Curcumin
herbal
ApprovedGeneral information about nutrients. No diagnosis, no medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
Overview
Main compound in turmeric, a yellow polyphenol (curcuminoid).
Interactions
Curcumin has extremely low bioavailability due to rapid glucuronidation in the liver. Piperine inhibits UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, increasing curcumin plasma levels.
Research status
Studied in cell and animal models as well as in human trials.
Top 5 food sources
Expert opinions
Bryan Johnson Blueprint
Johnson takes about 1g bioavailable curcumin daily in Blueprint (Meriva or Longvida phytosome form). Standard curcumin has <1% oral bioavailability, but phytosome/micellar formulations raise plasma AUC 20 to 45× (Cuomo 2011, Gota 2010) without needing piperine. Taken with dinner fats. Blueprint tracks hs-CRP, IL-6, and ESR quarterly. Curcumin is dropped if liver enzymes rise because rare DILI cases have been reported with high-bioavailability forms.
Recommended dose: 1000 mg
Source: Blueprint Protocol
Current Research
Free curcumin has <1% oral bioavailability due to rapid intestinal glucuronidation and biliary excretion. Piperine (BioPerine, 5 to 20mg) inhibits UGT enzymes and boosts plasma AUC about 20-fold. Phytosome (Meriva), micellar (NovaSOL) and nanoparticle forms achieve 29 to 185-fold increases. Avoid with anticoagulants and pre-surgery.
Recommended dose: 500–1000 mg
Source: Current Research
Expert profiles summarise publicly available statements. The named people do not cooperate with Stackwell and have not authorised these summaries. Not medical advice.
Must enhance bioavailability with piperine, liposomal, or phytosome forms.