Curcumin for mental acuity

[ellenrr]

first, my experience-
I was suffering extreme brain fog, possibly from Lyme, possibly for various other reasons. I've been taking curcumin for 3 weeks. I took it for the pain, was not thinking about it for cognitive benefit.
after 2 weeks I noticed that my brain fog has totally lifted.

second, there is a wealth of studies about curcumin proving its benefit, and in India there is a very low rate of alzheimer's and dementia, which is thought to be a result of all the curry people eat. (containing turmeric which is source of curcumin.)

I take curcumin by capsule, between 600 and 1000 mg a day. And to be absorbed - curcumin taken alone is very hard to absorb- take it with pepper and oil.

[woodsprite]

1. How do you take it with pepper and oil?

Do you take it at a meal where you have a salad? Black pepper, bell pepper, or hot pepper?

[ellenrr]

3. first, I was making my own capsules of curcumin, and pepper, and taking them together

with a teaspoon of omega 3 oil. Now, I've ordered curcumin, you can buy capsules which have the pepper ingredient- called bioperine - in it. and I ordered some capsules of the omega 3 oil. and I take all of them together.

My acupuncturist said you could take the curcumin with a salad + oil and pepper, as you say. But I wanted to be sure I was getting enough.

[No Vested Interest]

2. What are the contraindications for curcumin?

I'm especially concerned about blood-thinning, as I already have meds for that purpose.

[ellenrr]

4. Curcumin is not rec. to be taken with a blood thinner.

Altho - my father takes a blood-thinner, and his doctor rec. curcumin.

Perhaps he can take less of the blood-thinner bec. he is taking curcumin. I don't know.

but I would definitely check with a complementary doctor if you can find one, one who can advise of the contraindications.