Curcumin and Piperine Capsules Increase Bioavailability & Benefits

Curcumin capsules with piperine (an extract of black pepper) are formulated to improve the bioavailability of this natural supplement.

Curcumin is the bioactive component of turmeric and is concentrated in the rhizomes (underground stems) of the Cucuma longa plant.

While curcumin is known to possess a number of useful properties, it exhibits low oral bioavailability. This means that when curcumin capsules are consumed, they are not readily absorbed into the blood stream.

Instead, curcumin is usually broken down in the intestines and excreted.

Piperine has been observed to increase the blood plasma levels of curcumin when the two supplements are combined or taken together. Some vendors now market curcumin piperine capsules, such as the Curcumin 500 with Bioperine supplement.

However, it may also be possible to improve absorption by consuming the two concurrently.

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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Reasons to Take Curcumin Capsules

Curcumin capsules (with or without piperine) are used for a number of conditions, including arthritis, type II diabetes, heart disease, dyspepsia (indigestion), hepatic (liver) dysfunction, gastrointestinal distress, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, certain dermatological conditions, infections, fever and more.

Curcumin is the bioactive constituent of turmeric, the golden-yellow spice derived from the rhizomes of C. longa. Turmeric is one of the main ingredients in curry and a staple of Indian cuisine.

It is less known that turmeric has also been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for millennia to treat digestive disorders, liver ailments, infections, inflammation, skin conditions and stress.

On average, turmeric contains between 2 and 7 % curcumin. Dietary supplements are now available that have been standardized to contain a specific concentration of curcuminoids (turmeric’s group of bioactive constituents). Supplements can contain up to 95 % curcuminoids.

Curcumin exhibits many potentially therapeutic properties. Chief amongst them are its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Many of curcumin’s contemporary uses relate to these properties.

Curcumin has also attracted the attention of researchers who are investigating its efficacy in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, cognitive impairment and arthritis. In many of these studies, the low oral bioavailability of the supplement has been noted. Adding piperine in a stack or supplement formation may be an effective way to improve results.

What is Piperine?

Piperine is extracted from the berries of Piper nigrum, the plant that produces both black and white pepper. Researchers have observed that piperine increases the absorption of orally consumed supplements and medications.

Piperine is also available as an independent supplement. There is comparatively little data available on piperine as compared to supplements like curcumin. One popular brand of this supplement is BioPerine, which is a patented and clinically tested extract of the black pepper fruit.

Curcumin and Piperine Capsules

Piperine is added to curcumin supplements to improve bioavailability. According to one research study, Piperine can increase the bioavailability of curcumin by as much as 2000%.

When administered together, there was a greater increase in serum (blood) concentrations of curcuminoids in both healthy human volunteers and in rats.

Piperine works by increasing the absorption of curcumin from the intestinal tract. Piperine is also reported to have a number of independent health-boosting effects.

While some research studies do show positive benefits from using curcumin and piperine capsules, some results suggest that this effect may be dose-dependent. In one study, the anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects of curcumin were investigated with and without the co-administration of P. nigrum. Streptozotocin-diabetic rats were used as subjects.

Three groups of rats were studied. All groups received 90 mg/kg doses of curcumin. The first group only received curcumin. The second group received curcumin and 20 mg/kg of piperine. The third group received curcumin and 40 mg/kg of piperine. The curcumin and piperine were administered to the rats in yogurt.

During the 45 day study, the group that received only curcumin showed improvements in every parameter studied. These parameters included body weight in relation to muscular weight, belly fat, sugar levels, urinary urea content, and markers for both hepatic and renal dysfunction.

Independent curcumin consumption was also observed to increase the quantity of the antioxidant super oxide dismutase, as well as glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Reductions in levels of protein carbonyl groups and malondialdehyde were also noted.

The 20 mg/kg dosage of Piper nigrum exhibited certain anti-diabetic and antioxidant properties on its own. The effects of curcumin alone were not changed with the 20 mg/kg addition of piperine. However, when 40 mg/kg piperine doses were added to the curcumin, the beneficial effects were largely absent.

The results of this study suggest that the efficacy of combining curcumin and piperine may be dose dependent. Researchers speculate this may be caused by alterations to curcumin caused by P. nigrum.

Curcumin and Piperine Side Effects

Both curcumin and piperine are generally well tolerated. Black and white pepper has GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status in the United States.

Both curcumin and piperine may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications. In particular, curcumin may alter the metabolism of some medications by the liver and piperine may enhance the effects of some medications.

Individuals with estrogen-sensitive cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, liver dysfunction, gallbladder disorder, bleeding disorders and/or renal disease should not use curcumin and piperine capsules before speaking to their doctor.

Both curcumin and Piper nigrum may increase the risk of bleeding, decrease blood-glucose levels, alter endocrine activities, impact immune system function and/or alter the cytochrome p450 hepatic enzyme system.

Research indicates that the addition of 20 mg/kg doses of black pepper extract can improve the bioavailability of curcumin. However, excessive use of P. nigrum may negate curcumin’s beneficial effects.

Speak with your doctor before taking curcumin piperine capsules to make sure the supplement is safe for you. Be sure to discuss any medications or pre-existing health conditions to reduce the risk of adverse effects.

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