Curcumin and Turmeric supplement
Joint Power Rx with turmeric, curcumin, boswellia, glucosamine and chondroitin
Developed by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Curcumin extract is one of the major antioxidant extracts found in the spice turmeric. The roots of the turmeric plant are used as an herb in Asian cooking such as curries. Curcumin is a major component of turmeric herb (Curcuma longa) and extensive scientific research on curcumin and turmeric has demonstrated their potent antioxidant properties. Through their antioxidant mechanisms, curcumin and turmeric support colon health, exert neuroprotective activity and help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.

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Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Twice a month we email a brief abstract of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics, including turmeric and curcumin, and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Benefit of Turmeric root extract
Curcumin, the substance that gives the spice turmeric its yellow color has compounds that in laboratory studies indicate that they have potential health benefits.
   In lab tests, the active ingredient in turmeric, called curcumin, can enhance the cancer-fighting power of treatment with TRAIL, a naturally occurring molecule that helps kill cancer cells. TRAIL stands for tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. In an experiment with human prostate cancer cells in a laboratory dish, the combination treatment killed off two to three times more cells than either treatment alone.
   Curcumin may block the progression of multiple sclerosis.
   Turmericextract may be of benefit in multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, early lab research shows--suggesting yet another health benefit from this long-heralded substance. Adding curcumin to human cells with the blood cancer multiple myeloma, Dr. Bharat B. Aggarwal of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and his colleagues found, stopped the cells from replicating. And the cells that were left died. Although the study did not test the benefits of curcumin in patients, previous research has shown the substance may fight other types of cancers..
   Turmeric extract can benefit in reducing damage to heart tissue from lack of oxygen or blood flow (see study below).
   Turmeric, a spice used extensively in Asia as a key ingredient of curry, may benefit children against leukemia. Curcumin inhibits the multiplication of leukemia cells in laboratory studies and seems to protect against damage caused by cigarette smoke and eating certain processed foods.

Turmeric benefit for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Efficacy and mechanism of action of turmeric supplements in the treatment of experimental arthritis.
Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Oct 30;54(11):3452-3464. Funk JL, Frye JB,, Oyarzo JN, et al. University of Arizona, Tucson.
Scientific evidence is lacking for the antiarthritic efficacy of turmeric dietary supplements that are being promoted for arthritis treatment. Therefore, we undertook studies to determine the antiarthritic efficacy and mechanism of action of a well-characterized turmeric extract using an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The composition of commercial turmeric dietary supplements was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. A curcuminoid -containing turmeric extract similar in composition to these supplements was isolated and administered intraperitoneally to female Lewis rats prior to or after the onset of streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis. RESULTS: A turmeric fraction depleted of essential oils profoundly inhibited joint inflammation and periarticular joint destruction in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo treatment prevented local activation of NF-kappaB and the subsequent expression of NF-kappaB-regulated genes mediating joint inflammation and destruction, including chemokines, cyclooxygenase 2, and RANKL. Consistent with these findings, inflammatory cell influx, joint levels of prostaglandin E(2), and periarticular osteoclast formation were inhibited by turmeric extract treatment. These translational studies demonstrate in vivo efficacy and identify a mechanism of action for a well-characterized turmeric extract that supports further clinical evaluation of turmeric dietary supplements in the treatment of RA.

Turmeric extracts containing curcuminoids prevent experimental rheumatoid arthritis.
J Nat Prod. 2006 Mar;69(3):351-5. Funk JL, Oyarzo JN, et al. Arizona Center for Phytomedicine Research, Department of Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Arizona, Tucson, 85724, USA.
Turmeric has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for inflammatory disorders including arthritis. On the basis of this traditional usage, dietary supplements containing turmeric rhizome and turmeric extracts are also being used in the western world for arthritis treatment and prevention. The studies described here were undertaken to determine the in vivo efficacy of well-characterized curcuminoid-containing turmeric extracts in the prevention or treatment of arthritis using streptococcal cell wall (SCW)-induced arthritis, a well-described animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. An essential oil-depleted turmeric fraction containing 41% of the three major curcuminoids was efficacious in preventing joint inflammation when treatment was started before, but not after, the onset of joint inflammation. A commercial sample containing 94% of the three major curcuminoids was more potent in preventing arthritis than the essential oil-depleted turmeric fraction when compared by total curcuminoid dose per body weight.

Turmeric side effects
Various cultures, particularly people living in India, have used turmeric powder for centuries or millennia. Turmeric supplements have been available much less time as medicinal drugs in Western countries. As of October 2007, no major turmeric side effects have been reported in the medical literature. Taking too many turmeric capsules may increase body temperature. For long term use, one to three turmeric capsules a day should not present any major problems. Some people may be taking several turmeric curcumin capsules a day for the treatment of a particular medical condition as advised by their health care provider. Side effects of high dose turmeric curcumin use of several months or years is not clear. We also don't know what kind of turmeric side effects would occur when high doses of this herb is combined with prescription medications. There is a possibility that high dose turmeric ingestion leads to high oxalic acid in the urine leading to kidney stones.

Effect of cinnamon and turmeric on urinary oxalate excretion, plasma lipids, and plasma glucose in healthy subjects American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2008. Minghua Tang, D Enette Larson-Meyer and Michael Liebman. From the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (Human Nutrition), University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
High oxalate intake resulting from consuming supplemental doses of cinnamon and turmeric may increase risk of hyperoxaluria, a significant risk factor for urolithiasis. Eleven healthy subjects, aged 21–38 y, participated in an 8-wk, randomly assigned, crossover study that involved the ingestion of supplemental doses of cinnamon and turmeric for 4-wk periods that provided 55 mg oxalate/d. Oxalate load tests, which entailed the ingestion of a 63-mg dose of oxalate from the test spices, were performed after each 4-wk experimental period and at the study onset with water only (control treatment). Compared with the cinnamon and control treatments, turmeric ingestion led to a significantly higher urinary oxalate excretion during the oxalate load tests. There were no significant changes in fasting plasma glucose or lipids in conjunction with the 4-wk periods of either cinnamon or turmeric supplementation. The percentage of oxalate that was water soluble differed markedly between cinnamon (6%) and turmeric (91%), which appeared to be the primary cause of the greater urinary oxalate excretion/oxalate absorption from turmeric. The consumption of supplemental doses of turmeric, but not cinnamon, can significantly increase urinary oxalate levels, thereby increasing risk of kidney stone formation in susceptible individuals.

Turmeric Root Research update
Turmeric root, a yellow spice used widely in Indian cooking, stops the spread of cancer in mice. Curcumin, an active compound found in turmeric, helped stop the spread of breast cancer tumor cells to the lungs of mice. Tests have already started in people, too, said Bharat Aggarwal of the Department of Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, who led the study. "What's exciting about this agent is that it seems to have both chemopreventive and therapeutic properties. If we can demonstrate that it is efficacious in humans, it could be of tremendous value, but we're a long way from being able to make any recommendations yet," Aggarwal said. Earlier research showed that curcumin, an antioxidant, can help prevent tumors from forming in the laboratory. For their study, Aggarwal and colleagues injected mice with human breast cancer cells -- a batch of cells grown from a patient whose cancer had spread to the lungs. The resulting tumors were allowed to grow, and then surgically removed, to simulate a mastectomy, Aggarwal said. Then the mice either got no additional treatment; curcumin alone; the cancer drug paclitaxel, which is sold under the brand name Taxol; or curcumin plus Taxol. Half the mice in the curcumin -only group and 22 percent of those in the curcumin plus Taxol group had evidence of breast cancer that had spread to the lungs. But 75 percent of animals that got Taxol alone and 95 percent of those that got no treatment developed lung tumors. Earlier studies suggest that people who eat diets rich in turmeric have lower rates of breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. His team would like to try giving curcumin to women with a high risk of breast cancer -- such as those who have a mother or sister with the disease.
No drug company is likely to develop a natural product that cannot be patented, he said. "There are no companies behind it so our only source of funding is either the National Institutes of Health or the Department of Defense," he said. This study was funded by the U.S. Department of Defense's Breast Cancer Research Program. Aggarwal's team is also testing curcumin against pancreatic cancer and multiple myeloma.

Turmeric root fights skin cancer
Curcumin, found in turmeric root, interferes with melanoma cells. Tests in laboratory dishes show that curcumin made melanoma skin cancer cells more likely to self-destruct in a process known as apoptosis. The same research team has found that turmeric helped stop the spread of breast cancer tumor cells to the lungs of mice. The turmeric suppressed two proteins that tumor cells use to keep themselves immortal. People who eat plenty of turmeric have lower rates of some cancers.

Radioprotection of turmeric extracts in bacterial system.
Acta Biol Hung. 2005;56(3-4):333-43. Pal A, Pal AK. Biophysics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 37, Belgachia Road, Kolkata-, India.
The present study investigates the possible role of crude turmeric extracts in radioprotection by a variety of methods. Although curcumin, the main bioactive component of turmeric, has been extensively used in such studies, the efficiency of the crude turmeric extracts has been poorly investigated. This study revealed that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts of turmeric produces a significant amount of radioprotection, which is very similar in nature and extent to that imparted by curcumin.

Turmeric extract may improve irritable bowel syndrome symptomology in otherwise healthy adults: a pilot study.
J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Dec;10(6):1015-8.
To assess the effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptomology in otherwise healthy adults. Design: Partially blinded, randomized, two-dose, pilot study. Subjects: Five hundred (500) volunteers were screened for IBS using the Rome II criteria. Two hundred and seven (207) suitable volunteers were randomized. Interventions: One or two tablets of a standardized turmeric extract taken daily for 8 weeks. Outcomes measures: IBS prevalence, symptom-related quality of life (IBSQOL) and self-reported effectiveness. Results: IBS prevalence decreased significantly in both groups between screening and baseline (41% and 57%), with a further significant drop of 53% and 60% between baseline and after treatment, in the one- and two-tablet groups respectively. A post-study analysis revealed abdominal pain/discomfort score reduced significantly by 22% and 25% in the one- and two-tablet group respectively, the difference tending toward significance. There were significant improvements in all bar one of the IBSQOL scales of between 5% and 36% in both groups, approximately two thirds of all subjects reported an improvement in symptoms after treatment, and there was a favorable shift in self-reported bowel pattern. There were no significant differences between groups. Conclusions: Turmeric may help reduce IBS symptomology. Placebo controlled trials are now warranted to confirm these findings. Turmeric extract.

Protective effects of Curcuma longa (turmeric) on ischemia-reperfusion induced myocardial injuries and their mechanisms.
Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi -110029, India.
Life Sci. 2004 Aug 20;75(14):1701-11.
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of Curcuma longa ( Turmeric ) in the ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model of myocardial infarction (MI). Wistar rats were divided into three groups and received saline orally (sham, control I/R group) and Turmeric 100 mg/kg respectively for one month. On the 31st day, rats of the control I/R and Turmeric treated groups were subjected to 45 min of occlusion of the LAD coronary artery and were thereafter reperfused for 1 h. I/R resulted in significant cardiac necrosis, depression in left ventricular function, decline in antioxidant status and elevation in lipid perodixation in the control I/R group as compared to sham control. Myocardial infarction produced after I/R was significantly reduced in the Turmeric treated group. Turmeric treatment resulted in restoration of the myocardial antioxidant status and altered hemodynamic parameters as compared to control I/R. Furthermore, I/R-induced lipid peroxidation was significantly inhibited by Turmeric treatment. The beneficial cardioprotective effects also translated into the functional recovery of the heart. Cardioprotective effect of Turmeric likely results from the suppression of oxidative stress and correlates with the improved ventricular function. Histopathological examination further confirmed the protective effects of Turmeric on the heart.

Oral administration of a turmeric extract inhibits erythrocyte and liver microsome membrane oxidation in rabbits fed with an atherogenic diet.
Nutrition. 2003 Sep;19(9):800-4.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an oral supplementation with a Curcuma longa ethanol and aqueous extract ( turmeric extract ) on the susceptibility to oxidation of cellular and subcellular membranes affected in the atherosclerotic process, such as erythrocyte membranes and liver microsomes, in rabbits fed with a high-fat diet. Twenty-four male rabbits were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group T was treated with a turmeric hydroalcoholic extract dissolved in a hydroalcoholic mixture vehicle, and group C (control): received a turmeric -free hydroalcoholic solution. All rabbits had access ad libitum to 150 g/d of an experimental diet rich in cholesterol and lard to provoke an atherosclerotic process. RESULTS: The oxidation of erythrocyte membranes in turmeric group was significantly lower than that in group C, mainly by 30 d. Levels of hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in liver microsomes also were significantly lower in turmeric group than in group C. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that oral administration of a nutritional dose of turmeric extracts reduces the susceptibility to oxidation of erythrocyte and liver microsome membranes in vitro and may contribute to the prevention of effects caused by a diet high in fat and cholesterol in blood and liver during the development of atherosclerosis.

Turmeric -- Efficacy of turmeric on blood sugar and polyol pathway in diabetic albino rats.
In the traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda, several spices and herbs are thought to possess medicinal properties. Among the spices, turmeric rhizomes (Curcuma longa. Linn.) are used as flavoring and coloring agents in the Indian diet everyday. In this research, we studied the effect of turmeric and its active principle, curcumin, on diabetes mellitus in a rat model. Alloxan was used to induce diabetes. Administration of turmeric or curcumin to diabetic rats reduced the blood sugar, Hb and glycosylated hemoglobin levels significantly. Turmeric and curcumin supplementation also reduced the oxidative stress encountered by the diabetic rats. This was demonstrated by the lower levels of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), which may have been due to the decreased influx of glucose into the polyol pathway leading to an increased NADPH/NADP ratio and elevated activity of the potent antioxdiant enzyme GPx. Moreover, the activity of SDH (sorbitol dehydrogenase), which catalyzes the conversion of sorbitol to fructose, was lowered significantly on treatment with turmeric or curcumin. These results also appeared to reveal that curcumin was more effective in attenuating diabetes mellitus related changes than turmeric.

Hurry for Curry - and Curcumin
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a plant native to south India and Indonesia. It has been used since antiquity as a condiment, as a textile dye, and as a medicine. Curcumin is the substance that gives the spice turmeric its yellow color. Curry powder which is extensively used in Indian cuisine, such as curry chicken, is largely made of turmeric.  
   It now appears that curcumin may be able to break up the "plaques" that mark the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. Scientists found that curcumin was able to reduce deposits of beta-amyloid proteins in the brains of elderly lab mice that ate curcumin as part of their diets. Furthermore, when the researchers added low doses of curcumin to human beta-amyloid proteins in a test tube, the compound kept the proteins from aggregating and blocked the formation of the amyloid fibers that make up Alzheimer's plaques. Accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease that leads to damage to nerve cells and the resulting loss in memory and cognitive function.
    
Turmeric is botanically known as Curcuma longa, derived from the old Arabic name for the kurkum. This spice is a member of the ginger family and like ginger, it is the root of the turmeric plant that is used as a spice, usually in a dried form. However, in some areas of the Far East, the fresh turmeric root is used and stored much like ginger.

Turmeric history
Turmeric, the Asian spice that makes French's mustard and Hindu priests' robes yellow is a promising potential weapon against several cancers, Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis, psoriasis and other diseases. At least a dozen clinical trials on humans are under way in the United States, Israel and England to test the safety and dosages of turmeric's main ingredient, curcumin. It's a hot topic in health journals, too, cited 1000 times since 2000 in articles reported on PubMed, the National Library of Medicine's research service.
The turmeric spice, which is a relative of ginger, comes from the stems of the root of a large-leafed plant widely grown in Asia, especially in the province of Maharashtra in southwest India. The stems are boiled, dried and crushed to a powder with a bitter woody taste that's widely used as a spice and in folk medicines to cure stomach ailments and skin lesions. Turmeric was in use when the first Westerner, Marco Polo, visited the region in the 13th century.

Turmeric Emails
Q. About 6 months ago, during a routine checkup, my doctor found that my amylase and lipase were a little high. Follow-ups continued to show them to be slightly high. No reason could be found (CAT scan etc. of pancreas/liver were normal). I had my gall bladder removed 7 years ago. I routinely go to another doctor that uses the BioMeridian technology. By process of elimination, the turmeric in my comprehensive multi was the problem. He also found that my blood pressure medicine Atenolol was problematic to a certain extent. I only take ½ of a 25 mg pill. I continue to take the Atenolol but stopped the multi. A few days later, while getting my monthly massage, I mentioned it to the lady working on me. Much to our amazement, she said that another person had mentioned a problem with turmeric. Specifics were not exchanged. My multi always tested well for me over the past 4 years. Why had it changed? A build up? Have you had any similar reports?
   A. We have not had reports at this time that turmeric causes amylase or lipase elevation, but little long term human research has been done with turmeric. It may be premature to blame the turmeric since you were ingesting other supplements, but a good way to find out is to stop the turmeric and retest after 6 weeks. If the levels are down, the turmeric can be restarted to see if the levels of amylase and lipase go up. Perhaps the drugs for blood pressure may be involved in the elevation. I am more likely to first consider a side effect from a drug than a supplement, even though supplements do have side effects, too.

Q. Does taking tumeric affect the Warfarin, 5 mg./day that I take. In other words: Will the INR be affected by using the usual dose of tumeric? (Some people misspell turmeric as tumeric).
   A. This is a good question. We have not seen any studies regarding the interaction of turmeric or curcumin and warfarin so it is difficult for us to predict. If you are planning to use turmeric along with Coumadin, then under medical supervision you could try one turmeric capsule a day and test your inr to see if there is an effect.

Q. My mother in law used turmeric supplement for a few weeks and now has itching. She has melanoma.
   A. This is the first we have heard of this possible relationship between turmeric and itching. The best option is to stop the turmeric for a couple of weeks and under medical guidance to reintroduce it in small amounts to see if the turmeric was the cause or whether it was something else coincidentally causing the itching, perhaps other supplements she is taking or medicines, or a medical condition.

Q. In general terms, do the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric act as NSAIDs do in terms of compounding hypertensive issues? I understand that NSAIDs affect hypertensive people by rendering their anti-hypertensives ineffective. Does Turmeric either act in this manner, or contribute to elevated blood pressures in the non-medicated person? If those people with variety of arthritis problems plus hypertension could take Turmeric, it would be such a blessing. This is one issue that I do not see discussed in my turmeric research, and would be very helpful if published.
   A. We have not come across any meaningful research regarding the role of turmeric in blood pressure.

Q. Can a person with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C take a turmeric supplement?
   A. Probably, if their doctor approves. But I don't know how turmeric and curcumin interact with liver cells in those with hepatitis.

Q. Thank you, for such a wonderful site!!! Could you please tell me if 'ground turmeric spice will work just as well as the turmeric capsules? I have been mixing turmeric and ginger & drinking it, for quite some time (yuck, but I'll do anything to help the IBS & prevent cancer, as it is raging in my family.
   A. Ground turmeric is very beneficial and would be similar to the turmeric ingested as a capsule. However, the curcumin / turmeric product by Physician Formulas has a 95% turmeric extract for curcumin which provides a high amount of this beneficial substance. Ground turmeric used as a condiment usually has 5 percent or so of curcuminoids. However, if a high amount of ground turmeric spice is used, it could be just as good as taking a curcumin / turmeric capsule.

Q. I am a 70 year old male and have had psoriasis for over 40 years. It has progresses to approximately 20 percent coverage. I began having minor arthritis symptoms in my shoulder and hands about 3 years ago. I began taking 2 grams of turmeric in capsule following one 10mg of Bioperine 3 times per day 5 months ago. My arthritis is practically non existent. I was taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen each morning to alleviate the pain. I take none now! My psoriasis has improved probably 70 percent with practically no scaling, a great reduction in redness and almost no itching. ( I sometimes catch myself itching out of habit alone since I clawed myself daily for years). There is continued noticeable improvement. I take no medications. I am blessed that I have never been hospitalized. I wish the benefits of turmeric could be trumpeted to all. Of course, we know that the many medical studies that could prove the benefits of turmeric will never be done because there is no way for the huge money hungry drug companies to benefit from a non patented cure or at least greatly beneficial product. You are authorized to use my experience in any manner you see fit in order to make others aware of Turmeric. I applaud your internet postings as to the known and possible benefits of turmeric.