Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice plant from the ginger family (Lat. Curcuma longa), whose root gives Indian curry and “golden milk” their distinctive yellow colour. Its most important active compounds are curcuminoids, the best known of which is curcumin, and turmeric has been used for centuries in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine to support the joints, digestion and general vitality.

In the Turmeric category at ApotekaOnline you will find capsules and tablets with turmeric and curcumin extract, combinations with black pepper and ginger, ampoules with collagen and turmeric, as well as turmeric powder for the kitchen. For joint support, also take a look at products for joints, bones and muscles, glucosamine and chondroitin, collagen for joints, as well as the antioxidants category.

Turmeric or curcumin: why bioavailability is key

Curcuminoids make up only a few per cent of dried turmeric root, and curcumin itself dissolves poorly in water and is poorly absorbed from the gut. That is why a teaspoon of turmeric in food and a capsule of standardised extract are not the same thing. Manufacturers increase bioavailability in several ways, and this determines how much curcumin actually reaches the body.

Turmeric for joints and who should not take it

Turmeric is most often chosen to support the joints and mobility. Research is investigating the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin, and some studies suggest a reduction in discomfort in people with worn joints. However, turmeric is not a medicine and does not replace treatment prescribed by a doctor. In combination products, the health claims relate to the vitamins and minerals: vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and to the maintenance of normal muscle function, and magnesium contributes to normal muscle function and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Turmeric products are not intended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, except on a doctor's advice. They are not recommended for people with gallstones or bile duct obstruction, as turmeric stimulates bile secretion. Caution is essential when taking anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines (e.g. warfarin, acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel) because of a possible increased risk of bleeding, as well as before a planned operation. Some people may experience stomach upset, and rare cases of liver damage have been reported with curcumin products, especially those with high bioavailability.