Best Turmeric Supplements for Sale – Which Products Should you Buy?

Selecting the best turmeric supplement may be difficult for people who are unsure of the difference between turmeric and curcumin.

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is the bioactive molecule contained in turmeric. Turmeric refers both to the plant Curcuma longa and the spice derived from the plant’s roots and rhizomes (underground stems).

Turmeric is indigenous to the tropical regions of Asia. It has a long history of culinary use and has also played an important role in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for millennia.

Traditional medicinal uses of turmeric include the treatment of digestive upset, liver disorders, infection, stress and inflammation.

Both turmeric and curcumin supplements are available for purchase and there is ongoing debate about which is the better option for consumers to purchase. Some argue that pure curcumin supplements contain a higher concentration of active extract than turmeric pills.

Others argue that turmeric has benefits above and beyond its curcumin content and it is better to use products derived from the whole plant.

Turmeric supplements are available as capsules, tablets, tinctures, decoctions or added to creams and other topical applications. On average, turmeric contains 2 – 7 % curcumin. Some opt to take curcumin supplements, which are standardized to contain a specific concentration of curcumin (up to 95 %).

Turmeric

Herbal Supplement

Joints

Heart Health

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Contains anti-inflammatory curcuminoids
• Promotes brain & cardiovascular health
• Supports the immune system & anti-oxidant enzymes

Dosage:

Between 400 - 1800 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

Top Turmeric Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Curcumin and Turmeric Supplements

It is the rhizomes of the turmeric plant that contain the highest concentration of curcumin.

Rhizomes are subterranean or underground plant stems. Although they also grow underground, rhizomes are not the same as roots.

Rhizomes grow horizontally (not vertically) and allow a plant to spread throughout an available area. Shoots emerge from rhizomes and these shoots will eventually produce new plant growth.

Turmeric rhizomes have a striking orange/yellow color. Curcumin is responsible for the pigmentation of the rhizomes and for the majority of turmeric’s medicinal properties.

When curcumin is metabolized, it yields two bioactive molecules that are also of clinical significance: demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Curcumin and its metabolites are called curcuminoids.

The best turmeric supplements will contain curcuminoids and the full range of remaining phytonutrients found in the turmeric rhizome. Turmeric is comprised of more than 200 different substances, including sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes, diarylheptanoids, phenylpropene compounds, diterpenes, sterols, triterpenes, alkaloids and volatile oils.

In addition, turmeric powder contain a number of different vitamins and minerals as well as fiber.

Supplementing with Turmeric

Turmeric supplements usually exhibit low bioavailability, meaning the supplement is often broken down in the intestinal tract and excreted before it can be absorbed by the body.

This can have a negative impact on the effects of the supplement. It can also mean that a higher dosage must be used in order for beneficial effects to be observed.

However, some of the best turmeric and curcumin supplements are formulated to improve absorption and enhance bioavailability.

Researchers have observed that adding piperine (an extract of black pepper) improves the absorption of turmeric. A number of supplements sold today formulate turmeric in a proper ratio with piperine to improve bioavailability and lower the effective dosage required.

Other top turmeric products may combine this supplement with bromelain or with lipid sources, such as fish oil or essential fatty acids, to improve absorption. One popular option to come to market recently is a liposomal formulation of curcumin. This lipid-based liquid is significantly more absorbable than curcumin in capsule form.

Turmeric Supplement Benefits

Turmeric dietary supplements are used for a variety of indications. Contemporary uses include:

• Arthritis
• Digestive upset (dyspepsia)
• Atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, and hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose concentrations)
• Coronary artery disease and heart disease
• Jaundice, hepatitis, and other liver diseases
• Inflammation, pain, fever, the common cold, and headaches
• Parasitic infections, bacterial infections
• Dermatological conditions
• Depression
• Alzheimer’s disease

Most notably, turmeric and curcumin exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Many people consume this ingredient in food or take turmeric supplements to reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of developing pro-inflammatory conditions and promote overall good health.

Turmeric supplements are sometimes used to reduce acute inflammation and the pain that often accompanies it. This herbal extract can also be applied topically for inflammatory skin conditions. In traditional practice, turmeric was combined with a small amount of water and applied to the skin as a poultice to treat eczema.

Turmeric and Curcumin Research

Both turmeric and curcumin exhibit a number of therapeutic properties. More than 6500 clinical studies have been completed to date addressing the therapeutic value of both substances.

Several studies have also examined the safety and toxicity of turmeric and curcumin. These studies indicate that both are generally well tolerated with low risk of side effects.

A great deal of scientific research on turmeric has focused on curcumin’s capacity to act against different forms of cancer. In laboratory and animal studies, curcumin has been observed to act against breast, colorectal, prostate, lung, liver, skin, bone and blood cancer cell lines.

This compound appears to modulate a number of cellular signalling pathways, which may explain turmeric’s wide-array of therapeutic properties. For instance, it interferes with specific enzymes involved in the inflammatory process, which may explain turmeric’s observed anti-inflammatory effects.

Curcumin appears to exhibit similar cell-modulating effects against cancer cells. In laboratory tests, it has been observed to:

• inhibit tumor cell angiogenesis (formation of blood vessels);
• promote the structural breakdown (autophagy) of tumor cells;
• prevent tumor growth;
• promote tumor cell apoptosis (natural cell death).

Research examining the relationship between curcumin supplements and cancer is ongoing. Some clinical evidence suggests that curcumin may exhibit effects in patients with prostate cancer, but the results are preliminary and further research is necessary.

Turmeric Supplement Side Effects

Turmeric and curcumin are generally regarded as safe for use by otherwise healthy individuals. Mild side effects may include gastrointestinal upset, bloating and diarrhea.

Turmeric and curcumin supplements may not be appropriate for those with certain pre-existing health conditions, such as hormone-sensitive cancers. In addition, these substances may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Be sure to speak with your doctor before taking turmeric for medicinal purposes, especially if you are taking other medications or have a pre-existing medical condition. A conversation with your doctor will help you select the best turmeric supplement and dose to promote good health and ensure safety.

Rate This Article

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5, rated)