So far I have not taken any pharmaceutical drugs for my PD symptoms. I have done lots of research on natural therapies, especially using vitamins, amino acids, as well as things like Alpha lipoic acid, nadh, COq10 and all the rest. As I state in another post, the substance that has had the most benefit is vitamin D3. I want to continue a non drug approach because drugs will not address the progression issue and I am depression prone, which seems to be a common side effect of drug therapy. My question to you is what do you think about protocols such as ayurveda, ketogenic diet etc. I have tried Mucuna pruriens and it seemed to help for a few weeks, then I became very depressed, as I think it depleted my serotonin level. I know there are not any easy answers out there, but I feel like I need to have a method or protocol and stick with it. What about the egg plant and night shade diet? Please give me some feedback... Aunt Bean do you sell fava bean extract? Would it be possible for me to purchase some? Thanks

Ketogenic diet

SAM-e for depression (morning empty stomach)

just curious, what brand, qty, and frequency of mucuna did you try?
sounds like you need some symptom relief.

Some people think that SAMe might not be a good idea with PD, at least with levodopa.
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supple...dientname=same

What is your experience?

I have done very well on the Hinz protocol which uses mucuna but balances it with other amino acids. Levodopa does deplete serotonin so 5-HTP is given.

You can get a lot of info at www.neurosciencemyths.com. For a simple explanation see http://brainbodystore.com/wp-content...ns-article.pdf.

Best of luck. I hope something works for you!

The Mucuna pruriens I tried was from Banyan Botanical and was bought as bulk herb in a half pound quantity. I was mixing about a heaping table spoon in water and slugging it down. I was taking about 30 grams a day. I know Marty Hinz says Mucuna taken without other amino acids can cause depression and that is what happened to me, it seems. Still it seems other folks get good results from mp.

http://www.wikihow.com/Boost-Serotonin
you realize mucuna contains more amino acids than just l-dopa.

it is a legume so high in protein.

I agree with you Gerry. (SAM-e @ Levadopa)
SAM-e does work well and since BF was only trying MP and other protocols it might be helpful to address the depression first. 5-HTP can also work well but may have tummy ache issues.

I realize MP has other substances in it besides L dopa, one of which I believe is serotonin. Gerry, I am under the impression the Hinz amino acid approach requires a lot adjusting of aminos to keep things balanced. Is this true.

serotonin doesn't pass the BBB
http://www.psychologistworld.com/bio.../serotonin.php