Yes — curcumin can be well absorbed without piperine when the formula uses a different bioavailability technology. BMPHARMA's Licur Max and Licur 7000 use NovaSOL® micellar curcumin, which reached 185× higher bioavailability than standard curcumin extract in a published human study¹ — with no piperine (black-pepper extract).
This explains a formulation difference, not a medical advantage. Curcumin carries no authorised EU health claims, and this page makes none.
Why piperine is commonly added to curcumin
Plain curcumin is hard to absorb — it barely dissolves in water and is cleared quickly.¹ A common fix is to add piperine, an extract of black pepper, which can slow how fast curcumin is broken down and so raise how much reaches the blood. That is why many turmeric supplements are labelled "with black pepper" or "with piperine."
How NovaSOL® gets there without piperine
NovaSOL® takes a different route. It wraps curcumin in microscopic micelles, making it water-soluble and stable across a wide pH range, so it is absorbed without needing an enhancer like piperine.² In a 2014 human study, NovaSOL® curcumin reached 185× higher 24-hour bioavailability than standard curcumin.¹ → Full NovaSOL® vs standard turmeric comparison
What Licur uses
Both Licur Max and Licur 7000 contain 720 mg of NovaSOL® micellar solubilizate per capsule (about 36 mg curcumin), taken once daily — and neither contains piperine. Licur 7000 additionally contains vitamin D3; Licur Max is pure NovaSOL® curcumin.
| Curcumin with piperine | Licur (NovaSOL®, no piperine) | |
|---|---|---|
| Absorption route | Black-pepper extract slows curcumin breakdown | Micellar solubilizate (water-soluble) |
| Piperine | Added | None |
| Bioavailability | Varies by product | 185× vs standard in a human study¹ |
| Per day | Product-dependent | 1 capsule |
Medication: what to check
Avoiding piperine is a formulation choice — it is not a statement that a product is free of interactions. If you take any medication, check the full composition and ask your doctor or pharmacist before supplementing. Both Licur products carry a warning to consult a doctor or pharmacist if you use anticoagulants (blood thinners).
Licur Max or Licur 7000?
Same NovaSOL® base and once-daily use; the difference is vitamin D3. Licur Max is pure curcumin (vegan, HPMC). Licur 7000 adds vitamin D3 (vegetarian; D3 from lanolin). The vitamin D in Licur 7000 contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to the maintenance of normal bones, teeth and muscle function.³ (These authorised claims apply to the vitamin D only — not to curcumin.)
Safety
Food supplements do not replace a varied, balanced diet. Do not exceed the recommended daily portion. Do not use if hypersensitive to any ingredient. If you use anticoagulants, consult a doctor or pharmacist. Licur 7000 is additionally not for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
FAQ
Does Licur contain piperine or black pepper?
No. Neither Licur Max nor Licur 7000 contains piperine.
Why do many turmeric supplements use piperine?
Plain curcumin absorbs poorly, so piperine is added to raise how much reaches the blood. NovaSOL® achieves absorption a different way — through micelles.
Is curcumin without piperine always better?
Not automatically — what matters is the absorption technology. NovaSOL® is a micellar route that does not rely on piperine.
Can I take Licur while on medication?
Check the full composition and ask your doctor or pharmacist first. "No piperine" is not a statement about drug interactions.
Which Licur is simpler — Max or 7000?
Both are one capsule daily. Licur Max is pure curcumin; Licur 7000 adds vitamin D3.
Where can I see how NovaSOL® compares to standard turmeric?
See our NovaSOL® vs standard turmeric extract guide.
Published 4 June 2026 · Bio Medical Pharma Editorial Team · For information only, not medical advice.
Sources: ¹ Schiborr et al., Mol Nutr Food Res 2014 (RCT, n=23). ² NovaSOL® Curcumin manufacturer technology documentation. ³ EU Register of nutrition & health claims — vitamin D.
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