A-Z nervous system support Articles

What is Velvet Bean?

Velvet bean, also called Macuna, is a legume from Africa and Asia. It is a shrub with climbing vines which reach 15 metres in length. It has been used for centuries by traditional systems of medicine and in Ayurvedic medicine.

Different parts of the herb are used for many conditions, ranging from scorpion bites to erectile dysfunction. However, the main use in northern hemisphere countries is for symptoms of depression.

Uses & Benefits of Velvet Bean

Velvet bean has many traditional medicinal usages, including treating:

• Pain & Toothaches
• Infertility
• Scorpion & Snake bites
• Low testosterone & Libido
• Inflammation & Muscle spasms
• Parasites
• High blood sugar & High cholesterol
• Fever
• Stress

Different countries use it for various ailments. For instance:

Germany uses this herb for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, intestinal gas, muscle pain, rheumatism, and intestinal worms. 

Brazil uses it for as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, for stress, edema, and intestinal worms.

India uses it for unhealthy cell growth, cholera, cough, debility, delirium, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, fertility, gout, impotency, kidney stones, menstrual disorders, nervousness, scorpion stings, snakebites, tuberculosis, intestinal worms, as an aphrodisiac and uterine stimulant. 

Clearly, this herb is a useful and versatile medicine.

Mood Support

Depression is another application for Velvet Bean. In North America, treating depression is one of the main uses for Velvet Bean. Depression has become a major concern in North America over the last 20 years. Antidepressants are one of the most commonly prescribed medications by MDs. There are many causes for depression, including a lack of daytime light (known as Seasonal Affective Disorder), poor sleep, emotional trauma, stress, chronic pain, substance abuse, hormonal disruption, nutritional deficiencies and even food sensitivities.

Symptoms of depression range in severity and in a combination of symptoms from person to person. Symptoms can include: fatigue, an increase or decrease in sleep, loss of ability to function in daily activities, anxiety, foggy thinking, irritability, anger, weepiness, pain, and reclusiveness.

Parkinson's Disease Support

In North America and parts of Europe, Velvet Bean is also being used for its L-Dopa content for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson’s disease is believed to be related to low levels of Dopamine in certain parts of the brain. Once L-DOPA, from Velvet Bean, has crossed from the bloodstream into the brain, it is converted into the neurotransmitter Dopamine. The resulting increase in Dopamine concentrations in the brain is thought to improve nerve conduction and to assist in lessening the movement disorders in Parkinson’s disease.

Diabetes Support

Another common application for the use of Velvet Bean is for the treatment of diabetes. Numerous laboratory studies have been conducted on the blood sugar-lowering effect of Velvet Bean. These studies consistently demonstrated that Velvet Bean can effectively lower blood sugar levels. An extract of Velvet Bean decreased blood sugar levels in rats by more than 30% and 50% after four months.

How Do Velvet Bean Supplements Work In The Body?

Velvet Bean naturally contains phytochemicals that make specific neurotransmitters in your brain, which results in a feeling of relaxation, clear thinking, and joy.

Its Link With Serotonin Production

Specifically, Velvet Bean contains small amounts of Serotonin, which increases your levels of naturally generated serotonin. Serotonin is one of the main neurotransmitters in your brain responsible for happiness. Velvet Bean also contains L-Dopa which goes into making a brain neurotransmitter called Dopamine. In addition to Dopamine being helpful in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, it also helps promote enjoyment and interest in life. This is helpful for those suffering from depression.

Dopamine Booster

Dopamine is widespread in the brain as well as the rest of the nervous system. This neurotransmitter plays a critical role in the control of movement. It has a stimulating effect on the heart, the circulation, the rate of metabolism, and is able to stimulate the body's energy reserves. It helps to balance brain activity, control coordination and movement, and regulate the flow of information to different areas of the brain.

When you have a lack of Dopamine you feel a lack of pleasure, an inability to feel love, a lack of remorse for your actions, difficulty focusing and a dislike of others.

When you have sufficient Dopamine you have feelings of pleasure, joy, attachment, and love, concern and empathy for others, and your thoughts and emotions are integrated and healthy. Research shows that Dopamine is just as important as Serotonin to have a sense of happiness and fulfillment in your life.

Blood Sugar Balancing Effects

How it works to reduce blood sugar is a little different than how it acts to help depression and Parkinson’s. Mainly, it works on the liver of diabetics. When looking at liver enzymes involved in sugar or carbohydrate metabolism, one study using diabetic rats found that the normal suppression of an enzyme called Glucokinase associated with diabetes was partially reversed with Velvet Bean. Glucokinase is found in lower amounts in diabetics and is associated with normal sugar metabolism. In diabetics, it can be decreased by up to 78.08%. But with the administration of Velvet Bean, Glucokinase was increased by 23.96%. Studies show a similar increase in other enzymes involved with sugar metabolism, namely Hexokinase and Glucose-6-phosphatase. It is thought that the part of Velvet Bean that is responsible for these effects is called D-Chiro Inositol.

Important Information

This herb may interact with medications for Parkinson's Disease, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and blood pressure drugs. It may also affect individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions. Side effects can include nausea, headaches, digestive upset, or changes in mood if taken in high doses. Velvet bean is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting to take these supplements, especially if you have a medical condition or take prescription medications. 

Pyridoxine, commonly known as vitamin B-6, is a water-soluble B vitamin. There are several forms of B6, including pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. All of these are precursors for the active coenzyme form of B6, called pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P or PLP). Active B6 in its coenzyme form serves in more functions in the body than any other single nutrient. It is particularly important for protein metabolism, and it also plays a role in blood sugar regulation. B6 can be used to treat anemia, allergies, arthritis, asthma, kidney stones, pregnancy-related nausea and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Health Benefits of Vitamin B-6

Cellular Growth and Healing

Vitamin B-6 helps to make hemoglobin, the oxygen- carrying component of red blood cells. Thus, supplementation can help to prevent anemia and the fatigue associated with this condition. B6 is also needed to synthesize genetic material (DNA) and is essential for normal cellular growth. It plays a role in the immune system by assisting in the formation of antibodies, the chemical tags that our immune system uses to flag harmful substances for destruction.

Brain and Mood Booster

Vitamin B-6 is required for the production of neurochemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and GABA. Serotonin regulates pleasurable experiences and appetite, and GABA calms the body. Therefore, B6 is useful for a variety of neurological disorders, including autism and hormone-associated depression. Poor B6 status in the elderly has been associated with an increased rate of cognitive decline. Supplementation of vitamin B6 may help to slow the process of mental decline and memory loss associated with age.

Cardiovascular Disease

The breakdown of the toxic substance homocysteine into harmless byproducts involves vitamin B6. Homocysteine damages the inner lining of arteries, and having high levels of homocysteine in the body is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The effect is increased with co-supplementation of vitamin b-12 and folic acid.

PMS Support

Vitamin B6 helps to maintain the fluid balance in the body. Some research has shown that supplementation with vitamin B6 may help to reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as moodiness, irritability, forgetfulness, bloating, and anxiety.

Pregnancy Associated Nausea and Vomiting

Around half of all women experience nausea and/or vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy. This is commonly referred to as "morning sickness", although it can occur at any time during the day or night. Vitamin B6 supplementation has been shown to reduce and even eliminate these symptoms in a number of pregnant women.

Symptoms of Vitamin B-6 Deficiency

A lack of sufficient B6 can appear as confusion, depression, irritability and mouth and tongue sores. It can also present as anemia, headaches, flaky skin, and even carpal tunnel syndrome. Because of the fortification of processed foods, B6 deficiency is rare in North America.

Supplementing With Vitamin B-6

Vitamin B6 is found naturally in foods such as:

• Chickpeas
• Chicken
• Carrots
• Eggs
• Fish
• Meat
• Nuts and Seeds

Since all of the B vitamins work together, they are best used by the body when taken in a B complex. Most B complex supplements include a small dose of B6 in them. If additional supplementation of B6 is needed, it should be taken in addition to a good B complex. Spray or sublingual forms of B vitamins are easily absorbed, as are capsules. If your digestion is healthy, then the tablet form is usually suitable for most people. Most B vitamins are water-soluble, and any extra from larger doses is easily flushed out of the body. Thus, it is often best to take lower dosages of B complex several times a day, rather than one large dose. Time-released formulas of B6 are available. They allow the body to gradually absorb B6 and avoid the loss of large amounts of the supplement through the urine. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate is the activated form of B6. It can be helpful to those who have decreased ability to convert B6 into the active form. In general, vitamin B6 is dosed between 50 and 100mg per day.

Important Information

Vitamin B-6 is depleted by antidepressants, estrogen, oral contraceptives, some antibiotics, and alcohol. Cortisone and diuretics can block the absorption of B6. Diets high in protein require a larger B6 intake to allow for proper digestion and utilization. Prolonged excessive intake of B6 (1-6g per day for more than a year) can result in sensory neuropathy and loss of control of bodily movements. Doses exceeding 400mg per day are not recommended. Parkinson's patients on dopamine therapy should not supplement with B6, and diabetics should monitor their blood sugar levels during supplementation, as their insulin dosage may need to be lowered.