Curcumin Anyone???

Katiejane

 I just finished watching a medical news clip that discussed the uses of curcumin, a spice used in Indian cooking, for fighting cancer.   Has anyone heard of this, tried it or know anything about it.  It was a short clip but it caught my attention.  Thanks!

phoenixrising

Hi Katie,  yes I've heard of it.  If memory serves me I think it's the anti-inflammatory qualities of it that is so useful but there may be more.  I believe lots of people use in their fight with cancer.

Some people buy veggy caps from the drug store and cap it up themselves.

Maybe there is someone here that uses it.

Good luck to you

jan

DGHoff

I used curcumin when I was in radiation because I heard it had protective benefits to the skin. I was very skeptical, but pleasantly surprised to find that my very fair skin did not burn hardly at all. I would get just a little bit pink toward the end of each week, and then over the weekend would get back to normal. It wasn't until the very end that I even had a little bit of a burn. So, I would say that if it could prevent damage from radiation, it could help prevent damage to cells in general.



DeAnn

AccidentalTourist

Curcumin is a constituent of turmeric which is a commonly used spice in Asian cooking.   You can take it in pill form or you can cook lot of curries.

bmdaley

I take two Turmeric a day per my nutrionist's recommendation. Get them at health food stores.

cp418

If you do a GOOGLE search for 'curmumin breast cacner' you will view lots of articles and research news.  Several ladies here take it and I recently added it to my daily list of suppelements. 

http://www.goodhealth.nu/News_Articles/050111-curcumin-anti-cancer-US.htm

Katiejane

Thanks everyone for the input!  cp418, in what form do you take your supplement and where did you purchase it?? Think I would like to give it a try.  Does it upset your stomach/GI tract?

Thanks again!  katiejane

AccidentalTourist

Incidentally, curcumin is good for joint pains too.

cp418

I recently started it and had no stomach issues.  I'm trying to find the psot where someone recommended NOW products for their purity so that is the brand I ordered.  I liked the articles I read about curcumin and anti-cancer benefits.  I'll add some older links from this summer when this topic was discussed.

http://community.breastcancer.org/posts/edit/718834

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/79/topic/705466?page=3#idx_74

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/79/topic/709311?page=1#idx_2

Liz08

cp-

it may have been me, I know I have posted about NOW products being good quality and very reasonably priced.   My naturalpath says that NOW products are excellent and is one of the few companies she recommends.  Also my sister and brother-in-law are both naturalpaths who highly recommend NOW products.  In addition, my local health food store owner showed me an article on the NOW company and how they won some type of award for their products back in July-August.

Curcumin has shown alot of promise for its anti-cancer benefits and some cancer centers are now incorporating it into their trials. 

For those who have issue with their gallbladder, it may not be recommended.  You may want to research that if it applies to you.

cp418

Thanks Liz!!  I'm sure it was your post!  I ordered NOW products after reading about the purity issues in some products.

Katiejane

Thanks to all of you for the info on curcumin.  I have done alittle research on line & found the NOW products.  I will be ordering some today.  Thanks again!  Katiejane

Katiejane

P.S. to the above post---- I read where you shouldn't take curcumin w/ active chemo.  I'm on Arimidex daily.  Is this considered active chemo???   Katiejane

crazy4carrots

Hi Katiejane (love that name, by the way!!)

No, neither arimidex nor any of the other AI's is considered chemo.  However, I have read that if you have gall bladder issues, you should avoid curcumin, at least until further studies are done. 

Cheers, Linda

cp418

Hi Katie - Arimidex is one of the hormone AI medications so I believe active chemo is the IV forms. 

Katiejane

Linda,  The "katiejane" name is one of those made up ones that your parents come up with although I must say I like it better than my real one!  Had a black Lab.--we were very close and her registered name was "Travlin' Katie Jane".  Anyways, thanks for your input-you too cp. I didn't think it was considered active chemo but just wanted to make sure.  Thanks again!  Katiejane

EWB

There are many spices that are helpful for dis-inflaming the body--many are knoiwn as anti oxidants and are easily added to everyday cooking, great way to add to or dense up food that we are eating or drinking. 

RobinWendy

I have been taking curcumin for almost three years now as part of my complementary arsenal against Stage IV BC to lungs and liver.  Just celebrated five years out from mets dx and remain completely asymptomatic.  None of the mainstream oncs I have spoken to have a probelm with it and it has not caused me any side effects.  I think it's a good safe supplement to take.

Robin

marejo

I take tumeric/curcumin also.  After reading all the advantages to this "spice/supplement" I figure it surely can't hurt me.  I also take Vit. D3, CoQ10, Magnesium, a multi and fish oil.  Also, I try to drink 3 or 4 cups of green tea a day.  It may not help me but it surely can't hurt.

Hugs to my "sisters"

Mary Jo

07rescue

I have taken turmeric/curcumin for the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis and endometriosis for many years, and it is know for having anti-cancer activity as well. There is one caveat, which is it can interfere with, and diminish the action of methotrexate, an effect discovered in a study done with breast cancer patients. I no longer can find the link to the study, but will post it as soon as I find it. Other than that there is no contraindication for using it that we know about. Some people say that if you add some black pepper to it (as in traditional East Indian curries)the absorption is significantly improved.

ejlj

I too have heard the benefits of taking curcumin and am very interested in starting on it.  I have read that it can interfere with different chemo agents, but does anyone know about using it while on Herceptin?  I have done alot of interesting reading and gotten alot of useful information from Life Extension Foundation which can be googled if interested.

anondenet

> 

As usual, Breast Cancer Choices has provided the cancer documentation for this supplement as well as certain others. They don't just tell you it's a good idea, they give you EVIDENCE why.

 http://breastcancerchoices.org/curcumin.html

Anom

Welga

I tried turmeric in the powder form mixed it with oil and took it while eating supper. I got serious heartburn, did anyone get that reaction and switched to  turmeric supplements instead of using the spice with less heartburns, I would like to take them both for their anti-cancer property and anti inflamatory ones.

dlb823

Hi ~  I'm with you all on using Curcumin, but am wondering if anyone is familiar with any data (or even anecdotal stories) on using it during rads.  I'll be starting rads in January, and it seems like I'd read somewhere (maybe on these boards?) that it can protect you during RT tx's.  But, I also keep wondering if it might not protect any lingering bc cells as well?  Does anyone know for sure?   Deanna

P.S.  Here's a link to an article out of MD Anderson: http://www2.mdanderson.org/depts/oncolog/articles/07/9-sep/9-07-2.html

Liz08

Deanna-

most doctors including my naturalpath said  you should avoid antioxidents during rads. However, my naturalpath said that curcumin during radiation actually enhances the effects of radiation while protecting the skin.  I started seeing my naturalpath after I finished rads so I did not take it during rads.  I would not take any antioxidents during rads but started up about 4-5 weeks after I finished and feel good about waiting. Afterwards I got on a long list of antioxidents that my naturalpath recommended.  I know Co Q10 definitely should not be taken during rads since it is a very powerful antioxident and is strongly contraindicated according to my naturalpath. I don't believe in messing with any cancer treatments. Let modern medicine do its thing and then use complementary medicine for secondary prevention.

But it's a matter of what you personally feel comfortable with. Wishing you the very best.

Liz 

FloridaLady

bump

billiegirl

I was told by my oncologist( back in 2004) to not take any supplements while taking Chemo or radiation unless discussed and approved by him 1st (especially ant -oxidents) He did recommend l-glutamine for neuropathy caused by Taxol.

I have chronic and dibilitating neuropathy and pain in my left hip, leg foot and low back. Tests show no mets there, just osteo arthritis and degeneratuive changes.I currently take cercumin and acai daily, plus other vitamins and minerals. Have been doing so  consistantly for about 2 month. I think I notice a SLIGHT improvement:definitely not as much as I expected or hoped for, but I am going to stick with it and keep hoping for more relief and better health.

FloridaLady

billiegirl,

I'm a long term neuropathy person for three years after doing a Phase I drug trial. I was level three neuropathy for six months.  Could not drive, barely walked and feed myself I was soooo bad.  I have found only a few things that help me. I still have neuropathy, but more on a level one-two and I'm still doing chemo three years later.  From my research after getting a high level of nerve damage you nerves never totally repair themselves:(

Here a few tip that helped me. 

Put arch supports in your shoes and only wear tennis shoes or something like this. Something that support your feet and ankles.  Your arches will slowly fall with neuropathy. This does really help a lot.  The ket it helps with leg & calf stress.

Order online a BigFoot gas paddles this will help you find the pedal easier.  Just screws over the original. This thing is big and you can't miss it.

Have someone do deep tissue massages on you feetl/legs and hands/fore-arms.  A lot of neuropathy issues are the nerve is damage and the muscles start freaking out.  You start walking and carrying your body weird that also pulls your muscles in painful ways.

Acupuncture did help me some, also infra red heat done at my physical therapist.  I also order online a mirco-current hand held device that you can send tiny electric shocks into your hands and feet by yourself. Again I feel a big help for me.

Freeze water bottles and hold them in our hands or roll your feet on them as long as you can stand it and them place them on a heating pad. Repeat for ten minutes. This shocks the nerve ending to wake them up.

I do take Lyrica it does not help my neuropathy but it does help with restless leg.

I hope you can use something from what I've learned. 

Flalady

FloridaLady

Also have your magnesium check out.  I asked my doctor today about the pain in joints and tissue and he said this can be a side effect of low magnesium from chemo treatments.

saltykm

How long before you noticed a difference

phoenixsmom

I have been using curcumin since I started seeing my naturopath and I am doing really well.  I should note that I am also taking quite a few other supplements, but the curcumin I take twice a day.  Its supposed to be a superb antioxidant.  I have just finished 4 cycles of ac treatment and on my last check up (before my 4th treatment) my onc couldn't find my tumors.  (The left was 10 cm to start, the right, since I have bilateral, was 4-5cm).  Hope that gives you some encouragement!