More on Turmeric incl discussion on absorption issues

 http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/turmeric4.html

Turmeric Cures

…09/07/2011: Rob from Manhattan, Ny replies: "There seems to be a growing consensus that Turmeric is generally poorly absorbed and that added Piperine (black pepper) enhances it's absorption. We're seeing more Turmeric products with this addition.

In terms of flavor and cooking, fresh Turmeric and Ginger both possess large differences over the dried versions... With Fresh often preferred for it's more complex flavor. I don't know if the therapeutic value is any greater... the general rule for Turmeric is 1/2 tsp dried for 1 inch of the fresh root or 1tsp fresh minced root."

…

December 2009.

Q: Is it true that there are absorption issues with curcumin and that the dosage needs to be high to produce a therapeutic affect?

A: I think there is a bit of a misconception regarding the absorption and dosage of curcumin. Remember, curcumin is a dietary agent, not a drug. It should not be tested as a drug because if dosages reach the drug level, it could become toxic. We have found that curcumin is circulated quickly and is taken up by tissues very quickly. Within 10 to 20 minutes it is already in the brain. When it is tested as a drug, researchers are looking for curcumin in serum but they don't find it because it has already been taken up by tissues. In 2008, Marczylo and colleagues demonstrated that very little curcumin was found in plasma and urine in rats after they were given curcumin; however, curcumin was found in intestinal mucosa, as well as liver, kidney, and heart tissue.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins reported that as little as 500 mg of curcumin per day resulted in a 60 percent reduction in polyps, whereas Celebrex at the same dose, which is very cardiotoxic, only resulted in less than 30 percent reduction in polyps as shown by physicians at M. D. Anderson. If bioavailability were an issue, we would not see these results. We have cancer patients at M. D. Anderson who are just on curcumin. They don't have to be given chemotherapy or radiation, just curcumin alone, and we are witnessing significant results. There are more than 1,000 patients on curcumin right now at M. D. Anderson. Absorption of curcumin is not as big of an issue as people may think.

Turmeric has been used historically as a component of Indian Ayurvedic medicine since 1900 BC to treat a wide variety of ailments. Now research has identified curcumin as responsible for most of the biological activity of turmeric. In vitro studies have suggested a wide range of potential therapeutic or preventive effects associated with curcumin. Numerous clinical trials in humans are studying the effect of curcumin on various diseases including multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, cancer, psoriasis, and Alzheimer's disease, among quite a lot of other problems

The medicinal properties of curcumin obtained from Curcuma longa L. Is reported by some, disputed by others, to be the cause of poor bioavailability due to its rapid metabolism in the liver and intestinal wall. In studies, the effect of combining piperine, a known inhibitor of hepatic and intestinal glucuronidation, was evaluated on the bioavailability of curcumin on healthy human volunteers. When curcumin was given alone to these volunteers after a dose of 2 g curcumin alone, serum levels were either undetectable or very low, due to its rapid absorption by the brain and body. Concomitant administration of piperine 20 mg produced much higher concentrations. The increase in bioavailability was 2000%. The study shows that in the dosages used, piperine enhances the serum concentration, extent of absorption and bioavailability of curcumin in humans with no adverse effects.

Studies suggest that curcumin may have anti-tumor, antioxidant, antiarthritic, anti-amyloid, anti-ischemic and anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-inflammatory properties may be due to inhibition of eicosanoid biosynthesis. In addition it may be effective in treating malaria, prevention of cervical cancer, and may interfere with the replication of the HIV virus. In HIV, it appears to act by interfering with P300/CREB-binding protein (CBP). It also prevents liver damage. A 2008 study at Michigan State University showed that low concentrations of curcumin interfere with Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) replication. This effect was shown to be independent of effect on histone acetyltransferase activities of p300/CBP. A previous (1999) study performed at University of Cincinnati indicated that curcumin is significantly associated with protection from infection by HSV-2 in intravaginal infections.

Curcumin acts as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage. Curcuminoids induce glutathione S-transferase and are potent inhibitors of cytochrome P450.

A 2004 UCLA-Veterans Affairs study suggests that curcumin might inhibit the accumulation of destructive beta-amyloid in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients and also break up existing plaques associated with the disease.

There is also circumstantial evidence that curcumin improves mental functions; a survey of 1010 Asian people who ate yellow curry and were between the ages of 60 and 93 showed that those who ate the sauce "once every six months" or more had higher MMSE results than those who did not.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that curcumin, amongst only a few other things such as high impact exercise, learning, bright light, and antidepressant usage, has a positive effect on neurogenesis in the hippocampus and concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), reductions in both of which are associated with stress, depression, and anxiety.

Many pre-clinical studies suggest that curcumin may be useful for the prevention and treatment of several diseases.

The Anticarcinogenic effects of curcumin are being shown on an increasing and, almost, daily rate!

Its potential anticancer effects stem from its ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells without cytotoxic effects on healthy cells. Curcumin can interfere with the activity of the transcription factor NF-%u03BAB, which has been linked to a number of inflammatory diseases such as cancer.

A 2009 study suggests that curcumin may inhibit mTOR complex I via a novel mechanism.

Another 2009 study on curcumin effects on cancer states that curcumin "modulates growth of tumor cells through regulation of multiple cell signaling pathways including cell proliferation pathway (cyclin D1, c-myc), cell survival pathway (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, cFLIP, XIAP, c-IAP1), caspase activation pathway (caspase-8, 3, 9), tumor suppressor pathway death receptor pathway (DR4, DR5), mitochondrial pathways, and protein kinase pathway (JNK, Akt, and AMPK)".

Curcumin has recently been shown to have phyto-estrogenic activity that might contribute to anti-breast cancer activity. In the murine model of breast cancer metastasis, Curcumin inhibits the formation of lung metastases probably through the NF-kappa-B dependent regulation of pro-tumorigenic inflammatory cytokines.

We at Home Cures have had experience of our Curcumin Piperine being effective, in conjunction with Serrapeptase, in the control of fibromyalgia, also known as MS or ME. Also, in older people a remarkable "rejuvenation" is evident.

In short, with much clinical and usage evidence, curcumin has significant advantages over turmeric. If, as in India and some areas of China, where the diet is significantly curry based, thus a regular ingestion of curcumin is evident, the trumeric intake is continual it is a good thing. For us in the West, where the intake is almost insignificant, it is curcumin that is required.

Combine Surcumin with Serrapeptase 80,000iu and, according to one of my sources, 50% of all hospitals could be emptied!"

http://www.fitho.in/tag/increase-absorption-turmeric/

Recent research shows that the absorption of the wonder substance, Curcumin, is greatly increased when it is turmeric is cooked with a vegetable like cauliflower (gobi). So, before you pass up that yellow gobi ki subzi (Indian preparation of potato cauliflower), think about the immense health benefits that it offers.

http://www.hairsite.com/hair-loss/forum_entry-id-28375-page-0-category-4-orde...

Turmeric is a very powerful, anti-inflammatory agent. It would be useful for any condition that is accompanied by pain and swelling. Taken orally, turmeric inhibits the response of the body to inflammation and pain causing agents both directly and indirectly. 

It stimulates the production of natural steroid (corticosteroids) from the adrenal glands. They also make the cortisone receptor sites on cells more sensitive and prevent the breakdown of cortisol (the body's own natural steroid). This has a powerful effect on reducing swelling and reducing pain. 

In fact, curcumin (one of the active molecules of turmeric) has been found to be every bit as effective as the pharmaceutical drugs cortisone, indometacin and phenylbutazone in clinical trials.

The anti-inflammatory effects are comparable in effectiveness to pharmaceutical drugs (such as phenylbutazone and indomethacin) but without the serious side effects.