Faba Bean
We recently
became aware that an alternate source of levodopa, that is available over
the counter without prescription, “Vicia Faba Bean”, or fava,
is becoming popular once again.
Ingestion of “Vicia Faba Bean", or fava bean can cause, “Favism” in individuals with
glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
(also known as, G6PD). Symptoms of Favism include hemolytic
crisis, kidney failure, acute hemolytic anemia, and in severe cases
death. For
the incidence of G6PD is outlined in the U.S. Army study of 20061
which states, “Data were available for 63,302 (54,874 males and 8,428
females) subjects; 2.5% of males and 1.6% of females were deficient,
with most having only moderate enzyme deficiency. African American males
(12.2%) and females (4.1%), along with Asian males (4.3%), had the
highest rates of G6PD deficiency.”
Use of
“Vicia Faba Bean”, fava bean or faba bean
in the general population should be done with caution.
It would appear that the prudent thing to do prior to administering
“Vicia Faba Bean”, fava bean or faba bean
as a source of dopa would be to test all people for
glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency prior to starting in order to manage
favism properly. There is no need for pre-treatment testing with Mucuna.
“Vicia Faba Bean”, or fava bean are not a safe alternative to Mucuna
Pruriens as a
source of dopa if proper pretesting is not done.
-
Prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in U.S.
Army personnel.
Mil Med. 2006
Sep;171(9):905-7
Chinevere TD,
Murray CK,
Grant E Jr,
Johnson GA,
Duelm F,
Hospenthal DR.
Links cited in this
warning:
Faba Bean
Incidence of G6PD (full text)
Faba Bean Favism Association Home Page
Faba
Bean
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