Your Facebook questions answered: Curcumin supplements – yay or nay?

Anant Nath Sharma

“Here’s another topic you might want to address for those of us with joint pain. Turmeric supplements. I just saw these on the shelf, in 500 mg capsule form, labelled “anti-inflammatory to help relieve joint pain” They say curcumin is hard to absorb so people with arthritis etc should take these for improved function and relief from pain and stiffness. That’s a lot of promise in a capsule! (thought government regulations prohibited such health promises) What do you think about curcumin/turmeric supplements, is there even any real proof?” asks Enlightened Eater Facebook fan, Linda Searle McCarthy.

Linda, turmeric is indeed a hotbed of research.  The  spice is commonly used in Indian cuisine and gives mixes such curries  their   bright yellow-orange colour. Compounds known as curcuminoids, one of which is called  curcumin   may offer an array of health benefits including  antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Researchers have been assessing its action in a wide range of ailments including  gastrointestinal health, autoimmune disease, certain cancers, diabetes and even various cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure. Joint pain is also among the topics of investigation.

According to a paper entitled, The beneficial role of curcumin on inflammation, diabetes and neurodegenerative disease: A recent update, published in the September 2015 issue of the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, more than 7000 published articles have shed light on the various aspects of curcumin including its antioxidant, blood sugar lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities.  The paper points out that oxidative stress and inflammation play a pivotal role in various diseases like diabetes, cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular diseases.

But  and this is a big but, you rightly point out that absorption of curcumin is an issue. It’s is poorly absorbed in its natural state as a spice. But that doesn’t mean that supplements are the answer.  The authors of the recent update state, “Curcumin, therefore, could be a therapeutic option for the treatment of these diseases, provided limitations in its oral bioavailability can be overcome.”
Scientists are still looking at the best delivery system for curcumin so that it’s actually absorbed. They’re examining various compounds such as piperine (from black pepper extract) to enhance absorption.

In other words, in spite of all the supplements being currently being sold, the science is simply not there yet.

Natural health supplements, while potentially offering benefit, may also be risky. For example, piperine may interact with various medications, resulting in  increased absorption and potentially causing problems with the dosages. As well, turmeric itself may interact with blood thinners so it’s advisable to check with a physician or pharmacist if taking these medications. It may also decrease iron absorption so anyone concerned who is anemic or taking iron supplements should be cautious about taking supplements.

As for the health claims and even the content of curcumin in various  supplements, the natural health products industry in Canada is self-regulating. To say this has led to much criticism is a real understatement. I wrote about an investigation a while back about research conducted at the University of Guelph where researchers found that in 44 herbal products sold by 12 companies,  only two of the companies  provided authentic products without substitutions, contaminants or fillers.

How would curcumin supplements rate if they were tested? Who knows? But I can say that I’m not alone in wanting supplements to be tested by Health Canada as to their potency and purity.  Simply having their manufacturers assure me about this information just doesn’t cut it – for me anyway.

l

Do you take curcumin supplements? Have you found them to be helpful? Please share in the comment section below.