What’s the Best Curcumin Supplement?

What is the best curcumin supplement, and why would you want to try one?

Curcumin is one of turmeric’s main curcuminoids (a fat-soluble, polyphenolic pigment)a fat-soluble, polyphenolic pigment) in turmeric. We’re going to help you find the ten best curcumin supplements.

Key Points

Medical professionals and holistic health practitioners have touted curcumin and turmeric for having many health benefits.

• Curcumin has been known in medicine for thousands of years, particularly in Asian cultures.
• Curcumin is also known as curcuma longa. 
• This herbal remedy occurs in everything from supplements to golden milk lattes.
• This article will explain what curcumin is and where it comes from. It will also explain the benefits of incorporating curcumin into your diet, the recommended dosages, and tips for taking it. 
• Finally, it will highlight some of the best curcumin supplements.

What is Curcumin?

Curcumin is a chemical compound and a pigment that occurs naturally in the spice turmeric.

Curcumin can be taken as a supplement or consumed in your food. 

Curcumin has many health benefits and can be a worthwhile supplement to your diet.

What is Turmeric?

Curcumin does not exist without turmeric, the spice derived from it.

• Turmeric is a member of the same family as ginger (Zingiberaceae).
• It is a flowering plant that originated in Southeast Asia.
• The root of the turmeric plant, much like ginger, is the part used.

Turmeric is a spice with a rich and very long history.

• The first record of turmeric dates back almost 4000 years, to when it was used as a spice in the Vedic culture in India.
• Ayurvedic medicine is a historical and holistic healing from India that focuses on creating medicine from natural sources such as plants.
• Turmeric is well known in this practice and was even mentioned in 250 BC in Susruta’s Ayurvedic Compendium.
• Turmeric has been used for centuries in different cultures. In India, it is used as both a flavoring and medicine.
• In China, it is a colorant.
• In Japan, it is brewed into tea. 
• In many other cultures, turmeric extract is used for its anti-inflammatory properties.
• In the United States, turmeric is used mainly as a food additive.
• It is bright golden orange in color and can be added to a wide variety of foods, such as butter or cheese, to make them more desirable.
• Turmeric and curcumin are also very popular supplements in the United States.

Curcumin Benefits

Turmeric and curcumin are well-known and widely used in modern and ancient medicine.

The potential health benefits of curcumin include antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, oral, and cognitive benefits.

Curcuma longa can also reduce blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health thanks to the potent active compounds. 

Antioxidant Benefits

Turmeric and curcumin’s antioxidant capabilities may protect your body from free radicals.

This effective use of curcumin may prevent excessive aging and contain many diseases.  Curcumin is thought to be very effective for this purpose.

It blocks these free radicals from damaging cells.

Anti-Cancer

Some studies suggest that curcumin is a powerful supplement for preventing and fighting cancer. 

Anti-Inflammatory

Inflammation plagues many people and contributes to most chronic medical conditions.

• It is a cause of pain and discomfort.
• While minor occurrences of inflammation are natural and necessary for survival (it kills off harmful bacteria), too much inflammation can pose a health risk.
• Chronic inflammation is thought to be a risk factor for many diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.

Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory supplement that fights this at the molecular level with minimal or no side effects.

Oral Health

There is an initiative in the health community to return to natural products, and the effectiveness of natural products is curcumin.

Curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory supplement, is very potent as an antimicrobial supplement.

This one-two punch of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory is desirable in dental healthcare.

Neuroprotection

Inflammation is thought to be one of the critical causes of neurodegenerative disorders impacting cognitive function.

Studies show that the best curcumin supplements can lower low-intensity chronic inflammation, and this preventative measure may be a good fit for you.

Curcumin also helps with heart health, considering its anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the risk of heart disease. 

Type 2 Diabetes Management

Turmeric and curcumin supplements may assist in preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.

• Studies suggest that the medicinal properties of turmeric root extract and curcumin may boost overall health, especially by reducing inflammation.
• These supplements may also help keep your blood sugar level under control as well.
• With a good diet and exercise, turmeric and curcumin supplements may help with diabetes and weight loss.

Should You Take a Supplement?

Turmeric has been used for centuries to alleviate pain, help digestion and oral health, and flavor food. It is a very versatile supplement.

The main component of turmeric is curcumin, which gives turmeric its signature golden hue.

Curcumin has many health benefits, but you must speak with your healthcare provider to make sure curcumin is suitable for you.

You may want to consider taking curcumin if you suffer from symptoms such as:

• Inflammation
• Alzheimer’s
• Heart Disease
• Arthritis
• Depression
• Age-Related Chronic Diseases

Curcumin may also help if you need more antioxidants in your diet. It may decrease your risk of heart attack and reduce your risk of developing various cancers.

Can You Take Too Much?

It is possible to take too much curcumin, just like any supplement.

• Curcumin and turmeric are recognized as being generally safe.
• It is essential to review the guidelines for how much curcumin you should consume and discuss this with your healthcare provider.
• The best way to decide how much curcumin you should take is to research and speak with your doctor.
• Curcumin generally only has health benefits.
• It is safe when taken responsibly and does not typically have significant side effects when taken in excess.

Are There Side Effects of Taking Curcumin Supplements?

When taken in the correct dosage, curcumin rarely has side effects. However, it would be best to take a high-quality supplement.

Finding the best curcumin supplement for you has a crucial step that you must complete when starting research on which curcumin supplement is the best:

• Ensure your curcumin supplement is high quality, without additives such as wheat starch or metal yellow.
• For people with celiac disease primarily, ensure your curcumin supplements are gluten-free and certified by a reputable agency.
• Food dyes such as metal yellow may also be added to curcumin supplements that are not very high quality.
• Metanil yellow has potentially been found to cause cancer in high doses in animal studies.
• Ensuring your high quality turmeric and curcumin supplements are a perfect way to stay safe.

How to Take a Curcumin Supplement

Curcumin is a very popular supplement. It can be found in many health food markets and traditional healing stores.

• Curcumin can be taken by consuming turmeric capsules or even adding it and turmeric powder to food.
• Many foods contain turmeric, a popular spice and food dye. Curry is a perfect example of a high-turmeric food source. If you feel like taking a curcumin supplement, speaking with your medical provider is an excellent idea.

Here are some general tips for making the most out of your best curcumin supplement:

• Make sure you are taking a high-quality supplement
• Curcumin is fat-soluble, so it may help to eat a meal high in healthy, unsaturated fat
• Taking curcumin with black pepper supplements may help with the absorption of turmeric and curcumin by up to 2000% for optimal absorption.
• Speak with your healthcare provider to decide the right amount of curcumin for you.
• Start with a lower dose of curcumin and then work up to a higher concentration; too much curcumin may cause an upset stomach, especially for those sensitive to turmeric.
• Curcumin is not a substitute for your medicine; consult your doctor before starting or stopping curcumin supplements or any medication.

How Much  Should You Take?

There are no established recommended daily intakes for curcumin. Since curcumin is relatively safe, there isn’t usually much risk of taking too much, but more research must be completed to establish a general dosage.

The current information on dosing for curcumin supplements does not vary by age or gender but rather by the health benefit desired. Most studies use doses of curcumin between 500 and 2000 milligrams, and various health benefits can be achieved using different amounts.

Five hundred milligrams taken twice daily is the typically recommended curcumin dose. A few studies have been done on curcumin supplements’ effects on those needing specific health benefits. These are the guidelines for these people:

• For osteoarthritis: 500 mg twice daily
• For itchy skin: 500 mg three times daily
• For high cholesterol: 700 mg twice daily

The World Health Organization also recommends about 1.4 milligrams of curcumin per pound of body weight. This is a good guideline for those seeking general health benefits.

As always, you can consult your healthcare provider for more information on how to take curcumin and how much of it to take.

Comparing Supplements

Curcumin supplements come in all shapes and sizes, and there are many different types, such as capsules, powders, and extracts. Choosing which curcumin supplement best suits your needs can be challenging.

 Finding certified and tested products is an excellent idea; this is a good guideline for any supplement you take. You should also ensure the best curcumin supplement is free from allergens or ingredients that may negatively affect you.

Types of Supplements

Turmeric and curcumin supplements come in all shapes and sizes. Because some supplements are made that way, there are three main ways to obtain curcumin supplementation: capsules, powders, extracts, or a combination of both.

Turmeric Capsules

Curcumin capsules are the most common form of curcumin supplement today. They are trendy, reasonably easy to obtain, and convenient without any measuring involved.

They are typically easy to swallow, and if you aren’t a fan of how turmeric tastes, these may be for you.

Powders

Powdered turmeric and curcumin offer a concentrated supplement that can be added to many different foods and drinks. These powders are convenient for those who do not like taking pills or have difficulty swallowing them.

These powders may have a taste; however, if you do not like the flavor of turmeric, these may not be for you. If the ease of adding the powder to food strikes you, this supplement may be for you.

Powders can have a better absorption rate than capsules for some people. Again, taking Bioperine or black pepper is an excellent bioavailability enhancer to maximize the healing properties.

Extracts

Curcumin extracts are the most highly concentrated form of curcumin that you can obtain, and these are typically used in studies for their potency and purity. There are many benefits to using these extracts, such as you can take tiny amounts to meet your curcumin needs.

These are convenient because the curcuminoid compounds are highly concentrated, allowing for a timely and cost-effective way to use enough curcumin to suit your needs.

Other Ways to Take A Supplement with Curcumin

Some curcumin supplements combine two of the three ways to take the best curcumin supplement. Some curcumin supplements combine the potency of extracts with the ease of swallowing a premeasured pill.

Make sure to weigh the costs and benefits of each best curcumin supplement to find the one that will most effectively suit your needs. Consult your doctor if you have questions about which form of curcumin supplement you should take.

What are The Best Curcumin Supplements?

Hundreds of thousands of curcumin and turmeric supplements are on the market today. Many of these may be excellent options for your health and achieving turmeric supplements’ benefits.

As always, please speak with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

Here is our list of the top ten curcumin supplements: