A Buyers Guide for First-time Buyers of Curcumin Tumeric Supplements

Turmeric or Curcuma is a plant found in Central America and in Asia. It belongs to the ginger family. Turmeric powder is typically made from the plant’s roots, which are ground and dried.

The spice has a vibrant yellow color. So, it isn’t surprising that it’s also referred to as the golden spice or the Indian saffron. Taste-wise, it’s slightly bitter, pungent, and warm.

Its strong color, aroma, and flavor have made it a popular ingredient for cooking. It is used to make curry powders, cheeses, butters, and mustards. It is also used as a condiment.

The people of India have been using turmeric for centuries. They use it not only as a spice to flavor food, but as a medicinal herb. Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional system of healing which finds its roots in India, uses turmeric for its medicinal properties.

Today, even Western medicine acknowledges the fact that turmeric is an effective agent for relieving pain and healing many medical conditions.

Link between Turmeric and Curcumin

Scientific research shows turmeric has several curcuminoids—compounds that have medicinal properties. Curcumin is considered the most important and most potent of these compounds.

Curcumin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, is the primary active component of turmeric. Adding turmeric to your food even helps you enjoy better digestion and brain function.

However, only 3% of the total weight of turmeric powder is composed of curcumin and other curcuminoid compounds. You need to take a medicinal dosage that has an appreciable quantity of curcumin if you want to enjoy the full health benefits of turmeric.

Of course, getting the amount you need through food alone isn’t practical. It is not enough to simply spice up your food with turmeric. You need to take supplements containing concentrated turmeric extract.

What Are The Health Benefits of Curcumin

What benefits can be gained from taking turmeric-curcumin supplements?

• Fights Inflammation

Turmeric, primarily because of curcumin, is well-known for its ability to fight inflammation. It’s said to be even more effective than aspirin or ibuprofen.

Inflammation is not bad on its own. It is the body’s way of repairing the unavoidable wear and tear it goes through on a daily basis. It’s also the body’s way of fighting viruses, bacteria, and other foreign elements.

When inflammation turns chronic or excessive, however, it becomes a problem.

Rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and other medical conditions associated with age or obesity are usually linked to chronic inflammation.

The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric make it a potent substance to fight diseases and to improve health.

• Prevents Inflammation

Taking turmeric during the early stages of health problems helps to quickly soothe inflammation. Present studies are looking into how the spice can be used as a preventive measure before the onset of certain diseases.

• Fights Free Radicals

Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant. It helps counter the damage that free radicals can cause.

The body has its own natural antioxidant enzymes. Research shows that curcumin not only fights free radicals—it stimulates the body to produce more antioxidants and bolsters their positive effects on health and wellness.

• Fights Diseases

The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make turmeric a potent health supplement. Turmeric fights a wide range of diseases, including cancer and metabolic syndromes.

Clinical studies show that chronic inflammation is a common cause for many diseases. Curcumin effectively blocks NF-kB, a molecule that plays a significant role in chronic diseases caused by inflammation. Turmeric is not a cure-all supplement, but it lowers your risk of developing certain diseases.

• Enhances Brain Function

Curcumin boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the brain.

BDNF is among the main growth hormones that help to form new cells and neurons in the brain. If a person has significantly insufficient BDNF, he’s likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and depression.

Turmeric lowers one’s risk of developing age-related cognitive problems and many other brain diseases.

• Promotes Heart Health

Curcumin protects the heart against many health problems. It does this by enhancing the endothelium, or the lining within the blood vessels.

A dysfunctional endothelium is believed to cause heart disease. By helping the endothelium to function well, curcumin brings down the probability of developing heart disease.

• Fights Arthritis and Other Similar Problems

Studies show that patients suffering from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, and other health conditions involving tender, inflamed, and painful joints respond well to turmeric-curcumin supplements.

Again, curcumin is a strong anti-inflammatory compound. In studies done to find out how well patients respond to curcumin, the compound was shown to be more effective against arthritis than anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Delays Aging

Oxidative damage and inflammation hasten the aging process, and fortunately turmeric combats both these factors. It helps you stay young, energetic, and healthy.

Taking turmeric-curcumin has cosmetic benefits. It helps fight wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.

• Prevents Cancer

The uncontrolled growth of cells is one of the major characteristics of cancer.

The curcumin in turmeric helps slow down the growth and spread of existing cancer cells. It also prevents the growth of new cancer cells. This is especially true for cancers of the breast, stomach, bowel, and skin.

Is it Safe to Take Turmeric Supplements?

Excessive or high-dosage use of any health supplement can put you at risk of experiencing side effects. The same is true for turmeric supplements, no matter how safe they are.

Research shows that people who go over the recommended daily dosage for an extended period are likely to develop mild stomach ulcers. Some individuals even experience diarrhea and nausea.

When you take turmeric supplements according to the recommended dosage, you enjoy their benefits without any negative effects.

It is safe to take anywhere from 500 to 1500 milligrams of turmeric supplement on a daily basis. This is also the recommended dosage range for optimum efficacy.

If you have hypertension or diabetes and are taking medications for these conditions, it is prudent to consult a physician prior to taking any health supplements.

For example, if you’ve been taking warfarin, you might develop bleeding problems if you’d also take substantial amounts of turmeric. The spice, after all, also has a blood-thinning effect.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s likewise recommended to see a doctor before taking any supplement.

Choosing the Right Turmeric Supplement for You

An increasing number of people are realizing that taking turmeric-curcumin supplements results in many health and wellness benefits. Turmeric has become so popular that the market is flooded with countless options.

How can you tell if a particular product is the right one for you? It’s actually quite easy. You’ll just have to consider the following features:

• Absorption

Curcumin scores rather low in bioavailability; this is the spice’s major shortcoming. This simply means that the human body finds it difficult to absorb curcumin.

Fortunately, clinical research has revealed that when black pepper is taken with curcumin, the bioavailability of the latter increases by as much as 2000%.

Look for a turmeric-curcumin supplement that includes an absorption aid. Read the labels. If a supplement has black pepper (or its extracts Bioperin or Piperine), it is an option you can consider.

If you like a particular product for other reasons but that product doesn’t have black pepper in the formulation, you can opt to take some fresh peppercorns when you take the supplement. This will help your body to absorb the turmeric.

Keep in mind, however, that turmeric doesn’t dissolve in water. This may affect your body’s ability to digest and absorb the supplement. With that said, turmeric is indeed fat-soluble. It binds to the lipids or fat in your body. It becomes more readily absorbable when fat is present.

A supplement that contains a bit of fat in the form of olive oil or coconut oil is a good choice. If your choice of supplement does not contain any fat, consume it with a meal that has some fat in it.

• Dosage

How much do you need in order to enjoy the supplement’s benefits?

Most individuals need to take about 1000 milligrams of turmeric supplement daily. If a supplement indicates that each serving has 500 mg, you need to take two tablets or capsules a day.

It is only appropriate to choose a supplement that contains more than 100/mg per serving if you don’t want to swallow so many tablets each day.

• Source

It’s best to get your supplements from a trusted company.

If the brand gets the turmeric in its root form from places like Hawaii, Bali, or India, and processes it according to FDA standards in the United States, you should consider it a good option. You are assured that the supplement has no “fake” turmeric in it.

• Vegan

If you’re trying to follow a vegan lifestyle, you’ll have to stay away from a supplement that uses animal gelatin for its capsule. Look for a product that comes in the form of a tablet or a capsule that uses carrageenan.

Best Turmeric Supplements of 2018

To help you simplify your search even further (especially if you’d want to avoid checking every supplement you find), here’s a list of five highly recommended options.

1. Gaia Herbs Turmeric Review

Pros:

Gaia Herbs Turmeric Supplements takes pride in being easily absorbed into the body’s circulatory system. The supplement has black pepper extract which, as mentioned, helps improve the absorption of beneficial compounds found in turmeric.

Gaia Herbs also demonstrates high efficacy through the quick-release liquid gel capsules. You get your curcumin in a pure formula that has no alcohol, dairy, or gluten. It is 100% vegan as well.

Cons:

Some people consider this product as relatively “high-end” because of its price.

2. Fresh Healthcare Turmeric/Curcumin with BioPerine Review

Pros:

There seems to be quite a number of vegans who turn to Fresh Healthcare for their supplement needs. This supplier is USDA certified. Its products continue to receive good reviews.

Fresh Healthcare’s turmeric supplement seems to be quite popular with those who’ve been taking the spice for years. It is a well-received product online, largely because of its trusted brand name.

If you’re planning to take turmeric on a regular basis, you may want to try this product. After all, it comes in huge bottles. With each bottle, you get enough supplement to last you for three months.

Cons:

If you are a first-time user, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by 1200mg pills.

3. NativOrganics Organic Turmeric Curcumin Capsules Review

Pros:

NativOrganics seems pretty straightforward about their product.

Their turmeric supplement has turmeric extract, as well as other interesting and beneficial ingredients like ginger extract, goji berry, and mangosteen. All of these are certified organic by USDA.

If you’re a bit hesitant about taking supplements, you will be pleased to know that NativOrganics provides you with just the right dosage of turmeric extract, milligram-wise. You don’t have to worry about taking more turmeric than your body actually needs.

Cons:

Some people may consider the inclusion of ingredients like ginger, goji berry, and mangosteen as going overboard and unnecessary. This is especially so if all they are after are the benefits that turmeric can provide for their health.

4. 1MD Advanced Turmeric/Curcumin X285 Review

Pros:

This turmeric supplement puts together two patented ingredients—WokVel® Boswellia Serrata and Longvida® Turmeric Curcumin. Clinical research demonstrates that the potent combination results in better systemic health.

IMD provides a full range of health benefits. People who have used the product attest to two specific benefits. IMD Turmeric alleviates joint pain. It also gives more energy.

IMD Turmeric doesn’t contain any additives and is an all-natural product. It’s manufactured in the US in facilities approved by FDA.

Cons:

There are only two active ingredients. Also, it’s rather pricey.

5. Pukka Turmeric Lifekind Review

Pros:

If this is the first time that you’re trying turmeric capsules, Pukka seems to be a good brand to start with. Each capsule only has 155mg of active curcumin.

This seems like a good dosage to start with, particularly for the uninitiated. The dosage is enough to ease you into taking the supplement. Still, it should be enough to fight inflammation and help digestion.

In spite of the relatively low dosage of curcumin, Pukka addresses the issue of absorption by adding piperine. As mentioned, this compound derived from black pepper ensures that the body effectively absorbs turmeric.

One bottle of Pukka turmeric will last you for a month. This is sufficient time for you to find out if the supplement really works. After a month, you will see if taking the supplements makes a difference in your health.

Cons:

Pukka turmeric supplements also contain seaweed, ginger, and spirulina. These are powerful ingredients. However, they do not seem to be present in in convincingly potent dosages.

Who Should Take Turmeric Supplements?

Turmeric-curcumin supplements are highly recommended to the following:

• People Prone to Developing Digestive Disorders

If you often suffer from indigestion, gas, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heartburn, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and other similar digestive issues, it will do you well to take these supplements.

Turmeric has natural compounds that help prevent the body from over-producing the acids that are the root of these discomforts. It also aids in alleviating abdominal pain.

Taking turmeric is a natural way of preventing and healing problems associated with poor digestion.

• Older Adults

As people age, they become more prone to many common health issues. It helps to take turmeric-curcumin supplements to prevent and address these age-related problems.

Keep in mind that turmeric protects cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. A potent antioxidant, turmeric has powerful curcuminoids and polyphenols that keep cells strong and healthy.

Simply put, the spice has the power to slow down the course of aging.

• People with High Cholesterol

Studies reveal that turmeric-curcumin helps bring down LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels in the blood stream. Turmeric strengthens the cardiovascular system and prevents heart-related problems.

• Athletes

Athletes are highly prone to muscle pain and joint injuries. Turmeric supplements alleviate the inflammation and soreness that often result from intense physical workouts. Its active ingredient, curcumin, even hastens recovery.

Turmeric Is Traditional Medicine for the Modern World

Chinese and Indian traditional medicine has made use of turmeric for thousands of years. Turmeric is recognized for its medicinal properties. It has been used to treat colic, hemorrhage, menstrual pains, chest pain, flatulence, urinary tract infection, jaundice, and toothache, among other health issues.

The West is taking its cue from the East. People are starting to realize that turmeric offers more than just a bright beautiful color and a piquant taste.

Researchers continue to look into the amazing benefits that come with taking turmeric-curcumin on a regular basis. There are even studies that indicate that this particular herb holds great promise in preventing and treating cancer.

Do you like putting American mustard on your hotdog? The mustard’s yellow color comes from turmeric. Do love spicy Asian cuisine? Well, these dishes are likely to contain the tangy spice.

But if you really want your heart, joints, brain, and overall health to enjoy the benefits of this amazing ancient spice, it is time to look around for a good turmeric-curcumin supplement.