Anti-inflammatory compounds are in high demand today as people are looking to control inflammation and, in turn, improve many other aspects of health.
By far, one of the most popular anti-inflammatory and health-boosting compounds is curcumin. It is obtained naturally from turmeric root, but many people turn to curcumin supplements because of the higher concentration and potency.
In this review, we’ll go over our top three curcumin supplements so you can see which ones are best and most effective for inflammation and more!
Top Rated Curcumin Supplements
We won’t keep you waiting. Our top three curcumin supplements are:
- Manna Liposomal Curcumin
- 1MD Curcumin MD
- Primal Flex
These supplements were chosen based on overall ingredient quality, proper dosing, safety aspects, and brand trustworthiness.
Furthermore, as you’ll see below, each of these three supplements are considered the best in their own right for a particular category, so you can identify which one is most appropriate for your goals, preferences, and needs.
Manna Liposomal Curcumin
Best Liquid
Manna Liposomal Curcumin is a liquid curcumin supplement made by Manna Vitamins Evolved. Each serving contains 250mg of curcumin from turmeric root extract. It’s very easy to mix with water or you can even take it straight.
They also use Nanofuse liposomal technology, which may enhance the bioavailability of curcumin up to 10x greater than some other products.
Overall, Manna Liposomal Curcumin the best liquid curcumin to help reduce pain and inflammation and support total wellness. The regular price is $49.95 for 30 servings, but there are available subscription savings too.
1MD CurcuminMD
Best Pills
If you’re looking for pills, 1MD CurcuminMD Plus is your best bet. This formula, made by 1MD, contains 400mg of curcumin from Longvida Optimized Curcumin, which is a trademarked form that has greatly enhanced bioavailability and effectiveness. Thus, it may offer some of the most powerful anti-inflammatory effects out there.
Additionally, 1MD CurcuminMD contains 333mg of boswellia serrata extract for additional anti-inflammatory effects. And it’s also affordable for most, with options ranging from $26.99 to $38.99 per month.
Primal Flex
Best for Joints
Many people use curcumin specifically for joint health. And if that’s you, we recommend Primal Flex. This supplement has 100mg of turmeric extract, which is a bit lower than some but still effective.
On top of that, Primal Flex has many other joint-supporting ingredients, such as BioCell Collagen, astaxanthin, boswellia serrata, and eggshell membrane. These all deliver key nutrients that support joint health and strength while also decreasing joint inflammation.
You can get one bottle for anywhere from $39.95 to $49.95 depending on the option picked.
What is Curcumin?
Curcumin is a phytochemical found in turmeric root, which is an herb often used in Ayurvedic medicine.
This compound is very well-studied especially for its anti-inflammatory properties. While curcumin is the most biologically active compound in turmeric, it is often poorly absorbed by the gut, which is why supplements that use bioavailability enhancers and/or higher concentrations may be more effective.
Curcumin Supplements Benefits
There are many potential benefits of curcumin supplements. Also, curcumin supplements may be better than consuming turmeric root in whole form due to the higher bioavailability and absorption rates, as long as the supplements take measures to optimize those factors.
The main potential benefits of curcumin are:
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects
- Reduced Joint Pain
- Improved Brain Function
- Heart Support
- Enhanced Metabolic Health
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Curcumin has strong anti-inflammatory effects. And it is this benefit that underscores many of the other benefits.
Basically, curcumin is able to reduce inflammatory signaling pathways and decreases the action of many inflammatory agents in the body. This results in decreased inflammation and oxidative stress.
Reduced Joint Pain
Likely the most well-researched benefit of curcumin is reduced joint pain. The anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin help to control joint inflammation while also supporting joint repair, which may lead to decreased pain. It also can help reduce arthritis symptoms.
Improved Brain Function
Curcumin supplements may also enhance brain function. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin may protect against brain inflammation.
And curcumin also may help energy production in the brain and even boosts certain neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. This may lead to improved cognitive function and even better mental health and mood.
Heart Support
There are also potential benefits of curcumin for heart health. One of the reasons for this is that curcumin can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the cardiovascular system.
On top of that, curcumin may support healthy cholesterol levels, which is also important for heart health.
Enhanced Metabolic Health
Lastly, curcumin has been shown to improve various aspects of metabolism, such as insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Beyond that, curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects also help to promote a healthier metabolism.
This may lead to benefits for people with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, among other similar disorders.
All in all, this one little ingredient seems to be able to pack a potent punch for many different problems!
How to Choose the Right Curcumin Supplement
With so many curcumin supplements available, it’s important to know how to choose the best one for your own goals and circumstances.
One of the first things to look for is that the supplement is made in cGMP, FDA-registered facilities and is third-party tested. This helps to ensure safety and overall quality.
Next, we look at the specific ingredients and doses. It’s best to choose supplements that don’t use proprietary blends and have fully transparent labels. Also, most supplements should have at least 100mg of turmeric per serving, especially if it’s the only ingredient.
Another thing to consider is your goals. If you just want general anti-inflammatory support, a simpler formula with curcumin as the only ingredient may suffice.
However, some people may want more specific benefits, such as improved brain health or joint support.
Now, in these cases, curcumin alone could work well too.
But you may also want additional supportive ingredients, including various herbs, vitamins, minerals, or other compounds. For example, if you want to improve brain health, you may look for a supplement that uses curcumin alongside certain nootropics, such as bacopa or ginkgo. Or if you want to reduce joint pain, a curcumin supplement with boswellia, collagen, and/or other joint compounds may be best.
Lastly, it’s important to consider the price. Even if it’s a really high-quality product, it can’t be priced so high that you’re unable to use it regularly. And generally speaking, we’ve found that most curcumin supplements can be priced anywhere from $1 to $2 per serving. So something considerably higher than that may be overpriced, regardless of how effective it claims to be.
And something much lower than that (say, only 10 bucks for 30 servings) may raise concerns about ingredient quality and legitimacy.
Additional Information (FAQ)
Down below, we’ve provided more information on curcumin supplements to help you understand what this supplement does, who it’s best for, and other considerations before buying.
Does curcumin really work for inflammation?
Yes. While we can’t guarantee results for everybody, curcumin is one of the most well-studied compounds and has been proven to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Will curcumin help with joint pain?
Most likely. In fact, decreased joint pain is the most well-researched effect of curcumin. But it also depends on the severity of your condition, how consistent you take it, and the dose you’re using.
Who should take curcumin?
Any individual who wants to control inflammation and any inflammatory-related conditions may benefit from curcumin. This includes people with arthritis and joint pain, diabetes and other metabolic conditions, as well as individuals who want to support a healthy heart and brain as they age.
Do you need to supplement with curcumin if you consume turmeric regularly?
If you’re looking for noticeable benefits, then most likely yes. While curcumin is found naturally in turmeric, it is not as well-absorbed.
Taking this spice with black pepper can help the absorption rate. But if you’re looking for the most noticeable clinical effects, curcumin supplements standardized for a high concentration as well as optimal bioavailability are likely the best.
But consuming turmeric certainly has health benefits too.
Are there any side effects of curcumin?
Curcumin is safe for most people and poses few side effects. Some people may experience mild effects such as upset stomach, diarrhea, headache or nausea, especially if too much is taken at once.
Some people may also notice yellow-colored stools or skin rash if taking too high of a dose.
