Curcumin for the Treatment of Acute COVID-19: A meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Derivative of Tumeric Consistently Performed in Clinical Studies
By Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH
Did our doctors and hospitals pull out all the stops for acutely sick seniors with COVID-19? A recent study suggests that curcumin should have been in a baseline neutraceutical program to give patients every bit of a fighting chance. Curcumin, derived from the rhizome curcuma longa, is one of the primary ingredients in turmeric and curry powders that are used as spices in Middle Eastern and Asian countries, especially on the Indian subcontinent.
Shaifee et al, found a total of 14 randomized studies of curcumin in acute COVID-19. Curcumin has been shown to have antiviral properties as well as clear anti-inflammatory effects in the human body. For absorption, 5-10 mg of black pepper extract (piperine) is usually given with each 500 mg dose of curcumin.
“Results from 13 RCTs were pooled using R software version 4.1.0. Curcumin reduced the risk of all-cause mortality (RR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.20-0.72; moderate certainty of evidence), and patients with no recovery status (RR 0.54; 95% CI: 0.42-0.70; moderate certainty of evidence) but had no effect on the incidence of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization, and the rate of a positive viral PCR test. The results of subgroup analysis suggested a higher benefit with early administration of curcumin (within 5 days of onset of symptoms) and with the use of combination regimens.”
While curcumin was not in the 2020 McCullough Protocol, its close polyphenol cousin quercetin was included and to this day rutin, quercetin, tumeric, curcumin are all reasonable selections in acute multi-drug treatment and in detoxification of Spike protein which is critical in the management of post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 illness and or COVID-19 vaccination.
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Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH
President, McCullough Foundation
Both nano- and liposomal formulations improve absorption modestly. Piperine massively increases absorption but has some GI intolerance. Thus 5-10 mg a piperine is probably enough per 500 to 1000 mg dose of curcumin to get optimal absorption.
Thank you Dr McCullough for your continued vigilance in your spirit of serving your fellow men and women. Question: One or two nutraceutical companies have begun to offer a liposomal version of Tumeric to help with absorption. Might not this approach replace the need for the black pepper, for those vegetarians that avoid that substance?