***Is Curcumin Really the All-In-One Solution?
By Dr. J.E. Williams
...Turmeric is getting lots of press. And I’m not talking about the turmeric that makes East Indian food spicy, but the type used in medicine.
..The dried powdered rhizome of turmeric commonly used in Ayurveda and Indian food is derived from the curcumin plant (Curcuma longa). Modern laboratory methods have turned this ancient remedy into a powerful natural medicine.
..Researchers have found several biologically active compounds, called curcuminoids, in the plant, but dieruloylmethane seems to be the one that works best. Of course, the whole plant provides a natural synergy that a concentrated extract cannot, but to target disease processes, there’s a time when concentrated herbal power is needed.
**What’s So Great About Curcumin?
..Curcumin extract is an ancient Asian medicine that’s becoming an integrative medicine star. For beginners, it’s a powerful antioxidant, but its benefits go far beyond what we once thought it could do for our health.
..As an “all-in-one” super food, curcumin supports the body in several ways. It improves the function of our major organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys. It controls the cell proliferation associated with cancer. And, it promotes soft tissue regeneration. Curcumin extract also promotes optimal immune function, down-regulating inflammatory chemicals like COX-2 and Nuclear Factor-KB.
...Functions of Curcumin
•Powerful antioxidant
•Suppresses inflammation
•Regulates immune function
•Modulates pain
•Supports organ function
•Promotes regeneration
•Alters gene transcription
•Repairs mitochondrial damage
•Prevents carcinogenesis
**The Best Way To Take Curcumin
..Not all curcumin extracts are equal. Though Indian food can be delicious, and taking the dried root as a tea or as powder in a capsule is easy, neither ways make for effective medicine.
..In the past, the medicinal usefulness of curcumin was limited because it was too spicy to take in more than small amounts, and extracts were chemically unstable, making it poorly absorbed by the intestines.
..Scientists found that once it gets in the bloodstream, it’s very stable, allowing it to get healing power to the brain and other tissues. The body doesn’t keep in in the blood for long, though.
..Researchers went to work to make curcumin more stable, improve absorption, and extend retention time in the blood—all properties necessary to make it a useful as a medicine.
..Because curcumin doesn’t absorb well, earlier forms of the extract were combined with piperine, a black pepper extract, but this combination didn’t work well. In fact, too much piperine interferes with the cell processes that curcumin is designed to help.
..Newer forms involve combining curcumin extract with vegetable gums or essential oils, or using nanotechnology to make it more bioavailable. These forms are better absorbed, but their curcuminoid levels are too low, so you have to take a lot to reach therapeutic ranges.
..The ultimate goal is to get sufficient levels of the active curcuminoids into the bloodstream, and keep them there long enough to achieve maximum benefit.
..In our integrative medical group, we’re still working out which form of curcumin is best for our patients. Recent scientific evidence shows the two most promising are BCM-95 and nano-curcumin.
**What Does Science Say About Curcumin?
..Thousands of research papers have been published about curcumin. In 2014 alone, there are more than two hundred published studies. This volume of research shows there is considerable interest in the humble turmeric plant’s abilities as a medicine for humans.
...Benefits of Curcumin
•Improves liver function and lowers liver inflammation markers
•Improves skin health and reduces wrinkles
•Improves blood flow in the heart
•Lowers blood pressure
•Improves exercise tolerance and reduces recovery time
•Inhibits tumor growth
•Delays onset of Alzheimer’s disease
..Nano-curcumin (Theracurmin) is a highly bioavailable form of curcumin extract. Several studies confirm that it achieves higher plasma curcumin levels than simple extracts. These higher levels do not increase toxicity. Positive results have been achieved in patients with pancreatic and esophageal cancer, making it a potential anticancer therapy in combination with other therapies.
..BCN-95 (CuraPro and Biocurcumax) has significantly more bioavailability than the pure extract or curcumin-piperine combination. Through an advanced laboratory process, curcumin extracts are infused with specific essential oils. The manufacturer claims that this process makes BCN-95 curcumin 10 times more bioavailable than the pure extract, and achieves the highest level of curcuminoids in the blood, compared to all other forms of curcumin extract.
**How To Take Curcumin
..The average therapeutic dosage of the most bioavailable forms is between 1,500 mg to 1,800 mg daily. Use lower dosages for general health and higher ones when treating a serious health condition. However, dosage depends on the form of curcumin you’re using.
..This humble spice has come a long way. Scientific evidence supports the use of curcumin for a variety of conditions. There appears to be no toxicity, making it safe to take over time. Because it’s an “all-in-one,” health-giving plant medicine, there are many ways to use curcumin to prevent disease and promote wellness. Consider including 750 mg as part of your daily wellness plan or anti-aging plan.
AI
