Curcumin - Targets Many Diseases
Curcumin, is the most active component of the well known power-packed natural spice tumeric. It is the most studied natural substance in the world - and for good reason. With over 4000 publications to date, including thousands of in vitro lab studies, animal studies and a number of human clinical trials, its proven therapeutic benefits are vast. These documented benefits include improvements in diabetes, heart disease, neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s, many cancers, arthritis, skin and oral diseases.
The Problem is getting enough of it
However the challenge with curcumin is getting it to each organ in high enough concentrations to exert the amazing effects observed in lab studies. Firstly both tumeric and and its most active component, curcumin are VERY poorly absorbed. To compound matters, even the tiny amounts absorbed are mostly conjugated in the liver and rapidly excreted. So you literally would have to consume several pounds of tumeric a day to derive the documented benefits of curcumin established in the scientific studies.
EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENTS
The good news is that novel curcumin formulations which not only have higher bio-availability (absorption) but also, crucially, higher bio-accessibility (uptake into target tissues) have recently become available. Another solution to the bioavailability problem is to absorb curcumin directly into and through the skin. This is the ideal route for skin disorders and has the advantage of circumventing breakdown by the liver. Luminnova Health has formulated a series of special high penetration topical curcumin formulations to target various skin complaints. These are available from our partner practice, The Skin Centre.
