Turmeric Curcumin (Organic)

Yes and no! Turmeric is the name of the flowering plant and the powdered spice derived from its dried roots. Like many herbs and spices turmeric contains active components that are beneficial to health. The most active of these is curcumin, one of a group of compounds called curcuminoids.

So, turmeric and curcumin are the same thing in as far as curcumin is part of turmeric but when it comes to supplements there’s a notable difference. Because the amount of curcumin in turmeric varies from plant to plant, a simple turmeric supplement may contain very low levels of curcumin. 

This means it won’t be as effective as a supplement with a guaranteed amount of active curcumin. Our turmeric curcumin blend provides 175mg of curcumin per capsule so you know you’re getting optimum levels of the active ingredient.

Turmeric has a long history of use in traditional Indian and East Asian herbal medicine. Modern studies have identified several key health benefits of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric:

Anti-inflammatory: As a powerful anti-inflammatory, curcumin offers benefits for managing a wide range of inflammatory conditions from asthma and arthritis to psoriasis, colitis, Metabolic Syndrome, and more [1].

Antioxidant: Curcumin is a type of polyphenol, a plant-based molecule that acts as an antioxidant in the body. Polyphenols feed and nourish your friendly gut bacteria [2] and help protect cells and tissues against damage from free radicals and other harmful toxins [3].

Reduces obesity-associated diseases: Curcumin has been shown to reduce inflammatory chemicals produced by adipose (fat) tissue and promote antioxidant activity [4]. This may help reduce diseases associated with obesity.

Supports cholesterol and triglyceride balance: Turmeric and curcumin have been shown to reduce elevated LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in patients at risk of heart disease [5].

Manages Type 2 diabetes: When used alongside Metformin, the standard drug treatment for Type 2 diabetes, turmeric significantly decreases fasting glucose levels, LDL-cholesterol, and HbA1C results, in comparison to using Metformin alone [6].

Supports cognitive health: Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions may help relieve cognitive decline [7], support memory and attention, and protect the brain against neurodegeneration.

Yes, turmeric and curcumin are known to help relieve the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis [1].

The effects of turmeric and curcumin on weight loss have been studied in humans and animals. Unlike weight loss drugs that directly interfere with fat metabolism and increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies, curcumin supports healthy weight balance through interactions with the gut microbiome – the billions of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi that live in your digestive system.

When the microbiome is upset by stress, illness, medications, or poor diet, it can activate metabolic pathways that promote inflammation, weight gain, increased fat storage, and damage to the gut lining [8].

Curcumin can protect against this and has been shown to[8]:

Support the growth and diversity of bacteria that contribute to healthy metabolism and weight balance

Down regulate inflammation in adipose (fat) tissue

Provide antioxidant protection in the gut and other tissues

When taken as directed turmeric and curcumin are well tolerated. In sensitive individuals high amounts may cause nausea, upset stomach, or diarrhoea.

We recommend you speak to your healthcare provider before taking turmeric and curcumin alongside any prescription medication.

Turmeric and curcumin can interact with or enhance the effects of certain medications including:

Anticoagulant blood thinning drugs, e.g. Warfarin and Heparin.
Type 2 diabetes medication like
Metformin.

Anticoagulant blood thinning drugs, e.g. Warfarin and Heparin.
Type 2 diabetes medication like Metformin. high amounts may cause nausea, upset stomach, or diarrhoea.

1. Hewlings, S.J., Kalman, D.S. 2017. Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. Foods. Oct 22;6(10):92. doi: 10.3390/foods6100092. PMID: 29065496; PMCID: PMC5664031.
2. Wang, X., Qi, Y., Zheng, H. 2022. Dietary Polyphenol, Gut Microbiota, and Health Benefits. Antioxidants (Basel). Jun 20;11(6):1212. doi: 10.3390/antiox11061212. PMID: 35740109; PMCID: PMC9220293.
3. Jakubczyk, K., Drużga, A., Katarzyna, J., Skonieczna-Żydecka, K. 2020. Antioxidant Potential of Curcumin-A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Antioxidants (Basel). Nov 6;9(11):1092. doi: 10.3390/antiox9111092. PMID: 33172016; PMCID: PMC7694612.
4. Bradford, P.G. 2013. Curcumin and obesity. Biofactors. Jan-Feb;39(1):78-87. doi: 10.1002/biof.1074. Epub 2013 Jan 22. PMID: 23339049.
5. Qin, S., Huang, L., Gong, J., Shen, S., Huang, J., Ren, H., Hu, H. 2017. Efficacy and safety of turmeric and curcumin in lowering blood lipid levels in patients with cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr J. Oct 11;16(1):68. doi: 10.1186/s12937-017-0293-y. PMID: 29020971; PMCID: PMC5637251. 
6. Maithili Karpaga Selvi, N., Sridhar M.G., Swaminathan, R.P., Sripradha, R. 2015. Efficacy of Turmeric as Adjuvant Therapy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry. 2015 Apr;30(2):180-6. doi: 10.1007/s12291-014-0436-2. Epub 2014 May 8. PMID: 25883426; PMCID: PMC4393385.
7. Sarker, M.R., Franks, S.F. 2018. Efficacy of curcumin for age-associated cognitive decline: a narrative review of preclinical and clinical studies. Geroscience. Apr;40(2):73-95. doi: 10.1007/s11357-018-0017-z. Epub 2018 Apr 21. PMID: 29679204; PMCID: PMC5964053.
8. Kasprzak-Drozd, K., Oniszczuk, T., Gancarz, M., Kondracka, A., Rusinek, R., Oniszczuk, A. 2022. Curcumin and Weight Loss: Does It Work? International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23(2):639. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020639