Evidence supporting the use of: Broad bean
For the health condition: Parkinson's Disease
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.
Other ingredients used for Parkinson's Disease
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acetyl L-carnitine
Agmatine
Akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
apigenin
ashwagandha
astragalin
bacoside
baicalein
baicalin
beta caryophyllene
biopterin
black garlic
brahmi
broad bean
butyrate triglyceride
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
carnosic acid
catalpol
catechins
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
creatine
curcumin
decarboxylase
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
fava bean
ferulic acid
fisetin
fish oil
fo-ti
gastrodin
ginkgo biloba
Ginsenosides
Glucoraphanin
Glycosphingolipids
gotu kola
green tea
Gypenoside
Haematococcus pluvialis
hericium mushroom
Honokiol
icariin
inosine
isoliquiritigenin
Jatamansi
Kaempferol
L-carnosine
L-glutathione
lingzhi
lion's mane
luteolin
magnolol
mangiferin
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Melatonin
Myricetin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
NADH
nicotinamide riboside
Nobiletin
Oleuropein
omega-3 fatty acids
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
phosphatidylserine
Phosphocreatine
phytocannabinoids
Puerain
Puerarin
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
resveratrol
Salidroside
Salvianolic acid
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Shilajit
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Tanshinone
Trehalose
Triacetyluridine
Tumerone
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Urolithin A
velvet bean
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Vitexin
Withanolides
Wogonin
Xanthine
Xanthohumol
Xanthone
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)