Turmeric: The Most Studied Spice on Earth

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is not just another wellness ingredient riding a trend cycle. It is the single most researched dietary spice in scientific literature, with over 13,000 peer-reviewed publications examining its bioactive compounds and their effects on human health. No other culinary herb or spice comes close to this depth of investigation.

That research volume exists for a reason. Curcumin, turmeric's primary bioactive compound, has demonstrated activity against inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, neurodegeneration, and abnormal cell growth in study after study. The breadth of its documented effects is almost suspicious. When one compound seems to help everything, scientific skepticism is warranted.

But here is what makes curcumin's widespread effects plausible rather than implausible: it targets master regulatory pathways that sit upstream of dozens of disease processes. Instead of treating individual symptoms, curcumin appears to modulate the fundamental cellular switches, especially the NF-kB inflammatory pathway, that control whether cells tip toward health or dysfunction. When you regulate the regulator, downstream effects cascade broadly.

This guide is not a superficial overview. It is a deep dive into the science of turmeric and curcumin: how they work at the molecular level, why bioavailability is the central challenge, what the clinical evidence actually shows for specific conditions, and how to use turmeric intelligently. If you want quick tips, check out our guide to turmeric shots. If you want the full picture, you are in the right place.

Turmeric vs. Curcumin: Understanding the Difference

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different things, and the distinction matters.

Turmeric is the whole root (rhizome) of the Curcuma longa plant, a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). It has been used for over 4,000 years in Indian cooking, Ayurvedic medicine, and religious ceremonies. The dried, ground form is what you find in your spice cabinet.

Curcumin is one specific compound within turmeric. It is the most abundant curcuminoid, responsible for turmeric's characteristic golden color, and it accounts for roughly 2 to 5 percent of turmeric by weight. The other two naturally occurring curcuminoids are demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin.

Here is why this distinction is important: most clinical research uses concentrated curcumin extracts, not whole turmeric powder. When a study says "curcumin at 500 mg twice daily," you would need to consume roughly 25 grams (about 8 teaspoons) of turmeric powder to get that much curcumin from whole turmeric. That is neither practical nor palatable.

However, whole turmeric contains over 200 other bioactive compounds beyond curcumin, including:

• Ar-turmerone: A sesquiterpene with emerging neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory research
• Turmeric polysaccharides: With documented immunomodulatory and prebiotic properties
• Other curcuminoids: Which may work synergistically with curcumin
• Essential oils: Including alpha-turmerone, beta-turmerone, and ar-turmerone, which may enhance curcumin absorption and have their own bioactive properties

This is why Ayurvedic medicine has always used whole turmeric rather than isolated curcumin. The whole root provides a complex of compounds that may work together in ways that isolated curcumin alone does not fully replicate. Modern research is increasingly investigating these "entourage effects."

The Science of Inflammation (and Why It Matters)

To understand why curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties are so significant, you need to understand what inflammation actually is and why it becomes problematic.

Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation

Acute inflammation is a healthy, protective response. When you cut your finger, your immune system sends white blood cells to the area, blood flow increases, and the tissue swells, reddens, and becomes warm. This is your body fighting infection and initiating repair. Acute inflammation resolves on its own within days to weeks.

Chronic low-grade inflammation is different. It is a smoldering, system-wide inflammatory state that persists for months or years, often without obvious symptoms. It is driven by factors including poor diet, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, environmental toxins, excess visceral fat, and gut dysbiosis.

Chronic inflammation has been implicated as a contributing factor in virtually every major chronic disease ^[1]:

• Cardiovascular disease: Inflammation drives atherosclerotic plaque formation
• Type 2 diabetes: Inflammatory cytokines contribute to insulin resistance
• Neurodegenerative diseases: Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
• Cancer: Chronic inflammation creates an environment that promotes tumor initiation and growth
• Autoimmune diseases: Dysregulated inflammation attacks the body's own tissues
• Depression: Emerging research links systemic inflammation to depressive symptoms
• Accelerated aging: The concept of "inflammaging" links chronic inflammation to biological aging

This is why anti-inflammatory compounds are not just about reducing aches and pains. Addressing chronic inflammation is, according to a growing body of research, one of the most impactful things you can do for long-term health.

How Curcumin Fights Inflammation: Molecular Mechanisms

Curcumin does not work like ibuprofen or aspirin, which target a single enzyme (COX-1 or COX-2). Curcumin operates on multiple molecular targets simultaneously, which is part of what makes its effects so broad ^[2].

Primary Anti-Inflammatory Pathways

• NF-kB inhibition: Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) is often called the "master switch" of inflammation. When activated, it triggers the expression of over 400 genes involved in inflammation, immune response, cell survival, and proliferation. Curcumin has been shown to block NF-kB activation at multiple points in the signaling cascade ^[3]. This single mechanism explains much of curcumin's broad anti-inflammatory activity.
• COX-2 suppression: Like conventional NSAIDs, curcumin inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the enzyme responsible for producing inflammatory prostaglandins. Unlike NSAIDs, it does this without significant inhibition of COX-1, the "housekeeping" enzyme that protects the stomach lining.
• LOX inhibition: Curcumin also inhibits lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes, which produce inflammatory leukotrienes. This dual COX/LOX inhibition is unusual and gives curcumin broader anti-inflammatory coverage than most single-target drugs.
• Cytokine modulation: Curcumin reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8, while promoting anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10 ^[4].
• iNOS inhibition: Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) produces excessive nitric oxide during inflammation. Curcumin inhibits iNOS expression, reducing nitric oxide-mediated tissue damage.

Antioxidant Mechanisms

Beyond direct anti-inflammatory effects, curcumin is a potent antioxidant operating through two mechanisms:

1. Direct scavenging: Curcumin's chemical structure allows it to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species directly.
2. Indirect enhancement: Curcumin activates the Nrf2 pathway, a transcription factor that upregulates the body's own antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase ^[5]. This indirect effect may be more important than direct scavenging because it amplifies the body's endogenous antioxidant defenses rather than relying solely on exogenous antioxidant supply.

The Bioavailability Problem (and 3 Solutions)

Here is the uncomfortable truth about curcumin: on its own, your body is terrible at absorbing it. This is the single most important thing to understand about turmeric supplementation, and it is where most people get it wrong.

When you swallow curcumin, several things work against you ^[6]:

• Poor water solubility: Curcumin is highly hydrophobic (water-insoluble). Since your digestive tract is an aqueous environment, curcumin does not dissolve well enough to be efficiently absorbed.
• Rapid metabolism: The liver quickly converts curcumin into metabolites (mainly curcumin glucuronide and curcumin sulfate) that are less bioactive and rapidly excreted.
• Rapid elimination: What little curcumin reaches the bloodstream is cleared quickly, with a serum half-life of only a few hours.
• Poor intestinal absorption: Only a small fraction of ingested curcumin crosses the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.

Studies have shown that taking curcumin alone results in barely detectable blood levels. This does not mean it has no effect. Curcumin may have significant local effects in the gut (where it does reach high concentrations), and even low systemic levels may be sufficient to influence certain pathways. But for maximum benefit, you want to improve absorption.

Solution 1: Piperine (Black Pepper)

This is the most well-documented bioavailability enhancer for curcumin. Piperine, the active compound in black pepper, inhibits the hepatic and intestinal enzymes (specifically glucuronidation by UGT enzymes) that metabolize curcumin. The landmark study by Shoba et al. (1998) demonstrated that 20 mg of piperine increased curcumin bioavailability by 2,000% in human subjects ^[7].

This finding is one of the most striking in the entire nutrition research literature. A tiny amount of one common spice can increase the absorption of another by twenty-fold. It is also a perfect example of traditional wisdom preceding scientific validation: Indian cooking has combined turmeric with black pepper for centuries.

Solution 2: Fat

Curcumin is fat-soluble. Consuming it with dietary fat significantly improves its absorption. This is why traditional Ayurvedic preparations often combine turmeric with ghee (clarified butter) or sesame oil. Modern research confirms that lipid-based curcumin formulations dramatically improve bioavailability compared to unformulated curcumin powder ^[8].

Practical applications: take turmeric with meals containing healthy fats, add it to golden milk made with full-fat coconut milk, or consume it in a format that includes fats or oils.

Solution 3: Heat

Cooking turmeric increases the solubility of curcumin, making it more available for absorption. A 2007 study published in Food Chemistry found that heat treatment significantly increased curcumin's solubility in water ^[9]. This does not mean you should boil turmeric extensively (which can degrade some compounds), but gentle heating, as in cooking or adding to warm beverages, may improve availability.

The Traditional Kitchen Already Solved This

Remarkably, traditional Indian cooking combines all three bioavailability solutions simultaneously: turmeric is cooked (heat) in oil or ghee (fat) with black pepper (piperine). This is not coincidence. It is thousands of years of empirical optimization. The ancient cooks may not have known about glucuronidation enzymes, but they understood that turmeric worked better when prepared this way.

Turmeric for Joint Health and Arthritis

Joint health is one of the most clinically validated applications of curcumin, with multiple randomized controlled trials and several meta-analyses supporting its use.

Osteoarthritis

A 2016 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Medicinal Food analyzed 8 randomized controlled trials with a total of 606 patients with knee osteoarthritis. The analysis found that curcumin supplementation (typically 1,000 mg/day) significantly reduced pain and improved physical function, with effect sizes comparable to ibuprofen ^[10].

A head-to-head trial by Kuptniratsaikul et al. (2014) compared 1,500 mg of turmeric extract per day to 1,200 mg of ibuprofen per day in 367 patients with knee osteoarthritis over 4 weeks. The turmeric group experienced similar pain relief with fewer gastrointestinal side effects ^[11].

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A pilot study by Chandran and Goel (2012) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis found that curcumin (500 mg daily) was more effective than the NSAID diclofenac sodium in reducing joint tenderness, swelling, and disease activity scores ^[12]. While promising, this was a relatively small trial and needs replication in larger studies.

How Curcumin Helps Joints

The mechanisms behind curcumin's joint benefits include:

• Inhibiting NF-kB and COX-2, reducing inflammatory mediator production in joint tissue
• Suppressing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes that break down cartilage
• Reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines in synovial fluid
• Providing antioxidant protection to joint structures

Brain Health: Memory, Mood, and Neuroprotection

The brain health research on curcumin is newer but rapidly evolving, and some findings are remarkable.

Memory and Cognitive Function

A landmark study by Small et al. (2018) published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry examined the effects of a highly bioavailable curcumin supplement (Theracurmin, 90 mg twice daily) on memory and brain amyloid plaque levels in 40 non-demented adults aged 51 to 84 ^[13].

After 18 months:

• The curcumin group showed significant improvements in verbal memory and visual memory
• The curcumin group showed significant improvements in attention
• PET scans revealed less amyloid and tau accumulation in the amygdala and hypothalamus of the curcumin group

This last finding is particularly noteworthy because amyloid plaques and tau tangles are the hallmark pathological features of Alzheimer's disease. While this study does not prove that curcumin prevents Alzheimer's, it suggests that curcumin may influence the pathological processes associated with cognitive decline.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

Curcumin has been shown to increase levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein essential for neuron growth, survival, and synaptic plasticity (the ability of neural connections to strengthen or weaken over time, which underlies learning and memory) ^[14].

Low BDNF levels have been linked to depression, Alzheimer's disease, and accelerated brain aging. Compounds that increase BDNF are of significant interest in neuroscience because they may support both cognitive function and mood.

Neuroprotection

Curcumin crosses the blood-brain barrier, which is essential for any compound intended to affect brain function. Once in the brain, it may protect neurons through:

• Reducing neuroinflammation via NF-kB inhibition
• Neutralizing reactive oxygen species that damage neural tissue
• Chelating heavy metals (particularly iron and copper) that can catalyze oxidative damage in the brain
• Inhibiting amyloid beta aggregation, the process that forms the plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease

Cardiovascular Benefits

Curcumin's cardiovascular effects are multifaceted, touching on several independent risk factors for heart disease.

Endothelial Function

Endothelial dysfunction, the inability of blood vessel linings to properly regulate blood pressure, clotting, and inflammation, is considered an early precursor to atherosclerosis. A study by Akazawa et al. (2012) found that 8 weeks of curcumin supplementation improved endothelial function in postmenopausal women comparably to moderate aerobic exercise ^[15].

Lipid Profile

A meta-analysis of 7 randomized controlled trials found that curcumin supplementation was associated with significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides ^[16]. The effects were modest but consistent across studies.

Post-Bypass Surgery Outcomes

One of the most striking cardiovascular studies involved 121 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Those who took 4 grams of curcumin daily for 3 days before and 5 days after surgery had a 65% reduced risk of experiencing a post-operative heart attack compared to the placebo group ^[17]. This study was published in the American Journal of Cardiology and, while it was a single trial, the magnitude of the effect drew significant attention.

Cancer Research: What We Know and What We Do Not

This section requires particular care. Curcumin has demonstrated anti-cancer properties in thousands of cell culture and animal studies, and the mechanisms are well-characterized. But the gap between laboratory findings and clinical proof in humans is wide, and it would be irresponsible to suggest that curcumin treats or prevents cancer.

What Laboratory Research Shows

In cell culture and animal models, curcumin has been shown to ^[18]:

• Inhibit tumor cell proliferation (across multiple cancer types)
• Induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells
• Inhibit angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors)
• Reduce metastasis (the spread of cancer to distant organs)
• Sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation

These effects are largely mediated through curcumin's inhibition of NF-kB, STAT3, and other transcription factors that cancer cells rely on for survival and proliferation.

What Human Research Shows

Clinical trials in humans are limited and early-stage. Most have examined curcumin as an adjunct to conventional cancer therapy rather than as a standalone treatment. Some trials have shown promising results in colorectal cancer (where curcumin can reach high local concentrations in the gut) and pancreatic cancer, but definitive evidence of clinical efficacy is not yet established.

The Honest Assessment

Curcumin is not a cancer treatment. Anyone facing a cancer diagnosis should work with their oncology team and not rely on supplements. However, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of curcumin may contribute to a cellular environment less conducive to cancer development when used as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. This is a preventive and supportive frame, not a therapeutic one.

Turmeric and Depression

The connection between inflammation and depression is one of the most important developments in psychiatry over the past two decades. Elevated inflammatory markers (particularly IL-6, TNF-alpha, and CRP) are consistently found in people with major depression, and anti-inflammatory interventions have shown antidepressant effects in clinical trials.

This makes curcumin, with its potent anti-inflammatory and BDNF-enhancing properties, a logical candidate for mood support research.

A meta-analysis by Ng et al. (2017) examined 6 randomized controlled trials involving patients with depressive disorders. The analysis found that curcumin supplementation significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to placebo ^[19]. The effect was most pronounced when:

• Curcumin was used for 6 or more weeks (suggesting a cumulative mechanism)
• Higher doses were used (around 1,000 mg/day of curcumin)
• It was used as an adjunct to conventional antidepressant treatment rather than as a replacement

A well-designed study by Lopresti et al. (2014) found that 500 mg of curcumin extract twice daily was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing depressive symptoms, and was particularly effective for "atypical depression," a subtype characterized by inflammation-related symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and hypersomnia ^[20].

Important: Curcumin is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Anyone experiencing depression should work with a qualified healthcare provider. Curcumin may serve as a complementary approach alongside conventional treatment, not as a replacement.

Digestive Health and Gut Support

Given curcumin's poor systemic absorption, one area where it may excel is in the gastrointestinal tract, where it can reach high local concentrations regardless of bioavailability.

Research suggests curcumin may support digestive health through:

• Bile production: Curcumin stimulates gallbladder contraction and bile secretion, which aids fat digestion. This is an Ayurvedic use validated by modern research.
• Gut barrier integrity: Curcumin may help maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier, potentially reducing "leaky gut" and the systemic inflammation it triggers.
• Microbiome modulation: Emerging research suggests curcumin may favorably alter gut microbiome composition, increasing beneficial bacterial species.
• Inflammatory bowel support: Several clinical trials have examined curcumin as an adjunct therapy for ulcerative colitis. A study by Hanai et al. (2006) found that curcumin plus standard therapy significantly reduced relapse rates compared to standard therapy plus placebo ^[21].

Dosage Guide: How Much Turmeric Do You Need?

Remember: Always combine any turmeric form with piperine (black pepper) and/or fat for meaningful absorption. Without these enhancers, most oral curcumin passes through your system without being absorbed.

Turmeric in Queen Bee Products

Turmeric is a foundational ingredient in two Queen Bee products, each using it in a different context and formulation.

The DAILY Cold Pressed Ayurvedic Wellness Shot

The DAILY Wellness Shot uses cold-pressed turmeric juice alongside ginger, lemon, cayenne, royal jelly, and buckwheat honey. This format offers several advantages for turmeric delivery:

• Fresh, unprocessed form: Cold pressing preserves turmeric's full spectrum of bioactive compounds, including the turmerones and essential oils that may be lost in drying and powdering
• Natural pairings: The capsaicin in cayenne has been shown to activate similar metabolic pathways as piperine, potentially supporting curcumin absorption. The fat content from royal jelly provides a lipid vehicle for the fat-soluble curcumin.
• Synergistic anti-inflammatory action: Ginger's gingerols and turmeric's curcumin target overlapping but distinct inflammatory pathways, creating broader anti-inflammatory coverage than either compound alone

The Ayurvedic Herbal Sachet

The Herbal Sachet includes turmeric alongside black pepper, which directly addresses the bioavailability problem. This pairing is by design: the piperine in black pepper enhances curcumin absorption by up to 2,000% ^[7]. The sachet also contains ginger, cardamom, ashwagandha, lemon balm, clove, and manuka honey, following Ayurvedic formulation principles that combine warming, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogenic herbs for synergistic benefit.

Whether you choose the DAILY shot or the Herbal Sachet, you are getting turmeric in a thoughtfully formulated context designed to address the bioavailability challenge that makes so many turmeric supplements ineffective.

Safety, Interactions, and Contraindications

Turmeric is generally recognized as safe at culinary doses and has been consumed daily by millions of people for thousands of years. However, high-dose curcumin supplements warrant specific precautions.

Potential Side Effects at High Doses

• Gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, diarrhea, bloating)
• Headache (uncommon)
• Skin rash (rare)

Contraindications and Interactions

• Blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel): Curcumin has anti-platelet effects and may increase bleeding risk. Consult your doctor before combining.
• Gallbladder disease: Curcumin stimulates bile production. People with gallstones or bile duct obstruction should avoid high-dose curcumin supplements.
• Iron absorption: Curcumin may chelate iron in the gut, reducing absorption. People with iron deficiency should separate turmeric intake from iron-rich meals or supplements.
• Diabetes medications: Curcumin may enhance the blood-sugar-lowering effects of diabetes drugs, potentially causing hypoglycemia.
• Pregnancy: Culinary turmeric is safe, but high-dose curcumin supplements should be avoided during pregnancy (may stimulate uterine contractions).
• Surgery: Discontinue high-dose curcumin supplements at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery due to anti-platelet effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between turmeric and curcumin?

Turmeric is the whole spice, a root in the ginger family. Curcumin is one specific compound found within turmeric, comprising about 2 to 5 percent of the root by weight. Turmeric contains over 200 bioactive compounds beyond curcumin, including turmerones, other curcuminoids, and polysaccharides. While curcumin gets the most research attention, whole turmeric may offer benefits that isolated curcumin does not.

How can I increase turmeric absorption?

Three evidence-based strategies significantly improve curcumin absorption: (1) Combine with piperine from black pepper, which can increase bioavailability by up to 2,000% ^[7]. (2) Consume with fat, since curcumin is fat-soluble. (3) Use heat, as cooking turmeric has been shown to increase the solubility and availability of curcumin. Combining all three strategies, as traditional Indian cooking does, maximizes absorption.

How much turmeric should I take daily?

For general wellness, 1 to 3 grams of whole turmeric powder daily is a common recommendation. Clinical studies on curcumin typically use 500 to 2,000 mg of curcumin extract per day. For context, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder contains roughly 200 mg of curcumin. Standardized curcumin supplements provide much higher concentrations. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized dosing.

Can turmeric help with joint pain?

Multiple clinical trials suggest curcumin may help reduce joint pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis. A 2016 meta-analysis found that curcumin supplementation at roughly 1,000 mg per day significantly reduced arthritis symptoms ^[10]. Some studies have found it comparable to ibuprofen for knee osteoarthritis pain relief, though with fewer gastrointestinal side effects ^[11].

Are there any side effects of taking turmeric?

Turmeric is generally safe at culinary doses. At higher supplemental doses of curcumin, some people experience mild digestive discomfort, nausea, or diarrhea. Important contraindications include: blood-thinning medications (curcumin has anti-platelet effects), gallbladder disease (curcumin stimulates bile production), iron deficiency (curcumin may reduce iron absorption), and pregnancy in supplemental doses. Always consult your doctor before starting high-dose curcumin supplements.

Scientific References

1. Furman D, Campisi J, Verdin E, et al. "Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span." Nature Medicine. 2019;25(12):1822-1832. PubMed
2. Hewlings SJ, Kalman DS. "Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health." Foods. 2017;6(10):92. PubMed
3. Aggarwal BB, Harikumar KB. "Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin, the anti-inflammatory agent, against neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases." International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. 2009;41(1):40-59. PubMed
4. Jurenka JS. "Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: a review of preclinical and clinical research." Alternative Medicine Review. 2009;14(2):141-153. PubMed
5. Dong S, Zeng Q, Mitchell ES, et al. "Curcumin enhances neurogenesis and cognition in aged rats: implications for transcriptional interactions related to growth and synaptic plasticity." PLoS ONE. 2012;7(2):e31211. PubMed
6. Anand P, Kunnumakkara AB, Newman RA, Aggarwal BB. "Bioavailability of curcumin: problems and promises." Molecular Pharmaceutics. 2007;4(6):807-818. PubMed
7. Shoba G, Joy D, Joseph T, et al. "Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers." Planta Medica. 1998;64(4):353-356. PubMed
8. Jager R, Lowery RP, Calvanese AV, et al. "Comparative absorption of curcumin formulations." Nutrition Journal. 2014;13:11. PubMed
9. Kurien BT, Singh A, Matsumoto H, Scofield RH. "Improving the solubility and pharmacological efficacy of curcumin by heat treatment." Assay and Drug Development Technologies. 2007;5(4):567-576. PubMed
10. Daily JW, Yang M, Park S. "Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials." Journal of Medicinal Food. 2016;19(8):717-729. PubMed
11. Kuptniratsaikul V, Dajpratham P, Taechaarpornkul W, et al. "Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts compared with ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter study." Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2014;9:451-458. PubMed
12. Chandran B, Goel A. "A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis." Phytotherapy Research. 2012;26(11):1719-1725. PubMed
13. Small GW, Siddarth P, Li Z, et al. "Memory and Brain Amyloid and Tau Effects of a Bioavailable Form of Curcumin in Non-Demented Adults: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled 18-Month Trial." American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2018;26(3):266-277. PubMed
14. Xu Y, Ku B, Tie L, et al. "Curcumin reverses the effects of chronic stress on behavior, the HPA axis, BDNF expression and phosphorylation of CREB." Brain Research. 2006;1122(1):56-64. PubMed
15. Akazawa N, Choi Y, Miyaki A, et al. "Curcumin ingestion and exercise training improve vascular endothelial function in postmenopausal women." Nutrition Research. 2012;32(10):795-799. PubMed
16. Qin S, Huang L, Gong J, et al. "Efficacy and safety of turmeric and curcumin in lowering blood lipid levels in patients with cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." Nutrition Journal. 2017;16(1):68. PubMed
17. Wongcharoen W, Jai-Aue S, Phrommintikul A, et al. "Effects of curcuminoids on frequency of acute myocardial infarction after coronary artery bypass grafting." American Journal of Cardiology. 2012;110(1):40-44. PubMed
18. Kunnumakkara AB, Anand P, Aggarwal BB. "Curcumin inhibits proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis of different cancers through interaction with multiple cell signaling proteins." Cancer Letters. 2008;269(2):199-225. PubMed
19. Ng QX, Koh SSH, Chan HW, Ho CYX. "Clinical Use of Curcumin in Depression: A Meta-Analysis." Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2017;18(6):503-508. PubMed
20. Lopresti AL, Maes M, Maker GL, et al. "Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study." Journal of Affective Disorders. 2014;167:368-375. PubMed
21. Hanai H, Iida T, Takeuchi K, et al. "Curcumin maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis: randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial." Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2006;4(12):1502-1506. PubMed

Continue Reading

• Turmeric Shots Benefits: What Happens When You Drink Them Daily
• The Anti-Inflammatory Diet: A Complete Guide
• Cayenne Pepper Benefits: Metabolism, Immunity & More