Curcumin

Please note the following referenced scientific research is for informational use only. The results reported below may not necessarily occur in all our customers. The information should not replace advice from your health care practitioner. This information should not be read to recommend or endorse any specific product.

Curcumin is the most active constituent in turmeric and is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This golden root is a cousin to ginger and has a long history of traditional use in Chinese and Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine. Curcumin acts as a master switch of inflammation literally blocking and interfering with the inflammatory response pathways in the body and offering a protective effect.

Anti-inflammatory

  • Strong evidence confirms the anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin and its potency to target inflammatory diseases (Braun & Cohen 2015, 1010). 

  • Curcumin acts as a master switch of inflammation on pro-inflammatory enzymes and transcription factors (Jurenka 2009).

  • Curcuminhas been shown to supress inflammation through many mechanisms (Hewlings & Kalman 2017).

Joint Health

  • Curcumin has been found to be effective in improving joint swelling and pain (Chandran & Goel 2012).

  • Due to curcumins anti-inflammatory properties, it has shown to reduce joint aches and pain (Gupta et al. 2013). 

  • Reduces joint pain in patients with osteoarthritis via anti-inflammatory mechanisms (Chin 2016).  

  • Curcumin has shown to have anti-arthritic effects on chronic inflammatory joint conditions (Hewlings & Kalman 2017).

Antioxidant

  • Studies confirm the potent antioxidant activity curcumin shows. It exerts direct free radical scavenging activity and enhances antioxidant activity (Braun & Cohen 2015, 1010). 

  • Curcumin improves systemic markers of oxidative stress (Hewlings & Kalman 2017).

  • Curcumins antioxidant activity is more potent than that of ascorbic acid or resveratrol and can increase activities of other antioxidants like superoxide dismutase (SOD) (Hewlings & Kalman 2017).

References

  • Braun, L., and Cohen,Marc. 2015. Herbs & Natural Supplements An Evidence-based guide Volume 2. 4th ed. Australia: Elsevier.

  • Jurenka, JS. 2009. “Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: a review of preclinical and clinical research.” Alternative medicine review: A journal of clinical therapeutic 14. 2 (Jun): 41-53. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19594223 

  • Linus Pauling Institute. 2019. Micronutrient Information Center Curcumin. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/curcumin 

  • Chandran, B., Goel, A. 2012. “A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.” Phytotherapy Research: PTR, 26. 11 (Nov): 1719-25. 10.1002/ptr.4639 

  • Gupta, SC., Patchva, S., Aggarwal, BB. 2013. “Therapeutic Roles of Curcumin: Lessons learned from clinical trials.” The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, 15. 1 (Jan): 195-218. 10.1208/s12248-012-9432-8 

  • Chin, KY. 2016. “The spice for joint inflammation: anti-inflammatory role of curcumin in treating osteoarthritis.” Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 10: (3029-3042). 10.2147/DDDT.S117432

  • Hewlings, SJ., Kalman, DS. 2017. “Curcumin: A Review of It’s Effects on Human Health.” Foods, 6. 10 (Oct): 92. doi:10.3390/foods6100092