Nutrients & Supplements
Curcumin
The active compound in turmeric with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid in turmeric (Curcuma longa), responsible for its yellow color and most of its biological activity. It modulates multiple inflammatory pathways, including NF-κB, COX-2, and TNF-α, making it a potent anti-inflammatory agent. However, curcumin has extremely poor bioavailability (less than 1% absorbed) in its natural form. Modern formulations use piperine (BioPerine), lipid nanoparticles (LongVida), or phospholipid complexes (Meriva) to enhance absorption 20-185x. Clinical evidence supports benefits for joint inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and exercise-induced oxidative stress.