Is Curcumin an Antioxidant? An In-depth Analysis
Curcumin, a chemical compound found in turmeric, is often touted as a natural miracle of sorts. This spice-turned-holistic treatment has been used around the globe as a way to address medical needs for centuries.
Where once we were limited to cause-and-effect observations as the basis of medical discovery, modern technology has made learning the why much easier. And, while we’ve known for centuries that turmeric is good for you, it’s only recently that we discovered curcumin is the why.
This has led to more speculation and scientific studies. How does curcumin react in the body? What is the best way to take curcumin for your health? And, most importantly, for our article: is curcumin an antioxidant?
Curcumin in the Body
Before we address if curcumin is an antioxidant, it's prudent to understand more about this so-called miracle spice.
According to Oregon State University, curcumin is a “biologically active compound” that “modulates numerous molecular targets” in the body. In other words, this chemical reacts with several types of molecules to produce its results. It’s often considered the most active constituent in turmeric and is likely responsible for many of its positive effects. 1 2
However, OSU also notes that pure curcumin taken orally does not absorb well into the bloodstream, so our bodies eliminate most of it as waste. In fact, early clinical trials suggest that raw curcumin can lead to gastrointestinal issues, which results in curcumin being pushed out of the body as quickly as possible. This leads to poor bioavailability – how readily your body can access or use a substance. 1 2
This is where modern medical science comes in. Scientists are exploring ways to increase curcumin's absorption, bioavailability, and targeted delivery potential through preclinical experiments and medical trials. While the process is still underway, there’s speculation that peptides, essential oils, piperine, nanoparticles, and other compounds may effectively deliver curcumin to the cells that need it most. Only time – and the scientific process – will tell. 1 2
Curcumin in Scientific Studies
Though we've witnessed observable and anecdotal effects for decades, curcumin is still working its way through clinical trials. These studies address this compound's abilities and effectiveness in every facet. And, as it turns out, it might be more beneficial than we first thought.
Curcumin has long been touted as an anti-inflammatory agent. Early clinical evidence suggests this is true –it inhibits chemical pathways that would otherwise provoke inflammation. Particularly, it inhibits the NF-kB, MAPK, and STAT-dependent signaling pathways. Mouse trials have also shown that curcumin can alleviate nerve and brain inflammation in traumatic brain injury models. 2 3 4
Rodent studies also suggest that curcumin could possibly prevent cancerous cells from forming by reducing certain enzyme activity. Simultaneously, it promotes the activity of other enzymes that help fight cancers before they develop. While this science is exciting, it's still prudent to note that the evidence is early. Furthermore, the type of animal, method of administration, and dose all play a part. (So, don't eat a tablespoon of curcumin and declare yourself immune to cancer…yet.) 1 2
When you study curcumin’s effect on the body, fighting general inflammation and cancer often top the list. But early evidence suggests curcumin may prevent, fight, or alleviate the effects of other concerns, like: 2 3 4
- Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, radiation dermatitis, and ulcerative colitis
- Oral submucous fibrosis
- Gingival bleeding post-oral therapy
- Major depressive disorder
- PMS
Is Curcumin an Antioxidant?
Now that we understand more about how curcumin acts in the body and what it has the potential to do, we can answer our penultimate question: is curcumin an antioxidant?
The short answer is, yes – and we don’t know. The long answer is a bit more complicated.
According to OSU, curcumin is an "effective scavenger of reactive oxygen species." In other words, it's the definition of an antioxidant: it binds to and removes oxygen atoms from its environment. However, these results come from test-tube studies, which are not indicative of how curcumin acts in vivo (in the body). 1
Because curcumin exhibits limited bioavailability in humans, its blood concentration may not be high enough to produce antioxidant effects. But because it does get caught in the gastrointestinal tract, scientists have noted that it produces localized antioxidative effects. In particular, it appears to protect intestinal mucosa against oxidative DNA damage. Of course, more studies are still needed to confirm and explore this theory. And as we develop more ways to introduce curcumin into the bloodstream, it will become more possible to determine whether it actively acts as an antioxidant. 1 2
But there’s also some evidence that suggests curcumin induces antioxidant enzymes into action. In particular, curcumin encourages an antioxidant called GSH that plays a critical role in helping cells adapt to stress. Furthermore, curcumin may increase gene expression that codes for antioxidant enzymes such as GCL, GST, and HO-1. Via this indirect pathway, curcumin may further help our bodies remove oxygen atoms from environments where they aren’t needed. 1 2
How Much Curcumin Should You Take?
Now that you know curcumin is an antioxidant – at least, in some cases – you might wonder how much you should take to experience optimal benefits.
The FDA acknowledges that turmeric and curcumin are GRAS – generally recognized as safe – as a food additive. This means that whether you prefer to cook with turmeric or take a curcumin supplement, there are likely to be no adverse effects in reasonable doses. Studies have shown that single oral doses ranging from 20 milligrams to 12 grams per day were usually safe. However, higher doses (usually above 3 grams per day) produced adverse effects in some individuals, including nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. 1
Thus, while there are no official recommendations for your daily dose of curcumin, it may be best to stick below the 3-gram threshold that produces the worst effects. When in doubt, start small and work your way up – your system will thank you.
Find Our Great Turmeric Curcumin Products Here
Looking for a great antioxidant for your body? Turmeric curcumin fits the bill, and it can be found in my different forms, but is best in a supplement.
However, getting a high-quality turmeric curcumin supplement is not always easy. Here at Wellixir, we only offer the highest-quality ingredients in our organic formulas.
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