FAP Polyps Management
using
Yellow Curcumin,
White Curcumin (Tetrahydrocurcumoid THC)
& EPA oil
A family trial with three teenagers since 2008
November 2015 update
By Peter a member of The FAP Gene Support Group
FAP Gene would like to thank Peter and his family for the information in this update.
In 2008, we started our 14 year old son on Curcumin following a colonoscopy revealing 150 sessile polyps
due to inheriting my FAP. It was expected that by age 16 he would need surgery. Now in 2015, age 21, he
still continues to avoid interventional surgery by taking Curcumin.
We have two other teenagers with FAP also taking Curcumin to manage their colonic polyps. Our second
son is now 20years old and started a low dose of Curcumin at age 13 in 2008, Our daughter began a low
dose at age 11,and in both cases their 1st colonoscopy was performed in 2010.
.
A spray dye has been used as from 2013 to reveal microadenomas (small polyp hives). This enables the
NHS to gain insight of polyp development into the next 3 years or so, but polyp number comparison
between 2012 and 2013 has been a little alarming with a large jump as many microadenomas are counted.
The comparison chart is best viewed divided into before, and with spray-dye results. This is for clarity of
numbers as the spray-dye seemingly doubled the count.
In 2013 our eldest son switched to a Tetrahydrocurcumin called ‘C3 Reduct’ which, is to the naked eye, a
white looking curcumin in scientific terms a tetrahydrocurcumoid (tet-rah- hydro curcumoid) or THC. The
advantages of Reduct are that they are, smaller, non staining, and the fact that less are needed to equal
that of the yellow Curcumin. For example, Yellow Curcumin 9 large tablets = 9g, potentially equal to x6
smaller 400mg white tablets of C3 Reduct both having the same potency of effect.
.
Our second son now age 20, has been combining Curcumin with Alfa which is high concentrate EPA oil,
courtesy of SLA Pharma since late 2012. In 2014 he started on a dose of 4 Alfa capsules and 8 Curcumin
tablets a day, he had almost halved his numbers of polyps from 200 /300 in 2013, to 150 in 2014.
From 2014 to 2015 supplies of Alfa have been irregular with a dose of 2 -4 capsules a day taken for 8
months in total along with 12 tablets of curcumin. The results have been a stable number of 150+ but polyp
size and type have increased in some.
In the next 12 months he will be switching from yellow curcumin to the white curcumin C3 Reduct and will
continue with the Alfa capsules supplies allowing.
Our Third teenager, a female, was the youngest to start on Curcumin when she was 11years and 10
months old on 1g a day. Her results in 2015 are stable at 150 as found in 2014. This year she has donated
15 polyps to the Oxford Radcliffe Biobank for research study.
Her dose regime of 3g twice a day in 2013 & 2014 may have contributed to the small elevated number of
50. In an attempt to prevent any more rise in numbers for 2015, she has changed her dose numbers from
two to now three times a day (2g; 2g; 2g ) with polyp numbers now remaining at 150 for this year.
Curcumin (yellow) has a short life in the body of 4-5 hours with a peak 1-2 hours after taking. A dose of
twice a day may not be sufficient to regulate the overproduction of cellular protein ‘beta-catenin’. A dose
split into three times a day has the active curcumoids in the body for a longer period of time to manage the
beta-catenin. In normal circumstances the APC gene would regulate beta catenin, but in a disabled state
beta-catenin is left to be unhindered in production and prompt transcription inappropriately to develop polyp
formations.
This year she also tried out the Alfa capsules for 6 months to see if any digestive problems occurred for
future consideration and no real issues have developed if taken with food.
Male 1
Year
2008
Polyp Numbers
Age
100-150
14
x1 Removed
150
Yellow curcumin
2g –3g a day divided into four doses
14
2008
x7 biopsied
Yellow curcumin
(9months later)
2010
Dose used to gain result
2grammes a day.
(500mg four times a day)
50
16
all below 2mm
Yellow curcumin
2g a day
(500mg four times a day)
2012
250-300
18
x200 pedunculated
x 1 removed
2012
100
(6 months later)
Yellow curcumin
2g a day
(500mg four times a day)
18
x50 pedunculated
Yellow curcumin
8g a day
(Divided 3g ; 2g ; 3g)
Spray-dye used
from 2013
2013
Spray-dye is used to reveal microadenomas
that would otherwise not be seen in previous
colonoscopies.
The new comparison starts here.
200-300
19
Yellow curcumin
8g a day (3g; 2g; 3g)
20
White curcumin has been taken for
this years results.
zero pedunculated
2014
200+
zero pedunculated
x4 removed
white curcumin
(Tetrahydrocurcumoid THC)
Product name
‘C3 Reduct’ by Sabinsa.corp
x5 400mg Reduct tablets
(2g of Reduct tablets equal potency of
7.5g of Yellow curcumin)
White curcumin
2015
100+
21
zero pedunculated
few 5mm removed
x8 Reduct tablets (3200mg)
Equivalent potency of 12g of yellow
curcumin
Plus tried Alfa capsules 2g (x4 capsules)
for 6 months
Male 2
Year
2010
Polyp Numbers
80-100
Age
Dose used to gain result
15
1.5g a day (500mg three times a day)
16
1.5g a day(500mg three times a day)
17
3g a day first 6 months then
6g a day
18
6g curcumin ( 2g three times a day)
x1 pedunculated
x 1 removed
2011
100
Biopsies taken
2012
100
x1 pedunculated removed
Spray-dye used
from 2013
2013
Spray-dye is used to reveal microadenomas
that would otherwise not be seen in previous
colonoscopies.
The new comparison starts here.
200-300
x 7 removed over 5mm
Plus 1g Alfa capsules (x1 twice a day)
2014
150
19
8g curcumin ( 2g four times a day)
x 2 removed over 5mm
Plus 2g Alfa capsules (x1 four times a
day for 10 months)
2015
150+
20
x5 reaching 1cm
Increasing numbers of
pedunculated up to 7mm
12g a day ( 3g four times a day)
Plus 1g / 2g Alfa capsules (for a 8
month duration)
Female
Year
2010
Polyp Numbers
Age
50-60
Dose used to gain result
13
1g a day (500mg twice a day)
14
1g a day
15
3-6g a day (1.5g- 3g twice aday)
Several biopsies taken
2011
50-55
(500mg twice a day)
x16 pedunculated removed
2012
40
x 4 biopsies taken
no mention of pedunculated
Spray-dye used
from 2013
2013 (spray-dye)
Spray-dye is used to reveal microadenomas
that would otherwise not be seen in previous
colonoscopies.
The new comparison starts here.
100
16
6ga day (3g twice a day)
17
6g a day (3g twice a day)
18
6g a day (2g three times a day)
x 5 removed for biopsies
x2 semi-pedunculated
2014 (spray-dye)
150
x6 removed over 5mm
no mention of pedunculated
2015
150+
x15 removed for the
Radcliffe Bio Bank (research )
none 1cm
Tried Alfa capsules x2 a day
1g for 6 months
Non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs ‘NSAIDs’
Below I have included an image of sequence stages from an APC mutation to full colon carcinoma.
The use of Non Steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be found in many documented research
studies to evaluate their effect upon the development of polyps in FAP. I have attempted to establish the
points within the sequence stages where by the NSAIDs have been reported to have an effect, specifically
that of Alfa and Curcumin.
The image I have included is a guide for anyone wishing to follow up with their own search online or
discussion with a consultant. Although the image cannot be claimed as absolutely perfect, you will find the
sequence of polyp development illustrated is compatible to many scientific research papers.
Link examples
http://syscol-project.eu/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ab_stor.gif
http://www.scielo.br/img/revistas/ag/v42n2/a07fig02.gif
http://www.bu.edu/synapse/files/2011/01/cancerprogression.png
NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Normal
epithelium
APC loss
Chromosome 5q
NSAID
S
Curcumin
Dysplastic
cells
COX-2
overexpression
NSAID
Curcumin
S
& Alfa
Early
adenoma
k-ras activation
Chromosome12q
NSAID
S
Curcumin
Intermediate
adenoma
SMAD4 loss
Chromosome18q
Late
adenoma
TP53 loss
Chromosome 17p
NSAIDS
Carcinoma
Curcumin
(upregulates
protein P53)
Overview
It has become clear over the years that each person has their individual level of accelerated polyp
expression and this makes it impossible to predict similar results in each if relying on a fixed flat base dose.
In each case there requires an individual progress evaluation and adjustment to the dose.
Looking at the three cases, it does seem that curcumin and Alfa can be given credit in managing our
teenagers FAP polyps expression over the last few years. Other than a few polyps removed during the
colonoscopy, there has been no surgery performed on any of their colons from the first colonoscopy in
February 2008. The general trend seems to be a stable situation with a reduction in two since 2013.
Regarding side effects, in our experience, if a dose is introduced slowly at first, young teenagers can tolerate
curcumin very well, even at high doses of 8-12 grammes a day. The worst side effects are slightly looser
stools, which can be resolved by eating an egg in the morning, and mild nausea or stomach ache if taken on
empty stomach - especially first thing in the morning. Alfa capsules have not caused any negative reactions,
but once again avoid on an empty stomach, yet if you decide to bite the capsule, the epa oil can have a chilli
sting effect on the tongue.
Curcumin
The curcumin and Reduct we use is ‘curcumin C3 complex’ and ‘C3 Reduct’, both products produced by
Sabinsa.corp. Curcumin is sold under many known brand names with the links listed on this site:
‘curcumin suppliers’.
We can only recommend the use of the Sabinsa product as it is produced to a high standard, absent of
microbes,and delivering 95% active curcumoids from processed Asian spice tumeric. Standard turmeric on
the shelf only delivers approximately 5-10 % active curcumoids.
It is worth a note; UK human clinical trials in Leicester only use the Sabinsa product due to its many years of
proven high quality.
C3 Reduct
This is a Tertahydrocurcumoid (THC).
Curcumin in the human intestine is converted into tetrahydrocurcumin by E. coli and that the resulting
tetrahydrocurcumin is responsible for various activities associated with curcumin in the human body.In
addition to the intestinal resident E. coli, curcumin is also metabolized by other reductive enzymes in
human body to tetrahydrocurcumin, thus THC is far more bio-available,- easier to be absorbed in to the
body.
The potency of THC can make it more upsetting to the stomach if sensitive or without food. We have found
taking two tablets (800mg) comfortable, but taking three in one dose can evoke a feeling of needing to go
to the toilet after 90minutes, either being just gas bloating, or a genuine need to go to the toilet.
Contact Sabinsa.corp http://www.sabinsa.com/contact/contact-sabinsa-usa.aspx
Website Link http://www.sabinsa.com/products/standardized-phytoextracts/c3/
Website Link http://www.c3reduct.com/
Website Link http://www.sabinsa.com/products/faq/c3reduct/
Alfa Capsules
Alfa capsules are a concentration of EPA fish oil produced at a high standard and supplied by SLA Pharma,
available on prescription through a consultant.
Website Link http://www.slapharma.com/
More info of the clinical trial of Alfa EPA oil:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00432913?term=S.L.A%2BPharma&rank=4
We would like to thank the Oxford Genetic department for all their support and expertise in working with us
to maintain a safe working practice in our personal exploration of curcumin& Alfa Capsules
An update will be in 12 months.
If anyone wishes to know more details, please contact Mick Mason who will forward my contact e mail
mickmason@fapgene.com
Mick Mason
Secretary
The FAP Gene Support Group
Tel 01664-566101
12 Freeby Close
Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire
LE13 1HN