L-DOPA:L-Dihydroxyphenylalanine.:Introduction and Its Benefit Applications.
Contents
Common Benefits of L-DOPA.:
Strengthened immune system.
Increased lean muscle mass.
Improved mood and sense of well being.
Enhanced libido and sexual performance.
Increased energy levels.
Improved skin texture and appearance.
Decreased bodyfat and cellulite.
Regeneration and healing of organs.
Infusion of the pods is a good remedy for dropsy.
Therapeutic use
L-DOPA is used to increase dopamine levels for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and dopamine-responsive dystonia, since it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, whereas dopamine itself cannot. Once levodopa has entered the central nervous system (CNS), it is metabolized to dopamine by aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. Pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6) is a required cofactor for this decarboxylation, and may be administered along with levodopa, usually as pyridoxine.
Conversion to dopamine also occurs in the peripheral tissues, i.e., outside the brain. This may be the mechanism of the adverse effects of levodopa, listed below. It is standard clinical practice to co-administer a peripheral DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor,carbidopa or benserazide,and often a catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor, like entacapone, to prevent synthesis of dopamine in peripheral tissue. Co-administration of pyridoxine without a decarboxylase inhibitor accelerates the extracerebral decarboxylation to such an extent that it cancels out the effects of levodopa administration, a circumstance that historically caused great confusion.
For those taking it as a supplement, EGCG or green tea is a natural decarboxylase inhibitor.
Levodopa, co-administered with a peripheral DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor, has been tested as a possible treatment for restless leg syndrome (RLS) and has shown "no clear picture of reduced symptoms".
Supplements containing L-DOPA:
Herbal supplements containing standardized dosages of L-DOPA are available without a prescription. These supplements have recently increased in both availability and popularity in the United States and on the internet. The most common plant source of L-DOPA marketed in this manner is a tropical legume, Mucuna pruriens, also known as "Velvet Bean" and by a number of other common names.
Adhesion:
DOPA is a key molecule in the formation of marine adhesive proteins, such as those found in mussels. It is believed to be responsible for the water-resistance and rapid curing abilities of these proteins. DOPA may also be used to prevent surfaces from fouling by bonding antifouling polymers to a susceptible substrate.
Melanin formation:
Both levodopa and its precursor amino acid L-tyrosine are precursors to the biological pigment melanin. The enzyme tyrosinase catalyzes the oxidation of L-dopa to the reactive intermediate dopaquinone, which reacts further, eventually leading to melanin oligomers.
Reference:
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- 1.L-DOPA:L-Dihydroxyphenylalanine.:Introduction and Its Benefit Applications.
This article written and edited via herbalist of MDidea Extracts Professional. They run a range of online descriptions about this herb,including general information related and summarized updating discoveries from findings of professional scientisits this field related.Describe style aimed to form a useful detecting literature space where the intertwined threshold and related questions raise out and visualize themselves.
♣ last edit date:28th,Oct.2010.
