Turmeric Curcumin
Turmeric comes from the underground stem of Curcuma longa, a member of the ginger family. Curcumin is its main yellow compound, alongside related curcuminoids.
Also listed as Turmeric Root Extract 30:1, Turmeric extract, Curry Extract, Curcuma
What should a product label make clear?
Powdered turmeric, turmeric extract and isolated curcumin are not interchangeable. The amounts of extract and curcuminoids describe different things; some preparations also use piperine or special delivery systems to change absorption. These differences matter when comparing a product with a published trial. 1 2
Is higher absorption always better?
Higher blood exposure is not proof of greater symptom relief. The BfR calls for product-specific safety assessment of enhanced-absorption preparations, and NCCIH highlights liver-injury reports. A product can be more efficiently absorbed without having a better demonstrated balance of benefit and harm. 2 3