by TC Luoma
The Fix to Curcumin's Unspoken Problem
Ordinary curcumin has to face a lot of obstacles to get into your bloodstream. Here's curcumin 2.0.
Regular versions of curcumin have huge bioavailability issues. Sure, studies involving rats show acceptable absorption, but we human-types metabolize curcumin 4 to 16 times more quickly than rats, which changes the outcome for us.
Consider the following obstacles a dose of curcumin has to face when ingested:
- Ordinary curcumin isn't soluble in the acidic pH of the stomach. When it reaches the neutral or alkaline environment of the large intestine, much of it is made water-soluble and converted into inactive waste by glucuronidation, which is how the body rids itself of most pollutants and drugs.
- Some of the raw curcumin makes it through the large intestine intact, but then it's subjected to further metabolism by the colon's bacteria.
- A small amount eventually gets absorbed into the bloodstream, but much of it gets metabolized by liver cells and unceremoniously excreted through bile.
All of this means you can take as many as six or more capsules of ordinary curcumin and you wouldn't be able to find even a trace of its free form circulating in the bloodstream an hour later.
Thankfully, UCLA scientists figured out a solution that protects curcumin and delivers optimal free-from amounts into the body.
Solid Lipid Curcumin Particles
Biotest previously increased bioavailability by combining super-pure curcumin with the glucuronidation inhibitor piperine. The curcumin/piperine formula increased absorption by roughly 20 times that of raw curcumin and was, in its time, the best science could do.
But there's been a big breakthrough. UCLA neuroscientists discovered how to make what they call "solid lipid curcumin particles."
In simplest terms, the process consists of gently coating curcumin with lipids (DHA, lecithin, and stearic acid) to form a micelle soup, which is then dried into a free-form powder. To conceptualize this, just think of a ball of curcumin molecules entirely surrounded by protective lipid molecules, kind of like a microscopic blackberry, only rounder and golden-colored.
These curcumin micelles survive the acidic pH of the stomach. They laugh in the face of glucuronidation and scoot into the small intestine long before the colon's bacteria even wake up for breakfast.
The end result is a 95-times increase in free-curcumin blood concentration, along with a much longer activity. You can take a single 400-mg capsule and rest easy because it keeps working for 24 hours.
And none of this is theoretical. Solid lipid curcumin particles were thoroughly tested in humans. The results were compiled, analyzed, written up, and submitted for peer review, culminating in a patent.
Biotest incorporated these solid lipid curcumin particles into its new Micellar Curcumin (Buy at Amazon) formula.
What Does It Do?
Curcumin helps increase HDL, decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides, and promotes healthy arteries. Curcumin even improves muscle recovery, suppresses normal workout-induced inflammation, increases exercise performance, and even potentially raises testosterone levels by acting as an anti-aromatase.
And keep in mind that all of these findings are attributed to regular curcumin. But if you want to FULLY tap into curcumin's wide range of real benefits, whether they're health-related or sports and joint-health related, Biotest's Micellar Curcumin™ supplement is the inarguable choice.
The patented curcumin material has over 50 human, pre-clinical, and review papers in publication to support its efficacy, many of which are referenced and synopsized below.
Solid Lipid Curcumin Particle Studies
- Cox KHM et al. Further evidence of benefits to mood and working memory from lipidated curcumin [solid lipid curcumin particles] in healthy older people: A 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, partial replication study. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 04. 12(6): 1678. DOI: 10.3390/nu12061678. ABSTRACT: A partial replication study by researchers at Swinburne University reveals [lipidated curcumin] improves aspects of mood, memory, and working memory in a healthy older cohort. The pattern of results is consistent with improvements in hippocampal function and may hold promise for alleviating cognitive decline in some populations. This study examined a similar population with slightly elevated cognitive abilities, while eliciting similar results to the first clinical published in 2014 - see Cox KH et al, 2014.
- Esfahani K et al. A phase I open prospective cohort trial of curcumin plus tyrosine kinase inhibitors for EGFR-mutant advanced non-small cell lung. J Clin Oncol. 2019. 37(15_suppl): e20611-e20611. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2019.37.15_suppl.e20611. ABSTRACT: This study further provides evidence that short-term use of [solid lipid curcumin particles] in patients is feasible and safe. Researchers report high treatment adherence and improved quality of life with curcumin. These findings, as well as efficacy data and the effect of curcumin on other inflammation-associated biomarkers, warrant investigation in a larger phase 2 study.
- Scholey A et al. Curcumin improves hippocampal function in healthy older adults: A three month randomized controlled trial. Poster Presentation in: 13th European Nutrition Conference - Malnutrition in an Obese World: European Perspectives (FENS). Dublin, Ireland. 2019: P3-01-02. ABSTRACT: Additional results confirm that [solid lipid curcumin particles] improves aspects of mood, memory, and working memory in a healthy older cohort. The pattern of results is consistent with improvements in hippocampal function and may hold promise for alleviating cognitive decline in some populations.
- Scholey A et al. A highly bioavailable curcumin extract improves neurocognitive function and mood in healthy older people: A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (OR32-05-19). Current Dev Nut. 2019 Jun. Poster Presentation. Volume 3(Issue Supplement 1): nzz052.OR32—05—19. DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzz052.OR32-05-19. ABSTRACT: Previously, researchers at Swinburne University showed significant improvements in measures of memory, attention, fatigue, stress, and mood (Cox KH et al, 2015). This trial was a follow up to the results previously seen in 1 and 3 hrs and in 4-weeks. The results of this second trial further confirm that a single daily dose of 400mg of [solid lipid curcumin particles] improves aspects of mood and working memory in healthy older adults, with measures at 12-weeks.
- Gupte PA et al. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of capsule (solid lipid curcumin particles) in knee: A pilot clinical study. J Inflamm Res. 2019. 12: 145-152. DOI: 10.2147/JIR.S205390. ABSTRACT: A comparative examination of [solid lipid curcumin particles] showed that administration was not only faster-acting and safe, but had equal efficacy to the control.
- Koronyo Y et al. Retinal amyloid pathology and proof-of-concept imaging trial. JCI Insight. 2017. 2(16). DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.93621. ABSTRACT: A proof-of-concept retinal imaging trial showing increased fluorescent intensity in retinal amyloid deposits and the highest brain concentrations of free curcumin obtained with [solid lipid curcumin particles]. This trial confirmed one more time the ability of [solid lipid curcumin particles] to deliver free curcumin to targeted tissues, more specifically the brain and retina, and to support cognitive and complete neuronal health. *Winner of NutraIngredients-USA Nutrition Research Project of the Year 2019 for ground-breaking initiatives as "most innovative and impactful nutrition research project pushing the boundaries of nutritional science."
- Santos-Parker JR et al. Curcumin supplementation improves vascular endothelial function in healthy middle-aged and older adults by increasing nitric oxide bioavailiability and reducing oxidative stress. Aging. 2017 Jan. 3. Vol 9(No1): 187-208.
- McFarlin et al. Reduced inflammatory and muscle damage biomarkers following oral supplementation with bioavailable curcumin. University of North Texas. BBA Clinical. 2016 Feb 18. 5: 72-78. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbacli.2016.02.003. ABSTRACT: Collectively, the findings demonstrated that consumption of [solid lipid curcumin particles] (400mg/day) reduced key inflammatory biomarkers during recovery after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). The observed improvements in biological inflammation may translate to faster recovery and improved functional capacity during subsequent exercise sessions.
- Santos-Parker JR et al. Curcumin supplement improves vascular endothelial function in middle-aged and older adults. Geront. 2015 Dec. 55(Suppl 2): 195. DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnv554.01. ABSTRACT: [Solid lipid curcumin particles] administered at a dose of 2000mg/day (n=16), or placebo (n=13) for 12 weeks increased brachial artery flow-mediation dilation (FMDba) by 34% and forearm blood flow in response to incremental brachial artery infusions of acetylcholine (FBFach) by 44% in middle-aged and older (MA/O) adults (45-74 yrs). Findings support supplementation with [solid lipid curcumin particles] improves endothelial-dependent dilation (EDD) in MA/O adults mediated, in part, by an increase in nitric oxide bioavailability.
- Rafii MS et al. The biomarker initiative DSBI pilot: Proof of concept for deep phenotyping of biomarkers. Front Behav Neurosci. 2015. 9: 1-11. ABSTRACT: Retina, being part of the CNS, has previously been difficult to analyze directly; however, retinal amyloid imaging could now be a tool to demonstrate the presence of plaques in the brain in a non-invasive manner. In line with previous findings, this study supports [solid lipid curcumin particles] quickly labeling retinal beta amyloid and inducing fluorescent plaque in the neural layers of the retina of humans.
- Cox KH et al. Investigation of the effects of solid lipid curcumin on cognition and mood in a healthy older population. Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University. J Psychopharmacol. 2015 May. Vol 29(No 5): 642-651. DOI: 10.1177/0269881114552744. ABSTRACT: This landmark study is one of the first to show a curcumin supplement improves cognitive function in healthy subjects. The trial recruited 60 subjects aged 60-80, and found daily [solid lipid curcumin particles] (400mg) supplementation led to significant improvements in cognitive function versus the placebo group. Excellent safety was reported, including no dropouts or reports of gastrointestinal upset. Significant improvements were observed in measures for memory, attention, fatigue, stress, and mood in as little as one hour after the first dose.
- Hazarey VK et al. Efficacy of curcumin in the treatment for oral health — A randomized clinical trial. Government Dental College and Hospital. Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2015. 19: 145-52. DOI: 10.4103/0973-029X.164524. ABSTRACT: A randomized, controlled clinical trial in 30 clinically diagnosed patients with OSF concluded that [solid lipid curcumin particles] lozenges could be effective in combination strategies for the management of OSF in comparison to single therapeutic modality. In this study, 15 OSF patients in each group (test & control) were treated with either [solid lipid curcumin particles] lozenges (400 mg lozenges for total daily dose of 2 g) or Tenovate ointment (clobetasol propionate (0.05%)). The treatment was given for 3 months and follow-up was done for 6 months.
- Machida N et al. Effects of Solid, Lipid Curcumin Particles on alcohol metabolism - An expiatory and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group crossover study. Jpn Pharmacol Ther. 2020 Apr. 48(5): 867-873. ABSTRACT: This study further provides evidence that Longvda® curcumin is safe and efficacious. Previously examined in 2014, and recently published, researchers report reduced side effects typically associated with alcohol consumption and suggest that [solid lipid curcumin particles] may offer liver health support through the acceleration of ethanol and acetaldehyde metabolism.
- Frost S et al. Retinal amyloid fluorescence imaging predicts cerebral amyloid burden. Alz Dement. 2014. 10(4): P234-P235. ABSTRACT: Retinal A-beta plaques are similar to plaques in the brain. [Solid lipid curcumin particles] ability to cross the BBB and its affinity for binding to amyloid beta have led to its use as a novel, more cost-effective alternative and imaging tool for screening through the eyes.
- DiSilvestro et al. Diverse effects of a low-dose supplement of lipidated curcumin [solid lipid curcumin particles] in healthy middle-aged people. The Ohio State University. Nutr. J. 2012 Sep 26. 11(79). DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-11-79. ABSTRACT: This study is believed to be the first curcumin trial in healthy people to show improvement in a number of key biomarkers related to healthy aging. Randomized, placebo-controlled study in 39 subjects showing excellent safety as well as significant improvements in markers supporting cognitive health, cardiovascular health, and anti-aging versus placebo.
- Khattry N et al. Curcumin decreases cytokine levels involved in mucositis in autologous transplant setting: A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic study. Poster presented at 54thAmerican Society of Hematology (ASH) Annul Meeting. Atlanta, GA. 2012 Dec 08. Blood. 120(21): 3039. ABSTRACT: The absorption and efficacy of [solid lipid curcumin particles] in lozenge form in a common oral inflammatory and fibrotic condition was tested compared to the standard of care (clobetasol steroid ointment). Subjects taking [solid lipid curcumin particles] observed improvements in endpoints significantly better than those receiving steroid treatment; and therapeutic plasma levels were detected through buccal absorption.
- Shah et al. Acute human pharmacokinetics of a lipid-dissolved turmeric extract. Planta Med. 2012. 48-PH5. ABSTRACT: This study concluded that a dose as low as 200mg of [solid lipid curcumin particles] reaches blood levels of free curcumin required for healthy brain aging. Analyzed blood samples with and without the use of glucuronidase enzyme, finding very little of the glucuronidated form compared to previous studies on curcumin.
- Pharmacokinetics of [solid lipid curcumin particles]: Dose-concentration correlation. Unpublished, UCLA 2011-2012. ABSTRACT: Pilot studies demonstrating absorption and metabolism of [solid lipid curcumin particles] using various dosage forms.
- Gota et al. Safety and pharmacokinetics of a solid lipid curcumin particle formulation in patients and healthy volunteers. Tata Memorial Cancer Centre. J Ag Food Chem. 2010. 58(4): 2095-2099. ABSTRACT: Human bioavailability study demonstrating significantly greater plasma levels of free (unconjugated) curcumin after a single dose of [solid lipid curcumin particles] in both healthy and disease states with 65x greater Cmax and >100x greater AUC than 95% curcuminoids.
- [Solid lipid curcumin particles] binds to amyloid in human CNS after a single dose. Unpublished.
- A phase 1 open-label prospective cohort trial of curcumin plus tyrosin kinase inhibitors for EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC. McGill U & Jewish General Hospital, Canada, Ongoing.
- Curcumin and yoga exercise effects in veterans at risk. UCLA, Ongoing.