Mucuna powder and mucuna capsules - Cure Parkinson's

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Mucuna powder and mucuna capsules

jeeves19 profile image
58 Replies

Hi all. I'm interested in giving this a go. When I go to Ebay I find Zandopa all over the place from India. There's also a couple of herb sellers here in the UK that sell a different brand but again it's in powder form. However, go to Amazon or IHerb and you get lots of products in capsules. I notice that they are described as Mucuna and not Mucuna Pruriens. Does anybody know if there's a difference between M and MP and also, are these capsules the same product as the various powders on offer?

Thanks a lot to anybody who can answer this.

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jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19
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58 Replies
parkie13 profile image
parkie13

This is of the top of my head. If it says mucuna does it say also it is standardized? Otherwise I think it would take many many pills to come to a certain dosage.

JosieDubbel profile image
JosieDubbel

I take 3 times 3 pills of MP each day of MP of healthy vitamins . Normally I took 3 times 1 100/25 sinemet. It helps as much. Donot know about other people. Zandopa did not do much in some funny way donot know why. I disliked the taste of it too

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to JosieDubbel

Thanks for responding

yeramian profile image
yeramian in reply to JosieDubbel

Hello, so are you taking 9 pills of the MP each day? Is it a 15% L-dopa? Or is it a higher level of L-dopa? Where do you buy your MP? Is it helping with other symptoms, like pain? Thank you

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948

You need to take note of the weight of the capsule and the percentage of dopamine in it and calculate the dopamine content per capsule. It varies from 90%-15%. The lower percentage is thought preferable as it allows for the capsule to contain other beneficial ingredients also found in mucuna.

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to Dap1948

Blimey Daffers!

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to jeeves19

It's usually written on tub! Solaray's DopaBean capsules from iherb are 333mg total capsule contents weight, with 15% ldopa, therefore roughly 50 mg ldopa per serving. This is quite a low dose. Powder gives you the opportunity to start even lower.

MBAnderson profile image
MBAnderson in reply to Dap1948

I asked this question of someone else below, but I'd like to know what you think as well.

I thought that typically MP is 15 to 20% levodopa and that 100% pure extract is all levodopa and nothing else. If pure extract is just levodopa, how does that reduce dyskinesia, i.e., aren’t we just replacing the levodopa in C/L with levodopa from MP?

I thought the purpose of getting levodopa from MP was because the other compounds in the MP is what allowed you to get the same dose of levodopa without dyskinesia. So, if the pure extract is all levodopa, how does that reduce the likelihood of dyskinesia?

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to MBAnderson

I assume the levodopa in madopar and sinimet is synthetic and the levodopa in macuna is natural.

MBAnderson profile image
MBAnderson in reply to Dap1948

so, that must mean their molecular structure is different? If the levodopa in MP doesn't induce dyskinesia, but the levodopa and C/L does, then that must mean they're different?

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to MBAnderson

Sorry I'm not a chemist. I have been told it's 'natural' and feel better on it.

JMitch1950 profile image
JMitch1950 in reply to Dap1948

I was also informed by an organic/naturalist in Atlanta that the MP is all natural and not chemically made which makes it far better. I get no exact reason when asked why dyskinesia does not occur when taking MP but it works for me.

Remember the MP has to be pure form and when taking LDopa supplement it also has to be pure form with no other additive on the label.

I did not see any results when I took LDopa supplements. I began taking certified organic Mucuna P. and within 60 days could feel and see a difference. If it has been used for centuries in India and China among other countries to treat PD symptoms with good results then it is worth a try. I do have the 100% certified organic powder as well as the capsules. The taste is what deters me from slurping down a mouth full with water or cranberry juice but you can control the amount you take with the powder vs capsule. totally my opinion.

Yiya66 profile image
Yiya66 in reply to JMitch1950

Hi Thank you so much for this, I think that taking time (60 days) is also important. Could you please tell what brand is the certified organic Mucuna P. that you buy and where? It will even help if you have a link.

Thanks a lot

JMitch1950 profile image
JMitch1950 in reply to Yiya66

Himalayausa.com

60 caplets

I take the cap let’s when I just don’t think I can drink the powder mix. It is certified organic.

I have always purchased my powder from starwest botanicals which can also be purchased they amazon. We have gotten another powder that was derived from the mucuna seed and stem but I will have to find that exact name. I hope this helps. There are very informative articles about Mucuna Pruiens and you would benefit from doing extensive research on this wonderful herb. It helps do much more than just PD but I credit it for my slow progression of PD and my total well being.

Hmop profile image
Hmop in reply to JMitch1950

Is there any difference between LDopa supplements and

certified organic

Mucuna?

Erniediaz1018 profile image
Erniediaz1018 in reply to MBAnderson

Yes the MP I take its from nutrivita and it claims to be 98% ldopa or something close to that. I have tremor so the MP eases the tremor somewhat but doesn't stop it completely, but here's the catch if I take too much it does cause bad dyskinesia. So I think that's bad info on the MP not causing dyskinesia

Rosabellazita profile image
Rosabellazita in reply to Erniediaz1018

How many capsules do you take a day

Coot18 profile image
Coot18 in reply to Dap1948

Dap

I started taking those 333 DopaBean mucuna puriens

If it has 50mg Ldopa, am I getting twice as much Ldopa as in 25/100 Sinemet?

also, does mucana require the assistance of carbidopa to be effective as pharmaceutical Ldopa?

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to Coot18

You are getting half as much ldopa in the DopaBean as your 25/100 Sinimet. Your sinimet has 100mg of ldopa. If you buy a mucuna product which is a low percentage of ldopa, like DopaBean, the rest of the product is believed to have ingredients which work like carbidopa. I certainly don't take anything else and found swapping my 50mg madopar capsules for DopaBean capsules unproblematic.

Beckey profile image
Beckey in reply to Dap1948

So ... the lower the better?

ryanJames1 profile image
ryanJames1

I only use certified organic Mucuna powder to eliminate the chance of heavy metal contamination

Dchovan profile image
Dchovan in reply to ryanJames1

Where do you purchase this and what brand do you bu.y? Thank you!

ryanJames1 profile image
ryanJames1 in reply to Dchovan

Online from Banyan Botanicals

Dchovan profile image
Dchovan in reply to ryanJames1

Got the powder ordered, how do you take it? I ordered the drops also. Do you take it at the same time you take your meds? Thank you for your help!

ryanJames1 profile image
ryanJames1 in reply to Dchovan

I take 1 flat teaspoon with 1 capsule of NAC mixed in warm water each morning I'm not on Meds though so best to check dose with others that are combining both

SuperMNew profile image
SuperMNew

Hello Jeeves! I've done exactly the same thing as you have done looking for a natural remedy for RLS. Zandopa is 87% Mucuna Extract and 23% filler with sweetener added. I'll save you some time and hopefully money. I found 100% (no fillers) pharmaceutical grade Mucuna Extract at NutriVita.com. Here is the link: nutrivitashop.com/products/...

The capsules work okay, but it takes time for the capsule to dissolve and the mucuna to be free to work. That takes longer and capsules are more expensive.

I have been on Mucuna Extract for almost a year now and I've had NO augmentation, no need to increase the amount I take (1/2 tsp. one half hour before I want to sleep. Then 1/2 tsp. four hours later when I wake up. I sleep another four hours. Total 8 hours sleep at night.) For me, this is perfect. My stomach cannot tolerate more than a 1/2 tsp. dissolved in pure water at a time. You might be able to tolerate more and sleep longer.

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to SuperMNew

Thanks very much for your generous and informative response.😊

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to SuperMNew

Hi. Me again. Why not take some MP during the day if it works well during the night for you?

SuperMNew profile image
SuperMNew in reply to jeeves19

I have done that. For me, I can always count on 4 hours "rest, usually sleep" with 1/2 tsp. Then it wears off. If you need it during the day, take it! Then take it again to sleep at night.

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to SuperMNew

Do you take any other drug during the day such as sinemet out of curiosity? Thanks for a swift response btw.

SuperMNew profile image
SuperMNew in reply to jeeves19

No. I do not take any drugs. Mucuna does for me what drugs do, but drugs always have a "kick-back." If I need relief, say in the early evening to be able to sit for games with friends and supper together, I take mucuna again, but not as much so I won't get sleepy. It takes affect in 30 minutes, depending on what foods are on my stomach when I take mucuna. I have discovered that if my stomach is processing food, the mucuna does me NO good. So I always take mp on an empty stomach.

MBAnderson profile image
MBAnderson in reply to SuperMNew

Help me understand this. I thought that typically MP is 15 to 20% levodopa and that 100% pure extract is all levodopa and nothing else. If pure extract is just levodopa, how does that reduce dyskinesia, i.e., aren’t we just replacing the levodopa in C/L with levodopa from MP?

I thought the purpose of getting levodopa from MP was because the other compounds in the MP is what allowed you to get the same dose of levodopa without dyskinesia. So, if the pure extract is all levodopa, how does that reduce the likelihood of dyskinesia?

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to MBAnderson

I think it's the carbidopa that does the damage. Apparently it damages ones DNA?

SuperMNew profile image
SuperMNew in reply to MBAnderson

I am no expert, mind you. But when I began researching MP, I learned that 15-20% MP extract is used by those who want to "feel good" and was used widely by bodybuilders and health nuts. My amateur analysis is that in the capsules I started with, 15% is MP and 85% is filler. Those capsules didn't help me at all. I searched and used 45% (one capsule helped me for about 2 hours), 85% (one helped about 3 hours), and 95% (about the same as 85%). All were caps. I cut the caps and took the powder in water. It was absorbed much quicker whereas a capsule has to dissolve before the MP can start kicking in.) That's how I know they have a taste to them. Then I found 100% mucuna extract. In 1/2 tsp (which may fill a normal gelatin capsule), I get four hours, sometimes more of deep sleep, free of my symptoms. I think the MP is pure levodopa. It's prescription carbidopa that has such a kickback and progressively less effectiveness as your body fights the chemicals (again, my amateur analysis). The MP I use now is pure--no taste, therefore I assume no fillers. It has worked for me for 2 years. Hopefully this helps.

MBAnderson profile image
MBAnderson in reply to SuperMNew

thank you

SuperMNew profile image
SuperMNew in reply to MBAnderson

You are most welcome!

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to SuperMNew

A lovely post! Thanks😊

Yiya66 profile image
Yiya66 in reply to SuperMNew

Hi SuperMNew

I have to ask , do you use the MP to sleep? It is not clear to me. What are the symptoms you get rid of with MP if I can ask? And how much MP should be taken to be able to work during the day ?

Thank you in advance for your kindness

SuperMNew profile image
SuperMNew in reply to Yiya66

Yes, I use MP to sleep. Between 7-9 p.m., my legs start jumping--my nerves are firing, making my legs jump. It continues until the sun comes up. No letup. (Just FYI) I've been researching my RLS condition for years, and from one very reputable doctor I learned that the Central Nervous Systems began trying to repair damaged nerves, etc. during that time. That is somewhat of an answer, but no solution in itself. Back to your questions. As is true of most all RLS sufferers, walking and moving stops the "spiking." So in the evenings I move a lot! At 10 p.m. (on an empty stomach) I take 1/2 tsp. of MP (the pure, 100% EXTRACT from NutriVita.) Within 15 to 45 minutes (depending on what is in my stomach), all restless legs stops and I begin getting very drowsy. I go right to sleep and sleep solid for 4 hours with no RLS at all. When I begin getting restless and wake around 2 or 2:30 a.m., I get up and take another 1/2 tsp. I usually can go right back to sleep and sleep another 4 hours or more. I have found this dosage adequate for my life style. I like to plan my 8 hours of sleep so I have a full evening and then I don't oversleep in the morning. I have taken MP in early evening so I could attend parties that start around 6 and go to 10 or so. The MP keeps me calm and feeling normal. Then. I simply take my usual dose at 10 or 10:30 whenever I can, and try to stay on schedule. I have noticed that natural dopamine works wonderfully the same every time. Prescription meds do not work that way for me. (Apparently for others as well.) The body responds more naturally to natural dopamine. I am happy to answer any and all of your questions. And I'm delighted if I can help someone to cope with RLS or PD. I've been there so I know how utterly miserable both are, and prescription meds don't seem to offer any kind of long-term help without awful side affects.

SuperMNew profile image
SuperMNew in reply to Yiya66

I always encourage anyone taking MP to experiment with what will work for them. If you take MP during the day, it should work the same as at night--keeping you free from symptoms whenever you take it. God bless! (Please see my reply below.)

SuperMNew profile image
SuperMNew in reply to MBAnderson

Believe me! I wish I had answers for all your questions. I just submitted another answer to you below. Initially I was so desperate for relief, I did the research and started my journey testing Mucuna. It gave me relief that did not kick back. Prescription meds for me were increasingly less effective and the side effects were horrible. I was determined to find a natural source that would work long-term, and for me, that was Mucuna Pruriens from Nutrivita.

MBAnderson profile image
MBAnderson in reply to SuperMNew

thank you

munchybunch profile image
munchybunch in reply to SuperMNew

How much do you take pls? At the moment my husband is just on azilect and Sifrol but I sense that soon he will have to go on Levadopa. I think MP could be good to try. However, I m a bit overwhelmed with all the info and dosages to take etc. Any suggestions for dosages to start with? thanks

SuperMNew profile image
SuperMNew in reply to munchybunch

I used capsules at first, but then I began emptying the contents in water so the MP would take effect sooner. I was wasting my money. Why not just get the extract powder and not the capsules. It's much less expensive. I purchased the 100% MP extract (pharmaceutical grade) from Nutrivita. Here is the link: nutrivitashop.com/l-dopa-10...

You will need to experiment with dosage. I would not advise you to use MP with any pharmaceutical prescription drugs--you'll be overdosing him. If you wean him down off his prescription drugs, you could begin adding a small amount of MP, and I would start with no more than 1/8 tsp. MP is powerful, just like prescription drugs, but MP is natural. With drugs there's always a kickback at some point because the body is not made to thrive on chemical drugs.

Just my thoughts.

Greenday profile image
Greenday in reply to MBAnderson

The typical levodopa concentration in natural MP powder is 4-6% ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... . Anything more than 12% and it is certaintly an extract.

Unfortunately, there is a common misconception that the active ingredient in Mucuna is just the Levodopa alone. This is beyond untrue: Most studies performed with pure Mucuna powder (4-6% Levodopa) showed that it outperforms plain Levodopa in terms of efficacy, absorption, bioavailability, duration and number of side effects.

Taking high concentration Levodopa without decarboxylase inhibitor is likely to exacerbate possible side effects such as nausea and it won't make any difference whether you take synthetic Levodopa or natural from mucuna.

The positive effects of Mucuna over Levodopa are attributed to yet-to-be-identified natural decarboxylase / MAO inhibitors and other beneficial compounds which Mucuna may contain. Therefore Mucuna Extracts of 12% and above may compromise or devoid of these innate properties found in the natural Mucuna powder. It is very likely that PD patients experience the full benefits of Mucuna when taken as whole powder instead of extracts.

* The Antiparkinsonian and Antidyskinetic Mechanisms of Mucuna pruriens in the MPTP-Treated Nonhuman Primate

hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2...

“We demonstrate that Mucuna pruriens and MPWE have unique mechanistic properties that are differential from LD and that the unique combination of constituents within Mucuna pruriens contributes to both its anti-PD and anti-dyskinetic effects. ”

---------

* Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson disease : A double-blind, randomized, controlled, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

DDCI = Dopa-Decarboxylase inhibitor

MP = Mucuna Pruriens (5.7% levodopa)

Results:

"When compared to LD+DDCI, MP-Ld showed similar motor response with fewer dyskinesias and Adverse Events, while MP-Hd induced greater motor improvement at 90 and 180 minutes, longer ON duration, and fewer dyskinesias. MP-Hd induced less AEs than LD+DDCI and LD−DDCI. No differences in cardiovascular response were recorded."

* Video: Natural Mucuna powder vs Levodopa vs LD+DDCI (PD Patient)

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

* Frequency and type of adverse events:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

DDCI = Dopa-Decarboxylase inhibitor

MP = Mucuna Pruriens (5.7% levodopa)

-----

Sleepiness (somnolence) :

- 9, Levodopa

- 6, Levodopa + DDCI

- 1, MP-low dose

- 1, MP-high dose

-----

Nausea :

- 6, Levodopa

- 2, MP-high dose

- 1, MP-low dose

-----

Dizziness :

- 3, Levodopa

- 1, Levodopa + DDCI

----

Prolonged Adverse Events ( >90min) :

- 4, Levodopa

Nausea is reported but more prominent when Levodopa is taken alone. Sleepiness and Dizziness appear more likely with Levodopa / Levodopa + DDCI . Prolonged adverse events are more prominent with Levodopa alone and absent with the other agents.

Bottom line: Levodopa alone appears to have the most adverse reactions (12). The least adverse effects are reported with MP-low dose (1)

Rosabellazita profile image
Rosabellazita in reply to SuperMNew

How can u tell? My Tremor is bad if I increase it or if I decrease it. I purchased 650mg 40per cent l dopa

Erniediaz1018 profile image
Erniediaz1018 in reply to SuperMNew

This is the same place I get MP nutrivira, but I take half that dose as my stomach can't take more and during the day. And more like every six hours or I get dyskinesia.

Palace69 profile image
Palace69

I use the capsules as well as sinemet,it seems to shorten off time.

Beckey profile image
Beckey

I had wonderful success taking Dopa Mucuna -- 3 capsules at a time, 3 times a day. However, about a month ago it quit working. I've been taking 4 this week; no benefit.

Given my simpleton brain power, I do not understand the dosing advice I'm reading here from some of you accelerated brainiacs. And I don't know how to discern the difference between products -- NOW's Dopa Mucuna vs. Himalaya's Mucuna, for instance. I can't choke down the powder in dry or watered form and have to stick to caplets or capsules.

I had a wretched reaction to sinemet and hope never to take it again!

Those of you who take MP -- please advise!

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply to Beckey

The capsules from Now Foods? What strength? How much Sinemet were you taking?

Beckey profile image
Beckey in reply to Kia17

How much sinemet? None.

The Now Dopa Mucuna capsules label says "standardized mucuna extract, naturally occurring 15% L-Dopa." Then on the back, "Mucuna extract 800 mg, L-Dopa 120 mg."

A friend told me yesterday she obliterated her tremor with Zandopa.

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply to Beckey

Thanks Beckey

Rosabellazita profile image
Rosabellazita in reply to Beckey

Do you know how much Zandopa she was taking for her tremor

Farooqji profile image
Farooqji

I take Rae powder from beans

It's effective

Beckey profile image
Beckey

I take NOW Labs' Dopa Mucuna, which I order online from whoever is offering the best bargain. It comes in capsules -- I can't choke down the powder -- 15 percent, standardized. I started last year taking 2 capsules, three times a day. Now I take 4 capsules at a time. It works!

JHLambert profile image
JHLambert

The Zandopa product is a standardized manufactured product assembled in a controlled environment in India. It contains .4% saccharine and this exists within the product to act as a sweetener to the Mucuna Pruriens Powder base, which I’ll refer to as “MPPb”. Mucuna Pruriens Bean Powder in and of itself is quite bitter to the taste buds. I’ve been using this Zandopa product since 2009, which I began making my own gelatin capsules after being diagnosed with Bradykinesia Parkinson’s in2007. I was diagnosed for about two years when I began making my own capsules, then I taught my wife how to use the capsule making equipment to make 200 capsules at a time. Then my wife taught her sister how to make them. From the very beginning I decided to make one size capsule, the “00” size. I’ve been making them since 2009 and although I can’t say that the Zandopa product has always shipped a 100% quality product, they haven’t. I’ve received shipments that had less saccharine and on one occasion the product was so bitter tasting that it would turn your mouth inside out. I take this for myself only, so I can use non-compensated family to help. If you attempt to sell the capsules, I suspect that DEA will be to visit you. I like the Zandopa product and do consider it to be a very good product. I can eat it (Spoon fed) from the “jar” as long as it has the saccharine in it.

John Lambert

lambert.john.h@gmail.com

JHLambert profile image
JHLambert in reply to JHLambert

The “00” capsule size has about 735mg in quantity. The 735mg capsule is on average, 4 to 7% L-Dopa. My neurologist prefers that I not take or use a non-standardized product, which the Zandopa product fits into. Now, I use a mean average to calculate the amount of L-Dopa I’m getting from each capsule. The mean average of 4 to 7% is 5.5%. Now at 5.5% per 735mg capsule, that’s

“735mg x .055” = 40.425mg of dopamine. This is the figure that you would use to calculate the total amount of dopamine I’m getting per day. I take 6 dosing’s per day, 3 capsules each dosing, for a total of 18 capsules, which gives me (6*3=18*40.425mg for a total of 727.65 Mg of dopamine). The Zandopa product takes affect much quicker than do other products, ie Sinemet Regular 25/100 (about 42 minutes, Sinemet 50/200 CR (about 60 minutes) and Mucuna Pruriens (about 12 to 15 minutes). Mucuna Pruriens takes affect without the use or Carbidopa, a component of Sinemet (regular & CR) that usually gives new-takers an upset stomach.

John Lambert

lambert.john.h@gmail.com

Hmop profile image
Hmop

Is there any difference between LDopa supplements and

certified organic

Mucuna?

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