18 replies to this topic

[bixa525]

Hi I am a 51 yr. old female and would like some advice regarding 3 certain supplements.

Can anyone tell me what brand and dose would be good of each of these supplements: Curcumin, Resveratol and Ubiquinol

I am looking to take them for overall health and can those that have experience tell me the pro's and con's of each?

[JLL]

Hi I am a 51 yr. old female and would like some advice regarding 3 certain supplements.

Can anyone tell me what brand and dose would be good of each of these supplements: Curcumin, Resveratol and Ubiquinol

I am looking to take them for overall health and can those that have experience tell me the pro's and con's of each?

I don't know what the optimal dose of resveratrol is (and based on the lengthy thread on dosing, I guess there is no concensus), but I take 400 mg (Now Foods) resveratrol every other day when I'm fasting.

I add about a tablespoon of turmeric to my foods, along with some black pepper (which increases absorption by up to 2000%), which is approximately what you'd find in typical Indian food recipes. As far as I know, we don't have data on humans using large doses of curcumin.

As for coenzyme Q10, here's a post about the differences between ubiquinone and ubiquinol.

[biochemie]

Hi I am a 51 yr. old female and would like some advice regarding 3 certain supplements.

Can anyone tell me what brand and dose would be good of each of these supplements: Curcumin, Resveratol and Ubiquinol

I am looking to take them for overall health and can those that have experience tell me the pro's and con's of each?

Ubiquinol seems to be the safest, most studied and proven supplement for long-term usage. Research points to its beneficial effects on cardiovascular health with a modest but significant decrease in blood pressure. It would seem that everyone taking statins should also taking ubiquinol as it decreases it serum concentration. Research involving its neurological effects is much more scarce but may prove to be extremely beneficial. While much research regarding its pharmacological effects is contradictory in some circumstances, the most compelling argument for its use is its safety. It doesn't interact with any medications that I am aware off.

Here is a review summarizing most of the purported beneficial effects :

The emerging role of coenzyme Q-10 in aging, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes mellitus.
Dhanasekaran M, Ren J.
Curr Neurovasc Res. 2005 Dec;2(5):447-59. Review.


Resveratrol may be the greatest nutritional supplement to be discovered in modern times. However, it is a POTENT pharmacological agent and has numerous effects in the body. Now most of those effects are beneficial but it does have estrogenic qualities and may interact with medications or put additional demands of the enzymes that process them. Of course, the possible interactions only become of concern at higher dosages that can be easily achieved through supplementation. So if resveratrol is something you want to consider, and you most likely should, please consult your doctor to check with any other medications.



Curcumin has been around for ages. I mean its been a staple of the indian diet. Research indicates its use for disorders of the digestive tract. Crohn's disease, IBS and colon disorders may benefit. It si a potent anti-inflammatory and the most likely reason why we have a mixed review of its other possible uses is that absorption into systemic circulation is a problem with most preparations. That's why if I were to choose any version of curcumin I would try to purchase the AOR CureCumin as it seems to be the most potent form available. Curcumin and Ubiquinol should always be consumed with a source of fat.

Again, all these compounds are anti-inflammatory in nature and may very well improve your quality of life with minimal side-effects. If you are taking ANY medications you should definitely see a doctor because they are potent and can affect the efficacy and/or toxicity of some medications.

Best,

Steven Acoca
McGill University, PhD Candidate
Department of Biochemistry

[bixa525]

Hi I am a 51 yr. old female and would like some advice regarding 3 certain supplements.

Can anyone tell me what brand and dose would be good of each of these supplements: Curcumin, Resveratol and Ubiquinol

I am looking to take them for overall health and can those that have experience tell me the pro's and con's of each?

Ubiquinol seems to be the safest, most studied and proven supplement for long-term usage. Research points to its beneficial effects on cardiovascular health with a modest but significant decrease in blood pressure. It would seem that everyone taking statins should also taking ubiquinol as it decreases it serum concentration. Research involving its neurological effects is much more scarce but may prove to be extremely beneficial. While much research regarding its pharmacological effects is contradictory in some circumstances, the most compelling argument for its use is its safety. It doesn't interact with any medications that I am aware off.

Here is a review summarizing most of the purported beneficial effects :

The emerging role of coenzyme Q-10 in aging, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes mellitus.
Dhanasekaran M, Ren J.
Curr Neurovasc Res. 2005 Dec;2(5):447-59. Review.


Resveratrol may be the greatest nutritional supplement to be discovered in modern times. However, it is a POTENT pharmacological agent and has numerous effects in the body. Now most of those effects are beneficial but it does have estrogenic qualities and may interact with medications or put additional demands of the enzymes that process them. Of course, the possible interactions only become of concern at higher dosages that can be easily achieved through supplementation. So if resveratrol is something you want to consider, and you most likely should, please consult your doctor to check with any other medications.



Curcumin has been around for ages. I mean its been a staple of the indian diet. Research indicates its use for disorders of the digestive tract. Crohn's disease, IBS and colon disorders may benefit. It si a potent anti-inflammatory and the most likely reason why we have a mixed review of its other possible uses is that absorption into systemic circulation is a problem with most preparations. That's why if I were to choose any version of curcumin I would try to purchase the AOR CureCumin as it seems to be the most potent form available. Curcumin and Ubiquinol should always be consumed with a source of fat.

Again, all these compounds are anti-inflammatory in nature and may very well improve your quality of life with minimal side-effects. If you are taking ANY medications you should definitely see a doctor because they are potent and can affect the efficacy and/or toxicity of some medications.

Best,

Steven Acoca
McGill University, PhD Candidate
Department of Biochemistry

Thank you for the information. does Curcumin have to be taken with bioperene to be effective? I see many brands without this in them but are they of any use if they don't absorb well? Also does curcumin have any estrogenic effects? I am taking hormones and don't want to add any additional estrogen to the mix. I will forgo the resveratol because of this. My doctor knows nothing about supplements so he would be worthless to ask. I will also start the ubiquinol.

[niner]

Thank you for the information. does Curcumin have to be taken with bioperene to be effective? I see many brands without this in them but are they of any use if they don't absorb well? Also does curcumin have any estrogenic effects? I am taking hormones and don't want to add any additional estrogen to the mix. I will forgo the resveratol because of this. My doctor knows nothing about supplements so he would be worthless to ask. I will also start the ubiquinol.

Curcumin doesn't have to be taken with bioperine. Bioperine doesn't have any effect on absorption; what it does is inhibit one of the enzymes that metabolizes curcumin. This enzyme also metabolizes other substances, and belongs to the class of metabolic enzymes that is responsible for detoxifying carcinogens. For these reasons, some people are hesitant to mess with it. Before looking at compounds like curcumin and ubiquinol, do you have the basics covered? Have you had your 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 level checked? It is a relatively inexpensive blood test; you should shoot for a level of 40-50 ng/ml. Usually this requires around 2000 IU/day of vitamin D3 in a gelcap (oil based) formulation to attain. Most people benefit from 1-2 grams of fish oil per day, and 2-400 mg of magnesium per day. These are the big three in the view of many; this is based on the fact that many Americans are deficient in one or more of these. Personally, I would be inclined to consider a pomegranate extract and a green tea extract before curcumin. I would not take ubiquinol at all unless you have a cardiovascular disorder that it was specifically indicated for. Finally, some issues that are also important, but are harder for most of us to deal with... How is your diet? Do you get enough exercise and sleep enough?

[biochemie]

Curcumin has no estrogenic effects. Those pertain only to resveratrol. Like mentionned the problem with Curcumin is its absorption into systemic circulation. So different manufacturers have proposed many methods to circumvent this problem. One of them is black pepper extract (Bioperine). The problem with bioperine is that it increases permeability to everything. So if you are taking medications you should use it with great caution or avoid it altogether as a precaution. The AOR product I mentioned (and I have no affiliations to them whatsoever) dissolves the curcuminoids into nanoemulsions that get absorbed much more readily. The best part of this is that you can take it while negligibly affecting absorption of other compounds.

Best,

Stephane Acoca
McGill University, PhD Candidate
Department of Biochemistry

[niner]

Like mentionned the problem with Curcumin is its absorption into systemic circulation. So different manufacturers have proposed many methods to circumvent this problem. One of them is black pepper extract (Bioperine). The problem with bioperine is that it increases permeability to everything. So if you are taking medications you should use it with great caution or avoid it altogether as a precaution.

Bioperine doesn't work by changing permeability; it is an inhibitor of UDP Glucuronyltransferase, a Phase II conjugative enzyme responsible for glucuronidation. It will only affect the phamacokinetics of compounds for which glucuronidation is an important metabolic pathway. (see previous post)

[biochemie]

Like mentionned the problem with Curcumin is its absorption into systemic circulation. So different manufacturers have proposed many methods to circumvent this problem. One of them is black pepper extract (Bioperine). The problem with bioperine is that it increases permeability to everything. So if you are taking medications you should use it with great caution or avoid it altogether as a precaution.

Bioperine doesn't work by changing permeability; it is an inhibitor of UDP Glucuronyltransferase, a Phase II conjugative enzyme responsible for glucuronidation. It will only affect the phamacokinetics of compounds for which glucuronidation is an important metabolic pathway. (see previous post)

Correct me if i'm wrong but my readings also point to the fact that Piperine's bioavailability enhancing property are also partly attributed to increased absorption as a result of its effect on the ultrastructure of intestinal brush border.That isn't to say that its strong inhibition of hepatic and intestinal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and UDP-glucuronyl transferase aren't important but they only represent part of its bioavailability enhancing properties. Regardless, any compound that inhibits that strongly a Phase II enzyme should be taken with precaution especially in the presence of medication and/or alcohol . Estrogen is also metabolized by glucuronidation.

Stephane Acoca

Edited by biochemie, 26 September 2009 - 04:34 AM.

[niner]

Like mentionned the problem with Curcumin is its absorption into systemic circulation. So different manufacturers have proposed many methods to circumvent this problem. One of them is black pepper extract (Bioperine). The problem with bioperine is that it increases permeability to everything. So if you are taking medications you should use it with great caution or avoid it altogether as a precaution.

Bioperine doesn't work by changing permeability; it is an inhibitor of UDP Glucuronyltransferase, a Phase II conjugative enzyme responsible for glucuronidation. It will only affect the phamacokinetics of compounds for which glucuronidation is an important metabolic pathway. (see previous post)

Correct me if i'm wrong but my readings also point to the fact that Piperine's bioavailability enhancing property are also partly attributed to increased absorption as a result of its effect on the ultrastructure of intestinal brush border.That isn't to say that its strong inhibition of hepatic and intestinal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and UDP-glucuronyl transferase aren't important but they only represent part of its bioavailability enhancing properties. Regardless, any compound that inhibits that strongly a Phase II enzyme should be taken with precaution especially in the presence of medication and/or alcohol . Estrogen is also metabolized by glucuronidation.

You are not wrong, I was! Apparently I was over-interpreting some older rodent data. The situation in humans is quite a bit different than I thought: Based on human liver microsomal fractions and human colon cancer cell lines, piperine does not inhibit either UGT or SULT, but is a 3A4 inhibitor. In addition, as is somewhat common for 3A4 inhibitors, it is a PGP eflux pump inhibitor. Since PGP counters absorption, inhibition of it will enhance absorption of those compounds which are PGP substrates. I saw the paper that talked about the intestinal brush border ultrastructure, but it seemed kind of speculative. However, the situation in humans is indeed complex. Curcuminoids also have their share of xenobiotic metabolic effects as well. It would indeed seem to call for some caution when using curcumin and/or piperine in conjunction with pharmaceuticals. Thanks for setting me straight on piperine.

Drug Metab Dispos. 2008 Aug;36(8):1594-605. Epub 2008 May 14. Free Full Text
Curcuminoids inhibit multiple human cytochromes P450, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, and sulfotransferase enzymes, whereas piperine is a relatively selective CYP3A4 inhibitor.
Volak LP, Ghirmai S, Cashman JR, Court MH.

Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.

Curcuminoid extract and piperine are being evaluated for beneficial effects in Alzheimer's disease, among other intractable disorders. Consequently, we studied the potential for herb-drug interactions involving cytochrome P450 (P450), UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), and sulfotransferase (SULT) enzymes. The curcuminoid extract inhibited SULT > CYP2C19 > CYP2B6 > UGT > CYP2C9 > CYP3A activities with IC(50) values ranging from 0.99 +/- 0.04 to 25.3 +/- 1.3 microM, whereas CYP2D6, CYP1A2, and CYP2E1 activities were less affected (IC(50) values > 60 microM). Inhibition of CYP3A activity by curcuminoid extract was consistent with competitive inhibition (K(i) = 11.0 +/- 1.3 microM), whereas inhibition of both CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 activities were consistent with mixed competitive-noncompetitive inhibition (10.6 +/- 1.1 and 7.8 +/- 0.9 microM, respectively). Piperine was a relatively selective noncompetitive inhibitor of CYP3A (IC(50) 5.5 +/- 0.7 microM, K(i) = 5.4 +/- 0.3 microM) with less effect on other enzymes evaluated (IC(50) > 29 microM). Curcuminoid extract and piperine inhibited recombinant CYP3A4 much more potently (by >5-fold) than CYP3A5. Pure synthetic curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin) were also evaluated for their effects on CYP3A, CYP2C9, UGT, and SULT activities. All three curcuminoids had similar effects on CYP3A, UGT, and SULT activity, but demethoxycurcumin (IC(50) = 8.8 +/- 1.2 microM) was more active against CYP2C9 than either curcumin or bisdemethoxycurcumin (IC(50) > 50 microM). Based on these data and expected tissue concentrations of inhibitors, we predict that a p.o. administered curcuminoid/piperine combination is most likely to inhibit CYP3A, CYP2C9, UGT, and SULT metabolism within the intestinal mucosa.

PMID: 18480186

[bixa525]

Thank you for the information. does Curcumin have to be taken with bioperene to be effective? I see many brands without this in them but are they of any use if they don't absorb well? Also does curcumin have any estrogenic effects? I am taking hormones and don't want to add any additional estrogen to the mix. I will forgo the resveratol because of this. My doctor knows nothing about supplements so he would be worthless to ask. I will also start the ubiquinol.

Curcumin doesn't have to be taken with bioperine. Bioperine doesn't have any effect on absorption; what it does is inhibit one of the enzymes that metabolizes curcumin. This enzyme also metabolizes other substances, and belongs to the class of metabolic enzymes that is responsible for detoxifying carcinogens. For these reasons, some people are hesitant to mess with it. Before looking at compounds like curcumin and ubiquinol, do you have the basics covered? Have you had your 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 level checked? It is a relatively inexpensive blood test; you should shoot for a level of 40-50 ng/ml. Usually this requires around 2000 IU/day of vitamin D3 in a gelcap (oil based) formulation to attain. Most people benefit from 1-2 grams of fish oil per day, and 2-400 mg of magnesium per day. These are the big three in the view of many; this is based on the fact that many Americans are deficient in one or more of these. Personally, I would be inclined to consider a pomegranate extract and a green tea extract before curcumin. I would not take ubiquinol at all unless you have a cardiovascular disorder that it was specifically indicated for. Finally, some issues that are also important, but are harder for most of us to deal with... How is your diet? Do you get enough exercise and sleep enough?

Niner,

I do have most of the basics covered. I had my vitamin d checked and it was found to be very low. I currently am taking Life Extensions 5000mg. Vit. d a day. I also supplement magnesium, fish oil, Vit. C, selenium,and several others. I don't think my LE vitamin d capsule has any oil in it though. Is this a must?

[bixa525]

Thank you for the information. does Curcumin have to be taken with bioperene to be effective? I see many brands without this in them but are they of any use if they don't absorb well? Also does curcumin have any estrogenic effects? I am taking hormones and don't want to add any additional estrogen to the mix. I will forgo the resveratol because of this. My doctor knows nothing about supplements so he would be worthless to ask. I will also start the ubiquinol.

Curcumin doesn't have to be taken with bioperine. Bioperine doesn't have any effect on absorption; what it does is inhibit one of the enzymes that metabolizes curcumin. This enzyme also metabolizes other substances, and belongs to the class of metabolic enzymes that is responsible for detoxifying carcinogens. For these reasons, some people are hesitant to mess with it. Before looking at compounds like curcumin and ubiquinol, do you have the basics covered? Have you had your 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 level checked? It is a relatively inexpensive blood test; you should shoot for a level of 40-50 ng/ml. Usually this requires around 2000 IU/day of vitamin D3 in a gelcap (oil based) formulation to attain. Most people benefit from 1-2 grams of fish oil per day, and 2-400 mg of magnesium per day. These are the big three in the view of many; this is based on the fact that many Americans are deficient in one or more of these. Personally, I would be inclined to consider a pomegranate extract and a green tea extract before curcumin. I would not take ubiquinol at all unless you have a cardiovascular disorder that it was specifically indicated for. Finally, some issues that are also important, but are harder for most of us to deal with... How is your diet? Do you get enough exercise and sleep enough?

Would the Now Curcumin be a good one to take? What makes the one you suggested a good one? Also why not take ubiquinol, I read it is good for heart health and immunity.

[biochemie]

Thank you for the information. does Curcumin have to be taken with bioperene to be effective? I see many brands without this in them but are they of any use if they don't absorb well? Also does curcumin have any estrogenic effects? I am taking hormones and don't want to add any additional estrogen to the mix. I will forgo the resveratol because of this. My doctor knows nothing about supplements so he would be worthless to ask. I will also start the ubiquinol.

Curcumin doesn't have to be taken with bioperine. Bioperine doesn't have any effect on absorption; what it does is inhibit one of the enzymes that metabolizes curcumin. This enzyme also metabolizes other substances, and belongs to the class of metabolic enzymes that is responsible for detoxifying carcinogens. For these reasons, some people are hesitant to mess with it. Before looking at compounds like curcumin and ubiquinol, do you have the basics covered? Have you had your 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 level checked? It is a relatively inexpensive blood test; you should shoot for a level of 40-50 ng/ml. Usually this requires around 2000 IU/day of vitamin D3 in a gelcap (oil based) formulation to attain. Most people benefit from 1-2 grams of fish oil per day, and 2-400 mg of magnesium per day. These are the big three in the view of many; this is based on the fact that many Americans are deficient in one or more of these. Personally, I would be inclined to consider a pomegranate extract and a green tea extract before curcumin. I would not take ubiquinol at all unless you have a cardiovascular disorder that it was specifically indicated for. Finally, some issues that are also important, but are harder for most of us to deal with... How is your diet? Do you get enough exercise and sleep enough?

Niner,

I do have most of the basics covered. I had my vitamin d checked and it was found to be very low. I currently am taking Life Extensions 5000mg. Vit. d a day. I also supplement magnesium, fish oil, Vit. C, selenium,and several others. I don't think my LE vitamin d capsule has any oil in it though. Is this a must?

Not really but it is preferable. Just make sure to take your Vit. D with a high fat meal. Without fat absorption goes down to 10 to 20% I think (don't quote me on this). Now is a great brand.

[niner]

I do have most of the basics covered. I had my vitamin d checked and it was found to be very low. I currently am taking Life Extensions 5000mg. Vit. d a day. I also supplement magnesium, fish oil, Vit. C, selenium,and several others. I don't think my LE vitamin d capsule has any oil in it though. Is this a must?

My suggestion for an oil based formulation comes from William Davis, the cardiologist who runs the Track Your Plaque blog. He has a number of patients on vitamin D, and he monitors their levels. He reports that the dry formulations just do not seem to get the levels up the way the oil based formulations do. Now's oil-based gelcap is a good one, and it's dirt cheap.

[meursault]

Personally, I would be inclined to consider a pomegranate extract and a green tea extract before curcumin.

Do you recommend a tea extract over drinking tea? I've heard some concerns over fluoride but I stick to white tea to avoid high concentrations.

[niner]

Personally, I would be inclined to consider a pomegranate extract and a green tea extract before curcumin.

Do you recommend a tea extract over drinking tea? I've heard some concerns over fluoride but I stick to white tea to avoid high concentrations.

I like the extract because they are standardized (to at least one component) so you have a better idea of exactly how much you are getting. Drinking tea is a reasonable way to go, though, if you like tea. I prefer black tea for taste, but I wouldn't want to drink ten cups a day. Two would be more like it for me. The extract is also cheaper than good tea. I'm not that worried about the fluoride, but if I really drank a lot of tea, I might rethink that. Good tea tends to have less fluoride than cheap tea, as I understand it.

[bixa525]

Personally, I would be inclined to consider a pomegranate extract and a green tea extract before curcumin.

Do you recommend a tea extract over drinking tea? I've heard some concerns over fluoride but I stick to white tea to avoid high concentrations.

Do you feel Life Extensions green tea extract is a good one?

[biochemie]

Personally, I would be inclined to consider a pomegranate extract and a green tea extract before curcumin.

Do you recommend a tea extract over drinking tea? I've heard some concerns over fluoride but I stick to white tea to avoid high concentrations.

Do you feel Life Extensions green tea extract is a good one?

There is no such thing as feeling in the realm of supplementation. Life Extension is among the best of brands period. All their supplements are well researched and comprehensive. I wouldn't see why their Green tea supplements would be any different.

[nameless]

Do you feel Life Extensions green tea extract is a good one?

It's most likely fine, but one issue could be the relatively high dosing in a single capsule. If stomach sensitive, you may be better off with multiple, smaller doses. Your liver may like smaller, multiple doses better too.

I never figured out if there was a consensus here as to optimal doses, and dosing, for green tea. I just know high dosing = sad liver, but the LEF product shouldn't cause a problem unless you take several daily.

Edited by nameless, 28 September 2009 - 07:38 PM.

[Blue]

Personally, I would be inclined to consider a pomegranate extract and a green tea extract before curcumin.

Do you recommend a tea extract over drinking tea? I've heard some concerns over fluoride but I stick to white tea to avoid high concentrations.

Do you feel Life Extensions green tea extract is a good one?

There is no such thing as feeling in the realm of supplementation. Life Extension is among the best of brands period. All their supplements are well researched and comprehensive. I wouldn't see why their Green tea supplements would be any different.

http://www.imminst.o...cts-t32480.html