How to Choose the Best Turmeric Curcumin Supplement for Yourself
Some physiological processes alter the way we think, breathe, eat, or even behave. When persistent, they change our personalities and overall quality of life. This is especially true when it comes to inflammation.
Inflammation is a chain-reaction type of process that happens in tissues due to injury, toxicity, or an adverse internal reaction. Despite its essential protective role, chronic inflammation causes many indispositions, such as autoimmune diseases, chronic digestive conditions, and even cancer.
The most popular use of turmeric is anti-inflammatory. Therefore, the best turmeric for inflammation is used by those with certain diseases, such as osteoarthritis or Crohn’s disease, or even hay fever. However, emerging evidence supports the use of this herb for various conditions. So let’s dive deeper into the topic.
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a term used to describe a herb, Curcuma longa, which originates from South Asia and is known for its health benefits. It has been used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine and for culinary purposes worldwide. Today, turmeric spices, such as yellow turmeric powder or curry, dwell on cooking counters worldwide.
The best source of turmeric powder is the root of the plant, cooked, dried, and then pulverized.
The health benefits of turmeric come from its phytochemical composition. The main active compounds are curcuminoids, turmeric saccharides, and turmerone and alantone volatile oils. The best-known and most-used curcuminoid is curcumin, which accounts for the majority of these healing properties.
The best way to consume turmeric is with food. However, the most efficient way to induce its curing traits is via supplementation, which delivers the highest available curcumin.
Curcumin vs. Turmeric
Curcumin is the primary beneficial compound in the root, responsible for the distinctive yellow color of turmeric powder. As per consumer reports, the best turmeric supplement usually contains high percentages of curcumin, which guarantees its efficacy.
The effects of turmeric, on the other hand, rely entirely on their curcumin content. Besides curcumin, other turmeric ingredients include multiple compounds, which all add to curcumin’s potency.
The Health Benefits of Curcumin
Although there’ve been many clinical studies on the use of this compound in humans, most of the results are still vague or inconclusive. Nonetheless, there’s much scientific research advocating for its benefits, and by choosing the best turmeric pill should be sufficient.
The primary curcumin (and thus, turmeric) benefits are as follows:
- Antioxidant – Curcumin efficiently scavenges free radicals within the tissues.
- Anti-inflammatory – By reducing the number of pro-inflammatory molecules in tissues, curcumin reduces tissue damage and pain and stimulates faster regeneration.
- Hepatoprotective – It protects the liver from external toxins.
- Antiplatelet aggregation – Curcumin inhibits the formation of platelet binding, thus stimulating circulation.
- Antimutagenic – It prevents the formation of new cancers by decreasing the expression of some cancer-prone cells.
- Antimicrobial – In combination with turmeric essential oils, curcumin inhibits the growth of some bacteria on the skin.
- Cardiovascular – One of the best turmeric traits is lowering “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thus stimulating circulation.
- Gastroprotective – It successfully aids the eradication of bacteria responsible for peptic ulcers.
- Dental benefits – Curcumin reduces pain in the teeth and gums.
What Is Turmeric Best Used For?
In consideration of its beneficial effects, turmeric can be used to support the treatment of the following:
- Joint pain, associated with inflammatory diseases, such as osteoarthritis
- Hay fever
- High cholesterol levels
- Fatty liver
- Knee injuries in athletes
- Skin damage caused by radiation
- Crohn’s disease, as well as other inflammatory bowel diseases
- Gingivitis
- Cancer, as a preventive measure
This list further covers depression, diarrhea, stress, headache, high blood sugar, hepatitis, and more. However, more evidence is needed to support these claims officially.
Extracts
The best turmeric supplement must contain high doses of bioavailable curcumin. On the other hand, natural curcumin has a low prevalence in raw turmeric—it’s found only in 3.14% of the powder.
Additionally, curcumin is an unstable molecule, insoluble in water, and it has low in-tissue distribution. Therefore, the main challenge in turmeric production is forming a chemical vehicle for it that will deliver its health benefits throughout the body.
In short, the higher the volume of curcuminoids within the extract, the greater the value of the final product. Top-rated turmeric products have either aqueous, supercritical, or alcohol extracts.
Various extraction methods are used. However, not all of them provide us with enough curcumin to deliver its health benefits. For example, water extracts are rich in overall curcuminoids but lack the potency of essential oils. Thus, it’s often enhanced with alcohol. Conversely, supercritical CO2 extraction can deliver the purest extracts on the market, and this method provides the full-spectrum benefits of turmeric.
The bottom line is that, no matter what the extraction method is, a manufacturer is obligated to declare the standardization percentage (its potency) and what the quantity crude equivalent of the extract is (the crude vs. extracted ratio).
Combining Turmeric with Black Pepper
According to most turmeric supplement reviews, most of the products include black pepper, and for a good reason. Many studies confirm the benefits of piperine on curcumin absorption. According to the evidence, black pepper extract increases the absorption levels by an astounding 2000%.
In the US, the most commonly used black pepper extract is BioPerine, a standardized and clinically proven turmeric enhancer.
Recommended Dosage
High levels of curcumin can damage the liver, blood cells, and the entire body. Therefore, following the appropriate dosage is of paramount importance. Officially, the recommended daily allowance has not yet been determined.
Therefore, the best turmeric to buy is one that declares the dosage according to the available clinical information. So it’s important to refer to our turmeric curcumin reviews for guidance.
According to the clinical evidence, these are the appropriate doses for standardized turmeric extracts (95% of curcuminoids):
- 1000 mg per day for inflammatory joint pain
- 1400 mg per day for high cholesterol levels
For other conditions, the WHO has determined a dose of 1.4 mg per pound to be acceptable for adults.
As a rule, turmeric supplements should be used continuously for only 2–3 months.
Turmeric in Pregnancy and Lactation
Although Indian women consume turmeric while pregnant, the official guidelines recommend caution regarding supplements.
Turmeric Side Effects
Even the best turmeric curcumin should be used with caution. Although regarded as generally safe, some adverse effects include upset stomach, indigestion, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea.
Furthermore, don’t take turmeric in the following cases:
- Gallstones or a gallbladder obstruction
- GERD
- Hormone-sensitive cancers
- Infertility
- Iron deficiency
- Surgery
- Bleeding
Turmeric Drug Interactions
There’s minimal evidence of interactions involving turmeric. However, it is recommended to use caution in the case of anticoagulants. Taking these meds with curcumin can significantly increase the risk of bleeding.
Wrapping Up
The long history of turmeric use has shown us that the empirical data overruns the scientific uses. However, there’s significant evidence that supports the use of turmeric-based products for joint pain, cardiovascular problems, and much more.
Today, turmeric is used primarily for the treatment of osteoarthritis and high cholesterol levels. Moreover, we showed that finding the best supplements for osteoarthritis offers many health benefits, both in recreational use and in the long term.
The best turmeric supplement can be used for more than therapy support. It can alleviate pain, prevent cancer, and help with whole-body detoxification. If you decide to try it, let our guide show you the way.