Hello everyone,
 
Just a quick clarification on Tumeric.... the spice is most effective when used in cooking - not taken as a supplement.  This could explain the upper GI complications listed.  Tumeric actually stimulates the liver, making it more effective in producing bile.  From my nutritional studies:  "Tumeric is much more than just the curcumin that the scientists identify as its enhancing ingredient.  A highly isolated tumeric extract standardized only to curcumin would miss the recognized cancer-preventative and antil inflammatory properties present in the whole plant".
 
Just an FYI, I am completing my Masters Degree in Holistic Nutrition.  Tumeric is the subject of many research projects underway related to cancer and cancer prevention.
 
All the best,
 
Robin
> Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:15:10 -0600> From: [log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Tumeric or Curcumin?> To: [log in to unmask]> > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Adrienne Smith" <[log in to unmask]>> > > > Does anyone know if the bright yellow ground spice labelled tumeric is the> > same thing as curcumin??> >> >> > It is my understanding that curcumin is the active ingred. in turmeric.> > From one of my files:> > "Turmeric (main active ingredient curcumin) -- 1 of the top cancer-healing> herbs; 2-4 g or 2 tsp turmeric; up to 6-8 grams of curcumin has been used,> those this dosage can cause GI difficulties (Gammill, 10/04); curcumin's> synergistic w/genistein (in [fermented] soy), green tea, & bromelain;> curcumin's especially effective w/estrogenic breast cancer> (www.herbalfields.com/c7.html); curcumin's a COX-2 inhibitor,> antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, anti-angiogenic, induces> apoptosis, enhances immunity; curcumin's not very bioavailable, but taking> it w/piperine makes it more 2000% bioavailable; use good brand (e.g., New> Chapter, Zyflamend, Source Naturals); "curcumin can be hard on your gut"> "curcumin is a SAPK inhibitor...[It prevents] drug resistance [MDR]"> For more info,> www.lef.org/magazine/mag2002/jul2002_report_curcumin_01.html> www.turmeric-curcumin.com