If you're shopping for the best curcumin supplement, you're in the right place.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in the Turmeric, is one of the most powerful natural compounds around, and it's a key ingredient in many supplements aimed at helping to manage pain, boost your mood, and improve your general health.
There are lots of options out there, however, and it can be tricky to find one that works for you. That's why we've put together this guide: to help you figure out what you need from a curcumin supplement and which products are worth investing in. We'll also take a look at some of the ingredients that are commonly used alongside curcumin as well as other active compounds that can increase its absorption rate when taken together. Absorption rate is important because curcumin, by itself is not well absorbed by the body, however, as you will see, all of the products reviewed here are highly absorbable.
How We Choose
There are several factors to consider when choosing the best curcumin supplement. First, it should contain high-quality ingredients that are free of contaminants and pesticides. Second, it should be manufactured in an certified facility with strict quality controls and with a high level of absorbability so you can be confident about the safety and effectiveness of the product. Third, it should have positive customer reviews from people who have tried the product themselves.
With all these things in mind, we've rounded up, what we believe are seven of the best curcumin supplements on the market today so you can find one that fits your needs and budget.
BioTrust Nutrition - Ageless Turmeric
The BioTrust CurcuWIN Turmeric Extract, which is our top choice for the best turmeric supplement, is a high-quality product that delivers all of the benefits you need from this powerful herb. This product offers a potent extract with 46 times more bioavailability than standard curcumin extracts, so it's suitable for supporting an array of full-body benefits.
The 46x more bioavailability means you get sustained action from this product to support healthy inflammation and antioxidant support and help support joint health, skin health, detoxification and much more. It also features Ginger Extract to provide additional support for these areas of your body.
We found the price point on this supplement to be reasonable too considering its potency and quality ingredients including real turmeric extract. The only downside we saw was the lack of customer reviews compared to other supplements in this review, but overall we think it's worth every penny if you're looking for a high-quality turmeric supplement.
1MD Nutrition - CurcuminMD Plus
If you're looking for a supplement that has the potential to help you with everything from joint pain to brain function, then look no further than 1MD Nutrition's CurcuminMD Plus. This is a one-a-kind product that offers incredible benefits thanks to its unique combination of ingredients like Boswellia Serrata and longvida optimized curcumin.
What makes this product so special is how it's formulated using a high-grade longvida optimized curcumin extract, which has been measured to be absorbed 285 times more effectively than conventional curcumin extracts. It also contains turmeric root powder and black pepper extract, both of which are used in traditional medicine for their healing properties.
Curcumin is known as India's gold standard herb due to its ability to treat all sorts of conditions including arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and more. Boswellia Serrata is an ancient plant extract derived from frankincense tree resin that can help support your joints while black pepper extract has been shown in studies to have powerful antioxidant properties. In short, this may be the most comprehensive joint health supplement on the market today. It is the most expensive product we have on our list, but with it's high absorption rate and considering it costs less than $50 per month when taken as directed, it might be just the right choice for you.
Allergy Research Group - CurcuWIN 500
These days, the best turmeric supplement is going to be one that contains a high percentage of curcuminoids. This means it will have been extracted using a process called cold-pressing, which preserves much of the plant's active compounds and yields a more potent product than regular extracts.
The Allergy Research Group CurcuWIN Turmeric Extract with minimum 20% curcuminoids is one such product. It has been tested and certified by an independent lab to contain at least 20 percent curcuminoids – up to 70 percent when extracted using low temperatures in comparison with traditional methods – making it excellent for supporting joint health and reducing inflammation. In addition, as with our first pick, its CurcuWIN Turmeric Extract absorbs 46 times greater curcuminoids than standard Turmeric extracts. The capsules are easy on the stomach too. They're enteric-coated so they pass through your digestive system unabsorbed and make sure your body absorbs all of the active ingredients.
While this isn't our top pick, you can't argue with its quality or effectiveness.
Life Extension - Curcumin Elite
Another "Best of Show" turmeric extract is Life Extension's Curcumin Elite, which has 45.5 times more free curcuminoids than standard curcumin. This means you'll be able to absorb a much higher percentage of the active ingredient, increasing its effectiveness and potency.
Life Extension also say that their curcumin contains fenugreek fiber, a patented extraction process that removes solvents and chemicals without compromising quality or efficacy. The result is a superior product compared to similar supplements on the market today.
Curcumin Elite comes in 60 vegetarian capsules with 45.5 times more bioavailable free curcuminoids than standard curcumin (such as the one in our previous formulation). With this much more powerful form of curcumin available, it's easy to see why this product made our list of one of the best turmeric extract available for your health needs!
Thorne Research - Curcumin Phytosome
Thorne Curcumin Phytosome 500 mg (Meriva)
Supports Healthy Inflammatory Response in Joints and Muscle
Thorne Research's Curcumin Phytosome is one the best curcumin supplement on our list. It's extremely effective at reducing inflammation and pain, especially in joints, muscles and nerves. This product also provides significant support for healthy joint function and mobility.
Thorne Research's Curcumin Phytosome is a highly bioavailable form of curcumin that has been extracted using a patented process called “Phytosome Technology." Compared to ordinary curcumin supplements, this formulation absorbs 29 times more easily into your system – which means you'll get significantly more bang for your buck when it comes to easing muscle aches and pains, supporting healthy joints and improving overall health.
Another reason for this choice is that we trust implicitly, the Thorne Research manufacturing methods. They have an exemplary record of compliance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) set by the FDA and there products are NSF Certified for Sports. Plus their price point for this product isn't bad either!
Pure Encapsulations - CurcumaSorb
As far as digestive support supplements go, CurcumaSorb is one of the most well-rounded options out there. It's designed to boost your overall health in a number of ways, including supporting your muscles and bones.
It does this through promoting absorption of nutrients into your body, which is why it includes phosphatidylcholine - a type of liposomal delivery system (Meriva) - for enhanced uptake and bioavailability. This helps ensure you get the full benefit from the high levels of curcumin found in each capsule.
As for joint support, a three-month low dose (200mg/day) clinical trial showed that Meriva curcumin provided significant benefit in joint comfort, mobility and quality of life. So, if you're going to try any particular brand for yourself, we think CurcumaSorb may be well worth your consideration based on its quality ingredients, excellent manufacturing process and potent dosage per serving.
BioSchwartz - Premium Ultra Pure Turmeric Curcumin
BioSchwartz turmeric curcumin is the best-selling turmeric supplement on Amazon, and for good reason. It's easy to consume the recommended daily amount of this high-potency supplement with a single serving of BioSchwartz Turmeric Curcumin 1500mg. It is also the least expensive, at 19 cents per serving, of the seven products reviewed here.
This product contains 95% standardized curcuminoids per serving, which means it supports a high level of concentration. The patented bioPerine helps enhance absorption and bioavailability in this turmeric supplement, too.
Each batch of BioSchwartz turmeric curcumin with bioperine is third-party tested to ensure its purity and potency – something you won't find on every bottle or bag of turmeric powder on Amazon. It's also formulated for women and men who want to enjoy the benefits of turmeric curcumin supplements, so it's not just a male supplement that appeals to men (or vice versa).
Best Curcumin Supplement FAQs
You're likely here because you have some questions about curcumin supplements.
You likely have many questions about these products, but most of all you want to know if they're safe and effective. We've created a list of Frequently Asked Questions about curcumin supplements in order to help ease your mind and answer any remaining questions that you might still have!
Is It Better To Take Turmeric Or Curcumin?
Turmeric is the whole root containing curcumin and other compounds such as volatile oils. Turmeric supplements are made from the dried and powdered root.
Curcumin is one of the active ingredients in turmeric. Still, it's not present in large amounts, so to get significant quantities, you would need to take fairly high doses over a long period, which could be hard to do and may produce side effects.
Taking turmeric alongside curcumin solves this problem because it increases the amount your body absorbs. However, taking too much can cause upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea, so stick to lower doses (around 500mg to 1500mg a day). Other forms of turmeric include “turmeric oil,” which is extracted from the roots after they've been washed or processed; “turmerick,” which is a mixture of ground turmeric with other spices such as pepper; and “turmeruick” which includes additional ingredients like peppermint or wintergreen flavorings. While these may taste better than plain powder, they contain fewer curcuminoids.
What Is The Best Form Of Curcumin To Take?
The most common form of curcumin is a powdered pill that you can buy at any grocery store. This form of curcumin has been shown to be effective in many studies, but it does have its drawbacks.
The problem with this form is that your body doesn't absorb 100% of the curcumin. In fact, a study found that only about 16% of the curcumin was absorbed by the body. So if you're taking high doses to get an effect, you may be disappointed.
The best options are capsules that promote high absorption, for instance brands with Meriva, CurcuWIN or BioPerine (which all work as an absorption enhancer). These capsules can increase your absorption to about 97%, which is what researchers are looking for when testing products like aspirin and ibuprofen!
What Happens When You Take Curcumin Everyday?
Animal and test tube studies show that curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. These are the same kind of effects that non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen have but without their side effects and potential for stomach upset.
One study on mice showed that combining curcumin with NSAIDs was more effective at reducing inflammation than alone. Other research shows that curcumin can reduce symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including pain, joint swelling, and the need for medication.
Studies also show it can help manage other inflammatory conditions such as colitis and ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In animal studies, it also appears to protect against damage from heart attacks and strokes by reducing blood clotting factors while increasing protective ones like HDL cholesterol.
What Should You Not Take With Curcumin?
As with many supplements, there are a few things to be mindful of when taking curcumin.
Curcumin has the potential to interact with some medications, so if you're already taking something like ibuprofen or blood thinners, it's essential not to exceed the recommended doses of these drugs. If you regularly take any prescription medication, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new supplement.
It's also worth noting that large doses of curcumin can cause nausea and stomach upset for some people, so always start with just a tiny amount and see how you tolerate it before increasing your intake.
Is It Better To Take Curcumin In The Morning Or At Night?
The timing of your dose may affect how much benefit you get from it. Research suggests that if you take curcumin at the same time each day, your body may be able to build up a consistent level of the nutrient in your system. Taking curcumin with food also appears to increase its absorption and enhance its effects on inflammation.
In one study, people who took a daily supplement containing 1 gram of curcumin saw an improvement in their joint mobility when they took it with food compared to taking it on an empty stomach. Another clinical trial looked at people who suffered from osteoarthritis of the knee and found that those who took 600 mg of curcumin three times daily fared better than those who took just 100 mg once a day or 200 mg three times daily.
Taking too much curcumin can cause side effects such as diarrhea and stomach upset, so stick to the recommended dosage unless your doctor directs otherwise.
How Much Curcumin Should I Take Daily For Inflammation?
In order to get the most out of curcumin, your dosage should be between 500 and 3,000 mg per day.
The ideal dosage depends on your health goals. For general pain relief and overall joint health, experts recommend taking 500 to 1,000 mg daily with food.
For a more specific approach to inflammation reduction in arthritis sufferers, however, clinical trials have shown that dosages between 2,000 and 3,000 mg were associated with the best results.
What Is The Best Form Of Curcumin To Take?
Traditionally, curcumin has been taken in pill form. However, it is not easily absorbed by the body when taken this way, which is why many people choose to take a curcumin supplement that contains piperine (an ingredient found in black pepper).
While taking a supplement containing piperine may help you absorb more curcumin, it can also cause side effects such as nausea and upset stomach. Plus, most supplements contain less than 95 percent pure curcumin — compared with up to 100 percent with some forms of turmeric.
Not only does it seem that plain and simple turmeric works best for pain relief, but studies show that eating it can actually improve your absorption of plain curcumin supplements. In one study published in the journal Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, participants who ate 2 grams of powdered turmeric demonstrated better absorption than those who took the same amount in a capsule or nothing at all.
Conclusion
Choosing the best curcumin supplement can be a difficult task as there are many different brands and types available on the market today. It is important to consider factors such as quality, price, and purity when deciding. Absorption is a critically important factor too, so look for products that contain absorption enhancers like CurcuWin, Meriva, or BioPerine for example. Also, look for one that has been third party tested for purity and contains a high concentration of curcumin without any additives or fillers. Additionally, check reviews from other customers to ensure that you're getting a good value for your money. With proper research, you can find an ideal curcumin supplement that meets all of your needs - giving you more energy, helping with joint pain, and potentially even aiding in recovery from various health conditions!
Thanks for reading this review, and we hope this information has been helpful!
Please check back often as we review many supplements here at Balanced Herbals.
*We are NOT qualified medical advisors. The content here is only based on our personal opinions and research and should NOT be used as a substitute for a healthcare professional's advice!
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