September 22, 2011
Curcumin: An Old Spice Performs New Tricks
Curcumin is one of the main components of the Indian spice turmeric, and gives the spice its characteristic yellow color. Aside from its use in cooking, curcumin/turmeric also holds a position of esteem in the ancient Indian medical tradition called Ayurveda, where it is most frequently recommended to treat gastrointestinal disorders.
In recent decades, this old spice has drawn the attention of a large crop of US-based scientific researchers, who have focused on its powers to address illnesses including cancers, liver disease, and Alzheimer’s. A 2007 review of research concluded that curcumin could protect against skin, oral, intestinal and colon cancers by inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells, by restricting blood supply to tumors, and by other mechanisms as well. As a researcher at the M. C. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas has put it: “The reason curcumin is so effective against cancer is that it hits not just a single target or cell signalling pathway but dozens of targets implicated in cancer.”
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin has also been adopted as a potential therapeutic agent by scientists investigating difficult-to-treat liver disease. Preliminary research published in 2010 found that curcumin blocks several types of inflammation that can lead to cirrhosis (=scarring of tissue and destruction of liver function). The study authors suggest that the botanical, as a natural substance with few side effects, may ultimately prove a better treatment than currently available medications for some liver disease.
Frequently, supplement research looks for refinements and synergies in investigating the medicinal powers of traditional botanicals like curcumin. That’s been the case with a recent study involving Vitamin D3 and derivatives of curcumin known as curcuminoids. This combination of supplements, remarkably enough, proved helpful in clearing the kind of plaque in the brain that is associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. Of course the University of California researchers who conducted this study are now looking for further confirmation of D3/curcuminoids as a preventive and as a therapy for Alzheimer’s.
NYBC stocks Curcumin (Jarrow) in two formats:
As new studies of Curcumin have emerged, NYBC also began stocking additional forms from Vibrant Health, which add bioperine (black pepper extract) for enhanced absorption:
Curcuminoids 1000 mg/30c w/bioperine
Curcuminoids 1000 mg/60c w/bioperine
References:
Surh YJ, Chun KS. Cancer chemopreventive effects of curcumin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007.
Champeau, R. Vitamin D, curcumin may help clear amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer’s. Press release, UCLA, July 15, 2009.
Baghdasaryan, A et al. Curcumin improves sclerosing cholangitis in Mdr2-/- mice by inhibition of cholangiocyte inflammatory response and portal myofibroblast proliferation. Gut, 2010.
August 29, 2011
Antioxidant Optimizer: broad spectrum antioxidant formula
NYBC now stocks Antioxidant Optimizer from Jarrow Formulas, a broad spectrum antioxidant supplement that provides a blend of water and fat soluble antioxidants ( meaning they are widely absorbed in the body), including:
Lutein and lycopene, which protect the eyes, cardiovascular system, breast, cervical, and other tissues and organs;
and
Green tea extract, olive fruit extract, grape seed extract, and milk thistle, which support liver health and cardiovascular system health.
For more details, see the NYBC entry:
Yes, you’ll also notice that NYBC’s nonprofit co-op price for this product is very reasonable!
January 31, 2011
Supplements for Liver Health
NYBC has published an online guide to Liver Health, which you can access at
And, yes! You’ll find liver healthy supplements like silymarin, alpha lipoic acid and Chinese herbal formulas, all described in detail with usage recommendations in a special section of the NYBC catalog pages:
January 14, 2011
Which silymarin/milk thistle?
NYBC has expanded its offerings of the key liver supportive supplement MilkThistle (Silymarin). The Jarrow product, which has good quality control, continues as the standard silymarin offering:
http://nybcsecure.org/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=92
We are also stocking Milk Thistle/Silybin Advanced, which is designed for enhanced absorption:
http://nybcsecure.org/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=392
And we are stocking the Milk Thistle/Thisilyn Pro product from MMS, which, while more expensive than the others, is produced according to the proverbially exacting standards of the German pharmaceutical industry. Milk thistle being one of the classic items in the German herbal pharmacopoeia, we feel assured that there is extra careful quality control behind this item:
http://nybcsecure.org/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=408
As background, we provide NYBC’s capsule summary of how to use silymarin/milk thistle, what cautions should be observed, and what other supplements might be useful along with it:
A potent liver-strengthening herb, it stimulates the liver to regenerate itself by producing new liver cells as well as having strong antioxidant action to help prevent lipid-peroxidation of cell membranes. Given to seven patients receiving tuberculosis drugs (INH and ethambutol), a standardized silymarin extract normalized elevated liver enzymes after three months treatment. Many people with hepatitis C use milk thistle. It is extremely safe. Some studies suggest it may help to reverse the scarring known as fibrosis. Chilean researchers have discovered that silymarin increases glutathione in the liver, stomach and intestines by over 50% although it was not shown to increase GSH levels in other organs. Milk thistle may interact with cytochrome P450–specifically the 3A4 enzyme. This is important since it is used by many AIDS drugs. A study by Piscitelli, et al., happily, found no effect on the plasma level of indinavir (Crixivan). Now we needa study evaluating the potential benefit against the liver toxicities of drugs like nevirapine and ritonavir (Norvir). Anecdotal reports suggest that it may delay CD4 increases with ARV. See also entries on Dandelion Root as well as Hepato-C, Hepato-Detox and Ecliptex (Chinese Herbal Formulae).
January 4, 2011
NAC: antidote to acetaminophen overdose
In this season when people are taking over-the-counter drugs for all sorts of colds, flus, aches and pains of winter (at least up here in the North where we live!) we thought we’d re-post this item about using a simple inexpensive supplement as an antidote to acetaminophen overdose (Tylenol’s the best-known tradename)–a surprisingly common and debilitating, even deadly, occurrence in the US.
Here’s the earlier post:
• Twenty-eight billion doses of acetaminophen are sold in the US per year. Liver damage caused by acetaminophen overdose leads to 400 deaths and 42,000 hospitalizations per year. Why not recommend the recognized antidote, NAC (N-acetylcysteine)?
Posted in NAC (N-acetylcysteine) tagged acetaminophen overdose, acetaminophen poisoning
We read with interest in the New York Times on July 1 that the FDA had convened a panel to advise on how to deal with the medical problems arising from the extraordinary popularity of acetaminophen (most common tradename: Tylenol) in the US. Since acetaminophen is often part of a combination medication, the potential for people to accidentally overdose is ever present. Overdoses of acetaminophen now represent the leading cause of liver damage in the US. In hopes of reducing some of these accidents, the FDA advisory panel voted to recommend lowering the highest allowable dose of acetaminophen in over-the-counter pills like Tylenol; the panel also voted to recommend a ban on some narcotics that typically are paired with acetaminophen. Our thought: why not encourage drug manufacturers to pair acetaminophen with NAC (N-acetylcysteine), a known antidote to acetaminophen poisoning, widely used for that purpose in Europe? Certainly we recommend to NYBC members that, if they must use acetaminophen, they should also take NAC for protection as well.NYBC stocks NAC (Montiff) in tablet form; ThiolNAC (a combination of alpha lipoic acid and NAC); and the easy-to-take PharmaNAC, an effervescent tablet formulation. See http://www.newyorkbuyersclub.org/
December 14, 2010
NAC + Alpha Lipoic = ThiolNAC
That’s the equation that sums up NYBC’s combination antioxidant supplement, which includes both NAC (N-acetylcysteine) and alpha lipoic acid. These two are among the most researched antioxidant supplements, with studies of NAC covering issues such as pulmonary function, liver function, HIV, while alpha lipoic acid (sometimes called “thioctic acid,” hence the “thiol” part of our product name) has been investigated for liver health, neuropathy, diabetes, HIV. As a combination, they appear in such products as K-PAX and SuperNutrition’s Super Immune Multivitamin.
NYBC’s combination product ThiolNAC was designed to meet the needs of those who can benefit from supplementation with both of these antioxidants. By combining the two in one supplement, there is also a significant savings in cost as well–always one of the main goals of the nonprofit co-op.
For more information, see the NYBC entry on ThiolNAC:
October 30, 2010
Curcumin and Fatty Liver
Yet another study finds a potential benefit for curcumin, one of the active constituents in the spice, turmeric. In this test tube study, they found a mechanism that explains how it may be of benefit in treating a fatty liver disease called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This is a disease that can develop in people who are obese, have type 2 diabetes and is sometimes seen in people living with hepatitis C infection. It appears to interfere with the activity of a molecule, leptin, that, when levels are increased, can causes stellate cells to increase production of molecules (collagen) that result in scarring (fibrosis) of the liver. They also observed other potential mechanisms for action for curcumin.
As the authors say, it is about time for some clinical studies among humans! It is a safe, well-characterized agent and many humans have been using it for a long time. Does it work? Should it be prescribed?
May 24, 2010
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY USE IN HIV-POSITIVE PEOPLE: AN ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY
An online survey conducted by our friend, Nelson Vergel and published in Antiviral Therapy. Here is the abstract:
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY USE IN HIV-POSITIVE PEOPLE: AN ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY Antiviral Therapy 2009; 14(Suppl. 2):A34 (abstract no. P-11)
NR Vergel
Program for Wellness Restoration, Houston, TX, USA
OBJECTIVES: To assess the use and types of complementary therapies (CT) and their perceived benefits in a sample of HIV-positive members of a community online health listserve.
METHODS: Members of pozhealth at yahoogroups.com were sent a link to a 13 point questionnaire related to demographics, length of HIV infection, type of CT use, and reasons and perceived benefits of CT use.
RESULTS: The majority of the 135 survey participants were white males over 40 years of age who live in the USA and with least 15 years of HIV infection. The top reported CTs and their perceived benefits were exercise, nutritional supplements, herbs, massage, prayer/ spirituality, meditation, acupuncture, chiropractic and yoga. The most popular supplements and their perceived or studied benefits were fish oils (improved lipids), coenzyme Q-10 (stamina), multivitamins (general health), selenium (immune system protection), N-acetyl cysteine (immune system protection), alpha lipoic acid (improved insulin sensitivity and neuropathy), niacin (improved lipids), whey protein (lean body mass enhancement), acetyl-l-carnitine (improved lipids, neuropathy and cognitive function), DHEA (stamina and sexual function), probiotics (gastrointestinal health and diarrhoea), calcium (bone health and diarrhoea), vitamin D (bone health) and milk thistle (liver protection). A total of 84% believed that they were benefitting from CTs, and 87% informed their physicians about their CT use. CTs were personally funded by 72% of patients, whereas the rest had access to them via community programmes.
CONCLUSION: The majority of this sample of HIV-positive people used CTs and derived perceived benefits. Unfortunately, there are little to no efficacycontrolled data available for most CTs. Also lacking are interaction studies between most nutritional/herbal supplements and HIV antiretrovirals (ARVs). As CT use seems to be common and pervasive in the self-management of adverse events and quality of life, the HIV-positive community would benefit from more controlled studies on popular CTs and supplement interaction data with ARVs.
DISCUSSION: There are obvious limitations to this survey. The majority of participants were long-term survivor/white males over 40 years of age, which might represent those who access HIV-related health listserves on the internet. It is suggested that more information is obtained from other HIV patient populations via other outreach venues. A larger survey sample will be available at the conference.
October 15, 2009
Milk Thistle Component: CURE FOR HEP C??
A paper out of Austria has some of us at NYBC VERY excited. Researchers looked at varying doses of a component of milk thistle known as silbinin, from 5 to 20 mg/kg/day over a period of 14 days. During the first 7 days, only the silbinin, which was injected, was administered. Subsequently, on day 8, pegylated interferon and ribavirin were given.
Most astonishingly, by the end of the 7 days, those receiving the 15 mg/kg dose saw a 2.11 log drop in their hepatitis C viral load. Those in the 20 mg/kg arm saw a whopping 3.02 log drop!! This in just 7 days? STUNNING!!
Unfortunately, adding the medication to these participants, who had already failed on IFN/riba therapy! resulted in the numbers deteriorating significantly. The silibinin treatment was very well tolerated.
Which raises a host of questions…would a higher dose work better? 25 or 30 mg/kg? What happens if the therapy is provided over a longer period?
This review wants to try it!
Ferenci P, Scherzer TM, Kerschner H, Rutter K, Beinhardt S, Hofer H, Schöniger-Hekele M, Holzmann H, Steindl-Munda P. Silibinin is a potent antiviral agent in patients with chronic hepatitis C not responding to pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy. Gastroenterology. 2008 Nov;135(5):1561-7. Epub 2008 Aug 3.
Comment in: Gastroenterology. 2009 Jul;137(1):390-1.
Internal Medicine 3, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. peter.ferenci@meduniwien.ac.at
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Oral Silibinin (SIL) is widely used for treatment of hepatitis C, but its efficacy is unclear. Substantially higher doses can be administered intravenously (IV). METHODS: Pedigreed nonresponders to full-dose pegylated (Peg)-interferon/ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV) were studied. First, 16 patients received 10 mg/kg/day SIL IV (Legalon Sil; Madaus, Köln, Germany) for 7 days. In a subsequent dose-finding study, 20 patients received 5, 10, 15, or 20 mg/kg/day SIL for 14 days. In both protocols, PegIFN alpha-2a/RBV were started on day 8. Viral load was determined daily. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, in the first study, HCV-RNA declined on IV SIL by 1.32 +/- 0.55 log (mean +/- SD), P < .001 but increased again in spite of PegIFN/RBV after the infusion period. The viral load decrease was dose dependent (log drop after 7 days SIL: 0.55 +/- 0.5 [5 mg/kg, n = 3], 1.41 +/- 0.59 [10 mg/kg, n = 19], 2.11 +/- 1.34 [15 mg/kg, n = 5], and 3.02 +/- 1.01 [20 mg/kg, n = 9]; P < .001), decreased further after 7 days combined SIL/PegIFN/RBV (1.63 +/- 0.78 [5 mg/kg, n = 3], 4.16 +/- 1.28 [10 mg/kg, n = 3], 3.69 +/- 1.29 [15 mg/kg, n = 5], and 4.85 +/- 0.89 [20 mg/kg, n = 9]; P < .001), and became undetectable in 7 patients on 15 or 20 mg/kg SIL, at week 12. Beside mild gastrointestinal symptoms, IV SIL monotherapy was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: IV SIL is well tolerated and shows a substantial antiviral effect against HCV in nonresponders.
