An Overview of Curcumin in Neurological Disorders | Hacker News Reader

An Overview of Curcumin in Neurological Disorders

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

38 pointsmrfusion17 comments

I've been incorporating turmeric in my diet for the past few months. I enjoy the taste and the placebo effect, so why not?) I'm curious if others here have done the same.

I wouldn't go as far as to make claims regarding it's effectiveness.

One tip I've heard is to take it with black pepper to increase bioavailability. I don't understand the mechanism, but the active ingredient is apparently piperine.

I mix cocoa powder, turmeric, black pepper, and enough extra virgin olive oil to form a smooth paste. I then add hot water and it forms a suspension and the oil mostly doesn't separate out. I think the bitter taste and the fact that all the ingredients are plausibly active makes it an effective placebo, even if it turns out not to actually do anything.

This isn't too surprising considering curcumin is a mitochondrial uncoupler[1][2]. For the curious, another example of a mitochondrial uncoupler would be 2,4-dinitrophenol, which is currently being looked into as a potential anti-Alzheimer treatment[3]. Cool stuff.

1: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19715674

2: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1567840/

3: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16754295

Thanks for the references 1 and 2. I had no idea that curcumin was a mitochondrial uncoupler. Incidentally, I was looking at curcumin to help with my mitochondrial myopathy, but for its anti-inflammatory effects - I have a really hard time to recover from my workouts possibly due to a systemic inflammatory response caused by my genetic condition.

I have always thought that low-dose DNP would be a potentially good treatment for mitochondrial myopathies, as they induce mitochondrial biogenesis [1], but DNP can be dangerous and I have been hesitant to try it.

Maybe I just need to add curcumin to my current supplements regime.

[1] Caldeira da Silva, C. C., Cerqueira, F. M., Barbosa, L. F., Medeiros, M. H., & Kowaltowski, A. J. (2008). Mild mitochondrial uncoupling in mice affects energy metabolism, redox balance and longevity. Aging cell, 7(4), 552-560.

Any uncoupler ought to induce mitochondrial biogenesis, as it's a systemic response due to a lack of energy (I may be mistaken?)—same goes for [vascular] endothelial growth factor and EPO (just to name a few).

Also, I really can't recommend reading the paper associated with the third link enough.

Have you tried ephedrine to help with the post-workout swelling? The common 'ECA' stack might be right up your alley.

>>> Also, I really can't recommend reading the paper associated with the third link enough.

Just read it. Very interesting indeed.

>>>Have you tried ephedrine to help with the post-workout swelling? The common 'ECA' stack might be right up your alley.

Do you have any reference for this ? What is the mechanism of action ?

What is a mitochondrial uncoupler, and why would they help with neurological problems?

>What is a mitochondrial uncoupler...

Examine link #2.

>why would they help with neurological problems?

Good question—perhaps the alteration in ambient energy in the brain prevents certain proteins form forming (amyloid plaques in this case). Honestly, it's hard to tell; it's under active research.

That's a little bit of a hard read... but if I understand it correctly, they cause decrease efficiency of sugar->ATP conversion, and the indirect effect of that is to cause increase sugar consumption.

Here's a simplified version: energy generation in the mitochondria is based on the energy differential between the intermembrane space and the inner mitochondrial membrane (I may have confused those membranes). Most uncouplers act to reduce that differential, thus causing inefficiency in the system, which is lost as heat.

tl;dr uncouplers mess with H+ ions.

I wonder if the rate of these diseases that is can affect (Alzheimer's, epilepsy and depression)are lower in India where tumeric is widely used?

The rate is in fact significantly lower: http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Health-News/turmeric-spice-cur...

It's tricky to say, right? Diagnoses across the whole Indian population is much, much more difficult than it is in the US.

You are probably correct. India has a huge population, and I'm sure access to healthcare is spotty.

Curcumin is poorly absorbed but there are several ways to increase the bioavailability[1]. Otherwise too little will be absorbed to be effective, and you'd just be ingesting an expensive placebo.

You could

* Combine it with black pepper, warmth and/or oil.

* Use the Meriva or BCM-95 form.

* Use nanoparticles, marketed as Theracurmin/Theracumin.

Most nights, I combine two caps of Theracurmin with fish oil and lukewarm water for my wife to drink. It does seem to help with her arthritis.

1: http://examine.com/supplements/Curcumin/

Another study that shows the awesome properties of this spice. I included it in my weekly diet few years ago (along with walnuts and red wine) as meat/fish seasoning and salad dressing. Ideal replacement for things like ketchup or mustard. Mix turmeric with olive oil and/or vinaigrette and you get a tasty and healthy sauce.

An easy way I incorporate it into my diet is by taking it in capsules (you can buy them on Amazon).

Reply on news.ycombinator.com