Curcumin
Turmeric extract · Inflammation
Turmeric-derived compound studied for joint pain and inflammatory markers.
What the evidence says
Multiple human RCTs show modest improvement in osteoarthritis pain, roughly comparable to NSAIDs in some trials. Plain turmeric powder is poorly absorbed.
What studies used
500–1,500 mg of a bioavailability-enhanced extract. With food and fat.
Reported from published studies and product labelling — a record of what was used in research, not a recommendation. What is right for you is a conversation with a clinician.
Watch out for
- Absorption depends on the formulation
- Can interact with blood thinners
Evidence base
established literature
Large human evidence base: several phase 3 or 4 trial reports, plus multiple meta-analyses or systematic reviews.
This letter measures how much human research exists, not whether it works for you — the tier above (Moderate) is the read on quality.
Research (12)
- Bioavailability of curcumin: problems and promisesMol Pharm · 2007
- CurcuminProfiles Drug Subst Excip Relat Methodol · 2014
- Curcumin, Gut Microbiota, and NeuroprotectionNutrients · 2019
- Curcumin and Its Potential Impact on MicrobiotaNutrients · 2021
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its major constituent (curcumin) as nontoxic and safe substances: ReviewPhytother Res · 2018
- Curcumin and curcumin-loaded nanoparticles: antipathogenic and antiparasitic activitiesExpert Rev Anti Infect Ther · 2020
- Curcumin in human osteosarcoma: From analogs to carriersDrug Discov Today · 2023
- Curcumin, an active component of turmeric: biological activities, nutritional aspects, immunological, bioavailability, and human health benefits - a comprehensive reviewFront Immunol · 2025
- Curcumin nanopreparations: recent advance in preparation and applicationBiomed Mater · 2024
- Role of Curcumin in Retinal Diseases-A reviewGraefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol · 2022
- Curcumin and Gastric Cancer: a Review on Mechanisms of ActionJ Gastrointest Cancer · 2019
- Curcumin: From a controversial "panacea" to effective antineoplastic productsMedicine (Baltimore) · 2020
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