What is curcumin? From application to modern bioavailability

What is curcumin?

Curcumin is a bioactive component found mainly in the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa). With its bright yellow colour, it is often used as a spice in cooking. In addition, it plays an important role in traditional healing methods such as Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, curcumin can offer numerous health benefits, including:

• supporting healthy joints,
• promoting cognitive function,
• improving digestion,
• strengthening liver function,
• promoting healthy skin.

Curcumin as a plant substance

Curcumin is a natural component of the turmeric plant. These substances, known as curcuminoids, serve to protect plants from pests and diseases. They play an important role in our daily nutrition due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. That is why curcumin is often used in food supplements to support well-being. Its potential health benefits extend far beyond the ordinary diet, making it particularly valuable.

How is curcumin used?

Curcumin has a wide range of uses.

• In the kitchen, it is valued above all as a spice for curries and other turmeric dishes.
• In the form of food supplements, curcumin is widely used.
• These contribute to health by, among other things, promoting digestion and positively influencing liver function.

Curcumin also plays a role in traditional medicine.

• It promotes skin health,
• supports the joints,
• and modern scientific research is also dedicated to investigating its effect on various diseases.

In particular, the focus is on its anti-inflammatory properties.

Dietary supplements with curcumin

Dietary supplements with curcumin are often available in the form of capsules or powder. These products are designed to deliver the health benefits in full. Since curcumin is difficult to dissolve in water, manufacturers use advanced technologies to increase bioavailability. These include:

• liposomal formulations,
• micelle techniques,
• ensure that the body can efficiently absorb the curcumin.

Capsules with curcumin are very popular. They allow for easy dosing and contain a high proportion of the active ingredient. Such preparations not only support general well-being, but are also helpful for specific complaints such as inflammation and oxidative stress. It is advisable to look for high-quality products to get the best possible benefits.

Health benefits and effects of curcumin

Curcumin is a popular natural substance valued for its health-promoting properties. It not only helps to alleviate inflammation but also strengthens the immune system. In addition, it acts as an antioxidant by neutralising free radicals and thus preventing cell damage. These effects can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

In addition, curcumin aids digestion and may prove helpful in the treatment of arthritis. However, further research is needed to confirm its full effectiveness.

The benefits of curcumin are not limited to protection against oxidative stress; it may also have positive effects on heart disease and cancer. Polyphenols like curcumin are often praised for their positive effects on health.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Curcumin is famous for its powerful anti-inflammatory abilities. It can help alleviate complaints such as joint pain by influencing the markers of inflammation in the body and reducing chronic inflammation. Such inflammation is often associated with diseases such as heart disease and arthritis. The active ingredients, curcuminoids, play a crucial role here. A regular intake can increase well-being and reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases.

Antioxidant effect and polyphenols

Curcumin is famous for its antioxidant properties, as it neutralises free radicals and thus protects cells from harmful oxidative stress. This plays a crucial role in protecting DNA, proteins and lipids in the body. As part of the polyphenols, curcumin has numerous health benefits. Antioxidants such as it help reduce the risk of chronic diseases by averting cell damage.

Challenges in the absorption of curcumin

Curcumin is difficult for the body to absorb, as it is often not optimally utilised. This affects both its absorption and its effectiveness. Consequently, only a small proportion of the curcumin taken in enters the bloodstream to achieve positive health effects. In addition, the low water solubility of curcumin exacerbates the problem. Therefore, innovative approaches are needed to optimise absorption in the body.

Low water solubility and absorption

Curcumin is poorly soluble in water, which makes it difficult for the body to absorb. As a result, only a small proportion of the curcumin consumed enters the bloodstream, which limits the health benefits. The challenge is to optimise the bioavailability of curcumin in order to increase its effectiveness. Innovative technologies and new formulations are needed to improve absorption and supply the body with more curcumin.

Bioavailability and technological processes to improve

To increase the bioavailability of curcumin, different technological approaches are used. One important method is micelle technology. This involves encapsulating curcumin in tiny droplets, which improves its solubility in water and thus facilitates its absorption in the body. This simplifies the process considerably and enables the body to utilise the curcumin more efficiently.

Modern curcumin supplements

Modern curcumin supplements use advanced technologies to improve the absorption of curcumin in the body. One of these innovative approaches is the use of micellar formulations. These significantly increase the water solubility and thus the availability of curcumin in the organism. This allows the positive effects, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, to be optimally utilised.

• often available in the form of capsules or as a powder,
• they offer an uncomplicated way to integrate curcumin into your daily routine,
• but you should always make sure you are using high-quality products.

Make sure that recognised technologies are used to increase bioavailability.

Micelle technology and liposomal formulations

Micelle technology plays a crucial role in increasing the bioavailability of curcumin. Micelles are tiny spheres that encapsulate the curcumin and increase its solubility in water. This allows the body to absorb the curcumin more efficiently.

Similarly, liposomal formulations work: they embed the curcumin in small fat bubbles that protect it and facilitate its passage through cell membranes. Both approaches aim to optimise the health benefits of curcumin, such as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Novasol® Curcumin and Licur Curcumin

Novasol® Curcumin uses advanced micelle technology to optimise absorption in the body. Thanks to this method, the bioavailability of curcumin is increased by a factor of 185 compared to conventional turmeric extracts.

The dietary supplement Licur also uses the innovative Novasol technology to ensure higher absorption of the active ingredient. In this way, Licur maximises the positive effects of curcumin, such as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Just 1 capsule a day is enough to optimally supply the body with curcumin.