Fava
Bean
We recently
became aware that an alternate source of levodopa, that is available
over the counter without prescription, Fava Bean,
is becoming popular once again.
Ingestion of 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
Fava Bean
in the general population should be done with caution.
It would appear that the prudent thing is 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
Pruriens as a source of levodopa.
Fava Bean
is 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:
Fava Bean
Incidence of G6PD (full text)
Fava Bean Favism Association Home Page
Fava Bean Favism PubMed
Fava Bean Favism NIH
Fava
Bean
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