Black pepper boosts turmeric benefits

Q. I have read that turmeric may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, so I’ve been taking it for several years. I read online that turmeric needs black pepper to activate the ingredients in it. I had never heard of this before.

I buy turmeric from Puritan’s Pride, but find no mention of black pepper. Have you ever heard of this?

My late husband died from senile dementia, and I want to avoid that if at all possible.

A. Curcumin and other active ingredients in the Indian spice turmeric have a range of benefits. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Researchers are actively investigating their use against cancer, arthritis, prediabetes and Alzheimer’s disease (Phytotherapy Research, April 2014).

Clinical trials have been disappointing, however, since curcumin is not very soluble and doesn’t get into the bloodstream easily. This problem can be overcome with piperine from black pepper or with phospholipid formulations (Current Drug Discovery Technologies, September 2009).

ConsumerLab.com tested turmeric and curcumin products earlier this year. The brand you take passed the test, but has the same bioavailability problems of other turmeric pills. ConsumerLab.com discusses the merits of Bioperine (piperine) as an additive and of BCM-95, curcumin formulated for increased absorption. Meriva and CurcuWin are novel curcumin formulations that appear to greatly increase the amount of curcumin that gets into the bloodstream (Nutrition Journal, Jan. 24, 2014).

Q. Since August I have eaten 40 pounds of oatmeal. (I consumed a half cup per day with Splenda and walnuts.)

My cholesterol dropped 70 points, but my triglycerides are still out of sight. Are there any foods that specifically help lower triglycerides?

A. Oatmeal is rich in soluble fiber, and daily consumption can lower cholesterol significantly (Nutrition Journal, Aug. 6, 2012). The walnuts in your breakfast also might have contributed to your success (Journal of Nutrition, April 2014).

Despite the benefits of oatmeal, it is high in carbohydrates. High-carb foods can raise triglycerides.

A study in rats identified a number of plants that reduce triglycerides: garlic, cinnamon, walnut, olive, pomegranate and stinging nettle (Journal of Lipids online, Dec. 5, 2013). Fish oil also lowers triglycerides (Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy, September 2014).

Q. I get horrible toe and feet cramps, mostly during the day but sometimes at night. My toes take on a twisted life of their own. Walking it off doesn’t help.

Last night, my toes and feet were cramping badly in the early evening. I took calcium, but it did not help. The spasms and cramps went on for hours.

Then I remembered the soap cure. I put a small bar of soap in each sock, stretched out on the couch and achieved instant relief. I am a believer!

A. Many other readers have reported similar relief for muscle cramps with soap. Some people do as you did, while others put it under the bottom bedsheet.

2014 King Features Syndicate Inc.