Curcumin Turmeric Extract with Piperine

Medicinal Ingredients (per 1 capsule):
Curcumin (Curcuma longa, rhizome)……..400 mg
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum, fruit)………….. 80 mg
(2:1, QCE 160mg, 4mg Piperine)

Non-medicinal Ingredients:
Magnesium stearate, Hypromellose (Capsule Shell)

Recommended Dose:
Adults: 1 Capsule 3 times a day.

Duration of Use:
For use beyond 12 weeks, consult a health care practitioner.

Cautions and Warnings:
Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are taking antiplatelet medication or blood thinners, or if you are taking any other medications or natural health products, as black pepper/piperine may alter their effectiveness. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have gallstones, bile duct obstruction, stomach ulcers or excess stomach acid. Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen.

What Is Curcumin?

Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory compound from the spice turmeric. Curcumin has been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to relieve swelling and pains, particularly in the joints.

Curcumin has shown to specifically protect cartilage cells from inflammatory factors. Curcumin blocks the enzymes responsible for promoting inflammation. Studies have demonstrated that curcumin may be as effective as ibuprofen on pain with walking and stair climbing. Curcumin is safe and well tolerated by most, though patients on blood thinning medications should be cautious.

Importance of Piperine

Black pepper was used as a folk medicine to treat a variety of conditions and diseases, including muscle pains, chills, fevers, migraines, and digestive problems. Black pepper was also used to enhance blood circulation and stimulate appetite. Piperine is the active compound in black pepper, and it gives black pepper its spicy taste and beneficial effects.

Piperine is well known for its effect of improving the bioavailability of other drugs or nutrients. In several research studies, consuming piperine with other supplements has been shown that it helps our bodies make use of those substances more effectively. Piperine increases the bioavailability of curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, in rats by 154%, and in humans by 2,000%.

Q: When Should I Use This Product?

A: Since turmeric is a root powder, turmeric and by extension curcumin, is not easily absorbed on its own. In order to improve the absorption of turmeric, healthy fats and black pepper are often combined with it. This is why you will see in many dishes, such as curry, that coconut milk and black pepper are added. Another recipe that has been gaining popularity is turmeric tea, or golden milk. The tea is prepared often with coconut milk or other forms of milk, and sometimes black pepper is also included in order to improve absorption.

For some people it is easier to use a supplement. Many supplements will combine black pepper, or piperine, with the turmeric. This is done to aid in making the turmeric more bioavailable, or easier to absorb.

Q: Who Can Benefit?

A: There are very few side effects or health risks known to be associated with curcumin. Most individuals with joint pain, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions could benefit from curcumin. However, in a study that involved participants ingesting extremely high doses of curcumin, some reported diarrhea, headache, nausea, and yellow stool. The Allowable Daily Intake (ADI) value of curcumin has been determined by the European Food Safety Authority to be 0-3 mg per kilogram of body weight, or roughly 0-1.4 mg per pound. When attempting to take higher doses of turmeric, using a supplement can be beneficial.