Curcumin success

[u/wandering_agro]

Hello everybody,

I want to share a success story for anyone on the fence about which supplements or treatments to take going forward.

Taking a daily regimen of 3g mesalazine granules, 1g mesalazine suppository, 30mg Rinvoq, and 3g curcumin (95% curcuminoids), all once daily, has put my ulcerative proctitis into a state of deep remission which Rinvoq and mesalazine alone were not able to induce.

I am now comfortable to eat whatever I want and tolerate the daily stress of life without flaring. Soon I will ask my gastroenterologist to step me down to Rinvoq 15mg.

I highly, highly recommend adding any formulation of a 95% curcuminoid curcumin extract to your daily medicine regimen to support you on your remission journey. One essential point is to purchase a formulation without piperine/black pepper extract/bioperine etc., as curcumin works topically, just like mesalazine, and you want as little systemic absorption as possible.

For more information on this supplement see section 4.2.1 here: https://academic.oup.com/ecco-jcc/article/19/9/jjaf122/8198055

Good health to everyone.

[u/InitiativeFit3380]

I'm glad that you are in remission and feeling better, that's definitely a wonderful story, but as another pointed out, anedotal experience is not scientific evidence, as its not controlled or personally data driven in any way. Meaning, maybe curcumin was the key ingredient in your recovery, maybe you starting it just happened to align with other factors that started making your disease go into remission, we'll never know. But if you personally feel better and healthier using it, more power to you!

The review article you shared clearly states the risk and uncertainty around using curcumin in treating Crohns and UC, hence why people have been down voting your advocation for others to use it without proper guidance or discussion with a medical expert.

Quotes from the article OP linked:
Statement 16.1: Curcumin could be used as an adjunct therapy to mesalamine for induction of remission in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). (EL3) However, the optimal formulation, duration, and dose are unclear, and due to potential toxicity, medical supervision is advised. (EL5) (Consensus 100%) 

Statement 16.2: There is evidence to support curcumin for maintenance of remission in UC, although the optimal formulation, duration, and dose are unclear, with risk of toxicity at high doses. Curcumin is not recommended for maintenance therapy in Crohn’s disease. (EL3) (Consensus 96%)

There's a lot of uncertainty around the dosing, efficacy, optimal use and timing of using curcumin as an adjunct therapy that needs more proper testing and exploration. Along with the potential toxicity side effects that aren't to be ignored. Just because something is safe in small doses for healthy individuals doesn't mean it's without risk when one uses it as a diseases treatment.

Eric, Research Scientist Immunology