Anti-inflammatories from Ayurvedic medicine

Fallleaves

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3170500/#!po=15.8451

Guggulsterone looks especially interesting (no. 49) That's one I hadn't read much about before. 

Fallleaves

But apparently it can inhibit BC cell growth. Who knew? (well not me, anyway.) http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/13/203

lightandwind

Falleaves, Yes! I love pubmed. Heres another on the anti-inflammatory boswellia/frankinscence in regards to its effect on breast cancer.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC325826...

Fallleaves

Yeah, light, pubmed is what I do when I'm working up to braving the cold to go running (sometimes it takes me awhile!) I always wonder if anyone does comparison studies on all these anti-inflammatories to see which ones are the most potent. And what's the process for follow-up studies in humans? How do they determine which substances are worth the trouble? It all seems so random, what gets studied and what doesn't. 

Momine

Falls, I googled the guggulsterone and found quite a bit of discussion of it on body builder web sites. So apparently it is a known substance and is used as a supplement in various contexts. It is, however, a steroid, a plant one, but still a steroid, so I would imagine that there could also be downsides to taking it.

lightandwind

Here's another study on guggulsterone and breast cancer 

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/13/203

Boswellia/frankinsence has been used by many women on these boards who have gone mainly w/  the conventional route. Some have used it for pain assoicated with AIs. Some have used it to keep brain mets away. I keep reading about it, and it's potent effect on bc. It does pair well w/ curcumin, and black seed oil, or fish oil, for arthritis pain.

lightandwind

Falls, yes is such a mismash of studies pertaining to cancer fighting remedies. Its all so preliminary and random which I agree can be a little disheartening.  It's time to narrow it down and get some human trials done. Grapeseed extract, curcumin, etc., made it to clinical trials. I believe some of these others will too.

Fallleaves

Momine, the guggulsterone does seem to have significant effects (blood thinning, thyroid) that could be dangerous. Those body building websites are pretty weird. I ran across some discussing the use of tamoxifen by body builders! I'm surprised it's that easy to get a prescription for it.

Light, the boswellia/frankincense is interesting. Good to know that it pairs well with curcumin and fish oil, both of which I am taking. 

Momine

Fall, bodybuilders are a a slightly odd bunch, IME. Many of them will do almost anything to build muscle, including dangerous and illegal things.

Anonymous

Andrew Weil

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400915/Curcumin-or-Turmeric.html

Seems most important to also take BLACK PEPPER when using the Tumeric as a supplement.  Weil states:

"I
frequently recommend turmeric supplements, and I believe whole turmeric
is more effective than isolated curcumin for inflammatory disorders,
including arthritis, tendonitis, and autoimmune conditions.
Take 400 to 600 milligrams of turmeric extracts (available in tablets
or capsules) three times per day or as directed on the product label.
Look for products standardized for 95% curcuminoids. Neither curcumin
nor turmeric taken orally is well absorbed unless taken with black
pepper or piperine, a constituent of black pepper responsible for its
pungency. When shopping for supplements, make sure that the one you
choose contains black pepper extract or piperine."

Kind of hard to imagine taking black pepper with supplements?

eta:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9619120

Rdrunner

The body building set are way ahead of the rest of us in terms of supplements and nutrition. Fall leave, i doubt most have prescriptions .. tamoxifen is used very often at the end of a steriod cycle. Excess testorone is converted into estrogen in humans and tamoxifen with block the estrogen so they dont get those female type place fat deposit. it also  has shown to increase muscle density and hardness, definition . 

Anti inflammatories while great do not come negative side effect free. They supress the immune system which is a desired effect with inflammation but not in other pathways. Also they can delay healing.. sorry about spelling, typing with a cast.

cp418

These links are very interesting especially the lipid-lowering affects of gugulipid without side-effects.  I'm surprised we haven't read / heard more about this as a supplement.  There have been recent articles regarding elevated cholesterol and breast cancer recurrence and this may be another supplement of benefit to us. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23914993

http://www.meschinohealth.com/ArticleDirectory/Gugulipid_Cholesterol_Lowering_Supplement

http://www.omicsonline.org/gugulipid-an-extract-of-ayurveda-medicine-plant-commiphora-mukul-as-a-potent-agent-for-cancer-chemoprevention-and-cancer-chemotherapy-2161-0444.1000e105.pdf

http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1472-6882-13-203.pdf

Rdrunner

I have a question re all the many studies that are linked here. Do those that post the links that are just abstracts, have the acutually full study and evaluate the study based on that and the element contained within. Please tell me that people are not making some major health decision based on reading abstracts and conculsions ?

cp418

I personally inquire/discuss all supplements with my GP and nutritionist.  I've found some doctors simply do not have the background or time to keep up with news/research articles - so I ask.

Fallleaves

Interesting articles cp418. I'm surprised we haven't read more about it, too.

Rdrunner, I guess I don't understand the use of drugs for things other than what they've been studied for, if you don't have a compelling reason to take them.

cp418

Here is another article referring to a cholesterol - breast cancer link.  There have been several in the news lately including those from Duke University Medical Center - Research Hospital.  Another research facility in Phil PA also studying this relationship.  This is the reason for my interest in these articles/research/supplements.

http://www.thealmagest.com/researchers-discover-new-driver-breast-cancer/9178

Anonymous

Rdrunner - it's the SE's that I always have to keep checking - several layers into studies - because of other medical conditions I have, thyroid, blood glucose, always surprised at how "hidden" some of the SE's are.  PubMed seems to be a good source.

lightandwind

I agree with you Sunflowers. Pubmed is a good source. Thanks cp for posting those articles.