Top Turmeric Curcumin Supplements For Joints, Brain, & More
Updated 11/06/2024What to look for, what to avoid, and why some turmeric supplements just don't work.
Known for centuries as a miracle health remedy, turmeric's widespread benefits are only now being officially recognized. Studies show this golden root can improve joint health, elevate cognitive skills, and aid in overall systemic relief.
Unfortunately, there’s a dirty little secret in the turmeric world -- your body cannot absorb turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin. This means 90% or more of the turmeric supplements on the market are completely ineffective.
So how do you find one that actually works?
Consumer Survey went out in search of the newest formulas that radically boost the body's absorption of turmeric. We spent months gathering research to help you know what to look for in a turmeric supplement, what to avoid, and our top 5 picks.
Top Benefits Of Turmeric Curcumin:
- Anti-Inflammatory2
- Reduces Joint and Arthritis Pain3
- Boosts Cognitive Health3
- Supports Digestive Health3
How Curcumin Supports Your Immune System
When your immune system is compromised, you're more susceptible to illnesses like colds, the flu, allergies, etc.
Research has shown curcumin improves the immune system's ability to recognize invasive bacteria and viruses as enemies. It then attracts cells that will kill and eat these enemies.
Curcumin is unique in that it offers comprehensive immune support -- reducing swelling and discomfort -- throughout your entire body.
3 Must-Haves on Any Turmeric Curcumin Supplement Label
-
Boswellia serrata:
Boswellia serrata, also known as frankincense, has been used to treat conditions marked by chronic inflammation for thousands of years. It has been shown to not only support joint health, but also effectively reduce painful inflammation, and relieve osteoarthritis knee pain better than the leading NSAIDs.6 -
Powerful Potency:
Look for a supplement that includes a clinically-studied curcumin extract, formulated at its clinically suggested daily serving size of 350 to 400 mg.7 Studies show a potent curcumin extract can promote better absorption into the bloodstream and even target problem tissues more directly4. These clinical formulas are so potent and bioavailable that they don't require less effective BioPerine or black pepper derivatives. -
Recommended By A Doctor:
It requires specific expertise to identify and endorse a safe and effective turmeric curcumin supplement. Look for a turmeric curcumin supplement backed by a board certified physician.
4 Things to Avoid in a Turmeric Curcumin Supplement
-
Black Pepper
Black pepper extract typically gets added to turmeric supplements in order to enhance the absorption of turmeric. However, black pepper has never been proven to improve the absorption of curcumin.
Even worse, black pepper can cause a range of harmful side effects.
The latest and most powerful forms of turmeric curcumin use advanced technology, like solid-lipid coating, to improve absorption more consistently and safely than black pepper derivatives. -
Lead
In just the last few years, high concentrations of lead have been found in some turmeric supplements. According to some reports, spice producers in Bangladesh have been adding dangerous amounts of "lead chromate pigment" to turmeric in order to enhance its golden color. - Little Absorption of Curcumin
Only 1% of curcumin is absorbed in the body. Check for clinically-studied curcumin extract, as it's 285 times more bioavailable than standardized curcumin. -
Health-Jeopardizing Fillers and Additives
Many brands include cheap and harmful additives in their turmeric supplements in order to cut costs. Avoid: titanium, silicon dioxide, and assorted oils.
We've compiled this list after testing over 50 different brands of turmeric curcumin supplements to measure potency, ingredients that are clinically proven to work, and overall user satisfaction. Read below to review our top five choices:
Top 5 Turmeric Curcumin Supplements with boswellia serrata For 2021
Top Pick
Consumers Survey Recommended
- Formulated with Longvida® Optimized Curcumin Extract
- High potency Standardized 65% Boswellia Serrata Extract
- 285 times more bioavailable than other supplements9
- Third-party tested
- 100% natural
- No artificial ingredients
- 90-day money-back
Call 1MD Nutrition™ Toll-Free:
(888) 393-4030
#1: 1MD Nutrition™ CurcuminMD™ Plus
1MD Nutrition’s CurcuminMD™ Plus is formulated with a combination of 400 mg of clinically-proven Longvida® Optimized Curcumin Extract and 333 mg of Standardized 65% Boswellia Serrata Extract, two ingredients shown to support body and joint health, as well as cognitive function. 10 This formulation is 285 times more bioavailable than other standardized supplements. 9
We verified that this supplement contains no artificial binders, fillers, or flavors, and is third-party, lab tested for potency and purity.
1MD Nutrition™'s 90-day 100% money back guarantee gives customers plenty of time to test the product, which is evident by their high customer service satisfaction rankings.
With all of this in mind, we decided to put 1MD Nutritions' CurcuminMD™ Plus in our #1 Spot.
Buy Now > >Rating
Call Live Conscious
Toll Free:
(866) 949-7799
#2: CurcuWell by Live Conscious
CurcuWell is formulated with 1000mg of 95% standardized curcumin, as well as potent Boswellia serrata for maximum body and joint comfort. Plus, their inclusion of BioPerine® Black Pepper Extract increases the bioavailability to help deliver quicker results.
We also found that Live Conscious recently opened an Amazon store where you can buy this candida supplement for a discounted price. It does, however, appear to be a new listing, explaining the lack of reviews.
Live Conscious stands by their product by offering a superior 365-day money-back guarantee!
Order Now > >
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Call Essential Elements Toll-Free:
(888) 343-9888
#3: Essential Elements Turmeric Curcumin
Our #3 pick is Essential Elements' Turmeric Curcumin, which contains highly-concentrated extracts of turmeric and clinically-studied BioPerine for increased absorption.Rating
#4: Smarter Nutrition's Smarter Curcumin
Smarter Curcumin is formulated with Curcumin C3 Reduct (R) standardized to a minimum of 95% tetrahydrocurcuminoids.Smarter Curcumin has increased bioavailability over standardized curcumin due to additional processing of the tetrahydrocurcuminoids. On the flip side, we don't know the details regarding how much the processing increases curcumin's bioavailability as this is a brand new type of curcumin with no clinical studies backing its effectiveness for joint health as yet.
While this supplement is not backed by a practicing medical doctor, it is endorsed by a Ph.D in Holistic Nutrition. Smarter Nutrition offers a full money-back guarantee for products returned within 60 days, which solidified its placement on our list.
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#5: Organic Turmeric Complex for Inflammation
Olivia Naturals Organic Turmeric Complex for Inflammation contains a synergized blend of high potency Ginger and Boswellia extracts to complement the organic Turmeric 95% curcuminoids, boosted by the bioavailability enhancer BioPerine®.Olivia Naturals provides a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Research
- Prasad, S., Tyagi, A. K., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2014). Recent Developments in Delivery, Bioavailability, Absorption and Metabolism of Curcumin: the Golden Pigment from Golden Spice. Cancer Research and Treatment : Official Journal of Korean Cancer Association, 46(1), 2–18.
- Menon V.P., Sudheer A.R. (2007) ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES OF CURCUMIN. In: Aggarwal B.B., Surh YJ., Shishodia S. (eds) The Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Uses of Curcumin in Health and Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY, vol 595. Springer, Boston, MA
- Gupta, S. C., Patchva, S., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2013). Therapeutic Roles of Curcumin: Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials. The AAPS Journal, 15(1), 195–218.
- Koronyo, Y et al. Retinal amyloid pathology and proof-of-concept imaging trial. JCI Insight. 2018. 2(16).
- McFarlin et al. Reduced inflammatory and muscle damage biomarkers following oral supplementation with bioavailable curcumin. University of North Texas. BBA Clinical. 18 Feb 2016. 5: 72-78.
- Sontakke S et al. Open, randomized, controlled clinical trial of Boswellia serrata extract [WokVel®] as compared to valdecoxib in OA of knee. Indian J Pharmacol. 2007 Feb. Vol 39(Issue 1): 27-29.
- Sharma S et al. Pharmacokinetic study of 11-keto β-boswellic acid. Phytomedicine. 2004 Feb. 11: 255-260.
- McFarlin et al. Reduced inflammatory and muscle damage biomarkers following oral supplementation with bioavailable curcumin. University of North Texas. BBA Clinical. 18 Feb 2016. 5: 72-78.
- Eidenberger T et al. Investigation of the lymphatic transport of solid-lipid curcumin particles (Longvida®) in comparison to curcumin extract in rats. University of Applied Sciences, Upper Austria. Poster in 252nd ACS National Meeting: Philadelphia, PA. 2016 Aug. P55.
- Disilvestro et al. Diverse effects of a low-dose supplement of lipidated curcumin (as Longvida®) in healthy middle-aged people. The Ohio State University. Nutr. J. 2012 26; 11:79.
P.S. While 1MD Nutrition™ is the best Turmeric we've found, we would still love to hear about any others you've tried. If you have had a great experience of your own, please send me an email to Beverly@ConsumersSurvey.org with the details.
Sincerely,
Beverly Gratson,
Senior Health Editor
What We Do
ConsumersSurvey uses a unique three-step approach to reviewing the most popular products in the online marketplace
1. Research First we conduct in-house research with a highly qualified editorial team comprised of individuals who specialize in various fields.
2. SurveyWe survey our readers who have tried the product over time in order to learn from their experiences.
3. OpinionWe monitor public opinion in the world’s most popular marketplaces, from Amazon and eBay, to Bizrate and Pricegrabber.
As a consumer herself, Beverly is extremely dedicated to gathering and collecting reports and information and always on the lookout for highly-rated supplements. She's especially passionate about educating consumers in making wise decisions when it comes to purchasing health products.