Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I have been in severe pain for many years due to an injury that caused herniated discs in my neck and degenerative arthritis. The pain and spasms are so severe that I have to take Lyrica for nerve damage (450 mg a day) and at times many pain pills for months. I have tried many things from creams to magnets with no relief. A friend read the article on a special bioavailable form of curcumin with boswellia and thought it might help. I am looking for relief from this pain without having to take the very strong pain meds I take now. Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.” —Linda M., Beacon, NY A. Dear Linda, I am sorry to hear of your struggles with pain. Whenever you have damage to the discs and vertebrae of the spine, whether in the neck or back area, you have a complication of any inflammation potentially putting pressure on nerves, which then also cause additional pain. Sometimes, a good chiropractor with specific expertise in addressing these kinds of issues can be enormously helpful. In addition to chiropractic interventions, it is important to reduce the inflammation so that the tissue can heal and to avoid pressure or impingement of nerves connected to the spinal cord. The best combination for this is a blend of curcumin, boswellia, DLPA (dl-Phenylalanine) and nattokinase. Curcumin (from turmeric) and boswellia are two Indian plants that exhibit very effective anti-inflammatory properties. However, plain curcumin 95% is very poorly absorbed and basically is trapped in the intestinal tract. Recently, an Indian company developed a new high absorption curcumin that is up to 1000% (10 times) better absorbed than plain curcumin 95%. This is a micronized curcumin with turmeric essential oils blended back into the powder, along with some natural plant phospholipids. Boswellia should be standardized to at least 10% AKBA, which is a potent anti-inflammatory boswellic acid in the herb. However, make sure there is less than 5% of beta boswellic acid in any supplement you buy, because this compound can cause inflammation in higher levels. DLPA works to sustain the effects of the body’s own natural pain killers, called endorphins and enkephalins, and nattokinase increases microcirculation and balances fibrinogen levels in the body. Another supplement that would be important is the bioactive form of vitamin B6, called pyridoxal-5-phosphate or P-5-P. P-5-P is called the “active” form of vitamin B-6 because it does not have to be converted by the body into a usable form—it is all ready to go to work immediately. P-5-P can make a big difference in nerve irritation and nerve pain. I prefer to use a P-5-P that includes magnesium glycinate, as magnesium greatly enhances P-5-P’s effects. You can find formulas such as these at quality health food stores in your area. Good luck to you and please let me know how you are doing. Best wishes, Terry