The Many Potential Health Benefits of Curcumin

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Spices are one of the most important aspects of cooking, as they have the ability to improve the flavor and aroma of any food. In some countries, spices are a big part of their cuisine and are deeply ingrained in their culture. One such example is turmeric, which is largely associated with Indian culture for thousands of years.

Today, turmeric is utilized in cuisines all over the world, such as in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. It’s one of the core ingredients used to make curry dishes, and is the source of their distinctive yellow color and flavor.1

Turmeric has been used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine as well. Indians used it as an antiseptic for cuts and burns, a remedy for gastrointestinal discomfort and respiratory conditions and more.2 But what makes turmeric such a valued spice? Through advancements in technology, modern medicine has discovered that turmeric contains a special compound called curcumin, a naturally occurring antioxidant that is the source of its various benefits.3

Studies Regarding the Benefits of Curcumin

Due to the purported health benefits of turmeric over the centuries, many researchers have investigated this spice to discover the truth to these claims. The table below presents some of their findings about turmeric’s capabilities, which you may find very remarkable:

Anti-Inflammatory
Research has discovered that turmeric may inhibit the activity and synthesis of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LOX), which are enzymes related to inflammation.4 In one study conducted on rats, researchers discovered that curcumin profoundly helped reduce joint inflammation.5

Digestive Health
Curcumin may have a positive effect on helping maintain digestive health. In a study that involved five people affected with inflammatory bowel disease, researchers found out that curcumin helped improve the symptoms of the participants.6

Eye Health
In a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, patients affected with chronic anterior uveitis (inflammation of the uvea, or the middle layer of the eye) were given 375 milligrams of curcumin three times a day for 12 days. Within two weeks, the participants experienced an improvement in symptoms, with no reported side effects.7

Post-Surgical Recovery
Those who have just undergone surgery may experience pain and tenderness at the site of operation, a problem that curcumin may help with. In one study, patients who received 400 milligrams of curcumin three times a day for six days, as part of their postoperative treatments, experience an 84.2 percent decrease in pain intensity.8

Brain Health
Recent research has explored the potential neuroprotective benefits of curcumin.
In one such study, researchers suggested that it may be effective against Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease that causes your brain to gradually produce lower levels of dopamine, negatively affecting movement over time. In vivo and in vitro experiments have found that curcumin targets multiple degenerative pathways, mitochondrial dysfunction and protein aggregation to restore striatal dopamine levels.9

Lowered Cancer Risk
Interestingly, curcumin may help lower your risk of various types of cancers because of how it modulates genetic activity and expression. Specifically, it has been found to help:

  • Inhibit the synthesis of a protein believed to play a role in the formation of tumors.
  • Impede the transformation of cells from normal to tumor.
  • Destroy mutated cancer cells to prevent them from spreading throughout your body.
  • Induce anti-angiogenesis, which is the prevention of producing additional blood necessary for cancer cell growth.

Mental Health
Aside from keeping your brain healthy, curcumin may help promote the healthy functioning of various mental aspects, such as emotional and psychological wellbeing.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study, 123 participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder were given a placebo, a curcumin-saffron mixture, a low-dose curcumin extract and a high-dose extract. Results from the study indicate that those who took the curcumin and curcumin-saffron combination exhibited improvements in symptoms compared to the placebo group.10

Skin Health
Applying a curcumin-based cream on your skin may help keep it healthy and prevent the development of skin diseases. In a study that involved 10 subjects affected with vitiligo, researchers subjected them to a procedure that combined UVB therapy and curcumin cream, which resulted in significant repigmentation.11

In another study, patients suffering from psoriasis were provided a 450-gram curcumin supplement per day for 12 weeks. After the study, two participants reported an 83 to 88 percent improvement of symptoms.12

Lowered Risk of Diabetes
According to a study published in Diabetes Care, consuming curcumin regularly may help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Over the course of nine months, researchers monitored 240 prediabetics who were given either a placebo or a curcumin supplement. Results indicated that 16.4 percent of the group who were provided a placebo had developed diabetes, whereas the curcumin group did not.13

Cardiovascular Function
Curcumin may help maintain normal heart function, according to several studies.
In one example, researchers demonstrated that curcuminoids can help decrease myocardial infarction in people who received coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).14 In another study, researchers suggested that curcumin can help lower total cholesterol level, as well as LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.15

Sources of Curcumin and How You Can Increase Your Levels Naturally

Quite simply, turmeric is the best natural source of curcumin. Traditionally called the “Indian saffron,” turmeric is a root herb that has a tough, brown skin with a deep, orange flesh. It has been a part of Indian culture for thousands of years and is now one of the most highly-prized spices around the world.

To get curcumin, the rhizomes of the plant are usually grated and added to foods. Turmeric can also be mixed with other spices to create curry powder. One of the easiest ways to add curcumin to your diet is to use it as an ingredient for rubs or marinades. You may also add it to a salad to give your vegetables more spice. You may try the following as well:16

  • Soups: Add a dash of turmeric into vegetable or chicken soups to add warmth.
  • Vegetables: Sprinkle some turmeric over sautéed vegetables for more flavor and nutrition.
  • Drinks: You can add turmeric into smoothies or mix it with grass fed milk to make “golden milk.”

While adding turmeric to your foods is an easy way to obtain the benefits of curcumin, one of my issues with this method is that turmeric rhizomes contain only about 3 percent curcumin concentration. What’s more, curcumin is poorly absorbed in your body. If you do add it to your foods, you’re only absorbing about 1 percent curcumin. To work around this problem, you may try these two:

  • Make a microemulsion: Mix 1 tablespoon of raw turmeric powder with two egg yolks and 2 teaspoons of melted coconut oil.
  • Boil the powder: Add 1 tablespoon of turmeric into a quart of boiling water. It’s important that when making this beverage, the water should be boiling to increase the bioavailability. After 10 minutes of boiling, you will have created a 12-percent solution that needs to be consumed right away.

If you don’t find turmeric’s flavor to be appealing, then a curcumin supplement may be a viable option for you.

Some Considerations Before Buying a Curcumin Supplement

While curcumin has been studied extensively, there are some things you need to consider before buying a supplement. As mentioned earlier, natural curcumin has poor bioavailability, and the same case applies to many curcumin supplements as well.

In a study conducted by ConsumerLab.com, researchers discovered that only 2 out of 10 turmeric and curcumin supplements sold in the market today deliver less than 15 percent of their promised curcuminoid compounds. This means that these products only deliver a small fraction of the amount that was promised.17 In light of this information, I recommend you follow this checklist when you’re going to look for a curcumin supplement:

  • Uses advanced technology to increase bioavailability: This is probably the most important item to look for. Research and review what type of technology the manufacturer uses to increase the absorption rate of their curcumin supplements and decide if it is effective or not.
  • Delivers all the essential curcuminoids: Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid, but demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin should also be included to provide well-rounded benefits.
  • Does not use unnecessary fillers and other additives: There’s very little sense for a curcumin supplement to have other ingredients in the formula.
  • Comes from a trustworthy manufacturer: Extensively research for company reviews, processes and policies. High-quality ingredients are worthless if the company making the products have questionable regulations and other controversies.
  • The supplement is derived from turmeric containing at least 95 percent curcuminoids: This characteristic ensures that you’re getting the optimal amount of curcumin in your system.
  • Reasonably priced: The final product must be affordable despite having used the latest technology to increase bioavailability.

The Ideal Dosage for Curcumin

It can be very confusing to decide which curcumin supplement to buy as they are sold in varying dosages. Fortunately, this compound is well-tolerated by the human body, even in differing measurements. However, I recommend that most people should limit their intake to 500 milligrams per day. This is likely the optimal amount most people would need to gain the benefits.

Keep an Eye Out for These Side Effects of Curcumin

Curcumin is generally safe for human consumption with very little chances of developing side effects.18 In one study, 10 adults taking 490 milligrams of curcumin for a week did not develop any side effects.19 Even doses up to 1,200 to 2,100 milligrams did not have any adverse effects.20,21 That being said, there’s still a small chance you may develop:

  • Headache and nausea: A 450-milligram dose may cause one or both of these two conditions.22,23
  • Digestive problems: Bloating, acid reflux and diarrhea may occur when taking a 1,000-milligram dose.24,25
  • Rash: An extremely high dose (8,000 milligrams) may cause a skin rash, but this is very rare.26
  • Lead exposure: Certain brands of turmeric powders may be high in lead, a heavy metal that can have adverse effects to your nervous system.27

Beware of turmeric powders that contain fillers such as barley and wheat flour.28 These substances contain gluten, and if your body can’t digest it, you may develop symptoms of gluten intolerance such as bloating, constipation, abdominal pain, headaches and fatigue.29

If you’re currently taking coagulants to treat a particular condition, do not purchase turmeric or curcumin supplements, as they can augment the effects of the drugs you’re currently taking. In the same way, you should avoid turmeric-based foods to be on the safe side.30

When Supplementing With Curcumin, Remember to Look for a High-Quality Product

If you’re going to take a curcumin supplement, always be vigilant and do your research before buying. Make sure that the company is reputable, uses advanced manufacturing process to increase bioavailability and the formula does not contain any fillers. This can help you ensure that you’re purchasing a high-quality product.

Frequently Asked Questions About Curcumin

Q: Is curcumin a good blood thinner?
A: Curcumin has been noted to have blood-thinning properties. If you’re currently taking anticoagulants, curcumin may amplify the effects of these drugs. I recommend that you don’t take curcumin supplements if you’re taking blood-thinning medications.31

Q: What is curcumin good for?
A: Curcumin may potentially benefit various aspects of your health, such as providing protection against degenerative diseases, allergies, stomach ulcers and depression.32

Q: How much curcumin should you take in a day?
A: Depending on the turmeric supplement you’re taking, the dosage can vary. I generally recommend a dosage of 500 milligrams once a day for optimal results. Excessively high doses may lead to uncomfortable side effects such as digestive problems.33

Q: Are turmeric and curcumin the same thing?
A: Curcumin is essentially the beneficial compound found inside the rhizomes of turmeric. It can also be found in mango ginger, also known as Curcuma amada.34

Sources and References

1, 2, 3 Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects 2nd Edition, “Chapter 13: Turmeric, the Golden Spice”
4 Huntington College of Health Sciences, “Herbal COX-2 Inhibitors”
5 Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2006 Nov;54(11):3452-64
6 Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2005 Nov;50(11):2191-3
7 Phytotherapy Research, 1999 June;13(4):318-22
8, 20 International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Therapy and Toxicology, 1986 Dec;24(12):651-4
9 Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2012;18(1):91-9
10 Journal of Affective Disorders, 2017 Jan 1;207:188-196
11 Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 2010 Oct;28(5):679-84
12 The AAPS Journal, 2013 Jan;15(1):195-218
13 Diabetes Care, 2012 Nov;35(11):2121-7
14 The American Journal of Cardiology, 2012 July 1;110(1):40-4
15 Acta Medica Indonesiana, 2008 Oct;40(4):201-10
16 The Kitchn, “7 Ways to Eat (& Drink) Turmeic” May 29, 2017
17 ConsumerLab.com, “Some Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements Fail Quality Review” February 16, 2011
18 Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2003 Feb;9(1):161-8
19 Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 1992 Oct;36(4):273-5
21 The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 1980 Apr;71:632-4
22, 25, 26 BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2006 Mar 17;6:10
23 Clinical Cancer Research, 2004 Oct 15;10(20):6847-54
24 Cancer Prevention Research, 2011 Mar;4(3):354-64
27 Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2014;2014:730636
28 Pharmaceutical Biology, 2015;53(12):1774-9
29 Authority Nutrition, “The 14 Most Common Signs of Gluten Intolerance” September 29, 2016
30, 31, 34 The Seattle Times, “People on Blood Thinners Must Avoid Turmeric”
32 Health With Food, “Curcumin: Health Benefits and Food Sources”
33 University of Maryland Medical Center, “Turmeric”