topic Re: Tumeric in Wellness

Tumeric

bargainsgirl — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:08:19 GMT

A friend highly recommended taking Tumeric for arthritic pain. I started looking up info about it and several medical sites do not recommend taking it if you have any hormone sensitive health issues such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer etc...I am a breast cancer survivor so I am glad I read this. I hope people see this who should probably not be using Tumeric. I have never heard Andrew Lessman mentioning this precaution in his presentations except for "check with your doctor". I was hoping to try this but now I will not.

Re: Tumeric

Desertdi — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:13:06 GMT

Didn't do a thing for my arthritis...and then I noticed I was getting a yellow tinge to my skin. Threw it out.

Re: Tumeric

RespectLife — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:27:41 GMT

@bargainsgirl

DH took for a long while and saw absolutely NO difference or relief.

IMHO, I do not think you are missing out.

Re: Tumeric

SilleeMee — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:28:10 GMT

@bargainsgirl

Can you please provide the names of the sites you visited so that we can read about that info. Thanks.

Re: Tumeric

cjm61 — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:32:23 GMT

@bargainsgirl Although I find posters recommendations interesting, I would never try anything like this before checking with my doctor. I know many ask for others' opinions here on this forum ranging from what vitamins are good for this and that to what prep to use for a colonoscopy and everything in between. I take everything with a grain of salt.

If I do find information interesting enough I always ask my doctor. Each person is different and may have conditions that should be addressed before taking something.

Re: Tumeric

SilleeMee — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:39:41 GMT

The active ingredient found in turmeric is curcumin and in order for that to be effective it needs to be taken in relatively high concentration which is usually posted as a 95% extract of the substance on the bottle of supp. Doses need to be close to 1500mg (extract) daily (divided into 2 to 3 with food). Not all turmeric or curcumin supps are created equal. Reading the labels for extract content is key. Most supps do not contain that vital ingredient in the necessary amounts or the recommended doses are less than effective.

Re: Tumeric

catter70 — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:36:00 GMT

I can't remember which, but it appears it shouldn't be taken with one of my meds, either BP or blood thinner.

Re: Tumeric

GinaV24 — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:38:50 GMT

Hi @bargainsgirl I also had breast cancer and did find articles that said tumeric could be a problem. I asked my oncologist and she didn't tell me that I shouldn't take it but I decided that wouldn't use it just to be safe.

Re: Tumeric

PilatesLover — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:39:50 GMT

I do feel a slight improvement in my RA symptoms when taking turmeric. I recently learned that turmeric supplements inhibit the absorption of iron. Since I'm also anemic I'm giving my giant bottle of Kirkland turmeric to a healthier friend who takes it.

I would post a link but those posts get deleted. If you search "turmeric and iron absorption" you will find credible articles on it. National Library of Medicine is one source.

Re: Tumeric

cheriere — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:56:01 GMT

@PilatesLover wrote:
I do feel a slight improvement in my RA symptoms when taking turmeric. I recently learned that turmeric supplements inhibit the absorption of iron. Since I'm also anemic I'm giving my giant bottle of Kirkland turmeric to a healthier friend who takes it.

I would post a link but those posts get deleted. If you search "turmeric and iron absorption" you will find credible articles on it. National Library of Medicine is one source.

Have you tried the medication Enbrel? The reason I ask is like yourself, I too have pretty bad rheumatoid arthritis. My doctor was finally able to get my insurance company to approve it so my copay is very little. I haven't started them yet, but it's a weekly injection you do at home. After receiving copious amounts of steroid injections, I welcome anything that doesn't come with so many side effects. It is worth mentioning though, had my insurance not approved this medication and I had to pay for it out of pocket, it's $8,900 per month...I mean WTH??? Who could afford this without insurance

Re: Tumeric

Ainhisg — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:16:33 GMT

I have followed @SilleeMee's guidance concerning any supplement in which I am interested. She possesses a wealth of accurate knowledge! That being said, I have tried turmeric numerous times--hoping, hoping, hoping--it would decrease inflammation, but it did nothing for me, unfortunately. I made sure it was a well-known brand and followed her advice as to what it should contain. I hope it works for you should you decide to try it.

Re: Tumeric

goldensrbest — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:29:21 GMT

It did nothing for my arthritis,tried for 6 months.

Re: Tumeric

Shelbelle — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:59:47 GMT

I take a smaller dose of tumeric than the bottle says, I use Qunol brand. I also take boswellia, UC II collagen, and Mangosteen and hyaluronic acid supps for my arthritic knee.

Re: Tumeric

wagirl — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 16:29:56 GMT

@bargainsgirl --what I read about turmeric and breast cancer is that it can interfer with tamoxifen in large mg amounts---I, too, had breast cancer and took tamox, so I while ate turmeric in various foods, I stayed away from the large doses in capsules. My info is from a few years ago so maybe google it for more accurate info

Re: Tumeric

Jk9 — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 16:59:18 GMT

This thread points out why we need to see the actual information referenced to make an informed decision regarding any information provided here. The OP makes a general statement (based on her personal concern) about Turmeric and breast cancer and then later @wagirl adds an important factor to that statement: interaction with Tamoxifen. This is exactly why we need to read the information on which an statement is based and consult with our appropriate medical providers.

@SilleeMee refers us to fact based information on which her opinion/statements are based. That is so critical to any discussion. Not slamming anyone posting here, but I think the main thing is to get information that sparks our thinking, not relying totally on that info without further research and caution. @bargainsgirl sparked this conversation and that's a good thing.

Re: Tumeric

PilatesLover — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:25:37 GMT

@cheriere wrote:
@PilatesLover wrote:
I do feel a slight improvement in my RA symptoms when taking turmeric. I recently learned that turmeric supplements inhibit the absorption of iron. Since I'm also anemic I'm giving my giant bottle of Kirkland turmeric to a healthier friend who takes it.

I would post a link but those posts get deleted. If you search "turmeric and iron absorption" you will find credible articles on it. National Library of Medicine is one source.
Have you tried the medication Enbrel? The reason I ask is like yourself, I too have pretty bad rheumatoid arthritis. My doctor was finally able to get my insurance company to approve it so my copay is very little. I haven't started them yet, but it's a weekly injection you do at home. After receiving copious amounts of steroid injections, I welcome anything that doesn't come with so many side effects. It is worth mentioning though, had my insurance not approved this medication and I had to pay for it out of pocket, it's $8,900 per month...I mean WTH??? Who could afford this without insurance

Yes, I was on Enbrel for seven wonderful years. It was very kind to me.

Insurance fights tooth and nail before they agree to pay for it, with any biologic. Bureaucratic red tape and insurance games. People who can't afford it and contact the company. Most drug companies have an assistance plan.

Good luck with it - I hope it's your holy grail. Be sure and take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before your injection, and ice the injection site before swabbing it with the alcohol pad.

Re: Tumeric

bargainsgirl — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:30:29 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
@bargainsgirl
Can you please provide the names of the sites you visited so that we can read about that info. Thanks.

WEB MD was the site and I forgot the other name but it was a medically related site.

Re: Tumeric

bargainsgirl — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:31:31 GMT

@catter70 wrote:
I can't remember which, but it appears it shouldn't be taken with one of my meds, either BP or blood thinner.

You are correct. That was also mentioned in the article I read.

Re: Tumeric

Icegoddess — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:49:11 GMT

@catter70 wrote:
I can't remember which, but it appears it shouldn't be taken with one of my meds, either BP or blood thinner.

@catter70 High doses of turmeric could have a blood-thinning effect. I know when you're on blood thinners, you're told not to even eat certain foods, so I would steer clear of turmeric.

Turmeric may cause the levels of some blood pressure medications to spike. This is because turmeric lowers the activity of an enzyme system called P450 3A4 or CYP3A4 in the liver. This, in turn, increases the effects and side effects of blood pressure medications, such as

Calcium channel blockers (including diltiazem, nicardipine, and verapamil)
Angiotensin II receptor antagonists (such as losartan) Per Medicinenet(.)com.

Re: Tumeric

SilleeMee — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 22:33:38 GMT

@bargainsgirl wrote:

@SilleeMee wrote:
@bargainsgirl
Can you please provide the names of the sites you visited so that we can read about that info. Thanks.
WEB MD was the site and I forgot the other name but it was a medically related site.

What I've read is that turmeric can actually help chemotherapy work better and that it can also help reduce the risks of some cancers including breast cancer.