Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that is becoming increasingly popular for its potential medicinal benefits. The benefits of turmeric are connected to its active compound, curcumin. Anya Rosen, MS, RD, LD, CPT, INFCP states that turmeric may help those who suffer from diseases caused by chronic inflammation, such arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Turmeric supplements have been widely studied, but there is still not enough evidence to say definitively that they offer benefits to humans. Turmeric supplements can have negative interactions with certain medications, and can make some health problems worse. Therefore, it is important to review all medications and supplements with a healthcare provider before starting to take any sort of supplement.
According to Murphy, turmeric is not absorbed well on its own, but adding black pepper increases absorption significantly. The active compound in black pepper, piperine, can be helpful in consuming a supplement. We also recommend seeking out a supplement that is made by a reputable brand and has a third-party verification of safety from USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab. The supplement should also supply an appropriate dosage. You may improve your absorption of curcumin by taking it with food that contains fat.
The 6 Best Turmeric Supplements of 2022
Garden of Life Turmeric
There are numerous turmeric supplements available from Garden of Life that can help reduce inflammation and support joint health. Formulated with simple ingredients, Garden of Life supplements are designed to be effective.
- The brand has a variety of turmeric supplements
- Maximum Strength Turmeric is formulated for maximum bioavailability
- Supplements are certified NSF Gluten-Free, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project verified
The Garden of Life brand is well-known for its focus on nutrients sourced from whole foods, traceable ingredients, and supplements free of synthetic ingredients. The company is also committed to carbon neutrality.
Garden of Life has a variety of turmeric supplements in their mykind Organics product line.
Each of their turmeric supplements is designed to target a specific area of concern. Turmeric Inflammatory Response is for those who want to reduce inflammation, Extra Strength Turmeric is for general wellness, Maximum Strength Turmeric is for pain relief, Turmeric Pain Relief is for those who want to target pain specifically, Fermented Turmeric Booster Powder is for those who want to improve their gut health, and Golden Milk Powder is for those who want to improve their overall health.
The supplements help with inflammation, pain, recovery, and nourishment. They also help with joints and mobility.
This supplement is designed to support joints and mobility, with a mix of turmeric, ginger root, black pepper extract, L. acidophilus La-14, and B. lactis Bl-04.
Kats Botanicals
The ideal supplements are those that provide full disclosure about their ingredients and testing methods. Kats Botanicals Turmeric Powder capsules are made with 100% organic turmeric that has undergone third-party testing. They only use quality ingredients in their products.
- Dosing is high enough for health benefits
- Has Bioperine as an ingredient to increase absorption
- Third-party tested product
- Free of fillers
- The serving size is two capsules instead of one
Kats Botanicals is a botanical supplement company that was founded in 2016. It is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Kats Botanicals Turmeric Powder capsules may improve daily mood, support stronger joints, support heart health, support brain function, and discourage oxidative stress.
This supplement contains turmeric root, turmeric extract, and Bioperine to enhance absorption of curcumin. This turmeric supplement has a significantly higher concentration of curcuminoids than other supplements on the market, without being excessively expensive.
Kats Botanicals Turmeric Powder only has the necessary ingredients, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth.
Kats Botanicals is one of the few brands who have their products third-party tested.
Kats Botanicals Turmeric Powder capsules are entirely organic and appropriate for vegan and vegetarian diets.
Kara MD Turmeric CCM
Sometimes turmeric is just what the doctor ordered. This turmeric supplement is designed to support joint health and reduce inflammation throughout the body by utilizing a concentrated amount of turmeric as well as Boswellia.
- Turmeric is in clinically effective dose
- Contains anti-inflammatory Boswellia serrata
- The full-spectrum formula contains all turmeric phytonutrients
- Does not contain black pepper extract
D. KaraMD is a supplement line created by Dr. M.D. in 2018. After 30 years of medical experience, Kara now focuses on functional medicine and natural remedies for patients.
This turmeric supplement contains a higher concentration of full-spectrum turmeric root powder and extract than many other similar products.
The Turmeric CCM supplement also has Boswellia serrata extract to support its anti-inflammatory and joint health benefits.
Dr. Kara says that the turmeric product they offer is 4 times more concentrated than other products, so you don’t need to add black pepper. curcumin’s bioavailability can be increased by 2000% by the addition of black pepper or piperine (the active component of black pepper)
If you purchase Turmeric CCM from Kara MD in bulk, you will receive a discount on the per unit cost. A single 30-day supply of Turmeric CCM costs $24.95.
Care/of Turmeric Capsules
Care/of vitamins is a cost-effective supplement that does not sacrifice quality. The Care/of supplement containing turmeric is a quality supplement which is low-cost and can be added to your vitamin subscription.
- Inexpensive turmeric product
- Contains both aqueous and supercritical turmeric extracts
- Turmeric is sustainably farmed
- Product is not offered as a one-time purchase
- Lower dosage of turmeric per serving
Care/of is a subscription vitamin service that helps you to create a personalized supplement plan based on your lifestyle and health needs, founded in 2016.
We recommend Care/of Turmeric for anyone looking for an affordable turmeric supplement that doesn’t sacrifice quality.
At Care/of, we use both aqueous and supercritical extracts of turmeric in our capsules formulation. This blend of supplements is designed to help it resemble the natural composition of a turmeric root.
Organifi Gold
Organifi Gold is designed to help you relax at night with its turmeric-based superfood powder. This tea, full of adaptogens, can help your body recover and detoxify from the day’s stresses.
- Easy to drink powdered supplement
- Has effective adaptogens
- Available in a canister and travel packs
- USDA Organic and Non-GMO verified
- Expensive supplement
- Contains allergen coconut
Persona Turmeric Capsules
Persona offers subscription vitamins that are comprehensive. Persona’s turmeric supplements are not only affordable, but also formulated by a team of medical professionals. The brand also offers free professional support.
- Easy to swallow capsule
- Vegan and vegetarian-friendly
- Easily integrated into Persona vitamin packs
- The supplement must be purchased as part of a subscription
Persona is a vitamin subscription service that provides customized supplement recommendations based on your individual health needs. The service is backed by a team of medical professionals.
This capsule contains turmeric and BioPerine to make sure you’re getting the most out of your turmeric supplement.
The health benefits of this turmeric supplement include supporting cellular health, helping with stress and tension, enhancing exercise recovery, improving skin resilience, and strengthening the immune system.
This supplement can be taken by both vegans and vegetarians as it does not contain any major allergens. The size of its capsule is slightly larger than a penny, so it is easy to swallow.
PERSONA’s Turmeric supplement can be easily added to your morning, evening, or bedtime PERSONA subscription pack. This supplement is best for people who are already using the Persona subscription service for their daily supplements. The supplement has been designed to work in tandem with the Persona service in order to provide the best possible results.
Dosage
The effective doses of turmeric in clinical studies typically range from 500 mg to 2000 mg per day for various conditions.
The amount of turmeric you should take as a supplement depends on the brand, but it is usually one capsule per serving. Make sure you’re taking your turmeric supplement correctly by reading the Supplement Facts Label.
To make sure turmeric is absorbed into the body, take it with a liquid or with foods that contain fat and black pepper.
You should not take more than twice the recommended dosage of most brands of medication within a 24 hour period to reduce the risk of side effects and interactions with other medications.
Turmeric supplements may cause nausea, diarrhea, gas, stomach discomfort, hypertension, tachycardia, and tongue redness.
Turmeric supplements may interact with medications that prevent blood clotting or treat cancer, so it is important to carefully monitor your supplement dosage to avoid any negative side effects.
Are Turmeric Supplements Beneficial?
Turmeric and its active compound curcumin may help manage symptoms of some inflammation-related conditions by reducing inflammation. Many studies have shown that curcumin has the potential to reduce inflammation and symptoms of inflammatory diseases. However, more research is needed to determine the best form and dose of curcumin, as our ability to absorb it in supplement form is relatively low.
Most of the research on turmeric and curcumin has been done on petri dishes or animals, and very little research has been done on humans.
That said, turmeric supplements may be helpful for the following people:
- People with inflammatory bowel disease: A 2018 study showed that taking an 80-milligram curcumin supplement three times a day for four weeks reduced the frequency of urgent bathroom visits among people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). Another very small study suggests that taking curcumin along with melamine (a common medication used to treat UC) may improve symptoms more than just medication alone.
- People with other digestive problems: Turmeric has been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat digestive problems for hundreds of years. Emerging research suggests that curcumin is just as effective as omeprazole after four weeks of treatment for relieving digestive symptoms of bloating, stomach pains, and gas. However, Rosen notes, “individuals with acid reflux or indigestion should not take turmeric because it can aggravate symptoms.”
- People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA): One of the most promising areas for the use of turmeric is in people with joint pain related to rheumatoid arthritis. Studies suggest that 1000 milligrams of turmeric supplementation can alleviate joint pain. However, more research is needed to draw a definitive conclusion. It’s been shown to reduce swelling, pain, and tenderness, as well as inflammatory markers typical of RA such as C-reactive protein. Benefits appear to start with 250 milligrams per day, and efficacy may increase at 500 milligrams alongside 50 milligrams of the RA medication diclofenac sodium. With these variations in effective dosing, more research is needed to determine the best dose for patients with or without medications. Of note, turmeric may not be any better than traditional pain medication.
- People with knee osteoarthritis: The research on the benefits for people with osteoarthritis is not quite as compelling as those with RA; however, it may still help some people in conjunction with other treatments. Recent studies suggest that curcumin supplements may reduce pain, but they don’t seem to help with joint stiffness or improve the ability to participate in activities. However, these studies were done in patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis, and curcumin may not be as effective for patients with more severe cases. Additionally, there have been other studies that showed no benefit. Further studies with more participants and longer trial times are needed to determine true benefits and, if so, the best dose and form.
Researchers are looking into whether turmeric could be used to treat Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. They believe it could help reduce inflammation related to these conditions. The evidence for supplementation as a treatment option is conflicting and insufficient at this time.
It is always best to discuss adding a supplement like turmeric to your health regimen with a healthcare provider to weigh the potential benefits against the risks.
Who May Not Benefit From Turmeric Supplements
Most people can safely consume the amount of turmeric typically found in foods or even a cup of tea, as only a small amount of curcumin is actually absorbed. Curcumin dietary supplements may not be safe for some people.
- People taking blood thinners: “Due to its potential blood-thinning properties, people taking blood-thinning medications should not take turmeric supplements,” Murphy says.
- People taking diabetes medications: Although it’s not yet established if, when, and how much turmeric can help treat diabetes, it has been shown that as little as 180 milligrams of curcumin can lower blood sugar in some people. For comparison, doses used for OA and RA treatments exceed 500 milligrams of curcumin per day. Therefore, people taking other blood sugar-lowering medications or those who use insulin should avoid turmeric supplements as your blood sugar could drop too low.
- People undergoing cancer treatment or on anti-cancer drugs: Turmeric supplements may interact with certain cancer treatments, and, in some cases, could make them less effective. However, other research suggests potential benefits in cancer treatment, so it’s best to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine if a turmeric supplement is safe for your specific situation.
- People prone to kidney stones: Turmeric is an oxalate that can bind to calcium, which can contribute to kidney stones. If you’re prone to kidney stones, you may want to avoid taking turmeric supplements. Also, if your diet is low in calcium, it may further increase your risk for kidney stones.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people: There is not enough evidence to support the safety of turmeric supplements while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it’s recommended to avoid supplements if you are in this stage of life. The amount found in food is safe.
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