Page 20 - NAMAH-Apr-2018

Namah Vol. 26, Issue 1, 24th April 2018

shown to be safe at as high a dose as 12 g/ 60 years-old). In this study, the participants
day for over 3 months. Various formulations were given either lipidated curcumin (80 mg/
have been studied including nanoparticles, day) or placebo for 4 weeks. Curcumin, but not
liposomal encapsulation, emulsions, capsules, placebo, produced decrease in plasma levels
tablets and powder. Some of these delivery of triglycerides and beta amyloid (plaque).
mechanisms have managed to improve Furthermore, curcumin administration in
its bioavailability, metabolism and pharma- these participants increased free radical
cokinetics (7). scavenging capabilities. These results
demonstrated the health-promoting effects
Though curcumin has shown efficacy against of lipidated curcumin in healthy middle-
numerous human ailments, poor bio- aged people (10). Adding ghee or extra
availability due to poor absorption, rapid virgin coconut oil to turmeric can better its
metabolism, and rapid systemic elimination, absorption.
has been shown to limit its therapeutic
efficacy (8). As a result, numerous efforts Health benefits of turmeric
have been made to improve curcumin’s
bioavailability by altering these features. The • Potential benefits from regular use are
use of adjuvants that can block the metabolic numerous. They include improved circulation,
pathway of curcumin is the most common the prevention of blood clots, and alleviation
strategy for increasing the bio-availability of of menstrual and menopausal complaints.
curcumin. The effect of combining piperine
(black pepper), a known inhibitor of hepatic • It can stimulate the flow of bile and thereby
and intestinal glucuronidation, was evaluated promote the digestion of fats and expedite
on the bioavailability of curcumin in healthy the liver’s ability to detoxify fat soluble
human volunteers (9). In humans receiving a metabolic and environmental toxins, such
dose of 2 g. of curcumin alone, serum levels as pesticides, herbicides, medications, and
of curcumin were either undetectable or synthetic hormones given to commercial
very low. Concomitant administration of animals to increase their size and yield of
20 mg of piperine with curcumin, however, milk and meat.
produced much higher concentrations within
30 minutes to 1 hour after drug treatment; • Turmeric has hepato-protective activity and
piperine increased the bioavailability of can help prevent viral or chemical induced
curcumin by 2,000%. The results imply liver damage, as well as enhancing hepatic
that adding just one percent of piperine to glutathione, a powerful cell protector and
turmeric could enable better absorption and phase 2 liver detoxification enzyme precursor.
metabolism.
• Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory,
Most of the curcumin clinical studies have been immune-regulator and mild analgesic used in
focused mainly on people with health problems. the amelioration of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid
A recent study, however, evaluated the health- arthritis, and bursitis. It is also effective in
promoting efficacy of lipidated curcumin the healing of inflammatory conditions of
in healthy middle-aged participants (40- the GI tract such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s

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