FAP Polyps Management using Curcumin & EPA oil
8 years into a family trial with three teenagers, still ongoing
November 24th 2014 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 2014
age 20, he is still taking Curcumin and continuing to avoid interventional surgery.
We have two other teenagers with FAP also taking Curcumin to manage their colonic polyps. Our 2nd
son is now 19yrs, having started a low dose of Curcumin at age 13 in 2008. Our daughter began a low
dose at age 11. 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 has polyp number
comparison between 2012 and 2013 a little alarming, with a large jump as many microadenomas are
counted. Last year, 2013, our 1st son switched to a 'white curcumin' called C3 Reduct, in scientific
terms a tetrahydrocurcumoid (tet-rah- hydro curcumoid) or THC .
The advantage of Reduct are the smaller non staining white tablets and the fact less are needed to
equal that of the yellow Curcumin. For example; Yellow Curcumin x 9 large tablets = 9g is equal to x 6
smaller 400mg white tablets of Reduct yet both having the same
potency of curcumoid.
In our 2nd son, now age 19, has been combining Curcumin with Alfa since late 2012 (Alfa is high
concentrate epa oil, courtesy of SLA Pharma). This year on a dose of x6 Alfa caps and x8 Curcumin
tablets a day, he has halved his numbers of polyps from previous year and only x2 removed this time
compared with x7 last year.
Our 3rd teenager, a female, was the youngest to start on Curcumin at age 11yrs 10months on 1g a
day. Her results this year has seen an increase of numbers from 100 to 150 and polyp removal of size
above 5mm has been one more this year. Her dose has been 6g (x6 tablets) a day of Curcumin divided
into morning and evening dose.
As Curcumin has a short life in the body of 4-5 hours with a peak 1-2 hours after taking, this year she
has decided to increase her dose by including a midday intake allowing for curcumin to be active longer
in her system. On a dose of twice a day from 12.30 midday she would be absent of active curcumoids
for the next 9 hours until her 2nd dose at around 9.30pm. We don't think just 8-10 hours of curcumin
in the body within a 24 hour period is sufficient to regulate the overproduction of cellular protein 'betacatenin' which prompts polyps to form. In normal circumstances the APC gene would regulate beta
catenin but, in a disabled state, beta-catenin is left to build up and prompt transcription
inappropriately.
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 (NSAID) 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 where by the NSAIDs have been reported to have an effect and
specifically that of ALFA an Curcumin
The image I have included is a guide for anyone 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 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
Chromosome 12q
NSAID
S
Curcumin
[Intermediate
adenoma
SMAD4 loss
Chromosome 18q
[Late
adenoma
TP53 loss
Chromosome 17p
NSAIDS
Carcinoma
Curcumin
(upregulates
protein P53)
Male 1
Year
2008
Polyp Numbers
100-150
Age
14
Dose used to gain result
2g –3g a day divided into four doses
x1 Removed
150
14
2008
x7 biopsied
2grammes a day.
(9months later)
2010
(500mg four times a day)
50
16
2g a day
all below 2mm
2012
250-300
(500mg four times a day)
18
2g a day
x200 pedunculated
x 1 removed
2012
100
(6 months later)
(500mg four times a day)
18
8g a day
x50 pedunculated
(Divided 3g ; 2g ; 3g)
8g a day
2013 (spray-dye)
200-300
19
[from here switching to white curcumin
Reduct]
20
2 grammes of Reduct tablets
zero pedunculated
2014 (spray-dye)
200+
zero pedunculated
x4 removed
( x5 400mg table equal to 7.5g of
yellow curcumin)
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
2013 (spray-dye)
200-300
x 7 removed over 5mm
2014 (spray-dye)
150
Plus 2g Alfa capsules
19
x 2 removed over 5mm
8g curcumin ( 2g four times a day)
Plus 2g Alfa capsules (x1 four times a
day)
Female
Year
2010
Polyp Numbers
50-60
Age
Dose used to gain result
13
1g a day
(500mg twice a day)
14
1g a day
(500mg twice a day)
15
3-6g a day (1.5g- 3g twice a day)
Several biopsies taken
2011
50-55
x16 pedunculated removed
2012
40
x 4 biopsies taken
no mention of pedunculated
2013 (spray-dye)
100
16
6g a day
( 3g twice a day)
17
6g a day
(3g twice a day)
x 5 removed for biopsies
x2 semi-pedunculated
2014 (spray-dye)
150
x6 removed over 5mm
no mention of pedunculated
General Overview
Looking at the three cases, for us it does seem that curcumin and ALFA can be given credit in
managing our teenagers FAP polyps expression over the last 8 years. Other than a few polyps snared
out during the colonoscopy there has been no surgery performed on them.
Regards side effects, In our experience, if the dose is introduced slowly at first young teenagers can
tolerate curcumin very well, and even at high doses of 8-12 grammes a day, the worst side effects
having been slightly looser stools (resolved by eating an egg in the morning), and mild nausea or
tummy ache if taken on empty stomach especially first thing in the morning. ALFA Capsules have not
produced any upset, but once again avoid on an empty stomach and if you decide to bite the capsule
the epa oil can have a chilli on the tongue effect.
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 brand names like Dr Best found on sites like Bodykind
(UK).
We can only recommend the use of the Sasinsa product as it is produced to a high standard absent of
microbes and delivering 95% active curcumoids from the 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.
November 2014 prices at Bodykind UK is selling 120 x 1g tablets at £43.94 = 36/37p a tablet. On 2g a
day the cost a day is 73p, but if intending to run a year then please negotiate with any supplier for
extra discount explaining your intention but you will have to pay up front for a minimum order.
The Chairman/ Founder is Dr Majeed
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/
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.
An update will be in 12 months.
If anyone wishes to know more details, please contact either Mick Mason who will forward my contact e
mail
mickmason@fapgene.com
Mick Mason
Secretary/Chairman
The FAP Gene Support Group
Tel 01664-566101
12 Freeby Close
Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire
LE13 1HN