A systematic review published in that analyzed more than 10 randomized controlled trials found that curcumin supplements may be helpful for managing osteoarthritis. And earlier this year, the Arthritis Foundation updated its guidance, stating that turmeric supplements likely won't help reduce symptoms of arthritis but curcumin supplements might.

And Dr. Bhakti Shah , a rheumatologist with a private practice in New York, agrees. She recommends purchasing curcumin for decreasing inflammation within your joints over turmeric, likening curcumin's effects to that of ibuprofen with less risks of side effects.

Curcumin is a plant compound called polyphenol, and according to Shah, polyphenols may:. Though more research is required to determine curcumin's effects on a person's immune system, Shah says curcumin is an antioxidant. Research shows that antioxidants are associated with a neutralization of harmful, free radicals and an enhancement of vital immune functions.

However, the solution isn't to take more curcumin than recommended, says Shah. Instead, you should take curcumin supplements with black pepper or healthy fats, including eggs, yogurt or milk, which can increase the absorption of curcumin.

Curcumin is safe for daily use, the experts agree, and the standard use is milligrams, twice a day, according to Ko. Curcumin supplements can often be labeled as "turmeric curcumin," which can be confusing.

Research has shown that turmeric contains compounds with medicinal properties. These compounds are called curcuminoids. The most important one is curcumin , which is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. Most studies on this herb use turmeric extracts that contain mostly curcumin itself, with dosages usually exceeding 1 gram g per day, which means it would be hard to reach these levels just by using turmeric as a spice.

In addition, curcumin is poorly absorbed into your bloodstream. In order to experience the full effects of curcumin, its bioavailability the rate at which your body absorbs a substance needs to improve. It helps to consume it with black pepper , which contains piperine.

In fact, the best curcumin supplements contain piperine, and this makes them substantially more effective. Curcumin is also fat soluble, which means it breaks down and dissolves in fat or oil.

Curcumin is a bioactive substance that can help fight inflammation , though very high doses are required to produce medicinal results.

Still, it means it has the potential to fight the inflammation that plays a role in many health conditions and diseases. It involves free radicals, highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons. Free radicals tend to react with important organic substances, such as fatty acids, proteins , or DNA.

Curcumin is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure. In addition, animal and cellular studies suggest that curcumin may block the action of free radicals and may stimulate the action of other antioxidants.

Further clinical studies are needed in humans to confirm these benefits. Even in adulthood, brain neurons are capable of forming new connections, and in certain areas of the brain, they can multiply and increase in number.

One of the main drivers of this process is brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF , which plays a role in memory and learning, and it can be found in areas of the brain responsible for eating, drinking, and body weight. Both animal and human studies have found that curcumin may increase brain levels of BDNF.

By doing this, it may be effective in delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related decreases in brain function. It may also help improve memory and attention , which seems logical given its effects on BDNF levels. However, more studies are needed to confirm this.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the world. Research suggests that curcumin may help protect against many steps in the heart disease process. Specifically, it helps improve the function of the endothelium or the lining of your blood vessels.

Endothelial dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease. This is when your endothelium is unable to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and various other factors. Several other studies also suggest that curcumin can lead to improvements in heart health. In addition, curcumin can help reduce inflammation and oxidation as discussed above , which can play a role in heart disease.

Many different forms of cancer appear to be affected by curcumin supplements. In fact, curcumin has been studied as a beneficial herb in cancer treatment and has been found to affect cancer growth and development.

Studies have shown that it can:. There is also evidence that curcumin may prevent cancer from occurring in the first place, especially cancers of the digestive system like colorectal cancer.

In addition, research suggests that curcumin can help clear the buildup of protein tangles called amyloid plaques that are caused by the disease.

There are several different types of arthritis , most of which involve inflammation in the joints. In a study on people with osteoarthritis, curcumin appeared to be more effective in relieving pain than a placebo, and research has also found its effect to be similar to that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs.

In addition, it may lessen some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, such as joint swelling and morning stiffness. There are various studies looking at the benefits of turmeric, including several that showed turmeric to be just as effective as ibuprofen for reducing inflammation, swelling and pain.

However, more research is necessary to confirm these effects. Although there are supplements available, the data is not conclusive and supplements are not regulated. Additionally, like many plants, it is not just one component that may have beneficial effect.

Noncurcumin compounds, such as turmerin, turmerone, elemene, furanodiene, curdione, bisacurone, cyclocurcumin, calebin A and germacrone, also have been shown in animals to possess anti-inflammatory properties. When taken by mouth or applied to the skin, turmeric — and the curcumin it contains — appears to be generally safe when limited to less than 8 grams a day.

That said, different amounts often are recommended depending on the health condition being addressed, and higher doses have been used for limited periods of time. High doses or long-term use may cause gastrointestinal upset for some people — even damage to the liver. Turmeric, or curcumin, may be a complimentary therapy that is valuable for you.

I would recommend that you discuss with your medical team using it as a compliment to mainstream medical treatment. You also should talk to your health care team about turmeric if you take an anticlotting medication or at any point require additional chemotherapy, as the supplement may interact with your medication.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Turmeric is a popular spice that contains curcumin, a powerful bioactive compound.

This article explores whether it has any side effects at high doses. Learn about turmeric tea benefits, who should drink it, and how to make it at home. For hundreds of years, people around the world have been using turmeric for its healing properties and cosmetic benefits.

Research shows that it's a…. Here is everything you need to know about following an Indian diet for weight loss, including which foods to eat, which foods to avoid and a sample….

MindBodyGreen provides third-party-tested supplements made with high quality ingredients. Our testers and dietitians discuss whether MindBodyGreen…. Vitamins are for athletes to stay healthy. You may get all you need from the food you eat. Some athletes may benefits from vitamin supplements. Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is a type of omega-3 fat that may improve many aspects of your health, from your brain to your heart.

Here are 12…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based Turmeric Dosage: How Much Should You Take Per Day?

Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT , Nutrition — By Makayla Meixner MS, RDN — Updated on January 13, Benefits Dosage Who shouldn't take it Adverse effects Buying the right kind Bottom line Studies show that turmeric could be beneficial in doses ranging from —2, milligrams mg per day.

Uses and benefits. Effective doses. Who should not take it? Adverse effects. Choosing a supplement. The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History. Jan 13, Written By Makayla Meixner. Medically Reviewed By Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT. Dec 27, Written By Makayla Meixner. Share this article.

Read this next. Does Too Much Turmeric Have Side Effects? What Is Turmeric Tea? By Cecilia Snyder, MS, RD. Turmeric for Skin: Benefits and Risks.

Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. The Best Indian Diet Plan for Weight Loss. By Jillian Kubala, MS, RD. Malanga Health Benefits and More. Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R. Are mindbodygreen Supplements Worth It? Can you tell me more about this supplement? ANSWER : Although turmeric is a common spice in many home pantries, many people are not familiar with its purported health effects.

Relieving arthritis pain is one of many such purported health effects. Turmeric, a plant related to ginger, is grown in many Asian countries, as well as other tropical areas. The underground portions of the plant can be dried and made into capsules, tablets, extracts, powders or teas.

Or they may be made into a paste to apply to the skin. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential treatment for a number of health conditions, including reduced pain and increased ease of movement in people with osteoarthritis.

One study found that taking turmeric extract three times daily was comparable to taking a 1,milligram dose of ibuprofen daily. However, more research is necessary to confirm these effects. Other research suggests that curcumin may reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In addition, it may lessen some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, such as joint swelling and morning stiffness.

When taken by mouth or applied to the skin, turmeric — and the curcumin it contains — appears to be generally safe when limited to less than 8 grams a day.

That said, different amounts often are recommended depending on the health condition being addressed, and higher doses have been used for limited periods of time. High doses or long-term use may cause gastrointestinal upset for some people.

Ask your health care provider about taking turmeric if you have gallbladder disease, as it may worsen the condition.

But, NMD reports suggest some have seen success consuming the following amounts of turmeric with associated conditions:. She advises talking with your provider before taking a turmeric supplement, especially if you have pre-existing conditions such as gallbladder problems, diabetes, certain types of cancers, etc.

Supplements may also interfere with some medications. Using Turmeric As Anti-Inflammatory. UnityPoint Health News and Articles Using Turmeric As Anti-Inflammatory. Using Turmeric As An Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric is a spice that comes from the root of the turmeric plant.

But, NMD reports suggest some have seen success consuming the following amounts of turmeric with associated conditions: For high cholesterol, 1. Its use has been advocated for cardiovascular health, arthritis, and a host of other conditions.

However, well-designed studies of its health benefits are limited. Not so fast. A number of factors give me pause:. Weight loss as a side effect of taking curcumin might be a problem for those who are already lean. Studies of this sort are vitally important in trying to understand whether dietary changes can be helpful for arthritis.

Cancer Statistics at a Glance. Ombredane A, Silva V, Andrade L. In Vivo efficacy and toxicity of curcumin nanoparticles in breast cancer treatment: A systematic review.

Front Oncol. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Daily JW, Yang M, Park S. Efficacy of turmeric extracts and curcumin for alleviating the symptoms of joint arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

J Med Food. Stohs SJ, Chen O, Ray SD, et al. Highly bioavailable forms of curcumin and promising avenues for curcumin-based research and application: A review.

Bahramsoltani R, Rahimi R, Farzaei MH. Pharmacokinetic interactions of curcuminoids with conventional drugs: A review. J Ethnopharmacol.

Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance.

Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content.

List of Partners vendors. Wellness Nutrition. By Courtney Southwick. Courtney Southwick. Courtney Southwick is a freelance writer focusing on health, nutrition, and disease.

She has been blogging for the past two years at CourtneySouthwick. She writes blogs and articles for online publications and for healthcare professionals in private practice.

She provides well-researched articles and has been published in Health, Livestrong, Healthnews, EatingWell, and Cleanplates. health's editorial guidelines. Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Barnes, RDN. Elizabeth Barnes, MS, RDN, LDN, is a dietitian with a focus on treating clients with eating disorders and disordered eating to help them to mend their relationship with food and their bodies.

learn more. In This Article View All. In This Article. How To Use. Potential Drug Interactions. Supplement Recommendations. Side Effects. Trending Videos. Buy on Amazon. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Related Articles. Newsletter Sign Up. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page.

These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data.