Curcumin

[taytokavo]

Hello, I have read on this forum that taking curcumin is excellent for inflammation. Does anyone know if taking curcumin thins the blood or increased your risk of a bleed? I am on warfarin and monitor my blood and dosage weekly. I looked up contra indications to curcumin, which did say taking warfarin can affect it, but this is the case for most medications, and vitamins, with warfarin being a contraindication. Is there anyone who is on blood thinners and takes curcumin who could give me any advice? Thanks

[hunter5582]

Curcumin can have significant anti-inflammatory benefits. It has been very effective for me, making a big difference in my level of pain and function due to osteoarthritis. I have been combining curcumin and aspirin with no significant increase in hemorrhage. Do note that when my platelets were higher, aspirin + thrombocytosis did increase bleeding/bruising. The curcumin did not seem to make any difference.

We each have a different MPN profile. We each respond differently to meds and supplements. Many doctors, including hematologists, are not familiar with complimentary health interventions and simply do not know much about drug-supplement interactions. They are understandably reluctant to recommend something if there is an unknown degree of risk. That is why my GP referred me to an Integrative/Functional Medicine doc who has this expertise. This doc has been invaluable in woking out a care plan to manage systemic inflammation, taking into account my entire profile and the meds I take.

While some complementary health interventions like curcumin can be very effective, anything that can help you can also hurt you and interact with things. It is very important to seek expert consultation in making the decision to use a complementary health supplement in the context of a MPN or any other significant condition. Some oncology centers have an Integrative Medicine Department. There are also Integrative and Functional Medicine docs with independent practices. Here is a list of Functional Medicine docs in the UK.

ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/

It can help to check into some resources for yourself. Here are a couple of links that can get you started.

This site specifically states no interaction between curcumin and warfarin.

reference.medscape.com/drug...

This site lists a generic warning about curcumin and anticoagulant/antiplatelet meds

mskcc.org/cancer-care/integ...

Hope that helps.

[lizzziep in reply to hunter5582]

I started to take turmeric and curcumin last year, unfortunately my stomach reacted to it and I had a lot of acid reflux. I’d like to to investigate what I can take, thank you for the info.

[hunter5582 in reply to lizzziep]

Sorry to hear that the curcumin caused GI issues. That can happen for some. Suggest you consult with an Integrative or Functional medicine doc for input on anti-inflammatory agents that may work for you. While complimentary health interventions can be very helpful, it is a best practice to have expert input into their use.

There is research underway into using N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) to treat inflammation in MPNs. My Integrative medicine doc recommended that I try L-Glutathione, which is what NAC increases in the body to control inflammation. She also suggested a pro-resolving mediator (SPM Active) as well. I also (mostly) follow a Mediterranean Diet, which can also help with inflammation.

Hope you find an approach that works for you.

[taytokavo in reply to hunter5582]

As always Hunter thank you so much for all your advice and suggestions. I will have a look at these links now. Am I right in saying curcumin is good to take for people with ET? I think I remember seeing a video of a doctor talking about its benefits for ET or does it only help with osteoarthritis? My biggest issues are leg cramps at night time.

[hunter5582]

Curcumin can help with inflammation. There are various inflammatory conditions that can potentially benefit from reduction in inflammation. This is primarily abut symptom control. There is thinking in the MPN community that there may be benefit to reducing inflammation in all MPNs. Systemic inflammation produces a pro-cancerous environment in the body. It may promote the progression of MPNs as it does in other cancers. This is an area of active research in the MPN community.

Whether curcumin would be a direct benefit to people with MPNs in terms of treating the MPN is theoretical at this point. It makes good intuitive sense, but treatment recommendation need to be based on evidence. That is why the research is needed. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of funding for this research since there is not a lot of money to be made from the sale of supplements like curcumin. Here is one article you may find interesting.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

There are other agents under investigation for the potential benefit to MPNs. One of these is N-Acetylcysteine.

Here is a bit on the role of inflammation in MPNs. there is more in the literature if you care to do the research.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

mpn-hub.com/medical-informa...

youtube.com/watch?v=FzyoPAG...(Not working as expected?)

[taytokavo in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks again Hunter for your reply.

[Ruthie13]

I have been on Warfarin since about 2011. I only know of certain vegetables that I have to be careful with, but know nothing about curcumin. Sorry I can't help.

[Sewingtime]

Hi, I started taking curcumin a couple of months ago, reading advice here on the forum. I am on a blood thinner called Brilinta (brand name) or Ticagrelor, so not Warfarin. I mentioned this potential issue to my hematologist to see if he had any concerns about mixing the two, and he did not. I do know that Warfarin is a different drug though, so certainly best to consult either your hematologist or potentially an integrative medicine doc if you can come by one.

[taytokavo in reply to Sewingtime]

Hi thank you for your reply. I probably think the best way forward would be to wait and ask my Hemotologist next time I see him. Thanks again for your reply