Best Curcumin Supplements with Piperine for Better Bioavailability

The best curcumin supplements contain a high, standardized concentration of curcumin extract (preferably 95 %) and should have added piperine to help improve bioavailability.

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is the bioactive constituent of turmeric, the spice derived from the plant Curcuma longa.

Turmeric is made by boiling, drying and grinding the rhizomes (underground stems) of C. longa. The result is a brilliant golden-yellow spice that is a staple of Indian curries.

Turmeric has has also been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for millennia to treat skin conditions, liver disorders, digestive problems and inflammation.

Curcumin is responsible for turmeric’s golden color and for causing many of the known therapeutic effects. Turmeric contains, on average, between 2 – 7 % curcumin. Many opt to take curcumin supplements to increase their consumption of this beneficial compound.

Curcumin

Anti-Inflammatory

Joints

Health

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Effective anti-inflammatory supplement
• Shown to improve joint functionality
• Anti-oxidant to supper general health

Dosage:

Between 1 - 3 g per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Applications for Curcumin Supplements

In general, curcumin is used for many of the same purposes as turmeric.

Both turmeric and curcumin exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Many of their uses are based on these properties. Turmeric and curcumin supplements are used for the following conditions:

• dyspepsia (indigestion)
• arthritis
• bloating
• liver and gallbladder conditions
• diabetes
• cancer
• Alzheimer’s disease
• inflammatory skin conditions
• respiratory conditions and the common cold

These are only a few of the current uses. Curcumin has been widely studied in human, animal and laboratory experiments. Evidence for each use varies. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of curcumin for the treatment or prevention of any condition or disease.

The German Commission E (the regulatory agency charged with overseeing the prescription of herbals) has approved of the use of turmeric supplements for digestive upset.

Selecting the Best Curcumin Supplements

Not all curcumin products sold today are equally effective. The best curcumin supplements will contain piperine or another compound to help improve curcumin’s oral bioavailability.

Bioavailability is a term used to describe how effectively an ingredient in a supplement or drug is able to reach the therapeutic target in the body following administration. It refers to how well the body is able to absorb consumed compounds, including nutrients and supplements. It also refers to how well those ingredients circulate through the body to reach the desired organ or tissue.

Neither turmeric nor curcumin easily enters the human blood stream, so each is thought to exhibit poor bioavailability when consumed as a supplement. In general, turmeric and curcumin are metabolized in the digestive tract and excreted before they can have much impact on the body. This means that they have low oral absorption when taken as dietary supplements.

However, researchers have determined that combining curcumin with a black pepper extract called piperine can increase the absorption of curcumin by up to 2,000 %. [2]

Piperine supplements – such as BioPerine – are often combined with curcumin to increase bioavailability. The best curcumin capsules should contain approximately 3 to 5 mg of piperine extract per 500 mg of curcumin or turmeric root extract.

Research on Curcumin and Cancer

One of the most popular reasons for buying curcumin supplements online is to reduce the risk of developing cancer. While some preliminary research supports this use, it is important to note that the FDA has not approved curcumin or turmeric supplements for this application.

In animal and laboratory studies, curcumin has exhibited a number of anti-cancer effects. It has prevented the growth of tumors in laboratory tests and led to apoptosis (death) of cancer cells. Laboratory studies indicate curcumin may be able to selectively kill cancerous cells without harming healthy cells.

Curcumin appears to modulate a variety of chemical and cellular signals in the body, which may explain its broad utility. For example, this herbal extract appears to work against cancer by stopping the formation of new blood vessels that would supply blood and nutrients to tumors.

It is important to note that the anti-cancer effects of curcumin supplements have largely been observed in animal and laboratory studies. Further trials are needed to understand the relationship between this compound and cancer in humans. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that neither turmeric nor curcumin should be used as a replacement for conventional cancer treatments.

In addition to its anti-cancer effects, many take curcumin for its anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic or long-term, low-grade inflammation is becoming increasingly tied to the development of some diseases, including some cancers.

Curcumin Supplements for Heart Disease

Heart disease (cardiovascular disease) is an umbrella term used to describe a number of conditions that cause the degradation of the heart muscle and/or blood vessels to the point where function is diminished or fully compromised.

The most prevalent cause of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD).

The most common cause of CAD is atherosclerosis, a condition caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries. This plaque can be caused by so-called “bad” cholesterol, or LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol.

Curcumin is often used to lower cholesterol levels. At one point researchers hypothesized that curcumin could be effective in preventing atherosclerosis by reducing cholesterol levels. Current scientific evidence regarding the capacity of curcumin to reduce cholesterol levels is contradictory.

Several animal, laboratory and human studies indicated curcumin helped lower LDL cholesterol, but in a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 4 g of curcumin per day did not improve cholesterol levels. [1]

Curcumin supplements also induce vasodilation (relaxation of the blood vessels). Vasodilation causes the blood vessels to widen, which may improve blood flow without a corresponding increase in blood pressure. In doing so, arterial plaque formations may be flushed away.

Are Curcumin Supplements Safe?

Curcumin is generally well tolerated by otherwise healthy individuals. A single 12 g dose of was not reported to cause serious side effects in research studies. Mild side effects may include diarrhea, gas, bloating and nausea.

Curcumin products may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications. It may also exacerbate existing medical conditions. For instance, individuals suffering from hormone-sensitive cancers, gallbladder disease, type II diabetes or infertility should not take turmeric or curcumin without first speaking to their doctor.

In all cases, be sure to speak with your doctor before taking curcumin supplements to determine whether this natural health product is appropriate for your needs.

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