[tm648]

My experience with curcumin

by tm648 on Tue Oct 15, 2013 1:17 pm

I have been diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma. After having reading about the possible beneficial effects of curcumin, and after having done my own research, I decided to try it.

At one of the regular appointments with my oncologist, I brought up the question of using curcumin and he had no objections. Neither did my cardiologist, who follows me for afib.

I ordered Doctor’s Best Curcumin C3 Complex with BioPerine (500 mg) and began with a dose of one gram per day and gradually increased it for three weeks until I got to my max of 8 grams a day.

Because these capsules are large and I had almost choked to death on a large multivitamin pill a few years ago, I started to experiment on how I could take the curcumin without having to swallow a large capsule. After a while I hit upon my ultimate procedure, which was to pull the capsules apart and stir their contents into half of a container of Greek yogurt twice a day. I know that I lost some of the curcumin in the process, but that seemed to be a good trade-off to having to swallow 16 large capsules a day.

At my next oncology appointment (37 days after having begun the curcumin), my IgG was somewhat higher than at my previous appointment. I was ready to continue on my regimen and give the curcumin more time to demonstrate its effectiveness - but fate intervened.

Shortly after my appointment, I began experiencing episodes of atrial fibrillation (a-fib). I really didn’t think that the curcumin caused the episodes, but since I hadn’t had an episode in more than two years, and since I did find one case linking curcumin to a-fib, I decided to discontinue its use.

If I had had stronger evidence that curcumin was effective against my smoldering multiple myeloma, I probably would have continued to use it. I know that I probably didn’t give the curcumin enough time for a good test, but as it was, I decided not to take a chance that the curcumin was affecting my a-fib (which I have since gotten under control with a change in dosage of my medication). At some point I might revisit my decision, but not now.

Even though I’m disappointed that the curcumin did not work out for me, I was glad that I tried it, and I hope that my experience will be of help to others.

[Whatsamatteru]

Re: My experience with curcumin

by Whatsamatteru on Mon Oct 21, 2013 12:37 am

I am sorry to hear about your experience. A big problem with many versions of curcumin is that they are not efficiently absorbed into the body - and Doctor's Best Curcumin C3 Complex with BioPerine - despite its fancy name - is among those versions. I have been using Life Extension Super Bio-Curcumin - a next generation form that seven time better bioavailability. There is also a next generation form of Doctor's Best Curcumin - Doctor's Best Meriva Phytosome Curcumin - formulated with a membrane complex to promote absorption. And whatever you do: Do NOT take certain curcumin blogs as gospel, because they are anything but....

[1AMN]

Re: My experience with curcumin

by 1AMN on Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:38 pm

I would point out that the source for knowing a brand is "7 times as bio-available" is the very company that produces the supplement. So in addition to not taking a random person's advice, one needs to realize that manufacturer claims are skewed to the positive.

[NStewart]

Re: My experience with curcumin

by NStewart on Fri Dec 13, 2013 2:25 pm

Everything I've read about curcumin is that it needs to be taken with black pepper, which is bioperine, and some kind of fat or oil to improve absorption. I take a brand that I get from the vitamin shoppe that includes bioperine and is triple strength, 900 mg in one capsule. I don't like taking lots of pills so having the highest strength that I can find with the ingredients that I want included works for me. I also sometimes make a Golden Milk drink that I found by Googling Golden milk. It is a turmeric (curcumin) paste that you make and then dissolve in hot milk to drink. For that I purchase my turmeric from a local herb store that is well respected in the area for medicinal herbs.

I don't know if any of this works, but it gives me peace of mind to take the Curcumin. My oncoloigst is the one who recommended that I add it to my daily regimen of supplements. He said that the research into how it affects myeloma is inconclusive, but that it makes sense that it would help because of the inflammatory pathways that it is supposed to interfere with. He feels that it can't hurt and might actually be helpful.

Nancy in Phila