Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Broad bean (Vicia faba), also known as fava bean, contains significant amounts of levodopa (L-DOPA), the direct metabolic precursor to dopamine. Parkinson’s Disease is characterized by a deficiency of dopamine in the brain, and pharmaceutical levodopa is the most effective treatment for its symptoms. The traditional use of broad bean for neurological symptoms exists in some regions, but the main rationale for its use in Parkinson’s Disease is scientific, based on its natural L-DOPA content. Several small clinical studies and case reports have demonstrated that consumption of broad beans can increase plasma L-DOPA levels and may improve motor symptoms in some people with Parkinson’s Disease. For example, a study published in “Movement Disorders” (1993) showed that ingestion of a meal containing Vicia faba led to measurable rises in plasma L-DOPA and improvement in motor symptoms comparable to standard levodopa/carbidopa medication, though effects were less predictable and variable. However, there are risks, such as unpredictable dosing, potential for excessive L-DOPA, and the presence of other compounds in the beans that may interfere with absorption or cause side effects. In summary, while there is scientific evidence supporting the use of broad beans as a natural source of levodopa, the evidence is limited, dosing is imprecise, and medical supervision is advised.

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Other ingredients used for Parkinson's Disease

Acetyl L-carnitine
Akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
ashwagandha
beta caryophyllene
black garlic
butyrate triglyceride
catechins
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fava bean
fisetin
fish oil
ginkgo biloba
gotu kola
green tea
L-carnosine
L-glutathione
lion's mane
luteolin
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
melatonin
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nicotinamide riboside
omega-3 fatty acids
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
quercetin
resveratrol
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
sulforaphane glucosinolate
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
velvet bean
vitamin D
vitamin D3
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
lingzhi
ferulic acid
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Apigenin
Agmatine
Astragalin
Biopterin
Baicalein
Brahmi
Broad Bean
bacoside
Baicalin
Catalpol
Creatine
C-Phycocyanin
Cannabidiol
Carnosic acid
Decarboxylase
Ergothioneine
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Fo-Ti
Ginsenosides
Gypenoside
Glycosphingolipids
Glucoraphanin
Gastrodin
Haematococcus pluvialis
Honokiol
Hericium mushroom
inosine
isoliquiritigenin
icariin
Jatamansi
Kaempferol
Mangiferin
Myricetin
Magnolol
NADH
Nobiletin
Oleuropein
Phosphocreatine
Puerain
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone
Puerarin
Paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Salidroside
Salvianolic acid
Shilajit
Sulforaphane
Tumerone
Tanshinone
trehalose
Triacetyluridine
Uncaria
Vitexin
Withanolides
Wogonin
Xanthine
Xanthohumol
Xanthone

Other health conditions supported by Broad Bean

Anemia
Parkinson's Disease

Products containing Broad Bean

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.