An interesting interview on Radio4 re. curcumin (... - PMRGCAuk

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An interesting interview on Radio4 re. curcumin (turmeric derivative)

Slowdown profile image
41 Replies

I listened to this today (@ 24 minutes in)

bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09k0n...

and although it is not about PMR if you click on this

casereports.bmj.com/content...

and go to Discussion there's an explanation of what it is (para2) and what it does and does not do (in the context of a clinical study). There have been several threads here about turmeric and I thought it would further our knowledge a bit more, especially as it's published in the BMJ.

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41 Replies
piglette profile image
piglette

Hi Slowdown, I heard the programme too. I am a great advocate of turmeric and it is good to hear people supporting like the lady did today.

Slowdown profile image
Slowdown in reply to piglette

Hi piglette, I don't like taking supplements, and certainly not at the doses she was taking .. I add organic ground root to a lot of my cooking (with a grind of black pepper) and have discovered turmeric latte which is delicious made with almond or coconut milk, ginger, honey, nutmeg and cinnamon, cashew nut butter blended together - heated in microwave, lovely on a cold, dismal winter afternoon :-)

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to Slowdown

Hi Slowdown, I was not really listening properly and did not realise she was taking supplements. There has been some research done recently saying that powdered and fresh turmeric are much better than supplements. I suppose in her case taking supplements was a lot easier on the other hand.

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

Yes, it was interesting. I noted that bioavailability is a problem with supplements which is why she had the added bioperine and she said it was expensive. I didn’t get the cost because I crunched on a piece of lettuce at the wrong moment. She also had to research the right dose as there seems to be different doses for different conditions.

Slowdown profile image
Slowdown in reply to SnazzyD

I think she said £50 for about 10 days so VERY expensive but I buy a bag of organic ground root turmeric for £6 from local health food shop which lasts for ages just adding it to cooking and making lattes. I tried grating fresh turmeric root and ended up an interesting shade of yellow in my very yellow kitchen... I don't know whether it is doing me any good but I love my cheerfully sunny breakfast of scrambled eggs + turmeric.

I tend to buy smallest bag of any spice I can find in the local Asian supermarkets. That way it is used before it's "freshness" goes. The strength of smell and colour fade quickly even if kept in optimum cool dark conditions.

Slowdown profile image
Slowdown in reply to

How many times have I bought the makings of curries and found them, after a couple of uses, at the back of the cupboard and ready for the bin!

in reply to Slowdown

When I first moved to area I live in, when supermarkets didn't stock many spices, I went mad in Asian shops and bought massive bags full! Threw most out so went to wide variety of small bags. I use in bigger quantities now...using dessert or tablespoons rather than teaspoons. I am lucky to have had British asian and asian neighbours who have made me fabulous food especially lentil dahl/stew and it's encouraged me to use more spice and oil than I used to. I am getting hungry now thinking about it!!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

I love lentil dahl ...

I have time - and maybe energy - to make it now. But getting the spices would be hell on earth here!!!

Slowdown profile image
Slowdown in reply to PMRpro

OK you two, I've had to get to the cooker to make Tarka Dahl and an okra curry, my mouth is watering so much!!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Slowdown

Nah - I'll pass on the okra. Still to be convinced of that...

in reply to PMRpro

I had okra pieces fried on a top of veg curry with bitter gourd . Was lovely. (Thank you neighbour).

It's a funny thing to cook okra. It like squid I think. Either had to be cooked really quickly or really slowly so you don't get the slime.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

Oh right - it was the slime I objected to. Wasn't me cooking it either... Though honestly - I don't hink I have seen it here. We have a tiny community from the subcontinent - when I say tiny I mean like maybe 20-30 if that!

in reply to PMRpro

If they have spices I am sure they will pass them on. It's mainly Muslims round me at the moment so meat is in their diet but my Indian neighbour before did lots of veggie. Either culture is all about good food and sharing it. Might be worth exploring the shops they use.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

There is an Asian shop but I have no idea what it sells. The main Muslim community is in Meran I think. But the Italian shops won't have anything!!!

in reply to Slowdown

I have just started looking through cupboards. Only got green lentils.

My next door neighbour provides chutney and roti. I don't know why I am writing this because it is making me pine.

Slowdown profile image
Slowdown in reply to

Luckily found sesame oil .. it's smelling gorgeous and I'm dribbling! Okra: lovely crisply fried and when I really crave a spud I do Bombay potatoes with fried okra - that's tomorrow sorted out then.. off for supper now, thanks for all the inspiration!

in reply to PMRpro

We will have to send you a care package with green and blacks choc and spices!

The tempering of oil to pour over at end of cooking gives Dahl that yummy taste. I have started adding tamarind paste and it takes Dahl to new level.

Sandy1947 profile image
Sandy1947

I took Tumeric 2 tablets twice a day for 5 months. Went on a trip, forgot it and didn’t feel worse. Problem is isolating anything to determine effectiveness. Hate throwing money in the toilet!

Slowdown profile image
Slowdown in reply to Sandy1947

That's the problem with adding things, never know if it works or not but I feel better for trying it, and there are no adverse effects. I reckon £6 over 3 months worth of turmeric is acceptable!

Sandy1947 profile image
Sandy1947 in reply to Slowdown

After 6 months of PMR journey I think I tried to control as much as possible because I felt so out of control with the shock of the diagnosis. As I start coming to my senses, I am gradually reintroducing some things . For example, I overdosed on homemade potato chips at a Spanish restaurant last week! Felt fine the next day. Still fear eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and alcohol!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Sandy1947

None of them make the slightest difference to me!!!

Sandy1947 profile image
Sandy1947 in reply to PMRpro

Lucky you!

Sandy1947 profile image
Sandy1947 in reply to Sandy1947

Early on I had eggplant parm and woke up the next day with such bi lateral pain I could not move. Fear ever since!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Sandy1947

There's a lot of stuff in parmigiana!

Sandy1947 profile image
Sandy1947 in reply to PMRpro

Good point! You are giving me the idea to reintroduce the dish since I always liked it. Must overcome food phobia which is not easy. It’s actually pain and flare fear! Finally feeling OK at 14 mg Pred. six months later. Def in the slow lane!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Sandy1947

One thing at a time and in small amounts to start with. Most people make the mistake of too many things and too much.

Sandy1947 profile image
Sandy1947 in reply to PMRpro

Good advice, I would have eaten way too much too start since I am always ravenously hungry. Eggplant will be one of several sides, not the main event! Thanks for saving me once again, coach!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Sandy1947

It applies to a lot of things that cause problems. First take them out altogether and then reintroduce gradually and not too often at first.

They can even deal with peanut allergy that way - but they start with miniscule amounts and build it up over months, even years, always under supervision.

Slowdown profile image
Slowdown in reply to PMRpro

PMRpro, I eat more or less the same low carb diet as you follow, lots of oily fish, no added sugar, loads of veg, etc.etc., BMI 26,(for whatever it's worth) and had a 'teetering on the edge' test result for diabetes2 to my horror. I think it's more of a control thing, as Sandy says, to try and be proactive. Guess it's steroid-related so can't think of anything I can adjust food-wise - must go out for a hearty walk in the teeth of Storm Eleanor, I suppose!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Slowdown

I thought Eleanor was gone - and metamorphosed into Burglind for mainland Europe? Been rather foul north of the Alps - just snowing here. Nipped out with the car to get milk a few mins after the ramp from the garage had been cleared - it was still rather an interesting exit! Going back down wasn't much better. So now I shall remain inside until tomorrow (it is forecast to snow until about 9pm) - when it will be beautiful sun. Saturday appears to be more of today...

Slowdown profile image
Slowdown in reply to PMRpro

Cornish cliffs are a wind magnet, the tail-end of the storm still 50mph here, if I was a gull I'd be floating at 200ft. Not a flake of snow, but plunging temps at the weekend. Enjoy the sun and snow, I remember being in Goldegg one Sylvester watching the long snaking line of skiiers holding torches coming down the mountain. Very beautiful.

Sandy1947 profile image
Sandy1947

Slowdown

Are you kidding me? Walk in a storm? Never for me since my osteoporosis is severe and only weigh 104 lbs! I’m very impressed that you joined an archaeological group which I can barely spell with Pred head!

Slowdown profile image
Slowdown in reply to Sandy1947

Back home safely!! It was very 'refreshing' shall we say ...on one side of the headland I could barely walk against the wind but on the sheltered side the sun was out and the waves were huge and sparkling :-)

The archaeology group is fun, we maintain the sites and sometimes do some excavation, it's not very taxing but we chat and always take a good lunch! I found I was becoming very isolated when I first got PMR so joined a couple of local interest groups and the U3A (University of the 3rd Age) which has table tennis, scrabble, photography and, if feeling particularly intelligent (never with pred head) philosophy discussions!

Sandy1947 profile image
Sandy1947 in reply to Slowdown

You are an inspiration to me. Feeling isolated, yesterday I organized a group of 5 of us to meet for coffee after Tai Chi/Quigong. Never being one to engage in chat chat surprisingly, I enjoyed it.

Slowdown profile image
Slowdown in reply to Sandy1947

Good on you! We're sociable creatures, it's nice to be in a cosy place, drinking coffee, especially if you've 'earned' it after exercise! I love hibernating in the winter but need to emerge every now and then.

Lovely pic of you, very svelte!

Sandy1947 profile image
Sandy1947 in reply to Slowdown

Thanks! I am usually happy in hibernation even though I’m quite social. PMR is conducive to a good deal of quiet time...reading, cooking, charity email (I’m the founder of a charity that distributes prom gowns and accessories to urban girls and scholarships to girls who do service with us).

Thanks for the compliment re. being svelte. Some people say I’m too skinny! I eat constant a.m. thankful for quick metabolism. Also fast because I’m a bit hyper!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Sandy1947

I'm getting stir-crazy - I don't like walking on snow or ice so its been a bit limiting this week! And today it started snowing about 7am and hasn't stopped all day! They are still clearing snow outside - bless them, they will be paid but it is hard work. Wish I could join them.

Sandy1947 profile image
Sandy1947 in reply to PMRpro

Snow in New Jersey too! I’m not stir crazy yet. But I do like to shovel for the exercise. I will do a path on my deck and down below for my dog who hasn’t been out since 4:30 am. She’s having a lazy day too!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Sandy1947

I can't use a sweeping brush without my back resigning its commission so a snow clearer wouldn't be a good idea!

Sandy1947 profile image
Sandy1947 in reply to PMRpro

Stay safe without injury!

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