B1 I would love to maximize the mucuna as best I can I appreciate the information. Thanks Steven

paloshealth profile image
paloshealth

I take 75mg daily of 5 HTP along with with about 5000mg of Tyrosine in total daily and 4.5 gms 98% mucuna 4x/daily. Sorry for the delay in response.

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to paloshealth

Thank you ! Is that Dr. Grays protocol? Can you tell me when you take each of these supplements? Do you mean 4.5 grams of mucuna per dose or is that all day?

paloshealth profile image
paloshealth

No, Dr Hinz from Neuro Research I take the Mucuna @7:00, 11:30, 4:00 and again @8:30 and the other foundational supplements (brand=CHK) are spread out within 3 of the four dosing times.

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast

I'm still confused how much mucuna do you take in one dose?

in reply to Stevenmast

join my facebook group:

"parkinson's thiamine hcl"

facebook.com/groups/2322600...

Parkinson's Relief, Questions and Answers

Guide:

1. Read page, About, open links.,

2. On Files page, open B1 FAQ document.

3. On Files page, download First Appointment document, answer and submit.

1tsp of mucuna, three or four times a day, four hours apart

rustjudge profile image
rustjudge

Does this mean you ceased using all PD meds before you started the MP..............EG. Comtan and how did you prepare for your first MP doseage meaning what time of day did you take theMP ,WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU ATE BEFORE taking MP, and how soon did you realize benefits from MP? As you can tell I amintrigued and very interested in your experience.

SAM JOHNSTON

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to rustjudge

Sam I'm about ready to scream! I just wrote you like a thousand word essay and somehow I clicked the back button and lost it all. So here we go again! What you eat and when you eat is critical in the effectiveness of mucuna! I was on Carbidopa levodopa 25 100 for about 6 months and I weaned off completely in about a week. I just did it on my own because I was anxious to get started with the natural supplement. I started out with one eighth of a teaspoon that I mixed in water. I happen to have a 1/8 teaspoon that's why I used it Lord knows where I got it. I was trying to duplicate the same relief time I got from the synthetic levodopa roughly 4 hours. It didn't take long before I figured out 3/8 of a teaspoon worked for me. I mixed it with water then and now I use green tea. There's an enzyme in green tea that aids in getting the mucuna across the blood-brain barrier similar to what the Carbidopa does. Here is my routine. My start time is based on my job so it may be different for you. 9 a.m. on an empty stomach I take my first dose if you're a coffee drinker I find it works well with coffee just don't mix with milk because it has too much protein. I use almond milk the one gram of protein doesn't seem to affect it. As soon as the mucuna kicks in roughly 30 minutes I eat breakfast. Each dose is roughly 4 hours apart my next dose would be 1pm and then 5pm. I don't usually eat lunch but if you do again eat right after your 1pm dose kicks in! The idea is your food is digested before you take the mucuna. You want the mucuna (l-dopa) to cross the blood-brain barrier and to get into your central nervous system without competing with other proteins in doing so. Two years later I'm using the same amount 3/8 of a teaspoon. You should see results right away! By the way there's a lot of different kinds of mucuna out there I use what came highly recommended to me. Nutrivitashop.Com search for l-dopa and it comes in bulk powder form they claim roughly 98% pure. It's the only mucuna I have ever used. I also buy my green tea Japanese matcha from nutrivitashop it's inexpensive and organic. I use a large mason jar I make up a batch of green tea for the day or so. I also makeup my mucuna in small mason jars and don't mix the green tea into it till I'm ready to take it. I only mix in about 4 ounces or less of the green tea Shake It Up try not to leave too much residue in the jar. I use very little green tea because I don't want to take in too much caffeine throughout the course of the day. Be prepared even to this day I get nauseous once in awhile it comes with the territory it will pass in about a half hour. As you can see it requires a little discipline and routine but that's what it takes to do it naturally! I have now added vitamin B1 to my routine and that is a whole nother successful story! One thing at a time! I hope I have answered all your questions good luck and keep me posted! Steven

KERRINGTON profile image
KERRINGTON in reply to Stevenmast

Thank you for all your in depth posts which I've been pouring over, mucuna and B1 are my mainstays. I've ha PD for abt 11 yrs. Would you have a clue as to why I sometimes feel like I've had too many fictitious glasses of wine after taking just 360 mg ldopa ?

Erniediaz1018 profile image
Erniediaz1018 in reply to Stevenmast

Excellent. Congratulations. You must make this a new post titled my natural protocol. It will help many more people.

rustjudge profile image
rustjudge in reply to Stevenmast

GM-Iam getting ready to start my mucuna and have a few ?s if you do not mind. Iplan to take as an initial dose 1/8 tsp as a morning dose ---prob. with coffee or green tea or water--- any thoughts? I will not take any PD meds but will wait at least one hour before ingesting any food at all---might watch the protein intake as well. Assuming the dose works how does one gauge the time and amount to take the second dose? I will adhere to the no protein rule continuously. If all goes well when do I take dose 3?

I currently take sinemet 25/100 ,sinemet 25/100 cr ,comtan , rytary and hope to eschew all PD meds and rely on the mucuna. Did you continue to take your PD meds along with the mucuna? Any problems or concerns thus far? I have other ?s but will wait a few days to pester you with them---please write at your earliest convenience with any subject you wish to broach. You cannot imagine how I appreciate your kindness.

SAM JOHNSTON

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to rustjudge

Forgive me for taking so long to respond to you I'm a little behind on my emails. Forgive me if you got this twice because I keep clicking on something and losing everything. I'm typing from my phone and I'm overdue for my last dose so my hands a little shaky. Any questions you ever have it's never a problem for me I've been helped by so many people on this site it's my pleasure if I'm able to help you in any way! I was on Carbidopa levodopa 25 100 for about 6 or 7 months but I weaned off before starting the mucuna that was about three years ago. I guess it was a little bit easier to stop the medicine and start something new then it might be now. What I tried to do is duplicative 3 to 4 hours relief time I was getting from the meds with mucuna. I started off with an eighth and then it eventually became 3/8 I've been on the same dose now for over two and a half years. The best way for you to tell is in the morning with an empty stomach. Eating can really change the effectiveness of the mucuna. Don't take it with water try a quality green tea like matcha or coffee black would be best. See how much relief time you get from the 1/8 teaspoon. You're going to want to try to get the same relief from your symptoms you were getting with your medicine it might take two eights. With me each eighth was roughly an hour of relief. After your first dose in the morning it'll take about 30 to 40 minutes to kick in and then you can eat just try to keep it light and if you don't have to have protein don't. I normally don't do lunch but I do a big that's when I have most of my protein. Hi don't eat dinner until my last dose kicks in so I eat kind of late. If you are not disciplined and eat before you take your mucuna it's not going to work well for you. I hope I answered all your questions if not keep sending them I'll try to respond to you a little bit sooner next time! Good luck Sam let me know how you make out I'm very curious.

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to Stevenmast

I see i have a few typos I meant a big dinner that's when I have most of my protein.

So my husband has been diagnosed with PD for five years now and takes Sinemet, 25/100, 2pills three times a day. He has experienced bothersome hallucinations and we have tried reducing his meds twice but can only get down to 4 pills a day without creating other problems. I have been folloythis site for some time and decided we should try the Mucuna puriens. But everything I read is about the powder and I purchased the capsules. They are 200 mg per capsule and are 99.6% l-dopa. Haven’t started them yet but figured we would start off with one in the morning and see what happens then maybe his Sinemet for his next dose. Neurologist won’t comment on it and GP won’t either so like others we are on our own. Any thoughts?

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to

I'm not sure I can advise you correctly because I went off my Carbidopa levodopa before I started the mucuna. I can tell you that the weight is equal to 1.1 G which is 1100 mg sounds like a lot but that's what it takes for me. If you're doubling up 25/100 that's really 50/ 200 so your husband may find it's not enough. Perhaps there are others out there that mix mucuna in with other meds that may be able to guide you better. Good luck!

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to

Finding a neurologist that will support mucuna is difficult I'm in the same boat I'm sure like others. What did your neurologist suggest for your husband's hallucinations? Lowering the dose?

in reply to Stevenmast

Yes he did. We went from 6, 25/100, 3 times a day down to 3.5 actually but right away his walking became slower. He has difficulty walking at the best of times due to a previous car accident, but it was noticeable slower. Not to mention he got what’s known as Capgras Syndrome where you think your spo/caregiver is an Imposter! That was interesting. Got him out of that by increasing his dosage. Went back to 6 that time. He came out of that but now with his hallucinations that he still has , he thinks there’s two of me!! So neurologist wanted us to try again but I think it’s pointless. Can’t reduce past 4!

in reply to Stevenmast

I should mention that we did go to a movement disorder clinic once and he wanted us to go up to 8 pills a day. We did try it for a bit but possnot long enough. But then what will that do to hallucinations I wonder??

KERRINGTON profile image
KERRINGTON in reply to

Why don't you start on mucuna that is a weaker dosage of the extract, or try to half the capsule powder in coffee/liquids first to see how he reacts. Also, I'm not on meds,but from what I've read there are procedures for people to wean down on Sinemet, as you introduce MP & extract.

in reply to KERRINGTON

Yes that is our goal to try and get off Sinemet. I read somewhere on this site where an individual took Mucuna at the first dosing time then a Sinemet for their next dose to see how it would effect them and figured things out from there. Again, I think it will depend on the individual’s age, weight, symptoms, etc. Like everything it’s trial and error which I feel can be scary.

KERRINGTON profile image
KERRINGTON in reply to

Good luck, I know there's tons of info on HU re the transition...I've never been on meds, otherwise I'd share what I did !

in reply to KERRINGTON

Thank you

rustjudge profile image
rustjudge

Hello--I a pd sufferer for 16 years and am considering stopping my PD meds and go with mucuna prurens in place of the sinemet. I am concerned about how much mp powder to take, how to take it when to take it---things to know or avoid eg--empty stomach needed --any carbidopa needed with the mp---is dyskinesia a liklihood---other caveats-------too numerous to mention.

You seem to have mastered the protocol and I hope you will share your experience with me. Hope I am not a bother.

Sam Johnston

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to rustjudge

Good morning Sam! I wrote to you 8 days ago. If you go back you will see it. I remember because I wrote it twice I accidentally back clicked and lost the first one. I just put it up as a post so you can easily find it by clicking on my icon. Good luck! Steven

rustjudge profile image
rustjudge in reply to Stevenmast

You are correct and I apologize for my "rudeness". I am still considering MP in lieu of my prescribed meds but have some hurdles to overcome. EG------WHhen you start the MP do you begin with a dose of 1 G or 500 mg or what. What do you do to ensure the MP crosses the blood/brain barrier? Did you cease all P DISEASE meds ? How do you know when the second...the third.....dose etc. is given? Do you use any capsules of MP AT ANY JUNCTURE AND IF SO WHAT STRENGTH ? Is there a brand you recommend for MP? Any tips or suggestions?

Thanks for your aid.

SAM JOHNSTON

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to rustjudge

I buy my mucuna pure extract from nutrivitashop. Com I have never used capsules. I recently went back to mixing it with coffee I believe the caffeine helps l-dopa to cross the blood-brain barrier early on it's always worked for me and still does! I was recommending green tea that was relatively new addition to my protocol but recently I was having all kinds of problems with dizziness nauseousness which turned out to be a water pill that I was on causing dehydration and low blood pressure. So I went back to what I used when I started mucuna over 2 years ago. Coffee! I weaned off the 25 100 / Carbidopa levodopa in approximately a week back then I wasn't as dependent on meds as I am now. Start out with 1/8 and see how it works for you I ended up using 3/8 because it got me the same roughly three to four hours of relief the carbidopa-levodopa got me. The good news is the HDT protocol which a lot of us are taking has enabled me to lower each dose by 1/8. I was taking three doses a day but now 33% less mucuna and i get the same relief time. So I'm taking 2/8 or 1/4 of a teaspoon three times a day for me 9 a.m. 1 p.m. 5 p.m. the other great thing that has happened since starting tothe B1 is am able to go longer between doses especially the last one which I prefer because it gets me closer to bedtime and I find it helps me fall asleep. Make sure you take the mucuna on an empty stomach or fully digested stomach I find at least 2 hours is good. Try to stick to a strict routine otherwise the mucuna will not be as effective. It is a protein and you don't want the mucuna competing with other proteins crossing the blood-brain barrier where the l-dopa will convert into dopamine. I put it in Black Coffee make sure it has caffeine I don't use a lot of coffee not more than a cup. It dissolves well in the coffee leaving no residue in the cup. I hope I have answered all your questions please feel free to ask questions if you have them. Good luck Sam! Steven

rustjudge profile image
rustjudge

GM---I found your reply and thank you very much for your time and effort. I am going to start the preparations for dropping sinemet and employing MP. I might have other questions for you if you do not mind.

BTW --I am a 72 year old retired judge (31 years) living in Lynchburg, Va. Please know how much I appreciate your efforts and let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

JSJ

Stevenmast profile image
Stevenmast in reply to rustjudge

No problem that's what we're all here for to help each other. Good luck!

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