Our assets 16/06/2021

Spotlight on a golden pigment: Curcumin

Curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, is a real gem of nature. Studied by scientists for decades, it has been the subject of thousands of publications and continues to draw attention to its extraordinary capacity to act in a targeted manner on a large number of molecules present in the human body. This antioxidant pigment has multiple medicinal properties, which are regenerating, stimulating, antioxidant, fluidifying and protective. An overview of the virtues of a magic powder!

Turmeric, curcumin... What are we talking about?

Turmeric has been used for centuries as a spice in South Asian cuisine, especially in India. Its saffron-like colour and flavour give dishes a freshness. However, in addition to its culinary interest, turmeric is also a first choice medicinal plant. It has long been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for its preventive and curative properties. But the plant owes its benefits to several components and active ingredients, in particular curcuminoids which are natural pigments with exceptional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Of these, curcumin is the best known and, above all, the most important, accounting for approximately 90% of the total weight of curcuminoids present in the rhizome.

Properties and benefits of curcumin

Scientific studies on curcumin have multiplied and now highlight its numerous virtues for the whole body. This very powerful antioxidant pigment has an incredible list of benefits: more than 600 recognised to date! Curcumin is also considered to be one of the molecules with the strongest anti-inflammatory action in the plant kingdom.

Antioxidant effects

Curcumin is primarily known for its antioxidant action, as it actively participates in the elimination of free radicals stored in our body. By acting against these harmful substances, it helps to limit cell ageing. Its antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory properties extend to the muscle tissue, making it an ally for sports enthusiasts. Indeed, intensive sports practice leads to a state of stress in the body which can be the cause of the production of free radicals.

Anti-inflammatory

Curcumin has the ability to penetrate the entire body, even into the brain environment, protected by the blood-brain barrier. It is therefore a systemic anti-inflammatory, i.e. this molecule acts throughout the system to calm inflammation.

Curcumin's anti-inflammatory power is linked to its antioxidant effect and its ability to inhibit many molecules involved in inflammation, such as certain fatty acids that promote rheumatism, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and tendonitis. But curcumin also relieves intestinal inflammation and limits painful attacks in the case of ulcerative colitis. It is also effective against gastritis and pancreatitis.

Immune system

Thanks to its antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal action, curcumin helps strengthen the immune system. As a powerful antioxidant, curcumin scavenges free radicals responsible for weakening the body. It activates several types of white blood cells, thus preventing the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.

Brain system and cognition

Curcumin's powerful anti-inflammatory effects combined with its antioxidant capacity offer optimal protection for the brain. It is also an activator of glutathione, the brain's main antioxidant, and plays an important protective role for the brain. Curcumin also helps to preserve the DHA (omega 3) content in brain tissue and stimulates the enzymes involved in the synthesis of this fatty acid, thus improving overall cognitive functioning. 

Cardiovascular health

Curcumin protects heart tissue by inhibiting a certain protein (p300 HAT) known to promote various diseases, such as cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, thrombosis and inflammation. It is also able to reduce the oxidation of cholesterol, thus providing complete cardiovascular protection.  

Anti-cholesterol

The antioxidant power of curcumin prevents the peroxidation of lipids, including bad cholesterol which clogs the arteries. In addition, curcumin regulates blood cholesterol levels by acting on several levels:

• It slows down the intestinal absorption of cholesterol

• It stimulates biliary secretions which contribute to the dissolution of dietary cholesterol

• It increases the metabolism of cholesterol, promoting better absorption into the liver cells so that it can be transformed.

Digestive health

Thanks to its antibacterial and immunostimulant properties, curcumin plays a favourable role in various digestive disorders, such as stomach ache, nausea, bloating and loss of appetite. In the stomach, curcumin inhibits the proliferation of an ulcer-causing bacterium called Helicobacter pilori. It also plays a role in protecting the liver, stimulating the production of bile by the liver and the release of bile by the gallbladder. Finally, at the intestinal level, daily intake of curcumin improves irritable bowel syndrome.

Joint pain

By inhibiting certain inflammatory enzymes, curcumin combats the inflammation at the source of the disease. It also reduces the production of histamine, prolongs the action of cortisol and improves blood circulation. Thus, it keeps the joint supple, prevents cartilage ageing and supports stiffness and other joint discomforts.

Antidiabetic

Studies show that curcumin exerts remarkable anti-diabetic effects through several mechanisms:

• It stimulates the production of insulin

• It improves insulin sensitivity

• It lowers blood sugar

• It reduces inflammation

• It protects cells against oxidative damage

• It activates the enzyme that increases glucose intake

• It reduces glucose production in the liver

Antibacterial and antifungal

Curcumin has powerful antibacterial properties, amplified by immunostimulant and antioxidant properties. Thus, curcumin regulates the intestinal flora and inhibits the multiplication of harmful bacteria, in particular Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium responsible for stomach ulcers. This antioxidant also plays an important role in the spread and growth of Candida, a fungus that can cause chronic infections.                                      

Skin health

Curcumin prevents skin pigmentation and tones the skin. It has the ability to inhibit elastase, an enzyme that usually destroys the elastin in our skin and is responsible for its lack of firmness. Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it very popular with sensitive skin prone to irritation and redness.

Curcumin and piperine: for better bioavailability

Studies have shown a low bioavailability of curcumin. Indeed, this molecule is not very soluble in water, unstable and poorly assimilated by the body. Research has highlighted the interest of adding piperine (one of the major compounds in pepper), which would increase the absorption of curcumin by 2,000% compared to curcumin administered alone. Without this, our intestine assimilates this molecule poorly, as it is too voluminous and too easily filtered by our metabolism.

How to choose your curcumin food supplement

To choose the right curcumin-based food supplement, you need to take into account 3 factors:

• The quality of curcumin

• Its dosage

• Its bioavailability

Green Ethnies offers an ORGANIC Curcumin derived from high quality organic turmeric, titrated to 95% curcuminoids and supplemented with black pepper extract to enhance its assimilation.

 

Sources

Curcumin: A Review of Its' Effects on Human Health. Susan J. Hewlings, Douglas S. Kalman. Foods. 22 October 2017.

Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts compared with ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter study. Vilai Kuptniratsaikul et al. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 20 March 2014.

Safety and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Curcumin: A Component of Tumeric (Curcuma longa). Chainani-Wu N. J Altern Complement Med. 2003 Feb;9(1):161-8.

Curcumin protects against myocardial infarction-induced cardiac fibrosis via SIRT1 activation in vivo and in vitro. Jie Xiao et al. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 29 March 2016.

Curcumin boosts DHA in the brain: Implications for the prevention of anxiety disorders. Wu A, et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2015.

A PPARγ, NF-κBand AMPK-Dependent mechanism may be involved in the beneficial effects of curcumin in the diabetic db/db mice liver. Jiménez-Flores LM, López-Briones S, Macías-Cervantes MH, Ramírez-Emiliano J, Pérez-Vázquez V. Molecules. 2014.

Anti-Hyperglycemic and Insulin Sensitizer Effects of Turmeric and Its Prinicple Constituent Curcumin. Ghorbani et al. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2014.

Curcumin Extract for Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes. S. Chuengsamarn, S. Rattanamongkolgul, R. Luechapudiporn, C. Phisalaphong, S. Jirawatnotai. Diabetes Care, 2012.

Curcumin Protects Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rat Skeletal Muscle. Bank J, Song DH. J Surg Re. 2011.

The dietary compound curcumin inhibits p300 histone acetyltransferase activity and prevents heart failure in rats. J Clin Invest. 2008.

Effect of different cucuminoidsupplement dosages ontotal in vivo antioxidant capacity and cholesterol levels of healthy human subjects. Phytother Res. 2011.

Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Shoba G, Joy D, et al. Planta Med. 1998 May;64(4):353-6.