Revista Ecotopia Blog

Turmeric is a well-known spice used in Indian cuisine containing a polyphenol known as curcumin as the active component that confers the health benefits for which this colored spice is so well known and prized. However, when turmeric is consumed, very little curcumin is absorbed by the body, and that which is absorbed tend to be easily broken down and pass through the gut without having any medicinal effect at all.  So how does it get its great reputation as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory?Piperine is an alkaloid available in black pepper, and when taken with turmeric, the absorption of curcumin is increased two-thousand fold. However, the best way to make it more bioavailable is to dissolve it in oil. Curcumin is not water soluble, unless heated, but it is oil soluble, and tends to be broken down less if taken with oil. It can be dissolved in olive oil or even taken with yoghurt, when it dissolves in the oil in the stomach.Perhaps this is why turmeric is so powerful when taken with an Indian meal which is generally cooked using oils. If you are a chocaholic, take curcumin or turmeric, and then pop a couple of squares of chocolate in your mouth. The curcumin will dissolve in the chocolate in your stomach and be less likely to be degraded. You might know of better ways, but whatever way you use, curcumin and turmeric can help with inflammation when taken this way and also with some cancers. Curamin from turmeric is available at your local or internet health food store in name brands.  Unfortunately there are some knockoffs available on the market so make sure you purchase from name brands like Europharma, Solaray, and Source Naturals.*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  Turmeric and curcumin are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.