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We tweaked some of our language in the page to improve clarity, and also added some new FAQs.
Curcumin is the primary bioactive substance in turmeric. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate symptoms of depression as well as improve pain and function in people with osteoarthritis.
Curcumin is most often used for
Last Updated:March 21, 2024
Curcuma longa is a flowering plant of the ginger family best known as turmeric, a spice used in curry. It is a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to increase the amount of antioxidants that the body produces.[2]
Curcumin and the curcuminoids found in turmeric can be extracted to produce supplements that have a much higher potency than turmeric. However, orally ingested curcumin is poorly absorbed during digestion,[3][4] so a variety of different formulations have been created to improve its bioavailability.[5][6][7][8]
Supplementation with curcumin reliably lowers some markers of inflammation[9][1][10] and increases the levels of endogenous antioxidants in the body.[11][12][1] However, curcumin has a minimal effect on markers of inflammation in people with chronic inflammatory diseases.[13]
More research is needed on curcumin in many areas of health, but the current evidence shows small to moderate improvements in the symptoms of depression[14][15][16] and moderate to large improvements in pain and function in osteoarthritis.[17][18][19][20][21] Curcumin also shows promise for treating a type of inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis,[22][23][24] but further research is needed to clarify the optimal dose and route of administration.
Improvements in blood lipids,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] markers of glycemic control,[33][26][28][29][30] blood pressure,[26][34] liver enzymes,[35][36][37][38] and weight loss[39][40][41][42][43][44] have also been observed following supplementation with curcumin. However, the research on these outcomes is sometimes inconsistent, and further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to draw firm conclusions.
One of curcumin’s greatest disadvantages is that it is poorly absorbed when orally ingested by itself.[4]
Dosages of up to 8 grams per day of curcuminoids have not been associated with serious adverse effects in humans.[45] However, comprehensive long-term studies are needed to confirm this lack of adverse effects. Studies using high doses of curcumin have reported some mild adverse effects, including nausea, diarrhea, headache, skin rash, and yellow stool.[46][47][48] Use of curcumin with piperine (a black pepper extract) may increase adverse reactions to curcumin, because piperine greatly increases intestinal permeability.[49] Not all formulations of curcumin have been safety tested to the same degree.
The potential beneficial effects of curcumin seem to be largely the result of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.[2][50] These properties are mediated by curcumin’s direct or indirect interaction with, and modulation of, various molecular targets, including transcription factors, enzymes, cell cycle proteins, receptors, cell surface adhesion molecules, growth factors, and protein kinases.[51][52]
The recommended dosage of curcumin for inflammation can vary. Studies have used daily doses ranging from 300 mg to 4,000 mg, depending on the specific condition.[1] When orally ingested alone, curcumin is poorly absorbed. The two most commonly used and most frequently tested methods for improving absorption are to pair curcumin with piperine (a black pepper extract) or to combine it with lipids (e.g., BCM-95®, or Meriva®).
To supplement curcumin with piperine, take 500 mg of curcumin with 5–6.7 mg of piperine three times per day for a total dosage of 1,500 mg of curcumin and 15–20 mg of piperine per day.
To supplement BCM-95®, a patented combination of curcumin and essential oils, take 500 mg twice a day for a total dosage of 1,000 mg/day.
To supplement Meriva®, a patented combination of curcumin and soy lecithin, take 200–500 mg twice a day for a total dosage of 400–1,000 mg/day.
Curcumin is sold in tablets, capsules, soft gels, powder, and drop form and is usually taken alongside food.
A few tweaks and some new FAQs
We tweaked some of our language in the page to improve clarity, and also added some new FAQs.
FAQ and database update
We added newly published studies to our FAQs and database.
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