Thread: Turmeric tests.

the placebo effect

Originally Posted by sacc51

I watched a test on turmeric the other night, they tested turmeric powder and the capsules. Turmeric powder came out the clear winner, the capsules didn't work at all whereas the powder had a measurable effect. Tests on other alternative treatments showed the amount of active ingredient was a lot lower than that claimed, perhaps that is why the turmeric capsules didn't work. As with most alternative treatments, a lot depends on the mindset: if you believe it's working then you're probably going to get some effect, certainly a lot of studies have highlighted that.

I don't think that TV program was quite as honest as their own test results show and as usual a certain amount of "hype for TV" was on show,

If you look at the actual results on this page there's nowhere near as much of a difference (certainly no clear difference) between powder, supplement and placebo
BBC Two - Trust Me, I'm a Doctor, Series 5, Episode 3 - Does turmeric really help protect us from cancer?

What they think they have found a hint of is a mechanism by which Turmeric changes the DNA but they have no idea what this means and whether this affects or benefits illnesses.

Here's quote from their own article

It’s too early to tell whether the impact is a positive or negative one – but given that turmeric has been associated with improving these conditions, it is likely that these changes are beneficial.

The last part of that statement is just a guess , it's not proof.

The US National Institutes of Health, which does rigorous and detailed meta-studies over a much wider range of people and medical conditions (and no TV hype requirement) covered by the TV program, shows the following info for Turmeric

• We have a lot of research, including studies done in people, on turmeric for a variety of health conditions.

What Have We Learned?

• Claims that curcuminoids found in turmeric help to reduce inflammation aren’t supported by strong studies.
• Preliminary studies found that curcuminoids may
  
  • Reduce the number of heart attacks bypass patients had after surgery
  • Control knee pain from osteoarthritis as well as ibuprofen did
  • Reduce the skin irritation that often occurs after radiation treatments for breast cancer.

I do agree with you about having the right mindset to improve any medical condition. I just finished a book by a neurologist who covers this in some detail and the reverse where people think themselves to the point where they really do become ill.

Doctors in general do not support many of the alternatives, turmeric being one of the exceptions. My own experience with turmeric is it does work but it's effect is minor and short lived, it's effect is not in the same league as Ibuprofen, tramadol, etc. This is my experience only and does not take the placebo effect into account which I suspect is the real reason why most of the alternatives have a beneficial effect.

The Rheumatologist I see told me of a current study into the merits of turmeric and advised me to continue with it, which surprised me no end as he is of the typical medical mind set, only medications manufactured and supplied by pharmaceutical companies are worth pursuing.

I no longer take turmeric as it's effect was very short lived despite trying massive amounts. I also tried the meriva and longvida types of curcumin all to no avail. It was a similar story with MSM, ginger and a few other natural remedies. I no longer take any of these so called natural remedies as I found myself becoming a tragic hopeful. Many disappointments tend to awaken you to the reality of life: What will be will be. I have accepted that my life will never be the same, I take enjoyment now from where I can find it now, it is all downhill from here.

Turmeric powder isn't going to work unless you eat a wheelbarrow load of the stuff. Just to get the active ingredient curcumin to high enough levels so that it registers in your blood serum requires eating a bucket load of the stuff. The only way you're going to get enough curcumin into your system to have any useful effect is by taking concentrated capsules of curcumin.

I would suggest that you contact Mr Mosley and tell him that. While you are at it you should probably tell him what else your study revealed, I'm sure he'd be very interested.

Originally Posted by sacc51

I would suggest that you contact Mr Mosley and tell him that. While you are at it you should probably tell him what else your study revealed, I'm sure he'd be very interested.

Not my study. My comments based on studies done by others and discussed in this book by Ben Goldacre, a Doctor academic, broadcaster and science writer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Science_(book)

One side effect from eating barrowloads of the stuff....you may turn orange, which is not the most fashionable colour in the current Trump era....

For every study that says yes, there is another that says no. The truth lies somewhere in between, and perhaps more importantly, the recipients mind!

Originally Posted by sacc51

For every study that says yes, there is another that says no. The truth lies somewhere in between, and perhaps more importantly, the recipients mind!

By applying something called a Cochrane test it is possible to subject individual studies to tests for accuracy and validity of testing methods and minimization of any placebo effect. A Cochrane test also incorporates results from every similar test that has been carried out. The concentrations of curcumin in turmeric powder is measurable as are the curcumin levels in blood serum. If the blood serum curcumin levels are zero or negligible then you can safely state that the turmeric consumed will have no effect on the consumer barring a placebo effect.