Curcumin Effectively Rescued Parkinson's Disease --------------- (In flies)

[sunvox]

First, let me add my disclaimer. I believe that people need to discuss any complementary therapy or supplement in which they are interested with a neurologist. I realize that many doctors look down on supplements, but I also realize that the vast majority of posters and readers on this forum have little scientific background with which to make an informed decision so again I urge everyone to take this information with them next time they visit their doctor if they have any real interest.

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So on to today's post . . .

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Today I want to revisit a topic that has long been discussed amongst PwPD and one on which I have posted before namely curcumin. The reason I want to revisit this topic is because a new study was just published once again showing the potential of curcumin to help with Parkinson's. The study's title is:

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Curcumin Effectively Rescued Parkinson's Disease-Like Phenotypes in a Novel Drosophila melanogaster Model with dUCH Knockdown.

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

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and the conclusion of these researchers was:

The neuroprotective properties of curcumin have been demonstrated in studies using many PD models induced by several different environmental and genetic factors. In addition to models developed by manipulations of the α-synuclein, PINK1, DJ-1, and LRRK2 genes, curcumin also exerted positive effects on dUCH knockdown flies. Significant improvements were observed in PD-like phenotypes in dUCH knockdown flies, which were characterized by progressive locomotor defects accompanied by the degeneration of DA neurons. Since curcumin exerts neuroprotective effects on PD models induced by several different environmental factors (such as 6-OHDA, MPTP, rotenone, and paraquat) and genetic factors (including α-synuclein, PINK1, DJ-1, LRRK2, and UCH-L1), our results provide additional evidence to demonstrate that treatments with curcumin have a potential as an appropriate therapy for PD related to oxidative stress.

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Next I want to begin with a rehash of a topic I have brought up many times before on this forum so if you are a regular reader of my posts you can skip this section.

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Researchers have long complained that Parkinson's disease had too many variables and finding a commonality between cases was almost impossible, but in recent years advances in research have allowed a few Grand Theories of Parkinson's to evolve. I believe strongly in one of those theories and that is what drives my posts on this site. I believe that the one common factor to a large majority of Parkinson's cases is the presence of mutant alpha-synuclein that mis-folds and causes cell death. If you read other posts I have made by clicking on my name or avatar you can find links to other research, but here are several links discussing this topic:

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trendintech.com/2017/01/25/...

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

scientificamerican.com/arti...

parkinsonsnewstoday.com/201...

whatayear.org/11_06.html

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What all of those links have in common is that researchers found mis-folded alpha-synuclein to be toxic to cells. Some of the researchers focused on a specific species of alpha-synuclein and so didn't make the jump to ALL cases of Parkinson's including those caused by genetically inherited problems, but increasingly researchers are beginning to make the link and focus on this single protein as the common link.

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What is important about all this is that Curcumin in the form of Theracurmin has real life human clinical evidence that it reduces protein mis-folding and the resulting aggregation.

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Memory and Brain Amyloid and Tau Effects of a Bioavailable Form of Curcumin in Non-Demented Adults: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled 18-Month Trial

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sciencedirect.com/science/a...

The study was in people with Alzheimer's, and yes it was done by the makers of the molecule, but that shouldn't stop people from giving this new micro-nutrient a serious look. The simple fact is that the amount of research showing curcumin has potential benefit is enormous when compared to the research on nearly any other vitamin or supplement touted on this forum and that includes the ever popular thiamine.

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Also, as I have said again and again and again, the complementary therapies people discuss on this forum all have varying degrees of research supporting them, but none are likely to be a silver bullet by themselves so I believe discussing the right cocktail of vitamins is a discussion worth having with one's doctor, and even more importantly people must remember that nothing is likely to reverse your symptoms. It is much more likely that such cocktails of natural remedies will simply slow your progression, and that means not giving up on something just because you don't "feel" better. If there is strong science behind your choices then I personally would stick with it until other science either proves it's useless or worse harmful.

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Finally, for those that are interested here are several other links to valuable information supporting curcumin as a treatment for Parkinson's. If you happen to have a doctor that needs convincing to discuss this topic perhaps printing out a few of these articles or papers and taking them with you might prove helpful.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/298...

michaeljfox.org/foundation/...

tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10....

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/290...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/284...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/288...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/273...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/267...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/240...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/282...

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Best Wishes to All - Joe in NY

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P.S For those that want the Cliff Notes version, the human clinical trial participants took 1 pill of Theracurmin in the morning and one in the evening and that was enough to reduce mutant protein aggregation.

[Blueginger]

Interesting. In your opinion, how would you rate EGCG vs Curcumin in combating alpha-synuclein based on the research articles you studied?

[sunvox in reply to Blueginger]

I think the key is the Blood Brain Barrier. We know from the human clinical trial that Theracurmin readily crosses the Blood Brain Barrier. We do not have equally convincing evidence for EGCG and so to me that makes Theracurmin the better candidate for a natural therapy. However, I take both Joe

[Blueginger in reply to sunvox]

Would you know of any studies that mention about other types of curcumin being able to cross the blood brain barrier easily as well? eg. Meriva or Longvida curcumin? There's something about nano particles that unsettles me. I mean i once taken charcoal pills in nano particle sizes and it causes a severe allergic reaction.. cause nano particles are small enough to penetrate your cells..

[Farooqji]

thanks for the post. One thing that nobody knows is the therapeutic dose of curcumin for PD

[dadcor]

Theracurmin, where to find the better product..?? Which supplier?

[park_bear]

Thanks Joe. The double strength version of this product has 60 mg of curcumin extract, whereas, a typical capsule contains 500 mg of whole curcumin. It is good to have a study backing up the product, but is quite pricey and I cannot help but wonder whether it is actually any better than the natural product.

Consumerlabs discusses this matter with citation to several studies run by the product's sponsor showing Theracurmin's superiority - Better absorption. They point out that natural cucurmin was placed at a disadvantage because the competing products were taken with water rather than with fat which helps absorption of the natural product. Link to subscription website: consumerlab.com/reviews/tur...

[sunvox]

Hey Park -

If you type "curcumin bioavailability" into Pub Med you will get over 6900 citations. The bioavailability of natural curcumin is well established as are many methods of naturally enhancing bioavailability. The research is not as extensive, but modern technology has shown science can make nanoparticle analogs of many molecules that then have vastly increased bioavailability and ability to cross the Blood Brain Barrier. What those molecules don't have is a human clinical trial that the analog actually reaches the brain and has efficacy. Unless you think the clinical trial was somehow rigged, one can not escape the fact that the human clinical trial of Theracurmin actually measured a reduction of harmful protein aggregates in human brains. Meanwhile countless attempts to use "natural" curcumin have failed to achieve results that match that level of efficacy in any neurological disorder.

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I am of the opinion that the small and potentially biased science behind Theracurmin is strong, and I am willing to add it to my list until such time as further evidence comes out showing it is harmful or not actually helpful. Each of us must decide which of the myriad items discussed on this forum actually are worth investigating. For my money Theracurmin is in the top 3: Mannitol, Niagen, and Theracurmin.

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All the Best,

Joe

[AmyLindy in reply to sunvox]

No mega dose Thiamine, Joe?

[sunvox in reply to AmyLindy]

Hi Amy -

I believe based on the positive results of some that thiamine should be a part of folks "cocktail" of natural aids, but I also believe only about 20% of PwPD have the dramatic results touted here. That data point comes from a post on one of the myriad of threads on thiamine and was made by one of Dr. C's contemporaries from Italy who worked at a clinic that tried to duplicate Dr. C's results and found only 18% of patients had a positive response. Sadly I did not bookmark the post, and now can't seem to find it. I also know when I counted the people on the primary thiamine results thread that discussed positive outcomes it was far less than one would suspect based on the number of replies. Lastly I have had numerous folks email me to discuss their experience with thiamine all of whom had no benefit.

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I can't argue with the dramatic results that a few folks have had, and I myself take 1.5 grams per day in the morning because I think there is enough evidence to say it can't hurt, but it sure might help. I do believe thiamine should be a part of a "cocktail" of natural micro-nutrients AND it most likely is helpful to people earlier in the stages of an illness rather than folks late in life who already have significant neurological damage. I also think a lot of the stories on this forum are placebo effect. Much research has been done showing that folks with PD are particularly prone to such an effect. How many times has the story been told of going to Dr. C's clinic, getting a shot, and within hours it's like a miracle happened, but 3 months later the patient is doubling, halving, or halting thiamine because it stopped working.

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Anyways, I don't want to steal hope from folks, and we all need to make our own decisions, but just sharing my thoughts.

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Joe

[AmyLindy in reply to sunvox]

Ah, Joe, In the interim of my last post I discovered your earlier stance on Thiamine and now, with the additional remarks, can completely see your point. So much yet to research, explore and experience! In short, Thank You for taking time to shine additional light on this approach.

[jeffreyn in reply to sunvox]

Hi Joe,

Here is the post. Search within it (i.e. CTRL-F) for "Quintin" or "18%".

Jeff

healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

[JANVAN in reply to sunvox]

Exact , Joe .....I ' ve wrote a letter to a Parkinson Clinic in Nord-Italy, about also was posted here on this forum and the direktor : a british, with YOPD, answered that in they 4 or 5 pillars scheduled programm, they don't use Vit. B1, because "only" 20% reacts positively ........

Personally a think supplementation with Multivitamin B and extra B1 (Costantini) B2 ( Coimbra) and B3 (also NAD+ I think) isn't a bad idea.....and of course B12.

[ddmagee1 in reply to sunvox]

Thanks Joe, again, for sharing your carefully researched and thought out presentation of the benefits of supplementation with Theracurmin, in treating neurodegenerative protein mis-folding, as is found in PD. The ability to cross the Blood Brain Barrier is, in itself, paramount to ensuring a reduction of harmful protein aggregates in the human brain. This is valuable information for those of us, stricken with PD, who wish to find a way to help ourselves! As I’ve said to my students, over the years, and my grandchildren as they have gone on to college, “Knowledge is power”.

[Kia17]

Thank you for sharing Joe. Is there any trial that specifically measured the amount of Curcumin in the CSF to confrim that Theracurmin crossing the BBB?

[sunvox in reply to Kia17]

Hi Kia-

I have not found any trial that examined spinal fluid to look for how much theracurmin might be reaching the brain. However, numerous studies over the years have examined the BBB permeability of curcumin nano-particles in animals, and more importantly I would point to the fact that the human clinical trial used FDDNP-PET which is an imaging technology that looked into the brains of the patients and actually saw a reduction in protein aggregates. To me that is substantial evidence that theracurmin had crossed the BBB and had the impact predicted by the animal research.

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Here are a couple animal studies:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/244...

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

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Joe

[Kia17 in reply to sunvox]

Many thanks Joe

[jimcaster]

Thanks, as always, Joe, for your thoughtful and well researched post. I apologize if I missed this, but is there a particular brand and dose of theracurmin which was used? I see the cliff's notes version mentions one pill, but I don't know how many mgs are in a pill, etc.

[sunvox in reply to jimcaster]

Hi Jim -

I take this brand: integrativepro.com/Products...

I get it on Amazon and take one pill AM and one pill PM. It is the exact dosage and brand used in the clinical trial.

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Joe

[jimcaster in reply to sunvox]

Excellent! Thank you.

[JANVAN]

Respekt, Sunvox ! Do did a lot of work !!

Can you give a branch of Theracurmin ??

[AmyLindy in reply to JANVAN]

integrativepro.com/Products...

[jenniferdunstan]

Can you recommend a specific brand of theracurmin and who might carry it, please?

[sunvox in reply to jenniferdunstan]

It is posted just above your post.

integrativepro.com/Products...

[AmyLindy]

Great stuff, Joe! And ps Cliff 📝 note appreciated