Is Curcumin the Same as Turmeric?

 

The popularity of curcumin and turmeric as powerful anti-inflammatories has been growing steadily in recent years, as consumers are increasingly turning to natural solutions to relieve their aches and pains. People often assume that curcumin and turmeric are one and the same. They are, however, two very distinct things.   

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a plant of the ginger family and is native to Southeast Asia, where it is grown commercially. Its rhizome (or root) is used as a spice (a major ingredient in most curry powders) as well as in herbal medicine – notably in Ayurveda, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Turmeric is also sold as a natural anti-inflammatory supplement for a variety of conditions such as joint disorders like arthritis, seasonal allergies, digestive disorders, brain degeneration, respiratory infections, liver disease, obesity, diabetes, mood disorders, and even cancer.

What is Curcumin?

Curcumin comes from turmeric and is the primary active compound in the root, and responsible for turmeric’s bright yellow color. Of course, like all plants, turmeric contains a wealth of other compounds, however, the majority of research (12,500 research papers and counting) has focused on curcumin. Indeed, science has shown that curcumin is a powerful and natural antioxidant, that can neutralize free radicals that we are exposed to as part of the aging process and in response to our environment, and, in turn, protect the body's cells and tissues against the onset of a range of diseases.

Curcumin vs. Turmeric

Turmeric and curcumin supplements both confer many of the same health benefits:

·       Helps manage blood sugar and diabetes

·       Helps prevent obesity and regulate body fat

·       Provides antibacterial and antifungal support

·       Reduces inflammation and relieve joint pain

·       Reduces risk of heart disease (lowers cholesterol and hypertension)

They do, however, also have a few important distinctions. For instance, curcumin seems to offer the most potent anti-inflammatory benefits, while turmeric, as a whole plant, provides a complex variety of bioactive compounds that offer distinct anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and antiproliferative properties. If you’re looking for robust anti-inflammatory support, however, fast-acting curcumin is likely your best option for powerful inflammation and pain relief.    

How Does Curcumin Works?

Though curcumin has a range of diverse applications, it is above and beyond anything else a powerful natural anti-inflammatory and pain-reliever. Studies tell us that it is as effective as many Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and may even outperform some common arthritis drugs, without any of the side effects. Both of which are no small feats!

Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects stem from its ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators including cytokines, chemokines, and enzymes – basically, compounds that promote inflammation in the body. Because of this, curcumin supplements can be used to quickly relieve all of the classic signs of acute inflammation such as pain, redness, swelling, and loss of function, which may be the result of exercise, overtraining, injury, or surgery. Just as interestingly, curcumin supplements can be used to modulate and temper chronic forms of inflammation, which is critical because, chronic inflammation is associated with the onset of serious degenerative conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and many others. 

Where do I buy Curcumin Supplements?

You can pick up a curcumin supplement in pretty much any health food store, as well as via your online natural health products retailer of choice. Curcumin supplements come in a wide range of shapes and sizes – notably:  tablets, capsules, caplets, chewables, or gummies, as well as powders, and liquids. Curcumin can also frequently be found in anti-inflammatory complex blends along with myriad other plants and nutrients.

You should look for a high-quality curcumin supplement that is standardized to 95% curcuminoids (the highest concentration on the market), and ideally one that is organic, with no GMOs and is fermented to enhance absorption. To further optimize absorption, try to find one that contains black pepper since it's been shown to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin by up to 2000%.  

Some of the best curcumin/turmeric curcumin supplements in Canada include:

·       AOR Curmucin / AOR Curcumin Active

·       Natural Factors Curcumin

·       New Roots Curcumin

·       Organika Curcumin

·       Purica Curcumin

·       Sisu Curcumin

How Much Curcumin/Turmeric Should you Take per Day?

Although using turmeric in your cooking is a great way to increase your intake of anti-inflammatory foods and bolster health, the spice form only contains about 3% absorbable curcumin. So, how much curcumin does turmeric powder contain? Well, one teaspoon of ground turmeric only supplies around 200 mg of curcumin, far below clinical doses. Therefore, if you’re looking for a therapeutic dose, you’ll want to consider a curcumin supplement.

The Recommended Curcumin Dosage(s) is as follows:

Turmeric supplements are usually recommended at doses between 500 and 2,000 mg daily, providing 100 to 250mg of curcumin, however, this can be misleading because not all curcumin supplements are created equal or offer the same bioavailability and absorption. This is why it may be best to look for an enhanced form of curcumin such as c3 complex, to ensure you're getting a consistently high dose of curcumin for optimal inflammation support. Because curcumin supplements offer such a wide range of potential absorption, it's important to always follow the dosing instructions listed on your particular product's label.   

About National Nutrition

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