Diet or Supplement Curcumin?

I agree with you about what to get from foods or supplements, if you figure it out, please let me know.  I don't know what the answer is.  I'm still trying to sort the 'list' I received the other day out.   I'm also finding different opinions depending on who writes the article.  The only ones I have come to a  conclusion on to supplement so far is CoQ10, ALA/NAC. The rest I'm still researching if adding certain foods to daily diet would work.   

I did find a interesting site that will lists the important nutrients and what organic foods are rich in that particular source of nutrients.      

 http://whfoods.org/nutrientstoc.php

Example for Omega 3's 1/4 c a day of raw organic walnuts will provide 2.27 g . 

heres more food for thought.  Is anyone familiar with a site called consumerlabs.com ?  They test supplements/herbs for their labeled amt, purity, ability to break apart, etc. You have to subscribe to their site and it does cost to get to the results.   Curiosity got the better of me so I did subscribe.    Here is some info on calcium supplements.  One product for calcium/vit d failed there tests due to higher than "acceptable" amt of lead.   

quote of calcium/vit d and what they test for  

" Quality Concerns and What CL Tested for:
Like other supplements, neither the FDA nor any other federal or state agency routinely tests calcium or vitamin D supplements for quality prior to sale. However, quality issues can include the following:

• Labeled Amount - Does the product really contain the labeled amount of calcium and vitamin D? While calcium is an inexpensive raw material, it can be bulky, making the formulation of calcium supplements complex. If not manufactured properly, products may not "pack in" the labeled amount of calcium.
• Purity - Many sources of calcium naturally contain other minerals such as lead. In children, infants, and fetuses, even low levels of lead can adversely affect neurobehavioral development and cognitive function. In adults, lead at somewhat higher levels can cause elevated blood pressure, anemia, and adversely affect the nervous and reproductive systems. Lead is of particular concern during pregnancy as the mother can deliver it to the fetus.
• Ability to Break Apart for Absorption - For a tablet to be most useful, it must fully disintegrate prior to leaving the stomach, delivering its contents for absorption in the gut. Some tablets are not properly made and can pass through your body completely or partially intact, depriving you of its ingredients. Remnants of such products are sometimes found in the stool. This happens, for example, when a tablet is too tightly compressed (too "hard") or is too thickly coated.

ConsumerLab.com, as part of its mission to independently evaluate products that affect health, wellness, and nutrition, purchased calcium and vitamin D supplements sold in the U.S. and tested them to determine whether they 1) possessed the claimed amount of calcium and vitamin D, 2) were able to disintegrate fully to be available for absorption and 3) were free from unacceptable levels of lead ."

Is it acceptable to list brand names here?  I will do so if its ok.   I have also looked at other supplements, vit c,e, several name brands didn't pass  there tests.   ALso Saluki, you may be interested in the results on Milk Thistle.      

more info about lead testing: "Although the FDA acknowledges the dangers of lead exposure, it has not set limits on the amount of lead in dietary supplements - nor has any state other than California. California requires a warning label on any supplement containing more than 0.5 micrograms (mcg) of lead per daily serving for a magnesium-only supplement or 1.5 micrograms of lead for supplements that also contain one gram of calcium - such as these two products. Although not dangerous in and of themselves, these products significantly and unnecessarily contribute to lead exposure. It is advisable to get as little lead as possible - particularly for children and fetuses because low amounts can affect their mental functioning.

I sure hope Vitacost's brand, NSI (think), is good because I used lots of theirs.  I probably should subscribe also.  They tease a little then want to to subscribe.  However, it's probably worth every penny to know if you are getting the right "stuff."

Shirley

Hi,

I have read that turmeric or curcumin reduces tumours and research has been done to prove this.  I had a mastectomy in 2003 and am interested in anything natural that has proven health benefits.  Recently, my husband's doctor put him on chemo drugs for his psoriasis which got very bad.  I disagreed with this treatment believing that the right diet and supplements would take care of it.  The chemo did clear it up temporarily and then it returned fast and furiously.  I read about turmeric and went and bought a big 250 gram bag of it in the supermarket.  It is also available in Indian grocery stores.  My husband started taking a teaspoon a day in juice and within two weeks it had cleared completely.  I was so amazed that I started taking this myself daily.  I don't believe that the capsules offer enough of the stuff and it works out very expensive.  Ideally one needs an organic source.  I have read that cancer sufferers can safely take 8 grams a day for 3 months at a time.

Take best, best care.

Love and blessings