Health benefit, which medical conditions can curcumin help?
Many human trials are needed before we can know
with certainty how to best use curcumin in medicine. But one thing is
certain: most doctors are not aware of the potential
medicinal benefits of curcumin and turmeric. There is ongoing research regarding the
role of this herbal extract for its use in Alzheimer's disease, diabetes,
inflammatory conditions, and several types of cancer. One concern is that
it is poorly absorbed and most of it stays in the gastrointestinal tract
which makes it ideal as a treatment for GI conditions. Some claim that
absorption into the bloodstream is improved significantly when this supplement
is used in combination with a black pepper extract called piperine, also known
by the brand name Bioperine. I am awaiting results of further studies to
determine if these claims are true.
Advance Physician Formulas, Curcumin Turmeric, 500
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Buy Curcumin and Turmeric supplement, 500
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Joint Power Rx
for healthy joints as we age
Curcumin
extract is one of the major antioxidant extracts found in the spice turmeric. Through
its antioxidant mechanisms, it supports
colon health, exert neuroprotective activity and help maintain a healthy
cardiovascular system.
Because joint
pain is so debilitating, glucosamine and chondroitin alone are not
enough. This powerful formula has
glucosamine sulfate (from shellfish),
chondroitin sulfate, MSM,
CMO complex, boswellia
serrata extract,
turmeric and curcumin,
cat's claw extract,
devil's claw extract,
grape seed extract, and
sea cucumber.
Buy Curcumin / turmeric supplement and/or Joint Power Rx
Supplement Facts | ||
Serving Size: 1 Capsule | ||
Servings Per Bottle: 60 Capsules | ||
Amount Per Capsule | % DV | |
Curcumin Turmeric Complex Curcuma longa extract (root) (standardized to contain 95% curcuminoids) and Turmeric Powder |
500 mg | † |
† Daily Value or Recommended Daily Intake not established. |
Dosage, how much to take:
Depending on the medical reason, one can take one capsule a few times a week or
up to 6 capsules a day as long as your health care provider is aware you are
taking a large dose.
Q. Is this product enteric
coated?
A. It is not. I have have not yet seen human studies that compare
the effectiveness of enteric coated to regular gelatin capsules. If those
selling enteric coated pills have such studies, I would be glad to review
them.
Benefits, medical uses
Allergic rhinitis
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016. Effect of curcumin on nasal symptoms and
airflow in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. This pilot study provides
evidence of curcumin of improving nasal airflow and modulating immune response
in patients with
allergic rhinitis.
Alzheimer's disease benefit, reducing plaque, reducing the risk for cognitive
decline
Curry, curcumin, and turmeric may be helpful in Alzheimer's disease.
In laboratory studies, curcumin inhibits amyloid formation. Amyloids are insoluble fibrous protein aggregates that clump in the brain cells of Alzheimer's patients. Whether such supplements help reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's disease or help improve this condition is not known at this time.
Advances in Nutrition 2018. Can Curcumin Counteract Cognitive Decline? Clinical Trial Evidence and Rationale for Combining ω-3 Fatty Acids with Curcumin. Several animal and epidemiologic studies on the effect of curcumin supplementation on cognition show promising results but the research is still too early.
Curcumin structure-function, bioavailability, and
efficacy in models of neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease.
J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2008.
We examined the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or anti-amyloidogenic effects of
dietary curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin, either administered chronically to aged mice or acutely to lipopolysaccharide-injected wild-type
mice. Despite dramatically higher drug plasma levels after tetrahydrocurcumin
compared with curcumin gavage, resulting brain levels of parent compounds were
similar. Only curcumin was effective in
reducing amyloid plaque burden, insoluble beta-amyloid peptide, and
carbonyls.
Curcumin inhibits formation of Abeta oligomers and fibrils and binds plaques and
reduces amyloid in vivo.
J Biol Chemistry. 2004.
Our data suggest that
low dose curcumin effectively disaggregates as well as prevents fibril and oligomer formation, supporting the rationale for
its use in clinical trials
preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease.
Anti-inflammatory, works to reduce inflammation in
the body
Curcumin prevents interleukins from promoting
inflammation.
Q. I found the following quote on your site: "Curcumin
prevents interleukins from promoting inflammation.” Does this mean that curcumin
does not actually lower cytokines in the blood but, instead, that levels of
cytokines remain high but are just prevented from binding/causing inflammation?
I would like to think that blood levels of cytokines are actually reduced, as my
Il-1b are >88 fold over normal and I have horrific joint pain that I’m trying to
naturally treat. But This quote sounds as if curcumin acts in the manner that
antihistamines do (eg., antihistamines do not reduce histamines but simply
prevent them from binding to receptors). Is it true that curcumin is not
absorbable (and thus nearly useless) without black pepper? All the studies I’ve
seen seem to indicate this. Does curcumin increase histamine or serotonin (or
any of their precursors)? My levels of these are already high, so I cannot take
anything that would increase these. Can curcumin cause diuresis? Some
supplements that I took caused diuresis so badly that my electrolytes were
imbalanced and it affected my heart.
A. I still need to see several more years of research on the exact
way that curcumin acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. The inflammatory process
is very complicated and I still do not have a full understanding on how this
natural supplement influences all the chemical inflammatory factors in the body.
I do not think black pepper is necessary for it to absorb or function.
Arsenic damage to DNA, reversal
Curcumin protects DNA damage in a chronically arsenic-exposed population of West
Bengal.
Hum Exp Toxicol. 2010.
Groundwater arsenic contamination has been a health hazard for West Bengal,
India. Oxidative stress to DNA is recognized as an underlying mechanism of
arsenic carcinogenicity. This field trial in Chakdah block of West Bengal
evaluated the role of curcumin against the genotoxic effects of arsenic induced
oxidative stress. Antioxidant enzymes like catalase, superoxide
dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione
peroxidase and non-enzymatic glutathione were analyzed. The blood samples
of the endemic regions showed severe DNA damage with increased levels of ROS and
lipid peroxidation. The antioxidants were found with depleted activity. Three
months curcumin intervention reduced the DNA damage, retarded ROS generation and
lipid peroxidation and raised the level of antioxidant activity.
Colon polyposis
Combination treatment with curcumin and quercetin of adenomas in familial
adenomatous polyposis.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006.
Familialadenomatous polyposis is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by
the development of hundreds of colorectal adenomas and eventual colorectal
cancer. Regression of adenomas in this syndrome occurs with the administration
of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, but
these compounds can have considerable side effects. Five familialadenomatous polyposis patients with
prior colectomy (4 with retained rectum and 1 with an ileal anal pouch) received
curcumin 480 mg and quercetin 20 mg orally 3 times a day. All 5 patients had a
decreased polyp number and size from baseline after a mean of 6 months of
treatment with this combination.
Cancer prevention or treatment
Curcumin has the capacity of interact with
multiple molecular targets affecting the many processes in cancer formation. Curcumin, in mice, interferes with the spread of
breast cancer tumor cells to the lungs. Administration suppressed two
proteins that tumor cells use to keep themselves immortal. Studies evaluating
the role of curcumin and cancer continue to advance at a fast rate.
Curcumin has many beneficial pharmacological effects which includes, but are not limited with, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antiangiogenic, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease, and antidiabetic activities. Most importantly curcumin possesses immense anti tumor effect. It prevents tumor invasion and metastasis in a number of animal models, including models of lung, liver, stomach, colon, breast, esophageal cancer etc.
Curcumin inhibits the STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways, which play key-roles in cancer development and progression. Also, inhibition of Sp-1 and its housekeeping gene expressions may serve as an important hypothesis to prevent cancer formation, migration, and invasion. Recent data have suggested that curcumin may act by suppressing the Sp-1 activation and its downstream genes, including ADEM10, calmodulin, EPHB2, HDAC4, and SEPP1 in a concentration-dependent manner in colorectal cancer cell lines; these results are consistent with other studies, which have reported that curcumin could suppress the Sp-1 activity in bladder cancer and could decrease DNA binding activity of Sp-1 in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells.
Nutr Cancer. 2010. Curcumin, the golden spice from Indian saffron, is a chemosensitizer and radiosensitizer for tumors and chemoprotector and radioprotector for normal organs. Curcumin can sensitize tumors to different chemotherapeutic agents including doxorubicin, 5-FU, paclitaxel, vincristine, melphalan, butyrate, cisplatin, celecoxib, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, etoposide, sulfinosine, thalidomide, and bortezomib. Chemosensitization has been seen in cancers of the breast, colon, pancreas, gastric, liver, blood, lung, prostate, bladder, cervix, ovary, head and neck, and brain and in multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma. This herb can sensitize tumors to gamma radiation including glioma, neuroblastoma, cervical carcinoma, epidermal carcinoma, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. It downregulates various growth regulatory pathways and specific genetic targets including genes for NF-κB, STAT3, COX2, Akt, antiapoptotic proteins, growth factor receptors, and multidrug-resistance proteins.
Q. I have been taking
turmeric daily for my osteoarthritis but I keep reading more and more about
Curcumin and its benefits. Is it beneficial to just take Curcumin or are there
additional benefits to taking turmeric as a whole. I understand that Curcumin is
a part of the turmeric plant but now confused which one is more important to
take and if one would be better suited for arthritis and/or cancer.
A. This is a good question. Although curcumin is the main active
ingredient that has been studied the most, there may be other substances in
turmeric that are helpful for cancer prevention, therefore it may be a good idea
to take both.
Brain tumor
Q.
My 24 year old son has recently finished radiation with low dose oral
chemotherapy (with temador) for a brain tumor. He is currently getting 5 days on
and 23 days off of oral Temador. He is also taking curcumin. How many capsules
and how often should he take that supplement? Should he continue taking it
even while he is not taking the oral chemotherapy?
A. We really wish we could give an informed opinion,
but it is difficult to know how curcumin is influencing the cancer, if any, how
many mg would be effective if it does work, what the interaction are with the
chemotherapy, etc.... Hardly any human trials are available with curcumin and
cancer, so it is extremely difficult to make any suggestions. We truly wish your
son a healthy recovery.
Bladder cancer
Curcumin may be of benefit in reducing the risk or improving the prognosis of
those with bladder
cancer.
Zhong Yao Cai. 2004. The effect of curcumin on bladder cancer cell line EJ in vitro. Curcumin can suppress the growth, induce apoptosis of bladder cancer EJ cell in vitro. Its mechanism is related with down-regulations of the expressions of NF-kappaB and Cyclin D1. Curcumin has great potential for the treatment of bladder cancer.
Oncol Rep. 2006. Induction of G2/M arrest and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 activity by curcumin in human bladder cancer T24 cells. Our observations suggest that curcumin may have therapeutic potential for bladder cancer patients.
Breast cancer
Curcumin
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. Earlier research showed that curcumin can help prevent
tumors from forming in the laboratory. For their study, Bharat Aggarwal 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.
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.
Colon cancer
Consumption of the putative chemopreventive agent curcumin by cancer patients:
assessment of levels in the colorectum and their pharmacodynamic
consequences.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2005.
Patients with colorectal cancer ingested curcumin capsules (3,600, 1,800, or 450
mg daily) for 7 days. Biopsy samples of normal and malignant colorectal tissue,
respectively, were obtained at diagnosis and at 6 to 7 hours after the last dose. Blood was taken 1 hour after the
last dose of the herbal extract. The concentrations of curcumin in normal
and malignant colorectal tissue of patients receiving 3,600 mg of curcumin were
12 and 7 nmol/ gram, respectively. Curcumin sulfate and
glucuronide were identified in the tissue of these patients. Trace levels of
curcumin were found in the peripheral circulation. The results suggest that a
daily dose of 3.6 g achieves pharmacologically efficacious levels in
the colorectum with negligible distribution outside the gut.
Phase I clinical trial of oral
curcumin: biomarkers of systemic activity and compliance.
Clin Cancer Res. 2004.
Curcumin
exhibits anticancer activity in rodents and in humans. Its efficacy appears to
be related to induction of glutathione S-transferase enzymes, inhibition of
prostaglandin E(2) (PGE2) production, or suppression of oxidative DNA adduct
(M(1)G) formation. Fifteen patients with advanced colorectal
cancer refractory to standard chemotherapies consumed capsules compatible with curcumin doses between 0.45 and 3.6 g daily for up to 4 months. Levels of
curcumin and its metabolites in plasma, urine, and feces were analyzed. Three
biomarkers of the potential activity were translated from preclinical models and
measured in patient blood leukocytes: glutathione S-transferase activity, levels
of M(1)G, and PGE(2) production induced ex vivo. Dose-limiting toxicity was not
observed. A daily dose of 3.6 g
engendered 62% decrease in inducible PGE2 production in blood samples taken 1
hour after dose.
Leukemia
Turmeric and green tea: a recipe for the treatment of B-chronic lymphocytic
leukemia.
Clin Cancer Res. 2009.
Two naturally occurring compounds, curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice
turmeric, and the green tea extract epigallocatechin-3-gallate, have marked
effects on the apoptotic machinery in chronic lymphocytic
leukemia. These
results provide a preclinical foundation for future clinical use of these
compounds in this disease.
Curcumin inhibits the multiplication of leukemia cells in laboratory studies.
Lichen Planus
Q. I have been attending the dental hospital in Walers
U.K. under Prof. Lewis for a Lichenoid infection on my tongue. Dr. Lewis, in
desperation, to try and find some relief for my condition which was not
responding well to other treatment, had seen your web site on curcumin and asked
me to give it a try. I ordered curcumin and I have religiously taken two capsuls
a day for three months and I am so pleased with the results. Although the
condition has not completely gone, it is 100 times better than it was and Prof.
Lewis is really enthused with the results, and has said that I may be one of the
first to try such curcumin treatment over here in the U.K.!! You can't imagine
how much it means to me to be almost free from pain and able to start eating
foods which are acidy and spicy, in moderation. I know that the Lichenoid
infection condition has no complete cure, but at least there is hope on the
horizon for the many sufferers of this unpleasant condition. Thank you so much,
I will continue to take the curcumin capsules long term. Regards. P>S> I don't
mind my name being used if you think this is worthy of your website. Judith
Pearce.
A. Thanks! Please keep us updated.
Can you tell us the actual name of the skin condition?
Q. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply
to my email, it was much appreciated, as I know how busy you must be. The
medical name for my complaint in Lichen Planus, My tongue is very sore with
blisters and lesions which subside at times and other times are very inflamed
and extremely sore leaving me virtually unable to eat, or at best a diet of
bland sandwiches!! I do find that the curcumin helps very much indeed and I
would urge anyone who wants to try it, to do so and persevere over a period of
three months to see the best results. I will keep you posted regarding my
progress. The other advantage also of the curcumin, is that you can take it long
term without having to have a "rest" period once a week. Regards, Judith.
A. One case history does not
prove anything. Curcumin may have been the herb that helped your lichen planus,
and we eagerly await other reports from those with lichen planus to see if your
response was an isolated case or whether in fact curcumin is helpful for lichen
planus. If we do get several reports of such help, then perhaps a dermatologist
or researcher may wish to investigate its role in this skin
condition.
Testimonial received 2018
Just finished reading your google post on curcumin. I have suffered for years
with a rash that has beed identified as lichen planus. No one has been able to
offer much in the way of a cure or even to prevent itching. Several years ago I
began taking eight tumeric capsules a day. The rash disappeared but did reappear
after a time in a different location. I now take a curcumin capsule once a day
and even though I have a small area of itchy, scaly rash, it is something I can
live with.
Melanoma influence, skin cancer
Curcumin interferes with the growth of 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.
Curcumin -induced antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in melanoma cells are associated with suppression of IkappaB kinase and nuclear factor kappaB activity.
Prostate cancer
Phytoestrogens in common herbs regulate prostate cancer cell growth in vitro.
Nutr Cancer. 2004.
Seven phytoestrogens found in common herbal products were screened for estrogen
receptor binding and growth inhibition of androgen-insensitive (PC-3) and
androgen-sensitive human prostate tumor cells. In a competitive
3H-estradiol ligand binding assay using mouse uterine cytosol, 2.5 M quercetin,
baicalein, genistein, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and curcumin displaced >
85% of estradiol binding, whereas apigenin and resveratrol displaced > 40%. From
growth inhibition studies in LNCaP cells, apigenin and curcumin were the most
potent inhibitors of cell growth, and EGCG and baicalein were the least potent.
In PC-3 cells, curcumin was the most potent inhibitor of cell growth, and EGCG
was the least potent. In both cell lines, significant arrest of the cell cycle
in S phase was induced by resveratrol and EGCG and in G2M phase by quercetin,
baicalein, apigenin, genistein, and curcumin. Induction of apoptosis was induced
by all of the 7 compounds in the 2 cell lines.
Eye conditions
Q. Please tell me if you believe
turmeric (whose active ingredient is curcumin) is capable of slowing down
retinitis pigmentosa.
A. As of 2015 I have not seen such studies, so I do not know.
Mol Nutr Food Res. 2013. Curcumin, a potential therapeutic candidate for retinal
diseases. Curcumin, the major extraction of turmeric, has been widely used in
many countries for centuries both as a spice and as a medicine. In the last
decade, researchers have found the beneficial effects on multiple disorders are
due to its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties,
as well as its novel function as an inhibitor of histone aectyltransferases. In
this review, we summarize the recent progress made on studying the beneficial
effects of curcumin on multiple retinal diseases, including diabetic
retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration
Cataract
Antioxidant effect of curcumin in selenium induced cataract of Wistar
rats.
Indian J Exp Biol. 2004.
Wistar rat pups treated with curcumin
before being administered with selenium showed no opacities in the lens. The
lipid peroxidation, xanthine oxidase enzyme levels in the lenses of curcumin and
selenium co-treated animals were significantly less when compared to selenium
treated animals. Curcumin
co-treatment seems to prevent oxidative damage and found to delay the
development of cataract.
Hypertension, blood pressure
Is curcumin capable of raising blood pressure and does
it have an influence on those who have mild to moderate hypertension?
We have not seen any studies that would indicate it to raise blood pressure
or that it should not be taken by those who have hypertension.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Curcumin therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot study.
Dig Dis Sci. 2005.
A pure curcumin preparation was administered in an open label study to five
patients with ulcerative proctitis and five with Crohn's disease. All proctitis
patients improved, with reductions in concomitant medications in four, and four
of five Crohn's disease patients had lowered Crohn's disease activity
index scores and sedimentation rates.
Kidney health
Renoprotective effect of the antioxidant curcumin: Recent findings. J.Redox
Biol. 2013 Sep 17.
Liver health
Drs. A. Baghdasaryan and Michael Trauner of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology division at
the Medical University Graz in Austria found that feeding curcumin to mice reduced the types of inflammation that can cause liver cell
damage, blockage and scarring. A. Baghdasaryan, Michael Trauner and their team wanted to find
out if curcumin could delay the damage caused by progressive inflammatory liver
disease, including two conditions called primary sclerosing cholangitis and
primary biliary cirrhosis. Both of these conditions, which can be initiated by
genetic faults or autoimmune disease, cause the liver's plumbing system of bile
ducts to become inflamed, scarred, and blocked. This can lead to major tissue
damage and irreversible and ultimately fatal liver cirrhosis. Tissue and blood samples from
mice with chronic liver inflammation were tested before and after adding curcumin to their
diet for four or eight weeks. The spiced diet significantly reduced
bile duct blockage and curbed liver cell damage and scarring by interfering with
chemical signalling pathways involved in inflammation.
Curcumin improves sclerosing cholangitis in Mdr2-/- mice
by inhibition of cholangiocyte inflammatory response and portal myofibroblast
proliferation.
Gut. 2010.
Q.
My father has primary amyloidosis and it has
affected both his liver as well as the digestive system. Have you known of
turmeric and curcumin to improve liver function. I respect the work that you do.
A. I am not aware yet of the specific effect curcumin capsules
have on liver health in humans.
Lupus
Oral Supplementation of Turmeric Decreases Proteinuria, Hematuria, and
Systolic Blood Pressure in Patients Suffering from Relapsing or Refractory Lupus
Nephritis: A Randomized and Placebo-controlled Study.
J Renal Nutrition. 2011.
In this study we investigated effects of oral curcumin
supplementation on patients suffering from relapsing or refractory lupus
nephritis. With each meal, each patient in the trial group received 1 capsule for 3
months, which contained 500 mg turmeric, of which 22 mg was the active
ingredient curcumin (3 capsules daily). The control group received 3
capsules (1 with each meal) for the same period, which contained starch and
were identical in color and size to capsules given to patients in the trial
group. A significant decrease in proteinuria was found.
Also, systolic blood pressure and hematuria were found to decrease
significantly. Short-term turmeric supplementation can decrease proteinuria, hematuria,
and systolic blood pressure in patients suffering from relapsing or
refractory lupus nephritis and can be used as an adjuvant safe therapy for
such patients.
Prostate gland and PSA level
Combined inhibitory effects of soy isoflavones and curcumin on the production of
prostate-specific antigen.
Prostate. 2010.
Sustained chronic inflammation in the prostate promotes prostate carcinogenesis.
Since an elevated level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) per se reflects the
presence of inflammation in the prostate, intervention to improve the PSA value
might potentially have beneficial effects for the prevention of the development
of prostate cancer. Isoflavones and curcumin have anti-inflammatory and
anti-oxidant properties. Our results indicated that together they could modulate
serum PSA levels. Curcumin presumably synergizes with isoflavones to suppress
PSA production in prostate cells through the anti-androgen effects.
Psoriasis
Biochimie. 2016 . Curcumin shows excellent therapeutic effect on
psoriasis in mouse
model. Curcumin, with high efficacy and safety, has a great potential to treat
psoriasis.
Tendonitis
As an anti-inflammatory compound, it may help reduce the pain from tendonitis.
Ulcerative colitis
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015. Curcumin in Combination With Mesalamine
Induces Remission in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis in a
Randomized Controlled Trial. We investigated curcumin in inducing remission in
patients with active mild-to-moderate UC. We performed a multicenter randomized,
placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 50 mesalamine-treated patients with
active mild-to-moderate UC who did not respond to an additional 2 weeks of the
maximum dose of mesalamine oral and topical therapy. Patients were randomly
assigned to groups who were given curcumin capsules 3 g/day or an identical
placebo for 1 month, with continued mesalamine. Addition of curcumin to
mesalamine therapy was superior to the combination of placebo and mesalamine in
inducing clinical and endoscopic remission in patients with mild-to-moderate
active UC, producing no apparent adverse effects. Curcumin may be a safe and
promising agent for treatment of UC.
Review
Biofactors. Feb 2013. Curcumin, a component of turmeric: from farm to
pharmacy. Traditionally, this polyphenol has been used in Asian countries to
treat such human ailments as acne, psoriasis, dermatitis, and rash. Recent
studies have indicated that curcumin can target newly identified signaling
pathways including those associated with microRNA, cancer stem cells, and
autophagy. Extensive research from preclinical and clinical studies has
delineated the molecular basis for the pharmaceutical uses of this polyphenol
against cancer, pulmonary diseases, neurological diseases, liver diseases,
metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and numerous
other chronic diseases. Multiple studies have indicated the safety and efficacy
of curcumin in numerous animals including rodents, monkeys, horses, rabbits, and
cats and have provided a solid basis for evaluating its safety and efficacy in
humans. To date, more than 65 human clinical trials of curcumin, which included
more than 1000 patients, have been completed, and as many as 35 clinical trials
are underway. Curcumin is now used as a supplement in several countries
including the United States, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, China, Turkey, South
Africa, Nepal, and Pakistan. In this review, we provide evidence for the
pharmaceutical uses for various diseases.
Curcumin side effects,
toxicity, danger, safety, drug interactions
No apparent curcumin side effects have been reported in the medical literature
thus far in humans when reasonable amounts are used. Increased body temperature on high doses may be a possible curcumin
side effect on high doses.
Anticancer Res. 2001. Phase I clinical trial of curcumin, a chemopreventive agent, in patients with high-risk or pre-malignant lesions. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) has been demonstrated to inhibit carcinogenesis of murine skin, stomach, intestine and liver. This prospective phase-I study evaluated these issues of curcumin in patients with one of the following five high-risk conditions: 1) recently resected urinary bladder cancer; 2) arsenic Bowen's disease of the skin; 3) uterine cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN); 4) oral leucoplakia; and 5) intestinal metaplasia of the stomach. Curcumin was taken orally for 3 months. Biopsy of the lesion sites was done immediately before and 3 months after starting curcumin treament. The starting dose was 500 mg/day. If no toxicity > or = grade II was noted in at least 3 successive patients, the dose was then escalated to another level in the order of 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, 8,000, and 12,000 mg/day. There was no treatment-related toxicity up to 8,000 mg/day. Beyond 8,000 mg/day, the bulky volume of the drug was unacceptable to the patients. The serum concentration of curcumin usually peaked at 1 to 2 hours after oral intake of crucumin and gradually declined within 12 hours. One of 4 patients with CIN and 1 of 7 patients with oral leucoplakia proceeded to develop frank malignancies in spite of curcumin treatment. In contrast, histologic improvement of precancerous lesions was seen in 1 out of 2 patients with recently resected bladder cancer, 2 out of 7 patients of oral leucoplakia, 1 out of 6 patients of intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, I out of 4 patients with CIN and 2 out of 6 patients with Bowen's disease. This study demonstrated that curcumin is not toxic to humans up to 8,000 mg/day when taken by mouth for 3 months.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006. Dose escalation of a curcuminoid formulation. A study performed at the University of Michigan showed no curcumin toxicity at doses up to 6 grams.
J Agric Food Chem. 2016. Overdose Intake of Curcumin Initiates the Unbalanced State of Bodies. The 90-day subchronic toxicity of curcumin in rats, its general observation, clinical biochemistry, pathology were evaluated. The results showed that curcumin induced liver injury through the generation of the overexpression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and the decreased the levels of antioxidant enzyme SOD and detoxified enzyme GST. Overdose or long-term intake of curcumin could initiate the unbalanced state of bodies through oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic disorders, which induces liver injury. Intermittent administration of curcumin is necessary in our daily lives.
Q. Can you take Curcumin if
you are on blood thinner like aspirin or Plavix, and if so how much can I take if I buy the capsules
or use the ground spice. Labels do not say if you are on blood thinners or medicines don't take this or that if so if you are on a low dose of
blood thinner please. I am on a lot of medicines
but I am trying to make my health better by eating right.
A. It is difficult to predict, much depends on dosage and your diet
and how you react to the dose of the anticoagulant.
Q. Are there any
interactions with Curcuma longa and escitalopram, clozapine, amisulpride?
A. We are not aware of any studies regarding interactions with
escitalopram, clozapine, and amisulpride.
Emails
Q. I have been attending the dental hospital in Walers
U.K. under Prof. Lewis for a Lichenoid infection on my tongue. Dr. Lewis, in
desperation, to try and find some relief for my condition which was not
responding well to other treatment, had seen your web site on curcumin and asked
me to give it a try. I ordered curcumin and I have religiously taken two capsuls
a day for three months and I am so pleased with the results. Although the
condition has not completely gone, it is 100 times better than it was and Prof.
Lewis is really enthused with the results, and has said that I may be one of the
first to try such curcumin treatment over here in the U.K.!! You can't imagine
how much it means to me to be almost free from pain and able to start eating
foods which are acidy and spicy, in moderation. I know that the Lichenoid
infection condition has no complete cure, but at least there is hope on the
horizon for the many sufferers of this unpleasant condition. Thank you so much,
I will continue to take the curcumin capsules long term. Regards. P>S> I don't
mind my name being used if you think this is worthy of your website. Judith
Pearce.
A. Thanks! Please keep us updated.
Can you tell us the actual name of the skin condition?
Q. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply
to my email, it was much appreciated, as I know how busy you must be. The
medical name for my complaint in Lichen Planus, My tongue is very sore with
blisters and lesions which subside at times and other times are very inflamed
and extremely sore leaving me virtually unable to eat, or at best a diet of
bland sandwiches!! I do find that the curcumin helps very much indeed and I
would urge anyone who wants to try it, to do so and persevere over a period of
three months to see the best results. I will keep you posted regarding my
progress. The other advantage also of the curcumin, is that you can take it long
term without having to have a "rest" period once a week. Regards, Judith.
A. One case history does not
prove anything. Curcumin may have been the herb that helped your lichen planus,
and we eagerly await other reports from those with lichen planus to see if your
response was an isolated case or whether in fact curcumin is helpful for lichen
planus. If we do get several reports of such help, then perhaps a dermatologist
or researcher may wish to investigate its role in this skin
condition.
Testimonial received 2018
Just finished reading your google post on curcumin. I have suffered for years
with a rash that has beed identified as lichen planus. No one has been able to
offer much in the way of a cure or even to prevent itching. Several years ago I
began taking eight tumeric capsules a day. The rash disappeared but did reappear
after a time in a different location. I now take a curcumin capsule once a day
and even though I have a small area of itchy, scaly rash, it is something I can
live with. I have created a moisturizer by mixing a capsule of astaxanthin in
coconut oil to eliminate itching. It would be great to have studies of these
treatments.
Would appreciate knowing if there is research
information on the effect of curcumin on testosterone in men. Is it known to
interfere -by raising, or lowering testosterone? or does it have no effect
whatsoever.
We have not seen any research on the influence of curcumin on
testosterone levels.
I've been taking your Curcurmin Turmeric supplement for retinal hemorrhaging due to presumed ocular histoplasmosis, and have had excellent results. Prior to taking it, for over 18 months I was having to have monthly injections of Avastin bevacizumab for fluid and bleeding in my left eye. Since taking the supplement, my retina specialist has stopped the injections, first telling me to come back in two months, and now giving me four months before my next appointment. He told me to keep doing what you are doing. It is wonderful! Just wanted your research department to know.
I saw that you are a vet and have been doing some
studies with horses. What is the typical dose for horses and are there any
studies I might be able to get a couple of mine into. The last I read for humans
was that the top dose given so far was 12g, but I never found any dosage given
in any of the equine studies, just the results.
Actually I am not a veterinarian. I did a Medline search and did
not find studies using curcumin in horses.
I have been diagnosed as
pre-diabetic and would like to see how this product will affect my blood sugar.
I read an article on another site that indicated that if curcumin does not have
an enteric coating that the supplement will not be absorbed into the blood
stream readily. Does your supplement have an enteric coating? Or is an enteric
coating necessary for absorption?
This product is not enteric coated. We have not seen any studies as
of 2016 that such coating enhances absorption.
Can curcumin be an alternative to Plavix since it has
these properties, if so how many mgs per day in general is a normal dose?
A. Some herbs have blood thinning potential but they are not as
directly potent as the medications, such as Plavix. However, much depends why
the Plavix is being used, the dosage, the severity of the medical condition
treated, etc. No easy answers can be provided.
Different extracts on the market, there are many
Sabinsa has Curcumin C3 Complex brand
Other products sold online
California Gold Nutrition, Curcumin C3 Complex, 500 mg, 120 Veggie Capsules
Doctor's Best, Curcumin Phytosome, With Meriva, 500 mg, 180
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