Intervention

Curcumin

Last updated Sat May 30 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Observational— Many small RCTs, large effect-size variance from bioavailability

What it is

Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid in Curcuma longa (turmeric). Mechanistically: NF-κB inhibition, NRF2 activation, suppression of multiple inflammatory cytokines, modest direct antioxidant activity.

Evidence summary

Meta-analyses show consistent reductions in CRP, IL-6, TNF-α in inflammatory conditions.
Joint-pain trials (osteoarthritis) show effects comparable to NSAIDs with better tolerability.
Cardiometabolic markers (LDL, glycaemia) show small improvements.
Cognitive trials are mixed; some signal in mild cognitive impairment.

The bioavailability problem

Plain curcumin has <1% oral bioavailability. Practical formulations to look for:

+ piperine (BioPerine, ~95% bioavailability boost via CYP3A4 inhibition — also increases drug interactions).
Phytosome / phospholipid complexes (Meriva).
Nano-formulations (Theracurmin, NovaSOL).

Drug interactions

Curcumin and piperine both inhibit CYP3A4. Caution with statins, warfarin, calcineurin inhibitors, many cancer therapies.

References

Hewlings, S. J. & Kalman, D. S. Curcumin: a review of its effects on human health. Foods 6, 92 (2017).