Disclaimer/FAQ
Disclaimer: This website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Jason and Complete Health, Inc., do not diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure disease. Whether you choose to add curcumin to your healthy lifestyle as a complement to your diet and whether it is appropriate for you individually is between you and your healthcare provider. Nothing on this page has it been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult your primary health care provider prior to starting any dietary supplements or changing medications and for any medical questions.
FAQ
For general questions (not health specific questions or medical questions) you can email completehealthnow@yahoo.com.
1)Why consider adding a curcumin supplement to complement your diet?
-Very few supplements have as much clinical research behind them, both generally, and brand specific.
-Inflammation is correlated with chronic disease; curcumin helps balance inflammation.
-Specific brands (Thorne/Meriva) have extensive clinical research (Over 40 human clinical trials) and long-term studies reflecting safety.
2)Is absorption and bioavailability the most important factor? While it's important, and high-quality brands can show much higher absorption and bioavailability compared to turmeric powder, consider human clinical trials to be the primary relevant factor for which curcumin to choose. This also guides safety and proper dosing.
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3)Can curcumin treat "X" disease? Dietary supplements do not treat, cure, or prevent disease, but they can support health maintenance.
4)Can I take curcumin with blood thinners and what other cautions are there? Again, check with your primary healthcare provider before starting any supplements. Thorne Curcumin Phytosome (Meriva) has been used in over 40 human clinical trials, for long periods (up to 18 months), and was found to be well tolerated and safe. Curcumin also has GRAS status (generally recommended as safe) according to the FDA.
Generally, curcumin appears to have blood thinning properties, so it should be avoided if you are on blood thinning medication. That said, you can print this study and bring it to your healthcare provider to discuss it. If you have diabetes, it may improve insulin sensitivity, so it should be used with caution, and requires close monitoring of glucose. It may have a beneficial effect on blood pressure, so close monitoring is recommended. If you have gallbladder issues, curcumin should be used with caution.
This is from the Thorne website regarding curcumin:
Warnings
ALLERGY WARNING
This product is contraindicated in an individual with a history of hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients.
PREGNANCY
If pregnant, consult your health-care practitioner before using this product.
INTERACTIONS
Curcumin has been shown to reduce the therapeutic efficacy of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) in animal studies. In vitro research revealed that curcumin decreased camptothecin-induced death of cultured breast cancer cells. Curcumin might also interfere with the absorption and efficacy of the chemotherapy drug irinotecan, used to treat colon cancer. The concurrent use of curcumin with these agents should be avoided.
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5)How do I get the most out of curcumin in terms of dosing?
General guidelines and what was used in clinical trials of Thorne/Meriva Curcumin Phytosome:
General dosage for most people: 1 capsule (500mg) 2X per day for general inflammation and joint support.
In this clinical trial published in 2024, 2 capsules 2X per day (2000mg/day) was used for 72 weeks and had a favorable effect on metabolic parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, liver and kidney health).
6)Can curcumin support healthy aging? This systematic review suggests it may:
Curcumin: A Golden Approach to Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review of the Evidence - PubMed
7)Does curcumin support healthy endothelial function (lining of blood vessels)? This meta-analysis of meta-analyses suggests it may:
The effects of curcumin supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial function: A meta-analysis of meta-analyses - PubMed
8)Does curcumin support cognitive function? This systematic review suggests it can support cognitive health in certain population groups:
Curcumin and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Curcumin on Adults With and Without Neurocognitive Disorders - PMC