I have been using BCQ in my practice since Promedics first introduced it to the Canadian market over 15 years ago. I liked the company ‘Vital Nutrients’ because of the purity of their raw ingredients so I was confident in this product from the start. Dr. Herb Joiner-Bey N. D. provided me with a handout years ago and I have been using it ever since.

I used it mainly for the treatment of pain, both acute or chronic. When dosed at 12 per day I have seen it be very effective for a severe relapse of RA pain for example.

I use it post operatively to avoid analgesics post op. It loosens the bowels at the higher dosages of 8-12 per day so I always warn patients about this. Most of the patients like this side effect on their bowels.

Based on the recommendations of Dr Neil McKinney (he recommends Can Arrest) for cancer patients I have used it routinely in this population as well, titrating the dosage based on their bowels and their budget.

However in the last few months I have come to realize that it is a formula that can treat the brain, the cardiovascular system and the gut and liver as well.

In addition to what is explained in the Joiner-Bey handout I have learned the following:

Boswellia: this herb slows the progression of Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease. It is a specific herb to prevent and treat neuroinflammation. It crosses the BBB and is best absorbed when taken with fat within a meal or with fish oils. It is known for its use in the treatment of glioblastoma brain tumors. Kerry Bone recommends it for the treatment of osteoarthritis and possibly for cancer therapy. There have not been a lot of conclusive human trials for its effect on prostate, breast, colon or ovarian cancer. However its anti-inflammatory and immune modulating effects may be a helpful preventive.

Turmeric: increases Nrf2, normalizes mitochondrial genesis, repairs hippocampus of tau proteins, hepatic protective, neuroprotective, kidney protective, anti-cancer (flags and destroys metastatic cells in the bloodstream), slows progression of neurological diseases including Parkinson’s Disease, improves cognition and memory and concentration, powerful antidepressant, increases serotonin in the body, boosts stem cell production in the brain (as does exercise and fasting), enhances microcirculation, stimulates the glymphatic system of the brain when taken at night and helps with NGF production required for neurogenesis.

Quercetin: is a powerful flavonoid, natural anti-histamine and also has anti-viral, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, neurological (it simulates NGF required for neurogenesis) and hepatoprotective effects. Other recent research indicates that is has further reaching effects. These include the following: a strong scavenger of reactive oxygen species, reduced cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease by its anti-inflammatory nature, lowers blood pressure in those with hypertension, beneficial for chronic prostatitis and interstitial cystitis, has an anti-proliferative effect in numerous cancer cell lines including breast, colon, ovary, leukemia, squamous cell, endometrial, gastric and non-small-cell lung cancer. It may also increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents.

So now when I recommend BCQ I can be more confident in teaching my patients that not only will it act as a natural NSAID and anti-cancer agent, it will provide them with protection for their brain (curcumin and boswellia crosses the BBB) heart, liver and gut. Pretty good for one supplement!

A maintenance dose at 1-2 per day taken with a high fat meal, or up to 6-12 per day for active disease management. Enjoy!