Cytoplan Cell-Active Curcumin Plus

Curcumin (turmeric extract)· evidence: Limited

Curcumin is the yellow pigment in turmeric root. On its own it is poorly absorbed, which is why many products use extracts standardised to 95% curcuminoids or 'enhanced absorption' forms such as phytosome (Meriva), Longvida or NovaSOL.

Many studies have looked at curcumin, but most are small and short, and results are mixed. Absorption claims for branded forms come mainly from blood-level studies, not from proof of a different effect in the body.

There are no authorised health claims for turmeric or curcumin in Great Britain, so we make no claims about what it does. Using turmeric in cooking is fine; most people do not need a supplement.

Typical dose: Products typically give 80 to 1,000 mg of curcuminoids a day depending on the form. EFSA's acceptable daily intake for curcumin as a food colour is 3 mg per kg of body weight (about 210 mg for a 70 kg adult).

Safety: Rare cases of liver injury have been reported with turmeric and curcumin supplements, particularly high-absorption forms. Stop and see a doctor if you notice yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine or tummy pain. Speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you take blood thinners or other regular medication, have gallstones or liver disease, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Research we looked at:
EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2010). Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of curcumin (E 100) as a food additive. EFSA Journal 8(9):1679.
NCCIH. Turmeric: usage and safety fact sheet. National Institutes of Health.
LiverTox: Turmeric. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH), updated entry.
Hewlings SJ, Kalman DS (2017). Curcumin: a review of its effects on human health. Foods 6(10):92.

Cost per daily dose lets you compare packs of different sizes fairly.Worked out from our current prices.