Thorne Research Meriva-SR (Time-release Curcumin with Phosphatidylcholine)

• Meriva-SR® is a patented time-release dietary supplement that combines curcumin and phosphatidylcholine. The product is manufactured by Thorne Research, Inc.
  
• Curcumin is a constituent of turmeric (Curcuma longa). The root of turmeric has long been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat upset stomach, arthritis pain, and fatigue. Laboratory and animal research suggests that turmeric and curcumin may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Early human evidence, although poor quality, suggests possible effectiveness in managing indigestion, high cholesterol, and scabies when used on the skin.
  
• Thorne Research, Inc., claims that Meriva-SR® may offer various health benefits, such as supporting joint health and cardiovascular function, and helping to maintain the body's normal inflammatory response. However, due to a lack of well-designed studies, evidence-based conclusions cannot be made regarding the use of turmeric or curcumin for any specific indication.
  
• In general, evidence from human and animal studies suggests that curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. To improve the absorption, Thorne Research, Inc., combined the curcumin extract with phytosomes, which are plant extracts bound to phosphatidylcholine, an essential component of human cells that is present in almost all cells within the body. The highest concentrations of phosphatidylcholine are found in the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. Phosphatidylcholine can be made by the body or consumed from foods or supplements isolated from either egg yolk or soybeans.
  
• When taken by mouth, phosphatidylcholine appears to be very well absorbed, according to human research.
  
• Results from animal research suggest that curcumin bound with phosphatidylcholine C had five times higher levels in the blood and higher levels in the liver and other tissues, except the gastrointestinal tract, than curcumin that was not bound with phosphatidylcholine.
  
• Phosphatidylcholine is most commonly used to treat liver conditions. There is evidence of some benefit in the treatment of chronic hepatitis, but further large-scale trials are needed to confirm these early findings. There is also some early evidence to suggest that a slow-release preparation of phosphatidylcholine may be beneficial in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis.
  
• Injectable phosphatidylcholine has been used to try to break down localized fat deposits as an alternative to liposuction. However, there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support this use of phosphatidylcholine.
  

• Meriva-SR®: Currently, there is a lack of well-designed human studies conducted by third-party researchers to test the safety and effectiveness of Meriva-SR®. However, the manufacturer states that several studies have shown curcumin to have protective effects in the liver, suggesting its use in protecting the liver from harmful environmental toxins, such as over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen.
  
• Turmeric/curcumin: It has been suggested that curcumin, the active ingredient in Meriva-SR®, may have beneficial effects for various medical conditions. However, supportive evidence from available human studies is unclear or conflicting.
  
• Antioxidant: In clinical research, a specific component of turmeric (NCB-02) had positive effects on endothelial function and its biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes. More well-designed human studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.
  
• Blood clot prevention: Early research suggests that turmeric may prevent the formation of blood clots. More research is needed to determine if turmeric is effective for this condition.
  
• Cancer: Several early animal and laboratory studies report that curcumin may have anticancer effects against colon, skin, and breast cancer. The specific way in which turmeric or curcumin exhibits anticancer properties may be due to its antioxidant activity, its prevention of new blood vessel growth, or its direct effects on cancer cells. More research is needed to determine the potential role turmeric or curcumin has in preventing or treating human cancers.
  
• Cognitive function: Curcumin has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and to reduce burden due to plaque buildup in laboratory studies. However, there is currently not enough evidence to suggest the use of curcumin for cognitive performance.
  
• Dyspepsia (indigestion): Turmeric has been traditionally used to treat stomach problems such as indigestion. Some early evidence suggests that turmeric may offer some relief from these stomach problems. However, at high doses or with extended use, turmeric may actually irritate or upset the stomach. More human studies in this area are needed before a conclusion can be made.
  
• Gallstone prevention/bile flow stimulant: Early studies report that curcumin may decrease the occurrence of gallstones. Human studies are lacking in this area, and more research is needed before a conclusion can be made.
  
• High cholesterol:Early studies suggest that turmeric may lower levels of "bad" cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood. Well-designed human studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.
  
• HIV/AIDS:Several laboratory studies suggest that curcumin may have activity against HIV. However, reliable human studies are lacking in this area.
  
• Inflammation: Laboratory and animal studies show anti-inflammatory activity of turmeric and curcumin. Reliable human research is lacking.
  
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Early studies suggest that Curcuma xanthorriza may have beneficial effects on IBS compared to placebo. More studies are needed to verify these findings.
  
• Liver protection: Early research suggests that turmeric may have a protective effect on the liver. More research is needed before any conclusions can be made.
  
• Oral leukoplakia: Results from laboratory and animal studies suggest that turmeric may have anticancer effects. Human studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.
  
• Osteoarthritis: Historically, turmeric has been used to treat rheumatic conditions. Laboratory and animal studies show anti-inflammatory activity of turmeric and curcumin, which may be beneficial in people with osteoarthritis. More human research is needed.
  
• Peptic ulcer disease (stomach ulcer): Turmeric has been used historically to treat stomach ulcers. At high doses or extended use, however, turmeric may actually irritate or upset the stomach. Currently, there is not enough human evidence to make a conclusion.
  
• Rheumatoid arthritis: Turmeric has been used historically to treat rheumatic conditions, and based on animal research, it may reduce inflammation. More research is needed before a conclusion can be made.
  
• Scabies: Historically, turmeric has been used on the skin to treat long-lasting skin ulcers and scabies. It has also been used in combination with the leaves of the herb Azadirachta indica ADR, or neem. More research is needed.
  
• Uveitis (eye inflammation): Laboratory and animal studies suggest that turmeric and curcumin may have anti-inflammatory activity. Poorly designed human research suggests a possible benefit of curcumin in the treatment of uveitis. Reliable human research is needed before a conclusion can be made.
  
• Viral infection: Early evidence suggests that turmeric may help treat viral infections. More research is needed before a conclusion can be made.
  
• Phosphatidylcholine: Currently, there is not enough well-designed human research to determine if phosphatidylcholine is an effective treatment for any medical condition.
  
• Acute alcoholic hepatitis: Based on available data, it is unclear if phosphatidylcholine is an effective therapy for acute alcoholic hepatitis.
  
• Chronic active ulcerative colitis: According to human research, phosphatidylcholine is involved in the formation of a protective surface that plays a key role in mucosal defense. Increasing the phosphatidylcholine concentration within the colonic mucus may improve intestinal barrier function and decrease inflammatory activity in ulcerative colitis. However, additional research is needed to confirm these early findings.
  
• Chronic hepatitis B: In a large human study involving patients with hepatitis B and C, no beneficial effects were seen in the subgroup of patients with hepatitis B. Further exploration of the effects of phosphatidylcholine in this subgroup is needed to fully clarify the possible beneficial effects of phosphatidylcholine in this patient group.
  
• Chronic hepatitis C:In a human study of patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, treatment with phosphatidylcholine in the subgroup of patients with chronic hepatitis C was associated with an increased response rate compared with placebo. Overall, the results appear promising in this trial. However, more research is needed to confirm the results of this trial.
  
• Acute viral hepatitis: Early human evidence does not support the use of phosphatidylcholine in the treatment of acute viral hepatitis. Additional research is warranted.
  
• Fulminant and subacute liver failure:Based on available human evidence, it is unclear if phosphatidylcholine is an effective treatment for liver failure. Additional research is needed.
  
• HBsAG-negative chronic active hepatitis: A small human study showed promising results with the use of phosphatidylcholine. However, it is unclear whether or not the results translated into clinical benefit.
  
• Hyperlipoproteinemia (high blood cholesterol and triglycerides):Although early research results are promising, additional studies are needed to determine if phosphatidylcholine is an effective therapy for hyperlipoproteinemia.
  

garylouisville said...
Hmmmmmmmmmm. I must have been misunderstanding Curmcumin all along. I thought it could be effective in UC because that it was not absorbed into the bloodstream well, causing it to be more topical than systemic. Is that thought process wrong? It would seem to me that being topical would be of more benefit than being absorbed into the bloodstream, as in like a Curcumin enema might be of great benefit because of it's anti-inlfammatory benefits.

imagardener2 said...
I would like to see some clinical studies on this not "it is suggested…" or similar phrases.
Yes turmeric and curcumin have been anecdotally said to benefit health but how about some controlled studies telling us what dose, what preparation.