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Now Foods Curcumin Review – Is it Effective?

By Sasha de Beausset Aparicio, MSc

Reviewed by Rebecca Williams, MD, MA, MB, BChir

Last Updated:

Evidence Based | Summary | What's Inside? | Health Benefits | Contraindications | Cost | Directions | Does it Work

Curcumin is a dietary supplement advertised as having powerful anti-oxidant properties. The core Curcumin benefits marketed include maintenance of the cardiovascular and joints health and neuro-protective activity. According to the manufacturer, this is a vegetarian formula.

Curcumin is the major component of Turmeric (Curcuma longa). Extensive research conducted on this ingredient has also potent anti-inflammatory properties, while potential Curcumin cancer treating properties have also been associated. However, research is still in its early stage therefore its actual health benefits are yet to be demonstrated.

The manufacturer of the product is Now Foods is a reputable producer of dietary supplements, sports nutrition and personal care products.

Now Foods was founded in 1968 and is considered today a leader in the fields of nutritional science. They’re also the same company behind nootropics like True Focus.

Pregnant and lactating women or people who have a history of liver, gall bladder or gastrointestinal problems are advised to consult a medical practitioner prior to using Curcumin.

Summary

1) What is Curcumin?

Curcumin is a single ingredient formula of the Turmeric Root extract. A number of studies conducted so far have concluded that due to its potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the extract might positively impact osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, heart failure, colitis, stomach ulcers high cholesterol, viral infections, Alzheimer’s disease and even slow down or prevent some forms of cancer.

According to the manufacturer, Curcumin contains no sugar, salt, wheat, yeast, gluten, corn, milk, soy, egg, shellfish or preservatives, making it a good choice for people with allergies.

No standard daily dose has yet been established for the product, as research is still limited. Curcumin side effects identified so far include nausea, diarrhea and skin irritation and usually appear after long-time usage. Consumers report increased effectiveness for the product in various areas (migraines, digestive problems or joint inflammation, memory problems), as well as a fair price for a high quality product.Curcumin weight loss reviews are also abundant.

What’s Inside?

2) What’s Inside Curcumin?

Curcumin includes the following ingredients: Turmeric Root Extract (Curcuma longa) [Standardized to provide min. 95% Curcuminoids (containing Curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin and Bisdemethoxycurcumin)], Cellulose (capsule), Rice Flour, Silica, Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source), and Stearic Acid (vegetable source).

3) What Does Curcumin Do?

Curcumin emphasizes the Curcumin benefits, the active constituent of the Turmeric plant, commonly used in remedies resulting from the Ayurvedic Indian medicinal knowledge. The formula features no sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg, shellfish or preservatives.

Curcumin is the primary curcuminoid found in the traditional Indian spice known as Turmeric, which is a member of the Ginger family. Turmeric has been historically used as a component of the Indian Ayurvedic medicine since 1900 BC to treat a wide variety of ailments. Because a large number of brain supplement formulas now use this age-old herbal extract either alone or in combination, it is only fair that you know the facts about it. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved the ingredient as “generally regarded as safe” (GRAS). Nonetheless, the FDA does not confirm any specific ailment claims that products featuring this ingredient usually make.

Turmeric is currently being investigated for possible benefits in alleviating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and other clinical disorders. For instance, according to a preliminary laboratory research, this ingredient alleviates the severity of pancreatitis-associated lung injury in mice. In June 2011, the U.S. National Institutes of Health had registered 61 clinical trials completed or underway designed to study the use of dietary Curcumin for a variety of clinical disorders. Recently, the Curcumin cancer benefits have been the subject of numerous scientific research studies, with no conclusive results up to date.

However, while all these may look impressive, we must point out certain Curcumin side effects. These include stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea and dizziness, while other potential dangers might affect people planning to undergo surgery (it may slow blood clotting), pregnant women (it stimulates the uterus), or those with gallbladder problems. No apparent side effects are mentioned for Curcumin. However, you may want to consider asking for specialized advice before use.

Numerous Curcumin reviews are available online. What is being said includes:

  • Great stuff for memory

  • Alleviates pain caused by an injury in my shoulder

  • My joints feels less painful

  • Less frequent headaches due to this supplement!

Also, numerous Curcumin weight loss reviews can be consulted online.

Health Benefits

4) Curcumin Health Benefits

  • Now Foods is well-known manufacturer with a good reputation among consumers
  • Great consumer reviews
  • The formula is available at a reasonable price (approximately $14 for a month’s supply)
  • The product is manufactured in a GMP compliant facility
Contraindications

5) Curcumin Warnings and Precautions

  • Very few relevant scientific data regarding the main ingredient
  • Curcumin precautions should be taken into account by pregnant and breastfeeding women
Cost

6) How Much Does Curcumin Cost?

Curcumin is a relatively cheap supplement if compared to similar formulas that feature Turmeric as a core ingredient. A bottle of Curcumin contains 60 capsules, which should be enough for up to 15 days of treatment at a recommended dose of 1 to 2 capsules, three times per day.

If you prefer a one-softgel a day type of curcumin supplement, we think you’ll love curcumin supplements like CuraMed.

This supplement should be available for purchase from some online and offline retailers, at various prices. The price difference between the vegetarian and non-vegetarian capsules is irrelevant. Some retailers may offer additional discounts. If you place your order online, please take into consideration the shipping costs as well. No information on a money-back guarantee is made available to website users.

Directions

7) Curcumin Directions

The recommended dosage is 1 capsule, taken 2 to 3 times daily, preferably with food.

Does it Work

8) Bottom Line – Does It Really Work?

Curcumin is based on the Turmeric Root extract, a very popular Indian spice. Modern medicine has determined a great number of applicability areas, due to the extract’s two main properties, specifically the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Consumer reviews confirm the product’s high effectiveness in the core benefit areas advertised by the manufacturer and the good quality-price ratio.

However, research is still in its early stages, and the complete array of the extract’s side effects as well as its full range of properties remains to be discovered. It is therefore our strong advice that you seek out a specialized opinion before deciding to start using Curcumin.

4.2/5 - (4 votes)
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Ollie

I use this for anti-inflammatory properties as I find Turmeric per se difficult to digest

Bennet

Same problem I have with all NOW capsule supplements; there are broken capsules in every bottle, and in this case, the orange-yellow curcumin powder covers everything. When I take one, I get the powder on my hands. It’s just a little annoying, but it points to not the best packing control. It might be a good value, but the product doesn’t look as nice.

Greg B

This product has taken care the inflammation I’ve had for the past 2 years. Its helping with my blood pressure numbers are better. I feel fantastic I take 2 capsules a day. thank you !

Spook

I’ve used a variety of Now products over the past decade with good results and have never encountered any problems with them. I tried the curcumin to see if it would help the arthritis in my knee and after a couple of weeks I noticed a decrease in pain and inflammation. I didn’t notice any changes in weight, but then I’m not overweight either, so perhaps I wouldn’t.

TTerrett

This is some good stuff.