https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3882399/
Turmeric (the common name for Curcuma longa) is an Indian spice derived from the rhizomes of the plant and has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for inflammatory conditions.
The primary active constituent of turmeric, which is responsible for its vibrant yellow color, is curcumin, which was first identified in 1910 by Lampe and Milobedzka. Curcumin exists as a bright yellow powder that provides the pigmentation of turmeric, which is used in the dye industry.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288651/
Curcumin is the active ingredient of the dietary spice turmeric and has been consumed for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Modern science has shown that curcumin modulates various signaling molecules, including inflammatory molecules, transcription factors, enzymes, protein kinases, protein reductases, carrier proteins, cell survival proteins, drug resistance proteins, adhesion molecules, growth factors, receptors, cell-cycle regulatory proteins, chemokines, DNA, RNA, and metal ions.
Although curcumin has shown therapeutic efficacy against many human ailments, one of the major problems with curcumin is its poor bioavailability, which appears to be primarily due to poor absorption, rapid metabolism, and rapid systemic elimination. Therefore, efforts have been made to improve curcumin’s bioavailability by improving these features. Adjuvants that can block the metabolic pathway of curcumin have been most extensively used to increase the bioavailability of this polyphenol. For instance, in humans receiving a dose of 2 g curcumin alone, serum levels have been either undetectable or very low, but concomitant administration of piperine was associated with an increase of 2000% in the bioavailability of curcumin. Furthermore, the effect of piperine in enhancing curcumin’s bioavailability has been shown to be much greater in humans than in rats . Other promising approaches to increase the bioavailability of curcumin include use of nanoparticles , liposomes , micelles, phospholipid complexes, and structural analogues .
Curcumin is now regarded as a “new drug” with great potential and is being used as a supplement in several countries. For example, in India, turmeric containing curcumin has been used in curries; in Japan, it is popularly served in tea; in Thailand, it is used in cosmetics; in China, it is used as a colorant; in Korea, it is served in drinks; in Malaysia, it is used as an antiseptic; in Pakistan, people use it as an anti-inflammatory agent to get relief from gastrointestinal discomfort; and in the United States, it is used in mustard sauce, cheese, butter, and chips, as a preservative and a coloring agent. Curcumin is marketed in several forms including capsules, tablets, ointments, energy drinks, soaps, and cosmetics.
Curcumin 100% Turmeric 500mg
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3206621/
http://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/73691/Wagner-Bio-Curcumin-60-Capsules
fairly low dose of 98mg when probably 500 is needed
https://csn.cancer.org/node/219876 how much curcumin needed 400-500 mg 3 times per day with meals
mix with olive oil or coconut oil and black pepper for better absorbtion
The coconut oil is better than olive oil only because most/much of the olive oil in our groceries is now being found to be of questionable quality and some isn’t olive oil at all. Coconut oil kills fungus, yeast etc.
Effective Dose
Curcumin
It should be noted that Curcumin loses a lot of efficacy when heated at 70 degrees centigrade or higher, as does Piperine. When combining note that the ratio of piperine to curcumin is 1%, higher is definetly not better. Add curcumin to all fats taken during the day, butter, oils etc. A ratio here is 0.5% of curcumin to fats. Tumeric is definitely inferior to curcumin and should not be used.
Heating is necessary for dissolving important components. Some are water and some are oil soluble.
The unsaturated oils including flaxseed oil, canola oil, soy oil, maize oil, sunflower oil etc turn into free radicals when heated – don’t use at all in cooking – they turn the food carcinogenic. They should be totally excluded from cooking in Cancer cases and also by the rest for preventing cancer. People who used these foods in cooking had significantly higher rates of all kinds of cancer.
How to do: The ancient asian cultures give an indication: they traditionally dissolve all spices in a about two tablespoons wather along with as much of oil – ghee preferably or coconut oil – these are resistant to heat. The water has two important roles: it prevents the temperature from rising above 100 and dissolves the important water-dissoluble components. Cook for some 3-4 minutes.
http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html
The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.
Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:
1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.
Taking raw curcumin, which is the active spice of Tumeric, can be made many times more effective by adopting some well known strategies.
(1) Mix curcumin with high quality fish oil, there is a great synergy between the two. Solubility is an issue as less than 1% of curcumin is soluble in fish oil.
(2) Mix Piperine with the curcumin, around 1% by weight. Also Quercetin is helpful and if you mix curcumin 94%, Quercetin 5% and Piperine 1% you have the right ratios. If you have cancer and are treating it with curcumin etc then the price of some precision scales is but a small price.
(3) There is a product already on the market that combines phospholipids from marine sources, complexed to curcumin, quercetin and piperine. It has many times the potency of a single Meriva capsule.