Curcumin is the primary active ingredient of the spice Turmeric. In one gram of Turmeric rhizome almost 25-40gm of curcumin is found. Chemically it is called Diferuloylmethane. The biological name of Turmeric is Curcuma Longa. In China Turmeric is called JiangHuang. In China and Southeast Asia, Turmeric is frequently used in different types of traditional and modern cooking. At the same time, it is immensely used in traditional Ayurveda as an active ingredient both for external and internal uses. Curcumin has multiple of health benefits for human. It works on the digestive system, nervous system, muscular system and circulatory system very effectively. However, different doses are specified by the experts for different health issues.
Bioavailability of Curcumin
Bioavailability is the measure of how much a medicinal ingredient could reach its target after being orally consumed. Curcumin characteristically displays low bioactivity. It is due to its low rate of intestinal absorption and also due to fast metabolism.
Researchers have developed different processes to enhance absorption of curcumin with the help of better incorporation of micelle and also through Nano-formulation. It is found that curcumin is a lipophilic or fat soluble supplement. Thus, its absorption can be improved by introducing fat soluble components or using micelles within a dietary supplement containing curcumin. Essential fatty acids that are available in different fish and lecithin are frequently used to enhance its bioavailability. The water solubility of curcumin is enhanced with the help of water soluble carriers like polyvinyl pyrrolidone.
Benefits of Curcumin
Here are some important benefits of Curcumin –
1. Curcumin enhances the synthesis of DHA. DHA is an important long chain omega 3 fatty acid that is vital for brain development, protection of the brain and protection of the heart. Thus, people who do not eat fish or fish oil supplement, consuming Turmeric helps them to get essential DHA.
2. Regular users of curcumin are highly protected against various neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
3. It reduces stress, tension, anxiety and similar types of psychological disorders.
4. High dose curcumin, like 1200mg dosage per day, appears to be effective in managing post-surgical pain, arthritic pain, neck and shoulder pain, etc.
5. Curcumin is also very useful natural ingredient for multiple of heart diseases. It effectively protects the heart from sudden failure, thrombosis, cardiac hypertrophy and inflammation, etc.
6. Curcumin reduces triglycerides, cholesterol and lipoproteins remarkably.
Besides it has several other benefits for the blood and nervous system. As a whole, curcumin keeps the body protected from several complicated diseases.
Dosages of curcumin
Depending on the uses, dosages can be as low as 2mg or as much as 1200mg dosage per day. Here are some precise doses of curcumin in different conditions –
1. In irritable bowel syndrome 1gm of curcumin per day advised.
2. In high cholesterol condition 500mg of curcumin per day is advised.
3. In Crohn’s disease 360mg per day has been normally taken for at least 2 months
4. In cardiovascular dysfunctions, 150mg of curcumin per day for at least 2 months is advised.
Being a natural ingredient, use of curcumin has been spreading rapidly in the different parts of the world. Several manufacturers have formulated dietary supplements of curcumin for enabling the body to avail most of its benefits.
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