Inflammation is something that you really want to avoid. It can be caused by things like illness, bacteria, injury and from exposure to chemicals. Regardless of why your body is developing inflammation, it’s important that you find a way to reduce its prevalence. Otherwise, you may notice that you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, swelling, loss of function, headaches and even fatigue.
I’ve experienced inflammation in different ways during my lifetime. Inflammation from injury or surgery can really linger. I’ve found that it impedes recovery time, preventing being able to get back to the things you normally do. It can also be a result of illness. Things like the flu can trigger an inflammatory response that can hang around for weeks or months after your initial symptoms have disappeared.
Pain or inflammation shouldn’t slow you down. There are ways that you can help reduce this swelling and immune response without having to turn to over the counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications. Let’s talk about curcumin as a natural option for your inflammation. I've covered the best liposomal curcumin supplements, but now I want to provide a resource of my top overall choices (liquid and capsules) that actually work.
I know it’s helped me in my own life, and I’m excited to share some of this information with you from the perspective of covering a lot of wellness supplements and actually trying many of the products myself. The ones that didn't work for me didn't make this list, which is why there's only five options.
Choosing any one of these is a great choice, so it's really all about finding the one curcumin supplement that you think is going to work best based on the information I can provide you. You'll still want to do your own research on each product page, vetting through the reviews to see which ones are actually true and which ones you can't trust.
Below, you'll see my quick picks (in case you're in a hurry) this should provide enough information to at least check the product page out. All links go to the official website of the brand that makes these curcumin supplements.
The Quick Summary: My Top Picks
| Curcumin | Price | Type | Customer Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1. Manna Liposomal Curcumin | $39.95 | Liposomal (liquid) | 4.6/5 (3,310 reviews) |
| #2. Primal Turmeric Curcumin | $38.95 | Capsule | 4.9/5 (425 reviews) |
| #3. Future Kind Turmeric Curcumin | $19.99 | Capsule (they also have a gummy option here) | 4.6/5 (22 reviews) |
| #4. Thorne Curcumin | $45 | Capsule | 4.5/5 (20 reviews) |
| #5. Mary Ruth's Liposomal Curcumin | $29.95 | Liposomal (liquid) | 4.9/5 (11 reviews) |
What is Curcumin?
People often confuse curcumin as being the same thing as turmeric. In fact, curcumin is a potent substance found in turmeric. It’s responsible for giving turmeric its bright yellow / orange color. It’s been used for centuries as part of ayurvedic medicine, possessing very strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Unfortunately, curcumin is difficult to absorb in the body, which is why it’s often combined with something like black pepper extract, to increase its bioavailability. Curcumin is fat soluble, so it’s recommended that you take it with a large meal at some point during the day.
Curcumin Supplements Benefits
There are a lot of benefits associated with taking curcumin on a regular basis. Keep in mind, this component of turmeric needs to build up in the body over the course of a number of weeks, in order to reap its full benefit potential.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is what initially sparked my interest in curcumin, and this is a major benefit of this turmeric compound. Curcumin has the potential to fight back against inflammation, repairing any damage that has been done to your body. Inflammation serves its purpose in some regard, but only from a short-term perspective. When that inflammation is present for weeks, months or years, you’re faced with the potential of experiencing permanent damage.
You may not even notice that you have inflammation in your body, if symptoms are noticeable at first glance. However, that low-level inflammation can lead to poor cardiovascular health, degenerative conditions and even cancer. Curcumin has the potential to help you decrease this inflammation, but you have to be taking a large enough, bioavailable dose to really see its impact.
Joint Pain and Stiffness Relief
While there are few different kinds of arthritis that can occur within the body, they all come down to the presence of inflammation in the joints. The anti-inflammatory property of curcumin makes it a potential winner for protecting your joints, decreasing inflammation and helping you reduce stiffness. There are studies that show the potential for curcumin reducing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms more effectively than traditional anti-inflammatory medications.
Digestion and Gut Health
Curcumin has been highly effective for treating conditions relating to the gut, such irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux and a leaky gut. Curcumin has the ability to target free radicals that are produced during the body’s reactive oxidation process. When free radicals become overly prevalent, this affects the body’s ability combat them. This oxidative stress can change the body’s protein, lipids and cells in a way that produces inflammation.
Heart Health
Cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of death throughout the entire world. While it has been studied in depth, there are a lot of different aspects of heart disease. We know that inflammation can decrease your cardiovascular health, and curcumin can be beneficial in this situation to reduce that inflammation and provide antioxidant effects. It can also help to improve the function of your endothelium, which is the lining of your blood vessels. This can reduce early symptoms associated with heart disease.
Brain Health
Curcumin can positively affect the brain in a number of ways. It can protect your brain from degenerative conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but it can also improve your mood and memory. The amygdala and hypothalamus are areas of the brain that control our memory and emotional functions. Studies have shown that regular use of curcumin affected brain PET scans, by showing fewer amyloid and tau signals in the amygdala and hypothalamus, resulting in improved memory and brain function.
The neurons in our brain have the ability to make connections, divide and multiply over time. This process utilizes the brain-derived neurotrophic factor to make this happen. This protein is a key component of memory and learning, and low levels have been linked to issues such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Curcumin can increase levels of BDNF in the body, reducing the risk of brain-related disease.
How to Choose a Curcumin Supplement
The fact is that curcumin can be beneficial to the body, but it’s imperative that you choose a supplement that is able to be fully absorbed by the body. Try to avoid a curcumin supplement that only contains curcumin or turmeric. It should also contain black pepper in some form, to boost absorption, as well as turmeric. Some curcumin supplements will also contain a healthy fat to aid in absorption. Avocado oil is a common one.
Be careful about the supplement brand that you purchase from. As a wellness expert, I’ve come across some less than reputable options. Curcumin should be sourced from high quality turmeric that has a high curcumin composition. Don’t skip out on the turmeric portion of a supplement. Both have beneficial effects and will work together to get you the results that you want.
Liquid Curcumin vs. Capsules
Curcumin comes in two main supplement forms: liquid and capsules. Liquid supplements tend to be absorbed much more quickly by the body, whereas a capsule will need to break down before the ingredients inside are able to be absorbed. You can also better control how much supplement you’re taking with liquid.
While it might seem like a capsule isn’t preferred, it actually can be. There is a risk of a low-quality supplement breaking down before it reaches an optimal location inside of your gut where it can be absorbed fully. A delayed release curcumin supplement may not take effect as quickly, but you may be able to boost bioavailability that way.
The Best Curcumin Supplements
Let’s take a look at some of the best curcumin supplements that can provide you with many of the benefits that we’ve discussed in this article.
#1. Manna Liposomal Curcumin
Manna Liposomal Curcumin is our #1 choice for the best curcumin supplement because of liposomal. There is plenty of scientific evidence that shows liposomal is 10x more absorbent than capsules or powder. This means every serving you take, you know it's going to reach the right places in your body and it's going to work that much better.
This product is made from curcumin sourced from turmeric root extract, containing 250 milligrams per dose. It’s designed to reduce inflammation in the body, putting your body back in balance so it can heal and function in a healthy manner. In my Manna Liposomal Curcumin review, I also covered that it reduces pain and stiffness in the joints, providing you with more comfortable mobility.
You can also restore your gut health and digestion thanks to the potent properties of curcumin, boosting your metabolism, reducing gas and preventing bloating. Protect your heart with increased blood flow and oxygen.
Unlike traditional vitamins that only provide about 10 percent of the nutrients that are included in them, Manna Liposomal Curcumin absorbs 10 times better, so you see more results.
What I Like
I like that Manna has created a very natural supplement that is free from a lot of the other additives and artificial ingredients that other brands feature. It doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners (it’s sugar free), it’s hexane free and free of fillers.
What I Don’t Like
This supplement from Manna is obviously liposomal and it’s made in the USA, so naturally it’s going to cost a little more. However, I have accepted that because they actually use the ingredients that they say, unlike many other supplement companies.
Cost and Where to Buy
You can purchase Manna Liposomal Curcumin off of Manna’s website: https://manna.com/products/liposomal-curcumin. The current cost is $39.95 for a one-time purchase. The cost drops down to $33.96 if you subscribe and save.
#2. Primal Turmeric Curcumin
Primal Harvest has created a Turmeric Curcumin supplement formulated with black pepper extract to ensure that you absorb as much of the included ingredients as possible. Each dose contains 400 milligrams of turmeric extract, designed to support a health brain, heart and gut. In my Primal Turmeric Curcumin review, I covered that this product promotes a healthy inflammatory response along with joint comfort. It’s free of gluten, dairy, soy and is also vegan-friendly.
Primal Harvest reports that you can see results in as little as a few weeks of starting their Primal Turmeric Curcumin supplement, but you’ll see the most profound changes in three months' time. The product comes with a 90-day money back guarantee, which is plenty of time to see how its use will change your life.
What I Like
Primal Harvest manufactures all of their products in a GMP-certified facility, and the brand uses third-party testing to confirm that you’re getting only the best when you shop from them.
This is a holistic-based supplement that utilizes a natural 360-degree approach to better health, less inflammation and joint comfort. It can even promote radiant skin.
What I Don’t Like
You save a lot of money with recurring shipments (23 percent), but it’s slightly expensive to purchase through one-time orders.
Cost and Where to Buy
You can find this turmeric complex with Bioperine by visiting https://primalharvest.com/products/turmeric-complex-with-bioperine. The current cost is $38.95 for a one-time purchase, with the cost dropping to $31.16 for a subscription. You can also order multiple bottles at once to receive a discount.
#3. Future Kind Turmeric Curcumin
This vegan organic turmeric supplement from Future Kind contains 700 milligrams in each dose, providing you with powerful anti-inflammatory benefits and antioxidant support. It’s good for your joints, your skin and your cardiovascular health. Organic black pepper extract has been included to increase bioavailability. Future Kind Turmeric Curcumin is a very clean and safe curcumin / turmeric supplement that provides you with the support that you need to live your best life.
What I Like
I love that this is an organic turmeric curcumin supplement. It’s questionable whether or not that will make a big difference in the positive effects you receive from this product, it’s nice to know that you’re not consuming anything artificial or dangerous.
What I Don’t Like
You may need to take three capsules per day to see the most benefits.
This formulation contains a lot of natural gums, like guar gum and acacia gum. These ingredients can cause GI side effects for some people, such as bloating and gas.
Cost and Where to Buy
Future Kind Turmeric Curcumin can be found at https://www.futurekind.com/products/vegan-turmeric-supplement-with-black-pepper. Its cost is $19.99 for a one-time purchase, while the cost drops down to an impressive $15.99 through the company’s subscription service.
#4. Thorne Curcumin Phytosome
Thorne Curcumin Phytosome is designed to provide you with a much more beneficial dose of curcumin each time you take it. It has a sustained release design, to help you maintain a healthy inflammatory response. Made from curcumin phytosome this product can help you find relief from things like aches and pain, stiffness in your joints and muscle soreness. Thorne claims that this is the most clinically studied curcumin on the market.
What I Like
It has a 29 percent higher absorption rate, according to Thorne. Theoretically, that should mean that you have the potential to reap benefits through this product, that you wouldn’t get from any other item. By using a sustained release design, you get excellent bioavailability that provides ongoing benefits as long as you’re taking it.
What I Don’t Like
The product is formally known as Meriva, and both products are listed in the description. However, the formulation is essentially the same. This isn’t two different products that you’re purchasing, though it can look a little confusing at first.
Cost and Where to Buy
Visit https://www.thorne.com/products/dp/meriva-sf to purchase 120 capsules for $45. Subscribing will save you up to 20 percent. Keep in mind, the serving size is two capsules.
#5. Mary Ruth’s Turmeric & DHA Liposomal
This supplement from Mary’s Ruth’s is a little different, in that it has a proprietary blend of ingredients in tis formulation. Liposomal turmeric along with omega-3 DHA will help you achieve overall wellness thanks to a high bioavailability rate. There are 520 milligrams of turmeric in each dose, and there aren’t any artificial ingredients or additives to worry about. Because of its liposomal form, you see a higher composition of curcumin in Mary Ruth’s Turmeric & DHA Liposomal supplement. Its nano-sized micelles hold up well until it's time for them to be absorbed.
What I Like
This is a liquid-based supplement, so you can control how much you’re taking. It’s also nicely absorbed by the body, so you’re able to reap its full benefits. It mixes into a variety of liquids, or you can simply take it straight out of the bottle.
What I Don’t Like
It has a strong orange ginger flavor, so I didn’t particularly like mixing it into other liquids. I think it’s most convenient straight out of the bottle.
Cost and Where to Buy
It costs $29.95 for one bottle of Mary Ruth’s Turmeric & DHA Liposomal supplement, and you can find it at https://www.maryruthorganics.com/products/turmeric-dha-liposomal-16-oz. The cost is $26.96 if you subscribe and save.
FAQs
Who should not use curcumin?
People who are taking any kind of blood-thinning medication should not use curcumin, as it can further enhance the blood thinning effects of your medication to a dangerous degree.
Is it better to take turmeric or curcumin?
It’s beneficial to take both of these supplements. In fact, your best option is to choose a turmeric supplement that has high curcumin levels inside of it.
Can you take curcumin every day?
It’s actually preferred that you take curcumin every day. It works best when you allow it to build up in your body over time. The most profound effects can take three months to appear.
What vitamins should not be taken with curcumin?
Curcumin is generally safe to use with many other vitamins, but you’ll want to avoid anything that has blood-clotting side effects. This includes things like dong quai, clove, dandelion, evening primrose, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng and saw palmetto.
When is the best time to take my curcumin supplement?
For optimal absorption, take your curcumin with a large meal. If you want, you can split the dose in half, taking one half earlier in the day and the other later on.
Conclusion
Turmeric and its active compound curcumin have shown to have profound benefits on a person’s health. Regardless of your age and what you’re dealing with, you can use curcumin to decrease inflammation, boost joint health, protect your heart and brain and even improve your appearance thanks to healthy skin. Being that curcumin is so natural and safe, you don’t have to worry about it causing any unpleasant side effects.
As a wellness expert and enthusiast, I recommend that you give your curcumin supplement a little bit of time to work. I’ve noticed that some effects are seen within a few weeks of starting up a regimen, but it can take a couple of months to really see how curcumin is going to benefit your body and mind.
My Recommendations:
- Manna Liposomal Curcumin (Best Liquid Option)
- Primal Harvest Turmeric Curcumin (Best Capsule Option)
- Future Kind Turmeric Curcumin (Best Vegan Option)
- Thorne Curcumin
- Mary Ruth's Liposomal Curcumin
