Which curcumin supplement is the best?
Over the past few years, turmeric has become a hot topic in the health community. The main active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has many benefits for your mind and body. If you want to add curcumin supplements to your daily routine but aren’t sure which one to choose, learning more about their benefits and the most popular brands is a great way to make an informed decision. For example, California Gold Nutrition C3 Curcumin Complex with BioPerine is a popular and relatively affordable choice.
What to know before buying a curcumin supplement
Health benefits of curcumin
- Curcumin can help reduce inflammation and muscle soreness from exercise.
- Curcumin is a great way to relieve pain from exercise-related injuries.
- Curcumin helps manage inflammatory conditions, arthritis, anxiety, metabolic syndrome, and hyperlipidemia.
- Curcumin can slow the proliferation of gastric cancer cells.
- Curcumin can alleviate gastric problems caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Some studies have suggested that curcumin may have anti-aging properties.
Curcumin vs Turmeric
Turmeric supplements contain high concentrations of curcumin. Curcumin supplements are made with pure curcumin extracted from turmeric, which means they will likely have more of the positive benefits directly associated with curcumin. Yet there are other components in turmeric that have their own benefits. Both curcumin and turmeric have a bright orange color that can stain clothes, so it’s crucial to make sure you don’t spill any if you’re using powdered supplements.
Curcumin Side Effects
Curcumin has been shown to mimic the effects of estrogen, which means women with specific hormonal issues should not take curcumin supplements. Curcumin can raise your blood sugar levels, which means it’s not ideal for people with diabetes.
There are many side effects of taking turmeric that can also apply to curcumin. Turmeric has been shown to worsen symptoms of sensitive stomachs and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Additionally, breastfeeding women should avoid turmeric supplements.
What to Look for in a Quality Curcumin Supplement
Bioavailability
Bioavailability is the proportion of a supplement that circulates in your body when consumed. If a substance is not bioavailable, it will probably have no positive effect. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), curcumin by itself does not have sufficient bioavailability to be an effective supplement.
One way to increase the bioavailability of curcumin is to combine piperine, a component of black pepper. When curcumin is combined with piperine, it has been shown to increase bioavailability by 2000%. Still, other ingredients may increase the bioavailability of curcumin, although not all of them have been tested by reliable sources.
Supplement type
It is essential to choose a supplement that you would be comfortable taking on a daily basis. There are many supplements to choose from, including capsules, powders, and gummies.
Many people prefer traditional capsules because they are easy to consume and you cannot taste them. Still, some people have trouble swallowing supplement capsules. If you don’t like supplement capsules, you may prefer gummies, although gummies tend to be less bioavailable than other supplements. You can buy pure curcumin powder to add to foods, shakes, and smoothies, although some people find the taste to be too strong.
Dietary restrictions
If you are vegan or have other dietary restrictions, you should make sure to purchase a supplement that matches your diet. Although many curcumin supplements are vegan, some contain fish oil and other ingredients that you may want to avoid. If you want to avoid GMO ingredients, it’s a good idea to buy a supplement that specifically states that it’s made with non-GMO ingredients.
How much you can expect to spend on a curcumin supplement
With any supplement, the price will vary depending on the number of capsules or gummies included in a bottle. Still, it’s easy to figure out the price of each capsule or gumball included. Most curcumin supplements cost between 25 and 35 cents per capsule.
Curcumin Supplements FAQ
How many curcumin supplements should you take each day?
A. Most curcumin supplements contain all the daily curcumin you will need in just one capsule. It’s a good idea not to consume more curcumin than necessary to avoid getting an upset stomach.
Can curcumin be taken on an empty stomach?
A. Many people find curcumin supplements to be best when taken with food. You can take these supplements without food, but they can upset your stomach.
What is the best curcumin supplement to buy?
Best Curcumin Supplement
California Gold Nutrition C3 Curcumin Complex with BioPerine
What do you want to know: This effective curcumin supplement contains black pepper extract, which makes it more effective than most other curcumin supplements.
What you will love: This bottle contains 120 capsules. This supplement is vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO. Most buyers have found these supplements to be incredibly easy to swallow.
What you should consider: Curcumin may leak from the capsules. Be careful not to touch your clothes if you have bright orange curcumin on your fingers.
Or buy: Sold by iHerb and Amazon
Best curcumin supplement for the money
California Gold Nutrition CurcuminUP Omega-3 and Curcumin Complex
What do you want to know: These curcumin supplements are an affordable way to relieve joint pain and inflammation.
What you will love: These curcumin supplements also contain fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These supplements do not contain any gluten, soy or GMO ingredients.
What you should consider: These supplements are not suitable for vegans.
Or buy: Sold by iHerb and Amazon
Worth checking out
Natural Factors CurcuminRich Theracurmin
What do you want to know: These effective curcumin supplements do not contain any GMO ingredients.
What you will love: This brand claims to have the highest bioavailability of any curcumin supplement. These capsules are tiny, making them easy to swallow. These supplements are vegan.
What you should consider: Some users have found these supplements to be ineffective.
Or buy: Sold by iHerb and Amazon
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Cody Stewart written for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their buying decisions, saving them time and money.
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