Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, provides various health benefits, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and joint health support. However, to achieve measurable benefits, a daily dose of 2-8 grams is needed due to its extensive metabolism in the gut and liver, where over 95% is converted into inactive metabolites either during absorption or after reaching the liver.

If for some reason, the metabolism of Curcumin is prevented, the Curcumin remains unmetabolized in the gut as well as in the liver. It will get absorbed in the blood plasma as unchanged Curcumin. Un-metabolized or unconjugated or unchanged Curcumin in blood plasma is called ‘Free Curcumin’.

Is the free form of Curcumin more bioactive?

Research shows that Curcumin’s metabolites, such as Glucuronides and sulfates, are biologically inactive. These metabolites are highly water-soluble, causing them to be quickly eliminated from the bloodstream into urine—typically within 2 hours, in contrast, Free Curcumin (unmetabolized) circulates in the blood for over 6 hours and retains its potent biological activity, as observed in cell-line studies. For Curcumin to exert its benefits, it must remain unmetabolized in the bloodstream as Free Curcumin, so that it’s being taken up by organs such as joints, brain, heart, eyes, etc. The bioactivity of Curcumin, or Curcumin benefits, is primarily attributed to the unmetabolized or free forms of Curcuminoids.

Why does the Curcumin bioavailability matter?

Curcumin bioavailability is crucial when it comes to supplements. If a compound is not easily absorbed, you won’t experience its full benefits. While Curcumin in its natural form has low bioavailability. Various formulations have been developed to increase Curcumin bioavailability. Most Curcumin pharmacokinetic studies measure and report total (free plus conjugated) Curcumin, not free, bioactive Curcumin as a result of enzymatic hydrolysis of plasma samples prior to extraction and analysis. Hydrolysis results in approximately a 10-fold overestimation of the number of total Curcuminoids in plasma and greater than a 10-fold overestimation of free, bioactive Curcumin, therefore producing a misrepresentation of the results.

What is the difference between Curcumin and Free Curcumin?

Turmeric extract contains three main bioactive: Curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin, and Bisdemethoxycurcumin, collectively called Curcuminoids. When consumed, these are metabolized in the gut and liver into conjugates (Glucuronides and Sulfates) via microsomal enzymes. If Curcuminoids are protected from this biotransformation, they remain in their free, unconjugated form. Free Curcumin stays longer in the bloodstream and can be absorbed by organs like the joints, brain, heart, and eyes, delivering active bioeffects. Thus, the therapeutic benefits of turmeric are attributed to the free, unmetabolized Curcuminoids.

Reference –

• Sohn SI et.al, Priya A, Balasubramaniam B, Muthuramalingam P, Sivasankar C, Selvaraj A, Valliammai A, Jothi R, Pandian S. Biomedical Applications and Bioavailability of Curcumin-An Updated Overview. Pharmaceutics. 2021 Dec 7;13(12):2102.
• Stohs SJ, Ray SD (2019) Issues with human bioavailability determinations of bioactive curcumin. Biomed J Sci Tech Res 12: 001003.
• Pal A, Sung B, Bhanu Prasad BA, Schuber PT, Prasad S, et al., (2014) Curcumin glucuronides: assessing the proliferative activity against human cell lines. Bioorg Med Chem 22:435-439.

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In our fast-paced world, joint discomfort can creep in unnoticed, often triggered by age, lifestyle factors, or simply the wear and tear of everyday movements. What might start as a mild, occasional twinge can slowly evolve into a constant ache that impacts our quality of life?

For many, the onset of joint discomfort is unexpected and disheartening, particularly when it disrupts activities once taken for granted. But what if the solution to this persistent ache lies in the vibrant golden hue of an ancient remedy?

Turmeric supplements, a game changer in joint health

Marketed as a golden powerhouse, this spice has transcended its place to become a staple in the health and wellness sphere. Turmeric has been more than just a colour boost to curry—it’s a time-tested medicinal herb that has been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, with the key being Curcumin.

Role of turmeric supplements and their bioavailability

Joint pain often stems from inflammation—a response by the body to injury or chronic conditions like arthritis. Studies have shown that Curcumin (from turmeric) works by targeting this inflammation at the cellular level, reducing the pain, stiffness, and swelling associated with it. This makes turmeric supplements a ready pick for joint pain and other discomfort associated with joints.

However, choosing a turmeric supplement can be crucial, for curcumin has a very solubility and therefore bioavailability. This means not all supplements may impart an equal or promised health benefit.

Maxicuma exhibits superior bioavailability when compared to a conventional turmeric extract standardized to 95%, delivering 172 Folds More Free Curcumin in human blood plasma.

The extraordinary ingredient has been found to significantly reduce the symptoms of joint discomfort with a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that included 180 subjects of either sex aged between 45 and 65, with mild to moderate Osteoarthritis.

Maxicuma^®: Proven to reduce joint discomfort

The participants were accessed at periodic intervals, on Day 0, 30, 45, 60, and 90 respectively, for Joint pain, Joint functions, and physical activity using validated scales like Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS), along with the objective assessment of physical performance by treadmill walk test.

The participants from both the active groups reported a statistically significant reduction in joint pain and improvement in other efficacy variables like joint stiffness, mobility, etc., from day 30 onwards against the placebo group. Within the active groups, Maxicuma^® 250mg showed a statistically significant difference from Maxicuma^® 100mg from day 45 onwards until the study’s completion.

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