quote: The spice turmeric inhibits the formation of fibrinogen, and thus lowers blood levels. Turmeric can reduce fibrinogen levels, thereby inhibiting blood clotting. In one study by scientists in Spain, researchers selected eight subjects with elevated fibrinogen levels and treated them with 20 mg of Curcuma longa (turmeric) extract per day. After only 15 days, previously elevated levels of fibrinogen plummeted in all eight subjects.
Has anybody tried it for reducing their fibrin levels? I wonder if it works as well as Nattokinase or Rechts-Regulat.
Posts: 655 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2007
| IP: Logged |
D Bergy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9984
posted
Even if it does not work, it has so many other benefits it is one thing I take as a supplement every day.
I have used up to 2000 mg in capsules a day for Crohn's disease. The tincture has a anti-parasitic effect as I found out.
Now I just take 500mg a day for all the health benefits. It is one herb that you really cannot go wrong with. Of course, if you are using prescription blood thinners you probably should not use it in high doses.
D Bergy
Posts: 2919 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
ldfighter: Your link has some good info. UCLA studies show turmeric crosses blood-brain barrier to break up brain plaque.
quote: Curcumin Crosses Blood-Brain Barrier, May Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
Research conducted at UCLA and published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry (December 2004), which has been confirmed by further research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (April 2006), provides insight into the mechanisms behind curcumin's protective effects against Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease results when a protein fragment called amyloid�� accumulates in brain cells, producing oxidative stress and inflammation, and forming plaques between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain that disrupt brain function.
Amyloid is a general term for protein fragments that the body produces normally. Amyloid�� is a protein fragment snipped from another protein called amyloid precursor protein (APP). In a healthy brain, these protein fragments are broken down and eliminated. In Alzheimer's disease, the fragments accumulate, forming hard, insoluble plaques between brain cells.
The UCLA researchers first conducted test tube studies in which curcumin was shown to inhibit amyloid�� aggregation and to dissolve amyloid fibrils more effectively than the anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and naproxen. Then, using live mice, the researchers found that curcumin crosses the blood brain barrier and binds to small amyloid-� species. Once bound to curcumin, the amyloid-� protein fragments can no longer clump together to form plaques. Curcumin not only binds to amyloid-�, but also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, supplying additional protection to brain cells.
CherylSue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13077
posted
This correlates with the study that people of eastern Indian descent (India) have an extremely low rate of Alzheimer's. It's practically non existent. It's all that curry.
My daughter and I have a favorite Indian restaurant we visit now and then. I am a latecomer to Indian food, and I grew to like it. Just drink a lot of water and coconut milk sauce to cool the fire.
CherylSue
P.S. I've also read that too much tumeric can affect the gallbladder. Everything in moderation.
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
Note: Because turmeric may not be well absorbed from the intestines, many animal and human studies have used injected forms of turmeric or chemicals derived from it to achieve effective blood levels of its active components. While they may be commercially available in other parts of the world, injectable forms of turmeric are not sold in the United States.
Turmeric is known to have anti-inflammatory effects, so it may be used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Inflammation, one of the body's responses to irritation, injury, or infection, has been associated with many conditions, such as arthritis. It usually includes pain, redness, and swelling in the area of the damage and it can occur within body tissues as well as on the surface of the skin. In recent studies, curcumin (also known as diferuloylmethane)--one of the active chemicals contained in turmeric--has been found to limit the activity of several chemicals including two enzymes, lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), that are involved in promoting and maintaining inflammation. By reducing the effects of these enzymes, curcumin may also reduce inflammation and the pain associated with it.
Curcumin is also in very early stages of study for possible use in preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease. Some researchers believe that inflammation in the brain may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. In laboratory and animal studies, chemicals in turmeric have appeared to affect several of the pathways that are thought to cause accumulation of the proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease. A small cohort study of Asian individuals between 60 years old and 93 years old found less cognitive disability in those who regularly ate foods containing turmeric. Cognition is the ability to think, learn, understand, imagine, reason, and remember.
In promising but very early results from laboratory, animal, and human studies, curcumin has kept several kinds of cancers from starting, growing, or spreading. Curcumin may speed up the rate at which certain kinds of cancer cells die by damaging cancer cell DNA. It may disrupt the formation of microtubules to interfere with cancer cell division, and it may also prevent the growth of blood vessels that support tumor growth. Since it is not well absorbed from the intestines, turmeric may reach high enough levels to be especially active for cancers of the colon and other intestinal conditions, such as Crohn's disease. Additionally, in a few preliminary laboratory studies of human cancer cells, curcumin has shown possible ability to make cancer cells more susceptible to radiation therapy. It may increase the anticancer effects of certain medications, as well.
Turmeric is known to be a strong antioxidant, a substance thought to protect body cells from damage caused by a chemical process called oxidation. The chemical breakdown of foods into components the body can use, oxidation also produces by-products. Known as oxygen free radicals, some by-products of oxidation may suppress immune function and cause tissue damage. In addition to their anticancer effects, antioxidants in turmeric may protect the brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs from damage by alcohol, drugs, radiation, heavy metals such as lead, or chemicals such as dry cleaning fluid. Some laboratory research seems to show that curcumin may also help to lessen some of the complications of cancer, particularly a reduction in the amount of bone in the body. All of these effects need further study, however, before curcumin or turmeric may be recommended for anticancer therapy.
When turmeric was given to laboratory animals with diabetes, both blood sugar levels and blood cholesterol levels showed general decreases. One theory of its possible blood-sugar lowering effect is that turmeric makes red blood cells use more blood sugar. An apparent blocking of enzymes that convert dietary carbohydrates into sugar may also be involved in lowered blood sugar. Turmeric's anti-oxidant effects may also lessen the complications of diabetes, such as kidney damage and retinal injuries. Lowered cholesterol levels may be due to accelerated cholesterol breakdown and/or decreased cholesterol absorption prompted by turmeric. The body's use of cholesterol may also be increased by the ability of turmeric to promote the production of bile. Because cholesterol is a major component of bile, more cholesterol may be used to replace depleted bile supplies. These additional potential effects of turmeric are undergoing more study.
Traditionally, turmeric has been taken orally as a remedy for bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. Although study results conflict, recent early research under laboratory conditions may show potential for curcumin in treating some types of the hereditary condition, cystic fibrosis. Typically, the thick, gummy mucus produced by individuals with cystic fibrosis stays in the lungs, where it contributes to bacterial infections and lung damage. Curcumin and other chemicals in turmeric may promote mucus production, thereby making mucus thinner and possibly easier to eliminate from the body. In addition, curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties may help to relieve lung congestion caused by inflammation. However, prescription and over-the-counter drugs may be more effective for relieving general congestion.
In laboratory and animal studies, turmeric has had activity against a wide range of infective organisms. In one study, it was the most effective of 25 herbal products in killing H. pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. It may also keep H. pylori from sticking to the stomach wall. Chemicals in turmeric have shown antifungal effects as well as activity against intestinal parasites such as Giardia lamblia. Turmeric may also be antiviral--possibly by blocking the activity of certain enzymes. Although it has been tested in laboratory studies on HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, results are not conclusive. Whether turmeric may be practical for human use against any infective agents remains to be proved.
Topically, turmeric may be used as a powder or mixed with oil and made into a paste to treat cuts, scrapes, and skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, diaper rash, and psoriasis. Its anti-inflammatory properties may reduce inflammation and its possible anti-infective properties may help to prevent infection of skin injuries. In animal studies, applying it may have helped cuts in radiation-damaged skin heal faster and more completely. Topical turmeric generally leaves a yellow color where it is applied to the skin.
When should I be careful taking it?
At high doses, turmeric may increase the production of stomach acid, potentially worsening ulcers. Therefore, individuals who have stomach or intestinal ulcers should not take turmeric.
Because turmeric may also increase the body's production of bile (stored in the gallbladder), taking turmeric may aggravate gallbladder conditions. It may also raise the chance that bile ducts may become blocked. Therefore, turmeric should be avoided by individuals with gallbladder or bile-duct conditions.
Traditionally, turmeric has been used to relieve menstrual cramps and start menstrual flow when periods were late. Part of this effect may be due to a tightening of the uterus--an action that could cause a miscarriage for a woman who is pregnant. Amounts of turmeric that are used in cooking are not thought to be a potential hazard, but taking large amounts of turmeric is not advised during pregnancy.
Precautions
Not enough is known about how turmeric might affect an infant to recommend its supplemental use while breast-feeding. Eating the amounts of turmeric ordinarily used in cooking is not believed to present a danger to either the mother or the baby, however.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm just starting to take this and transitioning from Rechts-Regulat to turmeric.
I found a product that has the curcumin, as well as Quercetin and also the enzymes bromelain and papain. It's from a company I've used before and trust, Wellness Resources.
So far I have only been doing this for a few days, so nothing to report yet (also haven't run out of the Rechts yet). I'm impressed by what I've read abotu curcumin though.
A.
--------------------
The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. --- Edward R. Murrow Posts: 923 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
D Bergy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9984
posted
Here is a fairly good overview of Turmeric and the effects it has on the body.
Ken singleton signals out both turmeric and garlic and I think he is right to do so as both cross the BBB barrier.
Any success/stories with turmeric
Wallace Turmeric Helps Prevent Alzheimer's Disease and Cancer, Studies Find Research at UCLA has revealed that turmeric --a spice common in Indian cuisine-- is an effective antioxidant that can help prevent the devastating plaques that cause Alzheimer's Disease. [1]
Doctors have determined that a daily regimin of 200 mg of curcumin, a potent phytochemical and the key component of turmeric, can help stave off the disease and ensure continued mental acuity.
A study published in December, 2004 indicated that curcumin is effective at both low and high doses to fight oxidation and inflammation, easing symptoms caused by Alzheimer's Disease. Curcumin is also a natural preservative and food dye. For years, it has been used to treat several forms of cancer. [2]
Studies looking at its antioxidant properties were initiated after researchers had found a markedly lower incidence of Alzheimer's Disease in people from India. The incidence of Alzheimer's Disease in the United States is nearly 4-1/2 times that of India.
While the human brain itself has limited defenses against the ravages of oxidation, it does have one weapon: heme oxygenase-1, or HO-1. HO-1 helps the brain rid itself of damaging toxins, and the 2004 study shows compelling evidence that curcumin induces Heme oxygenase-1. [3]
Turmeric References: UCLA/VA Study Finds Chemical Found in Curry May Help Immune System Clear Amyloid Plaques Found in Alzheimer's Disease -- UCLA Health and Medicine News Curcumin inhibits formation of Abeta oligomers and fibrils and binds plaques and reduces amyloid in vivo -- Yang et al., 10.1074/jbc.M404751200 -- Journal of Biological Chemistry Curcumin induces heme oxygenase-1 in hepatocytes and is protective in simulated cold preservation and warm reperfusion injury. Turmeric in the News Doubting turmeric's benefits? Read on:
Turmeric can prevent diabetes (The Times of India) Posted 10/10/2008 09:24 AM BANGALORE: Indian scientists have found yet another reason why turmeric should be part of our daily diet. Lab experiments in the past have shown that curcumin - the yellowish component of the Indian curry spice turmeric - is able to fight skin, breast and other tumour cells.
Alzheimer's Expert Urges Boomers To Think About Their Cognitive Health Now (Medical News Today) Posted 10/16/2008 06:07 AM While a study in the October 15, 2008 JAMA demonstrates that B vitamins do not slow cognitive decline once Alzheimer's disease has struck, there is a large body of scientific evidence showing that some nutrients may help keep the brain healthy as one ages. A leading expert thinks the time is now for Baby Boomers to look seriously at maintaining cognitive wellness.
Turmeric can prevent diabetes-induced blindness (New Kerala) Posted 10/10/2008 05:20 AM By K.S. Jayaraman, Bangalore, Oct 10 : Indian scientists have found yet another reason why turmeric should be part of our daily diet.
Food, drug interactions can be risky (Berkshire Eagle) Posted 10/10/2008 05:54 AM Who would imagine that guacamole, cranberries or mango could interact with a medicine to cause a potentially life-threatening interaction? All these foods may alter the action of Coumadin (warfarin), an anticoagulant used to prevent blood clots.
Indian spice reduces size of hemorrhagic stroke (TechJournal South) Posted 09/30/2008 08:46 AM AUGUSTA, GA—You might want to make curcumin part of your daily diet. This active ingredient of the Indian curry spice, turmeric, not only lowers your chances of getting cancer and Alzheimer's disease, but may reduce the size of a hemorrhagic stroke, say Medical College of Georgia researchers.
Foods to keep us all going strong (Philadelphia Daily News) Posted 10/02/2008 03:47 AM Boomers grew up in the era when well-marbled meat dominated the plate. Now, experts suggest we fill two-thirds of our plate with colorful fruits, vegetables and whole grains, plus a smaller portion of lean protein.
Indian Spice In Turmeric Reduces Size Of Hemorrhagic Stroke (Science Daily) Posted 09/23/2008 11:25 AM You might want to make curcumin part of your daily diet. This active ingredient of the Indian curry spice, turmeric, not only lowers your chances of getting cancer and Alzheimer's disease, but may reduce the size of a hemorrhagic stroke, say Medical College of Georgia researchers.
South Asia News in brief: 18 September�``1 October (SciDev.net) Posted 10/01/2008 05:56 AM Below is a round up of news from or about South Asia for the period 18 September�``1 October 2008. Extreme rainfall events 'increasing in India' Extreme rainfall events have been increasing in India over the past five decades and are linked to increased sea surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean, say Indian scientists.
Posts: 654 | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
As with garlic the more turmeric or rather I take curcumin the better I believe.
Wallace
A Natural Cure for the Root of Many Diseases
It all started at MD Anderson Cancer Center with the discovery of a molecule called TNF alpha. TNF alfa was thought to be very toxic although it proved not to cause cancer. It was also found that TNF was a very important part of the immune system and that it also causes inflammation which can lead to all types of diseases such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This is when a new paradigm shift came about that inflammation plays a very important role in most diseases and that suppressing inflammation might be the ultimate treatment for numerous diseases. Medications such as Remicade, which suppress the molecule TNF alpha, are used for treatment of Chron's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. But, as you will see, there are many natural agents that can also decrease the inflammatory molecules and do not have the strong side effects of these drugs.
The molecules that regulate inflammation in the body are called cytokines. The master cytokine that controls all the other cytokines (and controlling the entire cycle of inflammation) including TNF-alpha is NF Kappa B. The good news is that there are several natural products that can modulate or tone down NF Kappa B. Curcumin has been studied extensively and found to be very effective in regulating NF Kappa B. Curcumin may sound familiar to you since it comes from the herb tumeric and was described in Ayurvedic medicine 5000 years ago as an anti-inflammatory agent. If it is truly an anti-inflammatory agent, it must block TNF expression. Dr. Agarwal, who was one of the head cancer researchers at Genentech (a well known biotech company in California), found that curcumin did just that. Dr. Agarwal discovered how curcumin worked as an anti-inflammatory in 1994.
It is important to note that tumeric contains only about 2% curcumin. To get the results with inflammation, it is necessary to take stronger concentrations. Now we can get tumeric that is standardized to as high as 95% curcumin. The yellow color you see in mustard is because of the curcumin content. It is now thought that 98% of all diseases are caused by inflammation including diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, multiple myeloma, and autoimmune diseases. Suppressing inflammation is the key for curing many of these diseases.
The well known MD Anderson Cancer Center has funding from the National Institute of Health to initiate studies on multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancer trials that are now underway utilizing curcumin. At the University of Michigan and California University at Irvine there are trials looking at cucumin for colon cancer as well as California University of Irvine while UCLA is doing research on curcumin for Alzheimer's. Israel is doing a study with curcumin for pancreatic cancer. With the pre clinical studies for multiple myloma the molecule we talked about, NF-Kappa B, is active. During this study, doctors used the drug Remicade (previously mentioned that it suppresses NF-Kappa B). The problem with this drug is that it is extremely toxic. Dr. Agarwal found that curcumin was very effective in inhibiting NF-Kappa B without the side effects. There are human clinical trials going on right now for prostate cancer using curcumin because the animal studies for prostate cancer using curcumin were so successful.
NF-Kappa B regulates over 400 different genes. Once this switch is turned on, it causes many different types of diseases. Most of the new drugs coming out are designed to regulate NF-Kappa B. Please note that Celebrex and Vioxx were designed to regulate the Cox-2 molecule to reduce inflammation but Cox-2 is regulated by NF-Kappa B. When you inhibit the molecules below NF-Kappa B, you run the chance of causing all kinds of problems as we saw with Vioxx and Celebrex causing heart problems. So the point is if you take curcumin you will also inhibit Cox-2 without the side effects. There is no toxicity even at extremely high does of curcumin.
In addition to the above, it was found that by taking a 500 mg. daily dose of curcumin LDL goes down which is the ``bad'' cholesterol. It was also found that curcumin caused an increase in HDL which is the ``good'' cholesterol. Triglycerides also went down in the curcumin studies which is an additional positive benefit. These are remarkable results. In Japan curcumin is used to reduce alcohol induced hangovers. In Okinawa where the average life span is 95 years, they consume curcumin wine, curcumin rice, and curcumin tea. Curcumin also helps with cystic fibrosis according to an article published in Science. Curcumin is also effective against scleroderma and some doctors at UCLA are using curcumin topically for psoriasis with incredible results without using steroids. When steroids are used for psoriasis, they seem to work for a short time but then the psoriasis comes back and there are tremendous side effects from the steroids.
Another fantastic remedy is Resveratrol because it also blocks NF-Kappa B. Dr.Agarwal's research looked at mammary cell formation and resverarol completely prevented breast cancer cell growth in animal studies. He also looked at other cancers like acute leukemia and resveratrol completely suppressed it. Resveratrol is great for helping to reduce atherosclerosis too.
Another good product to block NF-Kappa B is cloves. Quercitin is another natural compound that can also regulate NF-Kappa B. Orsolic acid from apples is another regulator of NF-Kappa B as well as holy basil. Green tea is another great compound that causes apoptosis or cell death to cancer cells but has a beneficial effect on healthy cells. This means that the active ingredient in green tea, ECGC, knows which cells to have an effect on and which ones to leave alone. Chemotherapy cannot distinguish healthy cells from cancerous ones and, therefore, will damage both.
Curcumin also only kills cancer cells but does not kill healthy cells. In animal studies Dr. Agarwal found that curcumin is very synergistic with chemotherapy. In radiation therapy curcumin helped with this treatment in killing cancer cells while protecting normal cells. One clinical trial has been done that shows that 8 grams a day of curcumin had no known toxicity taken over a period of 3 months. In a study in the U.K. they went up to 3. 6 grams a day of curcumin and, when looked at some of the colon cancer biomarkers, they were all reduced. To have an effect on cancer everyone in science agrees that there are multiple targets to reduce cancer. This is why in medicine they combine many different drugs when treating cancer. But the great thing about curcumin is that it hits multiple targets.
The evidence about curcumin for preventing cancer is overwhelming. Dosages for cancer vs. prevention or to prevent reoccurrence of cancer are still being worked out but in general taking 200-12000 mg a day based on the severity of your condition and individual circumstances and inflammation is a good starting place. There is research going on now using various agents mentioned above in combination such as curcumin and resveratrol for a variety of diseases. I will address this in future issues as more information becomes available. Amazingly, curcumin and resveratrol have been proven to be even stronger anti-inflammatories then ibuprofen and aspirin. I use curcumin and reservatrol myself with good results since I have been actively involved in judo for 45 years and have lots of joint inflammation.
The following is important information you need to consider before taking curcumin:
Patients on blood thinning therapy,with gall stones, ulcers, GI inflammatory conditions {although beneficial in most cases} should be monitored closely. Not recommended during pregnancy. Curcumin inhibits growth of lactobacillus so supplementation with probiotics is recommended.
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic