Curcumin Tablets Review, Health Benefits and Adverse Effects

Curcumin tablets are made from extracts of the turmeric plant, Curcuma longa. Curcumin is the bioactive constituent of turmeric, which is made by boiling, drying and grinding the rhizomes (underground stems) of C. longa.

On average, turmeric contains 2 – 5% curcumin. Supplements can contain up to 95% curcuminoids per tablet, providing a significantly higher effective dosage than raw turmeric powder.

Good quality curcumin tablets also contain black pepper (or an extract called piperine) to increase the absorption of this compound in the body.

Turmeric is a well-known spice and one of the main ingredients in curry. It has also been used for thousands of years in traditional Indian medicine, particularly the Ayurvedic tradition. The therapeutic uses of turmeric date back more than 3,000 years. It was historically taken to treat infections, liver disorders and digestive upset, to name a few.

Contemporary research has revealed that turmeric and curcumin exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Curcumin has also been observed to demonstrate cardioprotective, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective and immune-modulating effects. Individuals often supplement with curcumin pills for acne, depression, cancer, weight loss arthritis and a number of other conditions.

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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Curcumin Tablets for Cancer

Curcumin is sometimes used for cancer, though it has not been approved by the FDA as a treatment or prevention for cancer.

Curcumin has been observed in a laboratory experiments to prevent the growth of tumors when directly applied to the cancerous cells.

Additionally, in an animal experiment, turmeric protected rats from developing stomach, skin and colon cancer after they were exposed to carcinogens.

In addition to its anti-cancer properties, curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. Some forms of cancer are being increasingly associated with chronic or prolonged inflammation. Some people take curcumin to reduce inflammation.

The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that neither turmeric nor curcumin tablets should be seen as a replacement for conventional therapies. In addition, curcumin may interact with some chemotherapy medications. Be sure to speak to your oncologist before taking this supplement alongside conventional therapies.

Curcumin Tablets for Cardiovascular Health

Curcumin is sometimes used to promote healthy blood lipid profiles by lowering LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In laboratory and animal tests, curcumin was observed to lower the levels of LDL or so-called “bad” cholesterol. However, in a clinical trial oral curcumin tablets were not observed to lower LDL cholesterol levels in humans.

Curcumin also exhibits anti-platelet properties, meaning it works to prevent the clumping of blood platelets, which may help reduce the risk of forming blood clots and arterial plaque.

More Uses of Curcumin Tablets

There are many contemporary uses of curcumin and these often relate to the compound’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

However, the available scientific evidence varies for each use. Curcumin is used for the following:

• Skin disorders, such as acne, dermatitis, rashes, boils and eczema
• Blood toxicity and liver disorders (such as hepatitis and jaundice)
• Arthritis
• Autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis
• Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases
• Depression, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and other cognitive/psychiatric disorders;
• Insulin sensitivity and hyperglycemia
• Weight loss and anti-obesity effects

Curcumin seems particularly useful in the treatment of arthritis pain. In a clinical study involving individuals with osteoarthritis, four daily doses of curcumin were observed to be as effective as two doses of ibuprofen in reducing knee pain. [1]

The United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of curcumin as a treatment for any disorder or disease.

Buying Curcumin Tablets

Most curcumin is metabolized in the digestive tract and is not absorbed into the bloodstream. As a result, both turmeric and curcumin have low bioavailability.

When selecting a brand of curcumin tablets to purchase, it is recommended to seek out products that are formulated to increase the bioavailability of this plant extract. Many supplements also contain extracts from peppercorn plants (Piper nigrum). Research shows that adding 20 mg of peppercorn extract to curcumin increases its bioavailability.

It is also possible to purchase liposomal curcumin, which is a liquid form that is better absorbed than many capsule or tablet formulations. Liposomes are microscopic lipid molecules (fat molecules) that improve the oral bioavailability of dietary supplements.

Adverse Effects of Curcumin Tablets

Curcumin supplements are generally well tolerated in otherwise healthy adults. Mild side effects may include stomach upset, diarrhea, bloating, gas and/or dizziness. No major side effects are associated with appropriate use of curcumin tablets.

Curcumin may interact with medications metabolized by the liver. This supplement can also affect liver enzyme balances and thereby affect the metabolism of certain medicinal substances. The effects and side effects of those agents may be either intensified or weakened.

Curcumin may not be suitable for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, including: hormone-sensitive cancers, type II diabetes, gallbladder disorders, bile duct dysfunction, bleeding disorders and infertility. Be sure to speak with your doctor before taking curcumin tablets to make sure the supplement is right for you.

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