Curcumin and Turmeric supplement 500 mg, 60 capsules
Joint Power Rx with turmeric, curcumin, boswellia, glucosamine and chondroitin
Developed by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Curcumin extract is one of the major antioxidant extracts found in the spice turmeric. The roots of the turmeric plant are used as an herb in Asian cooking such as curries. Curcumin is a major component of turmeric herb (Curcuma longa) and extensive scientific research on curcumin and turmeric has demonstrated their potent antioxidant properties. Through their antioxidant mechanisms, curcumin and turmeric support colon health, exert neuroprotective activity and help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.

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Supplement facts:
Curcumin extract and Turmeric herb 500 mg *
Usage: Take 1 or 2 curcumin capsules a few times a week with breakfast, or as directed by your health consultant.
* Daily values not established

Health benefit of curcumin supplement and turmeric supplement
Many human trials are needed before we can know with any certainty how we can best use curcumin in medicine. But one thing is certain: most doctors are not, at this time, aware of the potential benefits of curcumin and turmeric.

Curcumin supplement and Alzheimer's disease
In laboratory studies curcumin inhibits amyloid formation. Whether curcumin supplements help reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's disease or help improve this condition is not known at this time.
   Curcumin, one of the active chemicals in turmeric, the main spice found curry, may increase the clearance of amyloid plaques in the brain, the primary abnormality seen in patients with the disease. Dr. Milan Fiala, from the Greater Los Angeles Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, and colleagues found that immune cells called macrophages taken from patients with Alzheimer's disease cannot efficiently eliminate amyloid and that this may be related to the abnormal regulation of certain genes. Treating these cells with an active substance found in turmeric, called bisdemethoxycurcumin, increases the production of some of the genes and enhances macrophage function. Further studies are needed to determine if increasing blood levels of macrophages using an oral curcumin agent clear the amyloid plaques, and produce therapeutic effects, in patients with Alzheimer's disease, they add. Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, July 16, 2007.

Dr. Tze-Pin Ng from National University of Singapore compared test results on mental health for three categories of regular curry consumption in elderly Asians who did not have dementia. People who consumed curry "occasionally" and "often or very often" had significantly better scores than did those who "never or rarely" consumed curry. These results, they say, provide "the first epidemiologic evidence supporting a link between curry consumption and cognitive performance that has been suggested by a large volume of earlier experimental evidence."

Curcumin anti-inflammatory benefit
The anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin extract and curcuminoids involves many aspects of the immune system, including inhibition of the production of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-9 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Curcumin has an inhibitory effect on the production of inflammatory cytokines by human monocytes.

Curcumin, turmeric and autoimmune disease benefit
Authoimmune diseases include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, thyroiditis, uveitis, systemic lupus erythromatosis, and myasthenia gravis. Curcumin extract may be of benefit in these autoimmune diseases by regulating inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma and associated JAK-STAT, AP-1, and NF-kappaB signaling pathways in immune cells.

Ulcerative colitis benefit
Curcumin maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis: randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Dec;4(12):1502-6.
Eighty-nine patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis were recruited for this randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial of curcumin supplement in the prevention of relapse. Forty-five patients received curcumin, 1g after breakfast and 1g after the evening meal, plus sulfasalazine or mesalamine, and 44 patients received placebo plus sulfasalazine or mesalamine for 6 months. Of 43 patients who received curcumin, 2 relapsed during 6 months of therapy (4%), whereas 8 of 39 patients (20%) in the placebo group relapsed. Recurrence rates evaluated on the basis of intention to treat showed significant difference between curcumin and placebo. Curcumin seems to be a promising and safe medication for maintaining remission in patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis.

Curcumin and brain health
Neuroprotective effect of curcumin on transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats.
Brain Res. 2008 September. Department of Pathophysiology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China.
Recent studies have demonstrated that curcumin has protective effects against cerebral ischemia  /reperfusion injury. In the present study the brain protective potential of curcumin was investigated in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induced focal cerebral IR injury. Administration of curcumin 100 and 300 mg/kg i.p. 60 min after MCAO significantly diminished infarct volume, and improved neurological deficit in a dose-dependent manner. The neuronal injury was significantly improved after being treated with curcumin. Curcumin significantly decreased the expression of caspase-3 protein. Our results suggest that the brain protective potentials of curcumin against focal cerebral ischemic injury are, at least in part, ascribed to its anti-apoptotic effects.

Cancer benefit research
Curcumin supplement may help fight various forms of cancer. Studies evaluating the role of curcumin and cancer continue to advance at a fast rate. There are many other herbs and extracts that have anti cancer benefits including graviola and mangosteen.

Burkitt's lymphoma
In a test tube study, curcumin extract was found to have anticancer effects on human Burkitt's lymphoma.

Breast cancer benefit
Curcumin exerts multiple different suppressive effects on human breast carcinoma cells in vitro. Curcumin extract also interferes with the spread of breast cancer tumor cells to lungs of mice. Curcumin suppresses proteins that tumor cells use to keep themselves immortal.

Q. I'm currently taking several grams per day of curcumin supplement to deal with breast cancer. Are you aware of anyone who has successfully treated their breast cancer with curcumin supplements.
   A. As of February 2008, we have not had feedback from anyone who has cured or treated breast cancer with curcumin supplements alone.

Melanoma
In laboratory studies, curcumin interferes with the spread of melanoma cells. Tests in laboratory dishes show that curcumin made melanoma skin cancer cells more likely to self-destruct in a process known as apoptosis.

Prostate cancer
Curcumin can enhance the cancer-fighting power of treatment with TRAIL, a naturally occurring molecule that helps kill cancer cells. TRAIL stands for tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. In an experiment with human prostate cancer cells in a laboratory dish, the combination treatment killed off two to three times more cells than either treatment alone.

Cholesterol
Curcumin supplements do not appear to play a significant role in blood lipid or cholesterol levels. However, as an antioxidant, it may protect oxidation of blood lipids. Artichoke leaf extract may be of benefit in managing cholesterol.

Curcumin extract effects on blood lipid profile in a 6-month human study.
Pharmacol Res. 2007 Dec. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Studies in animals and a short-term human study have suggested that curcumin, a polyphenolic compound concentrated in the curry spice turmeric, decreases serum cholesterol concentration. However, no controlled human trials have examined the effect of curcumin extract on cholesterol. This study investigated the effects of consuming curcumin on the serum lipid profile in men and women. Elderly subjects consumed 4 grams a day curcumin, 1g a day curcumin, or placebo in a 6-month, randomized, double-blind trial. The plasma curcumin concentration reached a mean of 490nmol/L. Consumption of either dose of curcumin did not significantly affect triacylglycerols, or total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol over 1 month or 6 months. Curcumin extract consumption does not appear to have a significant effect on the serum lipid profile.

Liver health
Curcumin extract has anti-fibrotic properties and may play a role in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Parkinson's disease
Curcumin treatment alleviates the effects of glutathione depletion in vitro and in vivo: therapeutic implications for Parkinson's disease explained via in silico studies.
Free Radic Biol Med. 2008 Mar 1. Jagatha B, Mythri RB, Vali S, Bharath MM. Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2900 Hosur Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
An important biochemical feature of presymptomatic Parkinson's disease is a significant depletion of the thiol antioxidant glutathione in these neurons resulting in oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ultimately cell death. We have earlier demonstrated that curcumin, a natural polyphenol obtained from turmeric, protects against peroxynitrite-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction both in vitro and in vivo. Here we report that treatment of dopaminergic neuronal cells and mice with curcumin restores depletion of glutathione levels, protects against protein oxidation, and preserves mitochondrial complex I activity which normally is impaired due to glutathione loss. Using systems biology and dynamic modeling we have explained the mechanism of curcumin action in a model of mitochondrial dysfunction linked to glutathione metabolism that corroborates the major findings of our experimental work. These data suggest that curcumin has potential therapeutic value for neurodegenerative diseases involving glutathione depletion-mediated oxidative stress.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety
Q. Is curcumin a safe supplement to take during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding?
   A. We have not seen safety studies in regards to curcumin or turmeric use during breastfeeding or pregnancy, but we don't suspect small amounts to cause any problems.

Rheumatoid arthritis
 In experiments with rats, scientists at the University of Arizona in Tucson found that turmeric extract was able to prevent rheumatoid arthritis-like joint inflammation and destruction in the animals. The findings, published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, show that a turmeric extract like those currently sold as dietary supplements has anti-arthritis powers. Rheumatoid arthritis arises when the immune system mistakenly attacks tissue in the joints, leading to inflammation, pain and progressive joint damage.

Skin disorders
Curcumin may play a role in scleroderma, psoriasis and skin cancer. Curcumin protects skin by its antioxidant mechanisms. It also reduces skin inflammation through nuclear factor-KB inhibition. Curcumin treatment improves collagen deposition and increased fibroblast and vascular density in wounds thereby enhancing both normal and impaired wound-healing. Curcumin herbal extract may improve angiogenesis and accumulation of extracellular matrix.

Psoriasis
Oral curcumin in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris: A prospective clinical trial.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 April. Kurd SK, Smith N, VanVoorhees A, Troxel AB, Badmaev V, Seykora JT, Gelfand JM. Kurd SK, Smith N, VanVoorhees A, Troxel AB, Badmaev V, Seykora JT, Gelfand JM. Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of oral curcumin in patients with psoriasis. We conducted a phase II, open-label, Simon's two-stage trial of 4.5 grams per day of oral curcuminoid C3 complex in patients with plaque psoriasis. The intention-to-treat analysis response rate was 16 and both responders achieved a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 score. Small sample size and lack of placebo group were limitations. The response rate was low and possibly caused by a placebo effect or the natural history of psoriasis. Large placebo-controlled studies are necessary before recommending oral curcumin as a psoriasis treatment.

Side effects
No apparent curcumin side effects have been reported in the medical literature thus far. Increased body temperature on high doses may be a possible curcumin side effect on high doses. A study performed at the University of Michigan showed no curcumin toxicity at doses up to 6 grams.
   Dose escalation of a curcuminoid formulation. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006 Mar 17;6:10. Lao CD, Ruffin MT 4th, et al. University of Michigan, 2150 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI.
   In phase I clinical studies, curcumin with doses up to 3600 to 8000 mg daily for 4 months did not result in noticeable side effects except mild nausea and diarrhea.

Compounds in the turmeric plant
Curcuma species contain turmerin, essential oils, and curcuminoids, including curcumin. Curcumin [1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione] is the most biologically active constituent of the spice turmeric and it comprises 2 to 8% of most turmeric preparations.

Mechanism of action
Curcumin extract possesses anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Many of these biological activities can be attributed to its potent antioxidant capacity, its inhibition of cell signaling pathways at multiple levels, its diverse effects on cellular enzymes, and its effects on cell adhesion and angiogenesis. Curcumin can alter gene transcription and induce cell death which makes it useful in the prevention of treatment of cancer.

Curcumin dosage
Q. What is the right dosage of curcumin for long term use?
   A. Each person may benefit from different amounts of curcumin supplements. It is reasonable and safe to consume one capsule of curcumin turmeric 500 mg a few days a week for long term health improvement. Higher amounts may be used for the treatment of a particular medical condition.

Cur cumin and turmeric supplement questions
Q. Is there curcumin turmeric research information on their effects on estrogen in women.
   A. We have not seen any research on the influence of curcumin and turmeric on estrogen levels.

Q. Is curcumin herb useful of benefit for cancer treatment?
   A. Curcumin is an extract from the herb turmeric. Some early studies show curcumin to have potential in cancer prevention, and perhaps treatment, however extensive human studies are needed before any convincing statements can be made regarding the role of curcumin supplements in the treatment of cancer.

Q. I have read that curcumin is not assimilated by the body without the addition of black pepper or piperine or Bioperine. Are pure curcumin supplements on the market of any use?
   A. Just about all the studies done with curcumin that have shown positive results have been done with pure curcumin without piperine, Bioperine or black pepper extracts.

Q. I'm a naturopathic doctor who has beaten lung cancer entirely with natural methods. As part of my (and my clients') protocol, we take curcumin 500 mg and quercetin 500 mg mixed with 1 TBS olive oil -- mix well and take three times a day. Together they powerfully inhibit cancer cell growth and prevent many of the complications of chemotherapy.

I am a 63 year old female being treated with Avastin injections to my left eye in connection with leaking vessels due to presumed ocular histoplasmosis scars from childhood exposure to pigeons. Laser treatment ten years ago in my left eye precludes further use of laser. I have lost the central vision in the eye, but still have peripheral. My right eye has also been lasered for abnormal vessels (in 2007), but I retain central vision in it and to date have had no leaking vessels there. The only supplements I am currently taking daily are Citrical with D and Genistein, and an 82 mg baby aspirin. Once a week I take a Centrum Silver vitamin. We eat primarily vegetables and fruits, and the only meat in our diet consists of boneless skinless chicken twice a week and salmon once a week. I read recently on an American Foundation for the Blind message board about a person who has been taking turmeric supplements for a similar condition to mine and has not had any bleeding in the eye in nine years. Would you please tell me which of your products containing turmeric might be the best for me? Since reading the message board I've started adding turmeric to soups and other vegetable preparations.
    We only carry one type of curcumin turmeric product.

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Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.is an important Ayurvedic as well as Unani herb.
Cydonia oblonga is a shrub or small tree of the rose family known as quince fruit.
Cynara scolymus leaf extract is widely used alone or in association with other herbs for embittering alcoholic and soft drinks and to prepare herbal teas or herbal medicinal products.
Dahlia pinnata have tuberous roots and showy colored flower heads.

I have been very excited to read about the research on tumeric, especially the research connected with inflammatory conditions namely arthritis. I know that there has probably been no specific research investigating the influence of tumeric cucumin on inflammatory myositis, but am wondering if because of the way turmeric works for other inflammatoty conditions whether it may help inflammatory myositis. I have had this autoimmune condition for approximately 2 years although it was only diagnosed March 2009. I had a muscle biopsy that showed accute inflammation of the muscles and fat of the body. It has also affected tendons, and ligaments. The specialists are a bit baffled by me as they profess not to have seen this type of inflammation before, and are hazarding a guess that it is connected to another autoimmune disease I have Crohns / ulcerative colits (at this point after having ulcerative colitis for 20 years, they now say they are not sure whether it now may be crohns!) They have me on immunosuppressants and steroids since March, but so far the inflammation shows no sign of decreasing. Chemo is the next option so I am keen to try anything else before resulting to this! I do hope you may be able to shed some light on whether cucumin might be helpful for me.
    It is not possible for us to predict any person's response to natural supplements, but we wish you well.