Curcumin : good or bad?

alain23

Yes,

(At first I have to appologise for my english, it's not my native language)

Important : I am not a doctor and the content of this message is not e medical advise. Just informations I read. Furthermore the informations are related to what I read in 2010. They can change with the evolution of the knowledges.

Her are some more informations. regarding the subject in the title : (curcumin). I read some in vitro studies that shoved interesting effects against cancer. Some studies shoved in improvement of the efficacy of some anticancer treatments (in vitro) but some other (also in vitro) that shoved that it can decrease the efficency of some anticancer treatments. So 'ti importqant to know that :

1) Some products that can help to prevent cancer could be dangerous during the treatment because of interractions.

2) The effect of some products can change according to the dosage.

3) It also depends of the kinf of cancer, the kind of treatment and so on. In in vitro studies by Internet Speed Checker" style="border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; text-indent: 0px !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; text-decoration: underline !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important; background: transparent !important;">Curcumin enhanced the efficacy of some chemotherapies and reduced the efficacy of some others. And hasen't been tested with others. Furthermore the bioperin that enhance the concentrations of by Internet Speed Checker" style="border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; text-indent: 0px !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; text-decoration: underline !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important; background: transparent !important;">curcumin can also enhance the concentrations of some others, and that could lead to some problems.

4) I have been asked why we must be careful woth curcumin on the long term going, its why it has been only tested at high doses for 4 monthes. For curry in the food it's different.

As it is a forum for woman. If you are planning to concerne it is important to check by asking your doctor if the food you consume is not réduction fertility.also m'en fertility for your man.

Mathteacher you say that we can find all the informations in by Internet Speed Checker" style="border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; text-indent: 0px !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; text-decoration: underline !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important; background: transparent !important;">internet. But in internet you also find many wrong informations written by anyone. The good informations ar in sudies that are not public. (we must pay to read them). That's why we must ask professionals who studies a long time.

Regarding this subject, I read we must ask our oncologist. And ask as soon as possible in order to have the best by Internet Speed Checker" style="border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; text-indent: 0px !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; text-decoration: underline !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important; background: transparent !important;">nutrition as soon as possible. If there is a impact on survival it would be a shame to wait too long.

And it's very important to collaborate (and ask of course) with a registered dietician who knows well oncology (1) and who abolutley has to collaborate with your oncologist. I read it's the best way that your body gets all the nutriments he needs without problems.

Here is the complete version regarding this subject. (Sorry for my English this is not my native language ;-))

Hello,
Here is an interesting information. (Sorry for my English this is not my native language ;-))
Nutrition is very important for cancer patients and many studies show an improvement of many factors (quality of life, immune system, SURVIVAL) thanks to the help of a registered dietitian for cancer patients.
Of course this registered dietitian has to know well oncology and to collaborate with you oncologist .
Ask your oncologist to advise you a good one who knows well oncology. This help increased survival in many studies, so it's important to find one. The name of this kind of specialist can vary from a country to another, that's why it's good to ask your oncologist the name of the most efficient kind of nutrition specialist for your situation.
It's highly advised to collaborate with the dietitian right after the diagnosis.
He will help you, for instance, for the following situation :- He can help us before during and after the treatment .Thanks to his advises you will also be able to eat healthy on the long time going after the end of the treatment, what is also important.
Have a nice day
Al

ccbaby

Spring...what is the name of the curcumin supplement that you use? The link says the product isn't available. Thanks!

sakura73

I take 2 forms of curcumin and  did so all through chemo (AC then Taxol). I intend to keep taking it indefinitely, unless otherwise advised by my naturopath. My onco knew I was taking lots of supplements. The naturopath advised me that in the form I was taking the curcumin it is NOT an antioxident or anything.

alain23

Hi,

At first I have to say I am not a doctor and this is not a medical advise.

Like any substance Curcumin has can have interractions in some situations or help and enhanc ethe efficacy of the therapy in other situations. It would be a pity not to use its advantages when it has no interractions. Nothing is black or white in medicine.

I als know Curcumin at therapeutic dosages (up to 8 grams a day) shouldn't be used for long periods . Ask your doctor when to decrease.

 Any way ask your doctor before doing anything

Springtime

Alain23, can you explain why Curcumin should not be used for too long ? I thought I heard this somewhere before, but it has such cancer fighting properties, I would really like to understand this. 

alain23

It's especially at therapeutical dosages that it shouldn't be taken for too long.

 Taken with curry I don't know. (lower dosage)

Aou should ask your doctor I'm not one

Have a nice day

Harley44

I've been taking 500mg of Curcumin a day... that is no where NEAR the theraputic dose of 5 GM... am I right??

Spring,

Hi...  good to see you here...  I also don't understand why we can't take Curcumin for a long period of time... I'll have to ask my dr.  BUT, which one would know??  They don't really know about these supplements...   GRRR....

Harley

Springtime

Harley, hey girl. I have looked all over the Web and can't find anythings about overdosing or dangers of Curcumin, or too much. the dosage seems "unknown" and the SE's I found (neither of which impact me) are Nausea and diarrhea.

Anybody else have info???

It seems a powerful anti-cancer supplement. I take 2 per day of the ones at the url below. I feel it's important to get good curcumin. I switched from another brand that may not have been pure.

http://www.agelesscures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=2

Rich66

A few bits on Curcumin HERE

alain23

deleted

moishek

i asked my mom's Dr where is scientific proof that antioxidents ineterfere with chemo, Can anyone help  him find it

LRM216

MD Anderson has done a study on this - I don't have the head of the studies recommendations, but it can be found on line asI did print it out a while ago.   Also, go to "Nosurrender.com" another good breast cancer forum, and go down the threads to "Cam's Edge" and it is all explained there too, a wealth of info.

Edited to change name of forum - here it is:

http://www.nosurrenderbreastcancersurvivorforum.org/ and go to the thread called "the Cutting Edge"  - tons of great medical evidence for supplements and alot about curcumin. 

mathteacher

Moishek, here you go.

http://www.blockmd.com/AntioxidantStudy.pdf

Luna5

I take 3600 mg a day with bioperine or pepper if I'm eating something I can put pepper on...and I take it with olive oil and usually at the same time as my fish oil and krill oil.

Where did you hear 5 grams is the therapeutic dose?  I can certainly up mine if I need to.

I use two kinds of Life Extension...one with bioperine and one that is Super Bio Curcumin and to those I add 2000 mg of Jarrow curcumin.  I was already using Jarrow when I joined LE and thought if I mix their's with the Jarrow maybe they will all absorb better and save money at the same time.  

I think I'm going to buy organic tumeric and start mixing it with pepper and oil and spread it on things or make a salad dressing or something to cut down on the 52 pills I take every day:)

People in countries where they eat a lot of turmeric do that for their whole lives.  They don't stop ingesting it so why should we?

Springtime...I, too, have researched and researched and cannot find any studies that caution about taking too much.  Obviously, if a person finds it does not agree with their system in some way they should stop taking it....I know a lady who is allergic to iceberg lettuce....so it is always possible that certain foods mess up some people's digestive tracts.  But I can't find anything that says curcumin/tumeric has a bad side health wise.

Luna5

Springtime...I followed your link.

Can't figure out why they offer timed release curcumin though.  We don't eat timed release broccoli.

And if we get our curcumin naturally through tumeric, that isn't timed release.

Oh well. Whatever.

Springtime

I don't know about timed released either, but I find I need a supplement for Curcumin as I can't remember to use Turmeric in cooking. Just feel better to be covered this way! 

AmyIsStrong

I take a 1/2 teaspoon of tumeric powder mixed with a sprinkling of ground black pepper every morning. I got a whole big container of it for around $2 at the farmer's market (for cooking purposes) whereas a small bottle of pills was $17. Is there any reason I should not be taking it this way?

LRM216

This may help:

'Curcumin' web site of Dr Bharat Aggarwal of MD Anderson Cancer Center, with the info you need if interested in taking curcumin.

From the site:http://www.curcuminresearch.org/,
is this info on dosage:

Recommendations for Cancer:

If you have cancer, please consider curcumin for yourself as following regimen:

1 g/day for week one; if no side effects then,

2 g/day for week two; if no side effects then (can be split into three separate doses).

4 g/day for week three; if no side effects then (can be split into three separate doses).

8 g/day for week four; for eight weeks (can be split into three separate doses).

After 8 weeks, if no improvement is noted, curcumin is less likely to do anything for you.

If you do not have cancer, then one capsule (500 mg) per day is sufficient.

How should I take curcumin?

There are reports to indicate curcumin taken empty stomach is more effective than with the meals. Thus it is recommended that you take curcumin 1 h before meals. If you are taking curcumin powder (instead of capsule), you can mix it with milk, yogurt, coconut milk or other fluids.

Has there been any toxicity associated with curcumin?

Two Phase I studies have been published. These studies suggest that curcumin is safe in human subjects even when consumed up to 12 grams per day for three months. Inspite of it, one is recommended to take low dose (500 mg/day) and gradually increase dose if needed. Look for signs of both potential toxicity and improvement by talking to your body and to your doctor.

chillipadi

I'm taking pure turmeric powder with pepper added three times a day, one teaspoon each time mixed with virgin coconut oil. I also apply pure turmeric powder on the raw or ulcerated lesions on my breast. It stings a little. For the lumps where the skin has not broken or ulcerated - or are just beginning to get raw - I place a piece of cotton soaked in apple cider vinegar over them. Both help to control the growths.

Luna5

AmyIsStrong...don't forget to take some sort of oil...olive oil..coconut oil......at the same time.

Luna5

LRM 216....I wonder what they mean....If you see no improvement????

If I am taking curcumin to avoid recurrence or mets.....how would I see improvement in 8 weeks?

LRM216

Luna:

Lol!  Sometimes I can't make heads nor tails out of some of this stuff.  No idea how one would "see improvement."  That piece above is supposedly from hte doctor at MDA  that did this study.  I actually prefer the info on curcumin from the medical researcher that reports on all these supplements on the No surrender breast cancer site I cited in my earlier post.  His name Constantine and he is excellent.  Go over there and see all his scientific findings and suggestions.

MsBliss

The topical curcumin is a good therapy.  You can mix it with a nice neutral lotion or an organic based lotion mixed with coconut oil.  You can use the curcumin mixture at night, and during the day use a sulforaphane based lotion.  I buy it from my doctor, but you can mix one up yourself too.

HappyTrisha

"Can't figure out why they offer timed release curcumin though.  We don't eat timed release broccoli."

I'm thinking it has to do with the absorption of the curcumin.  There have been suggestions that the absorption rate isn't high so perhaps the thinking is that whereas a single dose would leave the body sooner, time-released is there longer and has a bettter chance to be absorbed.  Just my thinking on it.

HappyTrisha

"Can't figure out why they offer timed release curcumin though.  We don't eat timed release broccoli."

I'm thinking it has to do with the absorption of the curcumin.  There have been suggestions that the absorption rate isn't high so perhaps the thinking is that whereas a single dose would leave the body sooner, time-released is there longer and has a bettter chance to be absorbed.  Just my thinking on it.

HappyTrisha

"Can't figure out why they offer timed release curcumin though.  We don't eat timed release broccoli."

I'm thinking it has to do with the absorption of the curcumin.  There have been suggestions that the absorption rate isn't high so perhaps the thinking is that whereas a single dose would leave the body sooner, time-released is there longer and has a bettter chance to be absorbed.  Just my thinking on it.