Which color maca is it, to raise L-dopa levels?

[nolongerthesame]

Seem that I made a mistake, Mucuana pruriens is what I need to take for L-dopa. Does any body know the proper way of taking it?
I read this on a supplement forum:

“Synthetic L-DOPA used to treat Parkinson’s Disease is called levodopa (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine).
L-DOPA is (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine). The main extract used for ALL L-DOPA is MP/Velvet Bean.
Do you understand this relation? L-DOPA has been shown to release high amounts of Dopamine, and Seratonin.
This release over a long period of time care wear on these receptors. The MAIN chemcial in PowerFULL is L-DOPA.
You previously stated that L-DOPA releases " 200-500% AUC " I do not refute this. However L-DOPA is known more for its ability to release Dopamine, and Seratonin. MP/Velvet Bean extract IS L-DOPA. L-DOPA taken for long periods as reccomended with PowerFULL, without a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor (DDCI) is harmful to the natural stores of seratonin, and dopamine”.

What is a Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor?

I also read that you should take 5-htp ( serotonin precursor ) if taking L-dopa.
Someone stated you should take 50-100 mg 5-htp along with 300-400 Mucuna ( l-dopa).

I am a bit confused by all this…anybody have experience or knowlege in regards to supplementing with Mucuna Pruriens?

[visionquest99]

Anyone try mucuna?

Effect of Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) on oxidative stress-induced structural alteration of corpus cavernosum in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.
Suresh S, Prakash S.
2011

Department of Anatomy, Dr Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai, India.

INTRODUCTION:
Erectile dysfunction is one of the major secondary complications of diabetes. Mucuna pruriens (M. pruriens), a leguminous plant identified for its antidiabetic, aphrodisiac, and fertility enhancing properties, has been the choice of Indian traditional medicine.

AIM:
The objective of the present study was to analyze the efficacy of M. pruriens on free radicals-mediated penile tissue alterations in hyperglycemic male rats. Methods. Male albino rats were divided as group I (sham) control, group II (STZ) diabetes-induced (streptozotocin 60 mg/kg of body weight [bw] in 0.1 M citrate buffer), group III (STZ + MP) diabetic rats administered with 200 mg/kg bw of ethanolic extract of M. pruriens seed, group IV (STZ + SIL) diabetic rats administered with 5 mg/kg bw of sildenafil citrate, group V (sham + MP) administered with 200 mg/kg bw of extract alone, and group VI (sham + SIL) administered with 5 mg/kg bw of sildenafil citrate. The M. pruriens and sildenafil citrate were given (gavage) once daily for a period of 60 days. At the end of 60 days, the animals were sacrificed and subjected to analysis of reactive oxygen species levels, enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidant levels, levels of NOx, histological, and histomorphometrical study of penile tissue.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Remedial use of M. pruriens seed extract on diabetes-induced erectile tissue damage.

RESULTS:
Significantly high levels of oxidative stress and low levels of antioxidants in the penile tissue seem to contribute to the increased collagen deposition and fibrosis of erectile tissue in STZ rats. Relatively, there was increased damage in STZ + SIL group. Supplementation of M. pruriens in STZ + MP group has revealed the potency to overcome oxidative stress, and good preservation of penile histoarchitecture.

CONCLUSION:
The ethanolic extract of M. pruriens seed significantly recovered or protected erectile tissue from the oxidative stress-induced degeneration by its antioxidant potentials. These findings propound to serve mankind by the treatment of diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21366877