Curcumin, a compound found in the spice turmeric, has been gaining popularity for its numerous health benefits for decades. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, as well as potential benefits for brain health and cognitive function. Unfortunately, simply consuming turmeric is unlikely to provide humans with enough curcumin to reap these benefits - and trying to do so may also not be an entirely pleasant experience thanks to its bitter taste.
This is where curcumin supplements come in. Available in various forms, such as dry powder pills, tinctures, gummies, or soft gels, curcumin supplements not only allow you to ingest high volumes of turmeric but also often include curcumin extracts with much higher strengths and absorption-enhancing additives. If you're looking to reap the numerous health benefits of turmeric root, then just won't get around curcumin supplements.
So without further ado, here are the most efficient curcumin supplements on the US market right now.
10 Best Curcumin Supplement in 2023
1. Nanocumin
Nanocumin is one of the first brands in the US to offer 100% pure nano-curcumin Theracurcmin. This is a highly bioavailable form of curcumin that uses sub-micron technology to break curcumin down into particles that are smaller than a human cell, measured in nanometers. These tiny particles can be easily absorbed into the body and delivered to cells. Some studies suggest that Nanocumin is the most bioavailable curcumin available, up to 42.6 times more bioavailable than standard curcumin extract.
Nano-curcumin has been studied for its potential to reduce inflammation, improve brain function, and even help manage symptoms of diabetes. It may also have antifungal properties that can help fight off harmful fungi. As of 2023, nano-curcumin is said to be the most efficient form of turmeric on the market.
The brand offers various-sized packages, starting from $33.00 for a 30-capsule box to $95.00 for a 120-capsule box. Additionally, monthly subscribers will receive a 10% discount.
2. Organic Veda Turmeric Powder
Next on the list is the only organic curcumin powder. Organic Veda claims that its natural turmeric powder "is derived from the purest, high potency organic turmeric" grown in India. This turmeric powder has a beautiful bright orange color and a fantastic aroma, making it suitable to use in your favorite recipes - especially those that involve curry. However, it needs to be said that this powder is not an extract, and thus its potency is significantly lower than other products on this list, especially compared to nano-curcumin.
3. Qunol Extra Strength Turmeric Curcumin
This Qunol curcumin supplement is another high-efficiency product on the market. Similar to Nanocumin, Qunol has found a way to increase the water dispersion of curcumin, enabling a higher absorption rate within the human body. According to the company, this powder boasts a 40 times better absorption rate than normal curcuma - which is great, but still a bit behind Nanocumin's absorption rate. That said, it can still be a great alternative to Nanocumin if you're not looking to get the best of the best.
4. Primal Harvest Turmeric
Primal Harvest's turmeric pills are a popular curcumin supplement that leverages black pepper extract (piperine) to enhance the absorption of turmeric in the human body. If you don't know about this process yet, scroll down for a detailed explanation of how this works. The brand advertises this product specifically to improve joint health and mobility. That said, while Primal Harvest is not a brand with great tradition, it still climbed the Amazon chart of turmeric products and is now in the top five. These capsules are available for $39.95 per 30-serving bottle, so it's slightly leaning toward the expensive side.
5. Purely Inspired Turmeric Lean
Turmeric Lean promises a product that is suited to enhance weight loss. According to Purely Inspired, their product features an effective, scientifically researched weight loss combination of pure curcumin extract and alpha lipoic acid (ALA) - you can also learn more about this combination below our top 10 ranking of the best curcumin products.
Consumers are advised to take one serving split over two capsules with a glass of water twice per day - approximately 30 minutes before your two largest meals. While this sounds great on paper, some users reported not feeling any effects on weight loss even after months of using it, which means that not everybody will absorb and process this product the same as others. So, if you're just looking to lose weight, don't put all your hopes into this product.
6. Solgar Full Spectrum Curcumin Brain Works
Solgar's Brain Works is a curcumin product optimized to support your brain do its magic, or in other words, to stay sharp, enhance your memory, and support cognitive functions. It includes nutrients like curcumin, choline, B12, and bacopa to help maintain healthy homocysteine levels correlated with age-associated cognitive health, while its nootropic formula helps with verbal memory and may increase the production of a key brain neurotransmitter essential for optimum cognitive function - at least according to the manufacturer.
Additionally, bacopa is expected to help short-term memory and is traditionally used for mild focus problems associated with aging, while choline is a key precursor to acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter involved in the metabolism of homocysteine. While we cannot promise you that this product will noticeably boost your brain, it could be worth a try if your body responds well to curcumin products.
7. Qunol Turmeric Gummies
Those who just can't get themselves to swallow capsules or pills will find a fantastic solution in Qunol's turmeric gummies. These tasty chewable treats will enable you to reap all the benefits of turmeric while enjoying a fine orange flavor. One box of these curcumin gummy bears includes 500 mg of Qunol Turmeric, which is the same curcumin extract used in the capsules featured above, so we won't go into its details again.
8. NOW Tumeric Curcumin Gels
NOW's curcumin softgels are based on a standardized extract from the turmeric root boasting 95% curcuminoids. Unlike other capsules and pills on this list, the soft gel capsules used in this product may be easier to swallow while also providing improved solubility in the human body. What's more, NOW is a US family-owned and operated company since 1968, so if you like to support traditional family-run businesses, then this might be the ideal product for you.
9. Nature Made Extra Strength Turmeric
(Photo : Nature Made Extra Strength Turmeric)
Nature Made's Extra Strength Turmeric is another curcumin capsule that gains extra bioavailability from a black pepper infusion. This product is advertised to support a healthy inflammation response from daily activity while also providing antioxidant benefits. Made in the USA with globally sourced, high-quality ingredients, Nature Made claims to be the number one pharmacist-recommended vitamin and supplement brand according to Pharmacopeia - although this claim is of course difficult to verify.
10. Ancient Nutrition Turmeric Capsules
Wrapping up our list of the top 10 best curcumin supplements, Ancient Nutrition's Turmeric Capsules offers capsules containing USDA Certified organic turmeric root extract, fermented turmeric root, and black pepper fruit. The product is advertised to reduce joint tenderness, improve joint mobility, decrease exercise-induced joint discomfort by day 5, and support a healthy response to inflammation.
Choosing between different curcumin products
With so many different products on the market, it's important to stay informed about the various types of curcumin products. Therefore, here's a quick summary of all available curcumin supplement types, so that you can choose the one that works best for you.
Standard Curcumin Extract
Standard curcumin extract is the most basic form of curcumin supplement. It typically contains anywhere from 95-98% curcuminoids, which are the active compounds in turmeric. However, standard curcumin extract is not very bioavailable, which means your body may not absorb it very well. This can limit its effectiveness.
Despite its low bioavailability, standard curcumin extract is still widely used and can provide some benefits. It has been studied for its potential to reduce inflammation, improve brain function, and even lower the risk of heart disease.
Curcumin phytosome
Curcumin phytosome is a type of curcumin supplement that is more bioavailable than standard curcumin extract. It consists of curcumin particles that are bound to phospholipids, which help increase absorption in the body. Some studies suggest that curcumin phytosome may be up to 29 times more bioavailable than standard curcumin extract.
Curcumin phytosome has been studied for its potential to reduce inflammation, improve liver function, and even help manage symptoms of depression. It may also have antioxidant properties that can help protect against cellular damage.
Curcumin with black pepper extract
Curcumin with black pepper is another type of curcumin supplement designed to improve bioavailability. For example, Bioperine is a patented extract of black pepper, which contains piperine - a compound that can increase the absorption of curcumin in the body by up to 2000%. This means that taking curcumin with Bioperine or other black pepper extracts can help your body absorb more of the supplement and potentially increase its effectiveness.
Curcumin with piperine has been studied for its potential to reduce inflammation, improve brain function, and even help manage symptoms of osteoarthritis. It may also have antimicrobial properties that can help fight off harmful bacteria and viruses.
Liposomal curcumin
Liposomal curcumin is a newer type of curcumin supplement that uses liposomes - tiny bubbles made of phospholipids - to transport curcumin into the body. This helps improve absorption and delivery to cells. Some studies suggest that liposomal curcumin may be up to 10 times more bioavailable than standard curcumin extract.
Liposomal curcumin has been studied for its potential to reduce inflammation, improve brain function, and even help manage symptoms of cancer. It may also have anti-aging properties that can help protect against cellular damage and oxidative stress.
Nano-Curcumin
Nano-curcumin boasts the highest bioavailability of curcumin on the market, exceeding more than 42.6 times higher absorption rate than conventional turmeric. Nanocurcumin leverages submicron technology to break down the turmeric root into tiny particles that are highly water and fat-soluble, allowing them to achieve maximum absorption and thus health benefits in the human body.
Other factors to consider when choosing a curcumin supplement
When it comes to choosing a curcumin supplement, there are several more factors that are worth considering. You already know that not all curcumin supplements are created equal, and it's important to choose a high-quality product that is effective and safe. Below is a summary of factors to consider, as well as explanations of which product types are best in each category.
Bioavailability
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a curcumin supplement is bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to the amount of the supplement that is actually absorbed and utilized by the body. Curcumin has poor bioavailability on its own, which means that it is quickly metabolized and eliminated by the body before it can be fully utilized.
To improve bioavailability, look for supplements that are designed to improve absorption, such as nano-curcumin, curcumin phytosome, or curcumin with black pepper extract. These formulations have been shown to increase the amount of curcumin that is absorbed by the body, making them more effective.
Dosage and concentration
Another important factor to consider is the dosage and concentration of the supplement. To reap the benefits of curcumin, it's important to take a high enough dosage. Look for supplements with a concentration of at least 95% curcuminoids, which are the active compounds in curcumin.
The recommended daily dosage of curcumin varies depending on the condition you are trying to treat, but typically ranges from 500-2000mg per day. It's important to follow the recommended dosage guidelines, research best practices on the internet, and ideally talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
On a separate note, the amount of turmeric/curcumin in a product can be misleading sometimes as a product with 2000mg of regular turmeric is far from a capsule containing 600mg of Nanocumin due to its poor bioavailability.
Additives and fillers
When choosing a curcumin supplement, it's also important to check the ingredients list for any additives or fillers that may be included in the supplement. Some supplements contain unnecessary ingredients or fillers that may be harmful or reduce the effectiveness of the supplement. Look for supplements that are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, and that use natural ingredients whenever possible.
Price and quality
As with any supplement, price and quality are important factors to consider. While it may be tempting to choose a lower-priced supplement, it's important to remember that you get what you pay for. Some lower-priced supplements may contain lower-quality ingredients or may not be as effective as more expensive products. Look for high-quality supplements from reputable brands, and compare prices to ensure that you are getting good value for your money.
Brand reputation
Finally, it's important to consider the reputation of the brand you are purchasing from. Look for brands that have a good reputation, use high-quality ingredients, and have a commitment to transparency and quality control. Read customer reviews and do your research to ensure that you are choosing a reputable brand that you can trust.
Understanding the health benefits of curcumin
Chances are high that you already know about some of the key health benefits the turmeric root has to offer. But do you know all of them? As a regular consumer of curcumin products, you should have a basic understanding of all the pros and cons this natural product comes with.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
One of the most well-known benefits of curcumin is its anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation can contribute to a variety of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. Curcumin has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Curcumin works by blocking the activity of certain enzymes that contribute to inflammation in the body. By reducing inflammation, curcumin may help prevent or manage a variety of health conditions.
Antioxidant Effects
Curcumin is also a powerful antioxidant, which means it helps protect your body from damage by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, which can lead to cell damage and contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Antioxidants like curcumin help neutralize free radicals and protect your body from damage.
In addition to its antioxidant properties, curcumin also has anti-inflammatory effects, which may contribute to its overall health benefits.
Potential Cancer-Fighting Abilities
Some studies suggest that curcumin may have potential anti-cancer properties. It has been shown to inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer cells in laboratory studies. However, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness in humans.
Some researchers believe that curcumin may work by interfering with the development and spread of cancer cells. It may also help prevent the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow.
Brain health and cognitive function
Curcumin may also have benefits for brain health and cognitive function. It has been shown to increase levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is involved in nerve cell growth and function. Low levels of BDNF have been linked to depression and other neurological disorders.
In addition to its effects on BDNF, curcumin may also help improve memory and reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Some studies suggest that it may even help protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
The bottom line
Curcumin supplements can be a great addition to your health routine, providing a wide range of potential benefits for inflammation, oxidative stress, cancer prevention, and brain health. When choosing a supplement, look for one that is designed to improve bioavailability, has a high enough concentration of curcuminoids, contains minimal fillers and additives, is priced reasonably, and is made by a reputable brand. By incorporating a curcumin supplement into your health routine, you can enjoy the many health benefits of this powerful compound.
