Curcumin

Curcumin is one of the most researched compounds in the supplement industry and one of the most badly sold. Turmeric root is only a few percent curcuminoids by weight, and curcumin on its own is absorbed so poorly that the dose on the label often bears little relationship to what reaches you.

95% CURCUMINOIDS, NOT TURMERIC POWDER

This uses Curcumin C3 Complex, a branded turmeric root extract standardised to 95% curcuminoids — curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Turmeric root is roughly 2 to 5% curcuminoids. That gap is the whole reason standardised extracts exist, and C3 Complex is the extract the majority of published curcumin research has been conducted on.

ABSORPTION IS THE ACTUAL PROBLEM

Curcumin's reputation for poor bioavailability is deserved. Taken alone, most of a dose is metabolised and cleared before it can do anything. Ten milligrams of Bioperine, a branded black pepper extract standardised for piperine, is included to address that — and C3 Complex with Bioperine is the specific pairing the bioavailability work was carried out on, rather than two ingredients put in the same capsule and hoped for.

FOR PEOPLE WHO TRAIN OFTEN

Joint comfort and recovery are why most people in this audience take curcumin, and it belongs in the same category as omega-3 — a supplement that supports a healthy inflammatory response over months of consistent use rather than one you feel on the day. One capsule twice a day with meals, and one bottle is two months.

SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR FIRST

Curcumin can affect platelet function, which matters if you take a blood thinner or have surgery scheduled. Piperine acts on the liver enzymes a large share of prescription medications are metabolised by. If you take any medication, speak to your doctor before adding this.