402 Curcumin Formulas [9 January 2017]

I have written about curcumin in each of the last three years: #294 Curcumin – Nature’s Painkiller (Nov 2014); #329 Curcumin & Cancer (July 2015) and #384 Curcumin & Alzheimer’s (Aug 2016).

Curcumin is the powerful extract from the spice turmeric with documented benefits of reducing inflammation, providing cellular antioxidant protection, and reducing risk factors for chronic degenerate diseases including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. A major problem with curcumin is its low bioavailability, meaning poor absorption from the intestines and short retention time in the blood. Scientists have developed four curcumin formulas with enhanced bioavailability: BCM-95, Meriva, Longvida and Theracurmin.

The BCM-95 formula combines curcumin extract with turmeric essential oils and claims to be 7 times more bioavailable than regular turmeric extract. I wrote about BCM-95s anti-inflammatory and pain-killing effect in #294.

Curcumin in the Meriva formula is combined with phosphatidylcholine from lecithin and claims to be 29 times more bioavailable than regular curcumin extract.

Longvida was developed at UCLA using what the developers called Solid Lipid Curcumin Particle Technology. It delivers “free curcumin” into the bloodstream, which is the most effective form. Longvida claims to be a whopping 95 times more bioavailable than regular turmeric extracts. Longvida also has the distinction of being the only patented curcumin extract proven to cross the blood-brain barrier which makes it the preferred choice for people with dementia or depression.

Theracurmin’s particles are super fine and mixed with a vegetable gum which forms a colloid suspension in water. Theracurmin claims to be an amazing 300 times more bioavailable than regular curcumin powder.

Black pepper, Boswellia and olive leaf extracts are often added to curcumin formulas. Black pepper makes the curcumin better absorbed. Boswellia is related to frankincense and has anti-inflammatory properties which works well with curcumin. Olive leaf extract is a natural antibiotic and antifungal which assists your immune system in fighting and preventing illness.

Any one of these curcumin formulas will work well. Which will work best for you will depend on your purpose for taking it.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.