Curcumin and Fertility

[jarrellt67]

Sorry to start yet another thread but I'm hoping some of the smarter people on here can help me understand some information with regard to curcumin and its affect on fertility. I've been taking Longvida curcumin for lower back pain (it works great). However, I've become concerned about the affects of curcumin on fertility since my wife and I are now trying to expand our family. So far, I've found two articles (one more relevant than the other) on the subject. However, I can't locate copies of the full articles to understand them better. The two abstracts are linked below:

Can curcumin provide an ideal contraceptive? - PubMed - NCBI

Reversible antifertility effect of aqueous rhizome extract of Curcu... - PubMed - NCBI

The first article doesn't seem as relevant since it discusses the sperm being incubated in curcumin. However, the second article discusses adverse affects on fertility when 600 mg/kg of curcumin extract was fed to mice. I realize that dose must be converted to the equivalent human dose (49 mg/kg). However, the problem I'm having is understanding how the tested extract relates to curcumin extracts like Longvida that have been modified to increase absorption. Any help/information on this would be greatly appreciated.

Finally found the full write-up for the second article - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001078240900002X

 

[cheftepesh1]

When it comes to fertility there are so many people saying that this or that can help. I would see a specialist if you have concern and not look to supplements that may or may not have negative sides that they either don't know about it don't talk about.

 

[nattydisaster]

Personally, I don't think curucmin will cause antifertility. But if it were me and I was trying to have kids then I would not take it during that time

 

[jarrellt67]

Personally, I don't think curucmin will cause antifertility. But if it were me and I was trying to have kids then I would not take it during that time

Yeah, I've decided to replace it with boswellia for now. It's just not worth the risk...no matter how small.

 

[hpnawtik]

Just to put things into perspective.. Curmcumin comes from Turmeric, a spice that is consumed in almost every meal in India- the most fertile nation in the world.

 

[TheIronAsylum]

Just to put things into perspective.. Curmcumin comes from Turmeric, a spice that is consumed in almost every meal in India- the most fertile nation in the world.

this

 

[jarrellt67]

Just to put things into perspective.. Curmcumin comes from Turmeric, a spice that is consumed in almost every meal in India- the most fertile nation in the world.

The curcumin content of turmeric is only around 3%. The study I referenced used a turmeric extract that contained mostly curcumin itself (the equivelent human dose is over 4 grams of curcumin for someone weighing 80 kg). It would be very difficult to reach these levels just using the turmeric spice in your foods. So, comparing the fact that they use turmeric in their cooking (and the high population of india) to tests using extracts that are very high in curcumin, isn't very accurate.

 

[kissdadookie]

This is asinine.

One of the study above was treating the testes of the mice DIRECTLY with extract.
The other study was basically incubating sperm with curcumin.

NEITHER OF THESE WILL HAPPEN FROM ORALLY ADMINISTERED CURCUMIN.

Smh.

 

[jarrellt67]

This is asinine.

One of the study above was treating the testes of the mice DIRECTLY with extract.
The other study was basically incubating sperm with curcumin.

NEITHER OF THESE WILL HAPPEN FROM ORALLY ADMINISTERED CURCUMIN.

Smh.

You might want to actually read my post...and the last study again. It was orally administered (600 mg/kg per day).

 

[kissdadookie]

You might want to actually read my post...and the last study again. It was orally administered (600 mg/kg per day).

My mistake. Read that one wrong

Where does it note the curcumin content? There's a lot of constituents in turmeric so it is possible that one or a combination of other constituents are causing this (since curcumin has incredibly poor bioavailability).

 

[jarrellt67]

My mistake. Read that one wrong

No problem. Happens to me all the time.

 

[symbianblack]

If it doesnt affect Test. levels then its all good. I buy Turmeric root and Curcumin........ I'm sittin on milk jugs........

 

[kisaj]

Personally, as a father of 2 children and the frustration and bewilderment I see from friends and peers that are trying to have children that are having problems, I would stop all supplements and listen to the experts. No more guessing or seeking board experts.

 

[jarrellt67]

If it doesnt affect Test. levels then its all good. I buy Turmeric root and Curcumin........ I'm sittin on milk jugs........

There may be some affect on testosterone levels. Subjectively, I felt less sexual drive while taking it. That affect is what got me looking into it possibly affecting fertility.

 

[jarrellt67]

Personally, as a father of 2 children and the frustration and bewilderment I see from friends and peers that are trying to have children that are having problems, I would stop all supplements and listen to the experts. No more guessing or seeking board experts.

I definitely won't be taking it as long as there's even a slight possibility of it negatively affecting fertility. My purpose in this thread is more a matter of curiousity (seeing if others have more info)...well, that and to let others know about the possibility based on what I've found so far.

 

[kissdadookie]

There may be some affect on testosterone levels. Subjectively, I felt less sexual drive while taking it. That affect is what got me looking into it possibly affecting fertility.

I think sperm mobility is a separate issue from libido? That's what the male contraceptive drugs being looked at does, makes you infertile but doesn't affect libido (so you shoot blanks).

 

[jarrellt67]

I think sperm mobility is a separate issue from libido? That's what the male contraceptive drugs being looked at does, makes you infertile but doesn't affect libido (so you shoot blanks).

Yeah, I'm not sure about any connection between libido and mobility. It's just that the libido issue got me thinking about whether it affects fertility too (which then led to the studies I posted). Even if there is no connection beteeen the two, it's still difficult to conceive when you have no libido.

 

[jarrellt67]

I think sperm mobility is a separate issue from libido? That's what the male contraceptive drugs being looked at does, makes you infertile but doesn't affect libido (so you shoot blanks).

Forgot to mention that I feel like the libido issues with Longvida has more to do with it increasing serotonin levels. It felt very similar to antidepressents I've taken in the past (with similar side effects).

 

[Chefdeez]

I would look into l-carnitine. It has positive effect on sperm function and motility. My wife and I tried for one month-no luck. Next month I upped my carnitine to 4-6 grams a day and she got pregnant. Obviously I can't prove this was the reason but the research backs it up.

 

[fightbackhxc]

This is asinine.

One of the study above was treating the testes of the mice DIRECTLY with extract.
The other study was basically incubating sperm with curcumin.

NEITHER OF THESE WILL HAPPEN FROM ORALLY ADMINISTERED CURCUMIN.

Smh.

What if I am rubbing topical curcumin all over my balls?

 

[kissdadookie]

What if I am rubbing topical curcumin all over my balls?

Well, none of that matters after it was pointed out that my brief glancing at the abstract was misinterpreting the method. LoL. It was orally administered, but unclear to me if it was the curcumin or other constituents of turmeric inhibiting fertility.

I'm sure if you rubbed it on your sack, it'll probably glow a little orange though.