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Discussion about multiple myeloma treatments, stem cell transplants, clinical trials, alternative medicines, supplements, and their benefits and side effects.

Curcumin supplement recommendations?

by Spirit on Mon Apr 06, 2015 12:55 pm

I am in my 3rd induction cycle of Revlimid-dex-Velcade and my doctor is indifferent to me taking curcumin. I thought I would start taking 4 gms a day and I have found there are so many choices available, I was hoping to get some recommendations from those of you who have been taking this supplement. I'm particularly interested in Doctor's Best - Curcumin Phytosome featuring Meriva vs. Doctor's Best - Best Curcumin C3 Complex with BioPerine. Thanks!
Last edited by Spirit on Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Spirit

Re: Curcumin supplement recommendations?

by Jonah on Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:11 pm

Spirit,

I'd be surprised if you would find any treatment center recommending any particular brand of curcumin, as few treatment centers even recommend curcumin, as far as I can tell. (I'm happy to be proven wrong on that point; I'm just going from what I've read here in the forum and from the myeloma specialists I've spoken with.) So what you'll have to go on is what people have found experimenting with the different options, which some people have reported in this forum thread,

"Which curcumin now?" forum thread started Dec 23, 2012

which also references this thread,

"Interesting response to curcumin," forum thread started Nov 17, 2012

You probably know this already, but you can find a lot of forum threads on curcumin by typing "curcumin" or "turmeric" into the forum search box.

Jonah

Re: Curcumin supplement recommendations?

by Bar-none on Mon Apr 06, 2015 5:14 pm

Hi Spirit,

I have been taking 8 gm of Doctors Best with bioperene for over a year now. I take 2 doses of 4gm each. Since I have no trouble swallowing the 1 gm horse pill, I buy those online.

I stopped for one month after my auto SCT last September at my doc's request. Currently in CR and on 10 mg Revlimid maintenance 21 days on, 7 days off.

During my research, I settled on the Sabinsa product and Doctors Best seemed reasonable.

You may already know this link to previous forum discussions on curcumin / turmeric.

All the best in your research!

BN

One quick post script: I wish that I remembered the exact numbers, but my doc has commented that my response to initial Velcade / Revlimid / dex therapy, as well as the post-transplant Revlimid consolidation, was very deep. First, I thank the Lord and my great medical team. Also, I think that curcumin helped.

Bar-none
Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/14

Re: Curcumin supplement recommendations?

by Maro on Tue Jul 14, 2015 9:51 am

Well, here I am about to finally give curcumin a shot for my mother. Her doctor sees no in­con­venience using curcumin.

But here is the big question, everyone mentions a different brand, mostly the following 3:

  • Life Extension BCM 95 Bio-Curcumin 400 mg
  • Doctor's Best Curcumin C3 Complex® with BioPerine® -- 1000 mg
  • Thorne Meriva Curcumin
The more you go through the forums , the less you know which one to pick!

Now it is to my understanding that the new BCM 95 Bio Curcumin is 7x more absorbable by the body and thus more effective.

I am therefore about to purchase the Life Extension BCM 95 Bio-Curcumin 400 mg to give it a shot for my mother.

I'd just like confirmation from those who have tried this particular brand. Is it OK for myeloma as other brands are? Any inconvenience? Positive / negative feedback?

Many thanks.

Maro

Maro
Who do you know with myeloma?: My mom
When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
Age at diagnosis: 63

Re: Curcumin supplement recommendations?

by heddleandhook on Mon Jul 20, 2015 3:02 am

Maro,

What is the BCM 95 ingredient? Do you know? I thought the black pepper ingredient was what was needed for absorption.

heddleandhook
Name: heddleandhook
Who do you know with myeloma?: self
When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2015
Age at diagnosis: 68

Re: Curcumin supplement recommendations?

by Bar-none on Tue Jul 21, 2015 7:14 pm

Hi,

It's my understanding that Longvida, which is resold by several supplement companies, has superior curcumin absorption data supported by a human clinical trial. I take the Sabinsa C3 product which is resold by Doctors Best. Also, it's my understanding that the BCM 95 product has what appears to be flawed non-human data. Meriva is also referenced as having a less than optimal absorption profile according to its published study.

Best! BN

Bar-none
Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/14

Re: Curcumin supplement recommendations?

by Maro on Thu Jul 23, 2015 5:46 am

Hello Bar-none,

I may give Longvida a try.

Maro

Maro
Who do you know with myeloma?: My mom
When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
Age at diagnosis: 63

Re: Curcumin supplement recommendations?

by Bar-none on Thu Jul 23, 2015 11:08 am

Hi Maro!

I am not using Longvida yet. Still researching brands and cost but I'm thinking of adding a dose of Longvida to my Sabinsa C3 regime.

It's more expensive and I'm cost conscious lately but appears well worth it. One of the caveats I've read is that the Longvida product binds the curcumin to soy lecithin which is not an issue for me but may be for soy sensitive folks.

If I do, I will post feedback. Best!

BN

Bar-none
Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/14

Re: Curcumin supplement recommendations?

by Bar-none on Fri Jul 24, 2015 12:00 pm

Maro,

What I've found so far is that most resellers of Longvida simply repackage the powder in either 400 mg or 500 mg veggie capsules.

Using just the lowest cost per gram of a popular online shop, I am settling on a reseller called Myodyne (90 x 400 mg). If my math is correct it would be less than $1 per gram. I am open to others based on the above. It qualifies for reduced-cost shipping also. Will order today and add to my C3 regime. If it's truly 65 x more bioavailable, then one capsule should be plenty.

Will keep posting.

Best! BN

Bar-none
Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/14

Re: Curcumin supplement recommendations?

by Eddie on Sat Jul 25, 2015 3:22 pm

So far I have been taking BCM 95 Bio-Curcumin 400 mg twice a day.

I am starting to replace one daily dose of 400 mg BCM 95 with 600 mg of Theracurmin, and will take each once a day for some time.

The bigger question is: How do I know the curcumin supplement works?

Eddie
Name: Eddie
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
Age at diagnosis: 42

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