Recently Diagnosed or Relapsed? Stop Looking For a Miracle Cure, and Use Evidence-Based Therapies To Enhance Your Treatment and Prolong Your Remission

Multiple Myeloma an incurable disease, but I have spent the last 25 years in remission using a blend of conventional oncology and evidence-based nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle therapies from peer-reviewed studies that your oncologist probably hasn't told you about.

Click the orange button to the right to learn more about what you can start doing today.

Most BioAvailable Curcumin Formulas

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“Based on a review of these studies, it is evident that better bioavailability of formulated curcumin (CU) products is mostly attributed to improved solubility, stability, and possibly low first-pass metabolism.”

A search of the Pubmed database for the word curcumin yields 16,818 studies spanning health topics from

  • multiple myeloma (MM)
  • and colorectal cancer,
  • to chemotherapy regimens that integrate with CU,
  • to Alzheimer’s Disease,
  • arthritis and more.

Based on years of reading studies and personal accounts, I think it is safe to say that CU supplementation is safe, effective and relatively inexpensive.

Whether for the blood cancer called multiple myeloma or side effects and possible secondary cancers, curcumin is a wonder drug.

I have read posts about myeloma patients taking daily doses of CU from 400 milligrams to 8 grams (1000 milligrams = 1 gram). By almost any measure, CU is a safe, inexpensive therapy.

The only challenge is that CU is famously difficult to absorb in the body. In other words, a person has to mix curcumin with some sort of fat (coconut oil, chocolate, etc.) or take a brand of curcumin capsule that is already formulated to be more “bioavailable” in order to derive the full benefit of CU.

The study linked and exerpted below reviews different formulations of CU. The study itself lists the three most bioavailable formulation/brand of CU and I’ve added an excerpt from a further review from Consumerlab.com that lists four additional bioavailable brands of CU.

I consult the independent evaluation service Consumerlab.com frequently. For one low annual payment, I can read about and evaluate all of the nutritional supplements that I take.

The challenge for every myeloma patient is to achieve the deepest, longest remission possible while sustaining the least amount of collateral damage (side effects) possible. Numerous studies document the anti-MM and integrative efficacy of curcumin.

This link is to the Google search page for “curcumin in myeloma.” Whether it is an article authored by Pat Killingsworth or Margaret from Margaret’s Corner, or PubMed, curcumin is documented to be both cytotoxic to myeloma in addition to being “integrative”  or enhancing the action of Velcade, Revlimid, and Thalidomide.

A common question asked by multiple myeloma patients considering supplementing with curcumin is about the daily dose.

Unfortunately, I have several possible answers:

  • The research into MM and curcumin usually refers to a “time and dose dependent manner.” Meaning, the more curcumin the patient takes, the more MM cells are killed.
  • I read about patients with active MM taking doses at many different amounts, from 1 gram a day up to 8 grams a day.
  • For comparison, I take 400 milligrams. My MM is not active therefore I take a maintenance dose. To clarify, 1000 milligrams = 1 gram.

To Learn More About Curcumin as a Myeloma Therapy- click now


The post above focuses on curcumin and my cancer, multiple myeloma. But what about curcumin as an evidence-based but non-toxic therapy for other cancers, other health challenges?

The challenge with cancer is that conventional oncology gives patients lots of toxic therapy in hopes of one or more remissions. The challenge with toxicity is that it causes lots of damage to the human body.

I take curcumin in an effort to reduce my risk os any and all therapy-related health issues.

Including:

Scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thanks

David Emerson

  • Myeloma Survivor
  • MM Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Most bioavailable forms of curcumin as of December of 2023

    • of curcumin. Products combining curcumin with piperine are widely available.
  1. Liposomal Curcumin:
    • Encapsulating curcumin in liposomes (fat bubbles) can improve its solubility and absorption, potentially increasing bioavailability.
  2. Nano Curcumin:
    • Breaking curcumin into nanoparticles is another approach to increase its bioavailability. This formulation aims to improve absorption through the gastrointestinal tract.
  3. Theracurmin:
    • Theracurmin is a formulation that claims to enhance curcumin bioavailability through a colloidal dispersion process. It aims to make curcumin more water-soluble.
  4. Meriva:
    • Similar to phytosomes, Meriva is a patented formulation of curcumin with soy phospholipids. It is designed to improve absorption.
  5. Longvida:
    • Longvida is another patented formulation of curcumin that claims to use Solid Lipid Curcumin Particles (SLCP) technology to enhance bioavailability.

Curcumin Formulations for Better Bioavailability: What We Learned from Clinical Trials Thus Far?

“Curcumin has been credited with a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties for the prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases such as

  • arthritis,
  • autoimmune diseases,
  • cancer,
  • cardiovascular diseases,
  • diabetes,
  • hemoglobinopathies,
  • hypertension,
  • infectious diseases,
  • inflammation,
  • metabolic syndrome,
  • neurological diseases,
  • obesity,
  • and skin diseases.

However, due to its weak solubility and bioavailability, it has limited potential as an oral medication. Numerous factors including low water solubility, poor intestinal permeability, instability at alkaline pH, and fast metabolism contribute to curcumin’s limited oral bioavailability. In order to improve its oral bioavailability, different formulation techniques such as coadministration with piperine, incorporation into micelles, micro/nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, liposomes, solid dispersions, spray drying, and noncovalent complex formation with galactomannosides have been investigated with in vitro cell culture models, in vivo animal models, and humans.

In the current study, we extensively reviewed clinical trials on various generations of curcumin formulations and their safety and efficacy in the treatment of many diseases. We also summarized the dose, duration, and mechanism of action of these formulations. We have also critically reviewed the advantages and limitations of each of these formulations compared to various placebo and/or available standard care therapies for these ailments.

Figure 1

 


CU enhances the cytotoxic and chemo-sensitizing effects of lenalidomide in human multiple myeloma cells

Background: CU, the active component of the Curcuma longa plant, has been shown to potentiate the effect of the immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) thalidomide and Bortezomib against human myeloma cell lines and a nude mice model…

Conclusion: CU exerts a cytotoxic effect additive to that of lenalidomide on H929 myeloma cells, and it also enhances the chemo-sensitizing effects of this agent.

Curcumin induces cell death of the main molecular myeloma subtypes, particularly the poor prognosis subgroups.

“Multiple myeloma (MM), a plasma cell malignancy, remains incurable despite the development of new therapies. CU anti-tumor effects were previously characterized in multiple myeloma, however only few MM cell lines were included in these studies.

Since myeloma is a heterogeneous disease it is important to address the impact of myeloma molecular heterogeneity in CU cell death induction.

In the present study, a large panel of human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs) (n = 29), representing the main molecular MM subgroups, was screened for CU sensitivity. We observed that CU cell death induction was heterogeneous, of note 16 HMCLs were highly sensitive to CU (LD50 < 20.5 μM), 6 HMCLs exhibited intermediate LD50 values (20.5 μM ≤ LD50 < 32.2 μM) and only 7 HMCLs were weakly sensitive (35 < LD50 < 56 μM).

Cell lines harboring the t(11;14) translocation were less sensitive (median LD50 32.9 μM) than non-t(11;14) (median LD50 17.9 μM), which included poor prognosis t(4;14) and t(14;16) cells.

Interestingly, CU sensitivity was not dependent on TP53 status. For the first time we showed that primary myeloma cells were also sensitive, even those displaying del(17p), another poor prognosis factor. We also unravel the contribution of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family molecules in CU response.

We found that down-regulation of Mcl-1, an essential MM survival factor, was associated with CU-induced cell death and its knockdown sensitized myeloma cells to CU, highlighting Mcl-1 as an important target for CU-induced apoptosis. Altogether, these results support clinical trials including CU in association with standard therapy.”

 

 

 

Leave a Comment:

54 comments
Jim says 9 months ago

Hi David… Can you please tell me which form/brand of commercial curcumin you are using and what dosages? Thanks so much for your help Jim

Reply
    David Emerson says 9 months ago

    Hi Jim-

    Because my cancer is in remission I take a low or maintenance dose of one capsule a day or 500 mg of Life Extension Foundation’s brand called Curcumin Elite.

    Hang in there,

    David Emerson

    Reply
Gladys says last year

Which curcuma supplement do you take

Thank you

Reply
    David Emerson says last year

    Hi Gladys-

    I take Life Extension Foundation brand called curcumin elite. One capsule a day.

    David Emerson

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Nora says a couple of years ago

Hi David, Thank you for taking time in answering our questions. I was diagnosed with MM last year, My treatment started with Velcade, dexamethazone. Due to neuropathy Velcade was replaced with Kyprolis. 2 weeks from now i will start with Revlimid and dexamethazone treatment. I am taking blood thinner, will bleeding occur if i take curcumin? How much CBD oil should I take? Iam 1,49 cm short ab 47 kilos. How many times do you use the sauna weekly.

Thank you
Nora

Reply
    David Emerson says a couple of years ago

    Hi Nora-

    I am sorry to learn of your MM diagnosis. However, I firmly believe that the MM CC course and our online group Beating Myeloma is the best way to manage your MM for years to come.

    I encourage you to ask your questions in the online group. That way I will reply as well as any of the other MM survivors who can add to the conversation.

    Thanks and good luck,

    David Emerson

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Lori Cox says 3 years ago

So if I wanted to pick up curcumin in a health food store, what would I be looking for? Which kind will be best absorbed into the body? Could you eat something with fat in it like chocolate and get by?

Reply
    David Emerson says 3 years ago

    Hi Lori-

    I will post your question (anonymously of course) in the private, closed online group Beating Myeloma and reply accordingly. Others in the group may also post helpful information.

    David Emerson

    Reply
    David Emerson says 3 years ago

    Hi Lori- there are several interesting posts on Beating Myeloma talking about curcumin, what, why, which brands, etc. David

    Reply
Jason says 3 years ago

Oh, sorry. I have one more question. How would one know when to reduce the intake of curcumin to “maintenance dose”? Thanks.

Reply
    David Emerson says 3 years ago

    Hi Jason- there is no set time, no set dose of curcumin that I know of. It is up to the patient to decide. I dose the way I do because I am in complete remission.

    Reply
Jason says 3 years ago

Hi Mr Emerson, you mentioned that you are currently taking only 400mg of curcumin (maintenance dose). May I know what dosage were you taking when you first started taking curcumin? And may I know how long were you on this dosage before reducing it to 400mg? Thanks, sir.

Reply
    David Emerson says 3 years ago

    Hi Jason- I’ve always taken only one capsule, 400 mg of LEF Curcumin Elite- When I began supplementing with curcumin, the idea of mega dosing (2,4,6,8 GRAMS) was not a thing. At least I don’t remember it being a thing. Studies have since been conducted with larger doses but I have remained at one capsule a day aka 400 mg.

    Reply
Jason says 3 years ago

Hi Mr Emerson, hope you are well. I have a question about curcumin supplements. Now, you take curcumin from Life Extension while Margaret (from Margaret’s Corner) takes hers from Dr Best. But base on bioavailability, is it not better to buy those with huge bioavailability, like Novasol, curcuwin etc?

Reply
    David Emerson says 3 years ago

    Hi Jason- I am well, thanks. I can’t speak for Margaret but I supplement with the LEF curcumin formula with both a highly bioavailable formula for curcumin but also ginger and tumerones. I am in remission, meaning my MM is not active. My dose is a maintained does (400 mg) and I believe that both ginger and tumerones benefit me. David

    Reply
      Jason says 3 years ago

      Hello Mr Emerson, thanks for your prompt reply. Much appreciated. Based on your description of the LE product, you are taking “Advanced Curcumin Elite™ Turmeric Extract”, right? All this while, I thought you were taking LE’s “super bio curcumin”. May you have a wonderful day ahead, Mr Emerson

      Reply
        David Emerson says 3 years ago

        You’re correct Jason- I used to take SuperBio Curcumin. I switched a few years ago. Curcumin formulas have changed a lot these past years.

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Jason says 3 years ago

Hi Mr Emerson, are there tell-tale signs or blood test that can be done to determine whether the type of curcumin one is taking is effective? Thanks, Mr Emerson. Take care and stay safe.

Reply
    David Emerson says 3 years ago

    Hi Jason- Good question. The test linked below identifies curcumin in the blood and in the blood for x hours. Not how much curcumin is in the blood. In other words, the test does not tell you how much of the curcumin taken (the formula) gets into the blood.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3050505/

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