Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 7/26/2010

Question
I’ve been reading about the benefits of turmeric for brain health as well as its cancer and inflammation fighting ability. There’s a history of Alzheimer’s in my wife’s family and she would like to begin taking a supplement. I read that the supplement has to be coated so that it passes through the stomach and dissolves in the intestines. I have not been able to find the product in this form.  Is this indeed necessary? I’ve also noticed that there are many different dosages on the market. What size dose and how many times a day would we need to take this to achieve these benefits?
My father in law has a disease called Pick’s Dementia which is similar to Alzheimer’s. Would a turmeric supplement benefit him and what dosage would he need to take?  Thank you!   Steve

Answer
Hello Steve,
Tumeric is a great antioxidant and therefore may have some cancer, inflammation, and dementia preventative effects.  Enteric coating would probably increase effectiveness, but realistically people mostly take tumeric as a food spice, so it still gets absorbed that way.  For maximum effect, though, it's best to find one that is the active extract of tumeric, curcumin.    Dosages of curcumin range from 400-600 mg 2-3 times daily.  It is often combined with bromelain for more anti-flammatory effects and taken between or 20 minutes before meals.  If taken as a general anti-oxidant, it can be combined with lecithin or essential fatty acids and taken with meals.  Either way may maximize the absorption for that effect.  
I am unsure whether tumeric or curcumin has been studied for Pick's dementia, so I cannot speak to it's effectiveness or what the therapeutic dosage is.  For more individual recommendations, I'd suggest seeing a naturopathic doctor in your area.  www.naturopathic.org.  
In health,
Dr Conner