Curcumin
Curcumin is a natural compound extracted from the underground stem of the turmeric plant, Curcuma longa, native to East India. It is the bioactive substance responsible for turmeric’s distinctive yellow color. Traditionally used in Asian medicine, curcumin is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is currently being studied for its potential in preventing and treating various conditions, including certain types of cancer, due to its ability to protect cells from damage and modulate key biological pathways.
Is this used to correct a deficiency or achieve supramaximal levels?
Supramaximal
Is it taken for life span or health span?
Both
Is it targeting a specific disease? Or general health?
general health and inflammatory disorders
Any genetic involvement?
Stem cell genes e.g. PROM1. Genes related in cell survival and those involved in epigenetic changes
Is there a biomarker to track its effects?
Blood plasma, urine analysis and GI tissue samples
MOA of supplement
Curcumin helps protect the body by stopping harmful molecules called free radicals that can damage cells and DNA. It also reduces inflammation and can help prevent cancer by blocking important proteins and enzymes that cancer cells need to grow and spread. This includes stopping enzymes like COX-2, which cause inflammation, and other signals that tell cells to grow too much.
Risk vs reward
+ Relieve joint pain
+ Supports healthy aging by minimising inflammation and oxidative stress
+ Can reduce symptoms for Ulcerative colitis
+ May improve depression symptoms
+ May be an anticancer agent
- Potential to cause mild anaemia
- Unsuitable for those with gall bladder/ bile duct disease
- Has interactions with some anticoagulants and anti platelets e.g clopidogrel
Evidence for it?
This meta-analysis looked at whether curcumin and Curcuma longa extract (from turmeric) can help people with different types of arthritis. It included 29 studies with a total of 2,396 participants who had one of five kinds of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The results showed that curcumin may help reduce joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. It worked as well as common pain relief drugs and caused fewer side effects. In people with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin helped lower levels of inflammation markers in the blood, such as CRP (C-reactive protein), ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and RF (rheumatoid factor), which are used to measure how active the disease is. Animal studies also showed that curcumin can reduce harmful immune responses and protect joints from damage. Overall, curcumin seems to be a safe and helpful option for arthritis, but more high-quality research is still needed to confirm these results.
This systematic review looks at curcumin, a natural compound in turmeric, and its potential to support healthy aging. Aging-related disorders like memory loss, muscle decline, and neurodegeneration are linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and poor mitochondrial function. Curcumin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects may help reduce these issues. Across 15 clinical trials, curcumin was shown to improve brain function, muscle health, and slow age-related cell changes. Animal studies also support its role in protecting against cognitive decline and restoring energy production in cells. However, more research is needed to understand how it works, the best doses to use, and how to improve absorption. Overall, curcumin appears to be a safe, natural option with promise for managing age-related conditions.
This systematic review analysed 13 clinical trials to assess curcumin as an add-on treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Curcumin showed clear benefits for UC, helping more patients achieve symptom relief and remission compared to placebo. It works by blocking key inflammation pathways (like NF-κB), reducing oxidative stress, improving gut microbiota balance, and strengthening the gut lining by supporting tight junction proteins. However, results for CD were inconclusive. Curcumin was generally safe, with few side effects, though high doses may cause digestive issues or interact with medications. More research is needed to refine dosing and confirm long-term effects, but curcumin shows strong potential for improving UC outcomes.
This RCT investigated the potential antidepressant effects of curcumin supplementation in individuals with major depressive disorder. Fifty participants were randomly assigned to receive either a patented curcumin extract (500 mg twice daily) or a placebo for 8 weeks. Biomarkers in saliva, urine, and blood were measured before and after the intervention. Curcumin treatment was associated with significant increases in urinary thromboxane B2 and substance P levels, both of which are involved in inflammatory and neurochemical pathways. In contrast, the placebo group showed reductions in urinary cortisol and aldosterone, hormones related to stress response. Additionally, higher baseline plasma levels of leptin and endothelin-1 correlated with greater reductions in depressive symptoms in the curcumin group. These findings suggest that curcumin may exert antidepressant effects by modulating inflammatory and neuroendocrine markers. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm these mechanisms and treatment effects.
Evidence against it?
This systematic review highlights important safety concerns related to curcumin use in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). While curcumin may help reduce inflammation, studies show it can cause adverse effects in certain patients. It significantly reduces gallbladder size, making it unsuitable for those with gallstones or bile duct issues. Curcumin may also worsen iron deficiency—a common issue in IBD—by lowering iron stores and promoting mild anemia. At high doses, it can shift from being an antioxidant to causing oxidative stress, potentially harming heart tissue. Additionally, curcumin may increase bleeding risk when combined with blood thinners. These findings suggest that while curcumin has benefits, its use in IBD should be approached with caution, especially in vulnerable individuals.
Curcumin’s therapeutic potential is limited by its very poor bioavailability. It is poorly absorbed in the gut, rapidly broken down in the liver, and quickly eliminated from the body, meaning that even high doses result in minimal active compound reaching the bloodstream. This weak pharmacokinetic profile likely explains why clinical trial results are often inconsistent, with benefits seen in some cases but not others. New delivery methods and adjuvants can improve absorption and stability, but bioavailability remains a major barrier to its reliable effectiveness.
Best bioavailable form?
Powder or capsule
Advice on taking it?
With black pepper to increase absorption