Hi,

I'd like to hear from anyone who has been trying curcumin/tumeric extract for treatment of AD, and if you've noticed any results.

My dad has AD. He was first diagnosed in 2002, but definitely was showing signs by 2001. He is now 74. Having read in the news about the tremendous promise of curcumin (below are a couple of links), we began giving him one 500mg capsule a day about 13 months ago. He has already been on Aricept since diagnosis, and we got him on Namenda when it first became available.

At first it seemed like maybe there was some modest improvement. However in the last few months he has taken a definite turn for the worse. He is becoming more confused, and needs help with bathing and getting dressed. He now often can't remember the names of his children or grandchildren, though he still knows who we are.

So now I'm staring to worry, is the curcumin not only not helping him any, but could it actually be making him even worse? I know AD is a progressive disease and he would be worse regardless. But its hard not to agonize over it. You just don't know if it could be making any difference for the better or worse because you can't compare to how they would be without it. And even if you make a change and then notice a difference- is it because they happened to have a few good days? Or a few bad days? It just seems ironic that its been within the last year that he's really been going downhill, which is about the same time we began giving it to him.

So if anyone else has any experience with curcumin to share I would greatly appreciate it. I know they are starting some scientific trials now, at UCLA I believe, but it will be a while before there are any results and we can't afford to wait. I can't believe there aren't already lots of posts on this subject and lots of people trying it, given the potential promise and the fact that it is available right now.

thanks,
JD


An Indian Spice for Alzheimer's?

Curry Spice May Fight Alzheimer's Disease

quote:

Originally posted by JDucote:
Hi,

I'd like to hear from anyone who has been trying curcumin/tumeric extract for treatment of AD, and if you've noticed any results.

My dad has AD. He was first diagnosed in 2002, but definitely was showing signs by 2001. He is now 74. Having read in the news about the tremendous promise of curcumin (below are a couple of links), we began giving him one 500mg capsule a day about 13 months ago. He has already been on Aricept since diagnosis, and we got him on Namenda when it first became available.

At first it seemed like maybe there was some modest improvement. However in the last few months he has taken a definite turn for the worse. He is becoming more confused, and needs help with bathing and getting dressed. He now often can't remember the names of his children or grandchildren, though he still knows who we are.

So now I'm staring to worry, is the curcumin not only not helping him any, but could it actually be making him even worse? I know AD is a progressive disease and he would be worse regardless. But its hard not to agonize over it. You just don't know if it could be making any difference for the better or worse because you can't compare to how they would be without it. And even if you make a change and then notice a difference- is it because they happened to have a few good days? Or a few bad days? It just seems ironic that its been within the last year that he's really been going downhill, which is about the same time we began giving it to him.

So if anyone else has any experience with curcumin to share I would greatly appreciate it. I know they are starting some scientific trials now, at UCLA I believe, but it will be a while before there are any results and we can't afford to wait. I can't believe there aren't already lots of posts on this subject and lots of people trying it, given the potential promise and the fact that it is available right now.

thanks,
JD


An Indian Spice for Alzheimer's?

Curry Spice May Fight Alzheimer's Disease

I too would be interesting in hearing from others. My Mom was diagnosed in 2004 and is in stage 2. She's on Namenda and Aricept. I was reading about the Curcumin and ordered a couple of bottles to try out on her.

Thanks,
Tyler

Your best bet is fresh turmeric root. I buy it at Whole Foods. I grind it up fresh along with fresh leaves of Rosemary and I get much better results than with powdered versions. Whether it helps with dementia is another matter but the fresh combined version is definately anti-inflammatory.

Glad someone posted something about this. My mother was recently diagnosed at age 53 with early onset. Her doctor recommended that she start on Curcumin/Turmeric and also Omega-3. He said that he actually takes them daily because the studies on animals genetically altered to have AD showed slowed progression in the animals on those two supplements. He takes them because he says that we will all get AD symptoms at some point in our aging process so may as well do all you can to ward it off.
My step-dad and I also plan to start taking it.

I understand why everyone is trying to find the right "somesthing" to help our lo, however, in my opinion, this is not an illness that ANYONE knows much about regarding ANYTHING.....it is going to progress, no matter what we do to try and slow the process..........it just not going to happen.........

I think you need to up the dosage to 2,000 - 3,000 milligrams a day. Curcurmin is not absorbed very easily. Studies have shown there are no side effects up to 8,000 mg a day. A version from the Life Extension Institute claims better absorbtion. I would add Omega-3 at the same time and a B-vitamin complex with folate. Also melatonin at night. I am giving my mother these nutrients and she seems better. She is not on any other medication. Curcurmin will not make it worse, it is just the disease progressing.

Hi There, I just wanted to add to your comments on Curcumin.. I too am trying to find a treatment for my Dad who has been diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). It's not AD or Dementia but a brain deterioration disease so is grouped in the same category. It also seems quite similar as my Dad is forgetting certain words. He'll say things like "look at that water coming down" instead of "rain".. Dr Tobinick has also been using Enbrel to treat PPA with apparently quite remarkable results. However we're located in Western Australia so I'm trying to see if there is any chance of an alternative. As moving I guess at this stage would be a last resort. I was hoping to find some info on Curcumin here but also wanted to share some of the things I've found out as it kind of clears up some of the questions.. I haven't read all of this discussion so I apologies if this has already been covered.. Firstly there is some thing called Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). What this means is that unless something i.e. medication is administered in a certain way it does not make it into the brain, it passes thru in the urine etc.. Which is what we want to happen. Imagine all the problems we'd have if everything or anything could go straight into the brain. Hence this is why Dr Tobinick has patented the "method of injecting" the Enbrel. It's injected into the GI Tract and inturn goes into the brain. The Enbrel apparently works (I say this only from the blogs I've read on here) but it's also the way that it's delivered ensuring it gets into the brain - it crosses the blood-brain barrier. Meaning that if Enbrel was just ingested instead of injected in this way then the results may not be quite so remarkable. (I have absolutely no idea but am just surmising). I've read research that Curcumin being injected in a similar way has also had promising results.. But ingested, by itself not enough is absorbed or retained in the blood most is passed via the urine or faeces. What is required is an absorbent! I've found that apparently a black pepper extract (Piperine or name I've found they call it is Bioperine) is such a thing... So you need the curcumin with an absorbent agent to cross the BBB such as Bioperine. I have found some at http://www.agelesscures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=2 ..... But I was hoping someone here had already tried it/them and could give me some results! I guess I'll chat to my Mum and see what she thinks. Has anyone tried the curcumin / bioperine combination or anything else? Has anyone heard of what I've mentioned as again I'm no expert and have only started searching in the last few days...? Trawling website after website, research after research once I found out that Dr Tobinick's injections had to be administered weekly (well I think at the start that seems to be the case) and are only available in the US. Anyway good luck to us all. I hope this info was useful and maybe someone else has tried the Curcumin / Bioperine and can let us know!!! Thanks

Hi, Summaskies,
Piperine(bioperine) is a small, rather toxic, molecule which has nothing to do with crossing the blood brain barrier. Piperine is an irritant to the digestive system and thereby increases the absorbtion of circumin into the digestive tract when the are taken together.
You should look at the wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood-brain_barrier
Circumin, also, is a small molecule, and has been clinically shown to pass the blood brain barrier. The issue with Circumin is that while it seems to have some anti-cancer properties in cancer cells grown in the laboratory, no reproducible positive results have been found for it against common cancers in humans. Similarly, it has not been demonstrated to be effective either in treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease, except from anecdotal reports from companies trying to sell it or from persons desparate to grasp at straws. The latter situation is understandable (I, myself, have AD), but the energy and effort can perhaps be put to better uses.

Hi,

I did try the Tumeric for my Mom but she continued to decline. I believe that it is worth a try since everybody is a little bit different with these dementia related diseases. I am one of the few that is able to get my Mom the Enbrel injections and she is doing great...well, I say that after a bit of a "slow" morning and frustrating "bathroom" issues! But, all in all, she is improving and we (my family and friends)are all excited about it. I have posted a video of my Mom before and after the Enbrel on YouTube. We are trying to get the word out so that doctors across the world will learn the procedure. In the meantime, keep the hope alive and it will get you through the tough times...it did me!

Felicia

Hi Felicia & Sherlockspal, thanks for your replies. Felicia I had already watched your Mums U tube and wow what a turn around. She looks great! As you've been to see Dr T. do you mind if I ask you some questions. Have they said that your Mum has to have these injections every week? Or does it depend on how long before it wears off or they deteriorate back? With regards to the fee I think I read in this blog $300(US) for the first visit and then was it $100 to hold the appointment and $600 for the injection? What's the price for the injection after that? Are there any more appointment fees? I spoke to my Mum tonight and she is very sceptical and very worried.... It's mainly because all of the doctors over here are saying there's nothing that can be done.. I've told her that I'll contact my Dad's GP (who's very open to most things) and see if I can get him to check out Dr T's published work.. I also wanted to put the idea of him training in the procedure. Cos if there's no one else over this side of the world that can do it then by golly he should make a killing! ('scuse the phrasing). Wish me luck! I also wanted to point him to this blog to read the Endrel section & your U tube). Do you know who put me on to this blog - Dr Sue Griffin the lady you guys have been mentioning wants to hear of your results. That lady is wonderful. She spent ages on the phone to me explaining Dr T's work and shedding some light on PPA... Can't say enough good things about her. Hey Sherlockspal, so do you not recommend the curcumin and bioperine? Your comment of "rather toxic" does concern me.. And if you have AD are you also going to Dr T or do you live too far away as well? Well thanks again and look forward to your answers and maybe I might have some news about my Dad's GP..

Hi Summaskies!

I'm excited that Dr. Griffin knows about my Mom's situation. I'm telling you, my Mom is not perfect and is still in a little fog sometimes, but it feels great knowing that those are just occasional now, and that she won't be getting worse...I really believe that...at least for a few years.
The recommendation is anywhere from every week to every three weeks for the injection. When we first went in, he said every three might be OK for my Mom, but I have brought her every week because of the results. I don't want to risk having her slip back. Once I no longer see improvement, and as things steady out, maybe we'll go every other week for a while. The cost keeps changing...growing...but as for right now to get everything started including the first injection cost about $3800! This includes the consultation, physical assessment, mental assessment, injection and medication. Then, the cost is approximately $800/Wk ($200 for the Enbrel/$600 for the injection). So, if you add it all up, it is about $40,000 a year if you go everyweek. I don't know how things work in your country, but here the insurance won't pay for it unless it's an approved procedure which is what I've been fighting for on the Forum.

I will be responding to Bob's accusations after this...I couldn't sleep all night worrying that his words could turn people away, like Dr. Griffin, and stop it all in its tracks! It is sad how angry he is...but I can't blame him. He wants his wife back!

Take care, Felicia

As per researches, Curcumin is antitumor, antiarthritic, anti-amyloid and anti inflammatory in nature having the effect upon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease along with some other common ailments. You can study the link http://www.indogen.net/Alzheimers.html for getting more information on Curcumin and Alzheimer’s.

Here is also a site I’ve found http://www.naturalplaza.com/curcumin_faq.jsp , saying that Alzheimer disease is caused in part by amyloid-induced inflammation, curcumin has been shown to be effective against Alzheimer.

My DH has been taking about 3000mg of this for over two years -- ever since the formal diagnosis of eoad. I have recently begun to slowly decrease the amount. I don't think it has done him any good, but I'm not sure anything could have. It certainly hasn't hurt him, but it is a messy drug (we use capsules from a company suggested by a nurse at UCLA where they've been doing research trials). I'm trying to simplify things for both of us.
He is also on Aricept and Namenda; his deterioration has been increasing over the past six months. I'm not very hopeful that anything can even slow the ravages of the disease.
Good luck to all.

In the mouse studies, they were getting 12mg/pound of body weight in their food... which they ate throughout the day.

The question is, does curcumin "disaggregate" amyloid beta in humans as it does in mice? As I understand it, in India, where curcumin shows up in abundance in curries (from turmeric), AD is relatively rare. But, AD also has a "tau tangle" component. So, even if you are successful in ridding the brain of amyloid beta, you still have the tau-tangle burden to contend with.

So, I'm giving my mother 500mg of curcumin and about 1000mg of cinnamon, three times per day. I don't know if the curcumin has helped her mentally, but it sure seems to help her arthritis. (It is interesting to note that Indian food, I was told, often contains cinnamon too!)

We have not tried curcumin but, for those interested, there was an article posted today on the alzforum that dietary curcumin can reach the brain following oral administration and may benefit Alzheimer disease.

http://www.alzforum.org/pap/annotation.asp?powID=76369#%7BEFF45354-C947-41FA-90C7-3CD8AF16FE40%7D

Pat