Frequently Asked Questions about Turmeric

What is Curcumin / Turmeric?
Curcumin is the yellow pigment of Turmeric (Curcuma longa), the most popular spice in the Indian cuisine. Turmeric has a long history of medicinal use in India and with almost 3000 pre-clinical investigations, Curcumin, the active ingredient in Turmeric responsible for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is one of the best studied products of the whole biomedical literature at a pre-clinical level.

Why is absorption a concern with Curcumin / Turmeric supplements?
As is the case with most dietary phenolics, Curcumin is only sparingly soluble in both water and oily solvents and its purported benefits cannot be realized unless the problems with solubility and bioavailability are addressed, a factor that is often overlooked by manufacturers of Curcumin supplements. Turmeric Curcumin Gold overcomes this challenge with a synergistic, body-ready blend of three powerful Curcumin extracts, all of which are proven to be more bioavailable than standard Curcumin extracts. Further Turmeric Curcumin Gold has added BioPerine^®, nature's bioavailability enhancer, so more of the Curcumin reaches the cells where it can deliver the intended benefits.

How long do I have to take Curcmin / Turmeric before I see any benefits?
Unlike OTC and prescription drugs that provide instant, temporary symptomatic relief without addressing the underlying problem responsible for poor health, herbal supplements provide progressive, long-term benefits by helping the body correct the underlying problem. While there are certain classes of herbs that work well in acute conditions to provide quick relief; herbs like Curcumin need to be taken for at least 3-4 weeks before the full range of benefits can be realized. Curcumin is best when taken as part of a health-maintenance program.

Does Curcumin have any side effects or interactions?
Curcumin does not have any known side effects. However, it is always recommended to consult your healthcare provider before taking any nutritional supplements, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or currently taking prescription medications.

Is Curcumin safe for long-term use?
Yes. Curcumin Gold™ by Nutrigold^® is safe when used as recommended. In fact, Curcumin enjoys GRAS status, which stands for "Generally Recognized as Safe" when taken as directed.

Is Curcumin Gold™ a standardized herbal extract?
Yes. Nutrigold^® Curcumin Gold™ is a pure extract of the root of Turmeric standardized to 95% Curcuminoids (475 mg Curcuminoids in each vegetarian capsule)

What is the difference between a whole herb and standardized extract? Is one necessarily better or more effective than the other?
Unfortunately, this question does not have a simple answer. Both whole plants/herbs and standardized extracts have advantages and disadvantages and choosing one over another is as much a matter of philosophy as it is of simple preference. Standardized extracts are based on the mainstream medicine model, which assumes that certain components of a plant are more active and helpful than others and it is important that there are no differences in the quantity and quality of this active ingredient from batch to batch. When you buy a standardized herbal product from a GMP-certified manufacturer, you can be assured that you are getting a product that has a certified percentage of the active ingredient in every capsule/tablet and across batches, processed using state-of-the-art machinery, and free of contaminants.

However, herbal medicines were traditionally used on the premise that the whole plant/herb works together synergistically to deliver health benefits rather than individual ingredients extracted in a lab. It is quite difficult to understand how an herb works when it is broken down into individual components because those individual components likely interact with each other in complex ways to deliver health benefits. The trade-off in this case is that there are likely to be considerable differences in the actual quality of the herb from batch to batch. Quality of whole herbs/plants vary depending on where they are grown, soil composition, weather conditions, when they are harvested, type and frequency of chemical pesticides used during cultivation, and the processing techniques employed during manufacturing.

BOTTOM LINE: If you are holistic and prefer to take whole herbs, make sure the product you buy is manufactured by a company committed to quality. If you prefer standardized extracts, make sure the product you buy is high in both potency and amount of active ingredient.

What are some things to watch for when making a decision about nutritional supplements?
Because the FDA does not regulate the dietary supplements industry, there are a number of products in the market that are unsafe, ineffective, and a generally drain on your resources. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping around for nutritional supplements:

• Do your homework – Do not be taken in by free offers and outlandish claims. Make sure you shop around not just for the best “deal”, but also for the best "quality" product.
• “Natural” does not automatically mean “safe” – Just because something is natural does not mean it is safe. Learn to read the label and watch out for potentially unsafe ingredients.
• “Popular” is not the same as “effective” – Just because a product is well-known, has high customer ratings, or listed in a top-seller list does not mean it will always work for everyone. Every person is different and every product works differently for different people, so make sure you buy the product that is right for you.
• You don't always get what you pay for - When it comes to nutritional supplements, most companies price their products not based on what its actual value is, but based on what they think consumers will be willing to pay for it. So, something that is expensive does not automatically mean it is of superior quality nor does something that is priced competitively mean it is of poor quality.

Always, take into account the following factors when determining if you are getting the best quality product at the best value:

• Whole herb vs. Standardized extract - whole herbs are generally lower priced than standardized extracts.
• Potency - Higher potency means you get more of what you need in each capsule.
• Amount of active ingredient - higher the % of active ingredient, greater the amount of what is presumed to be responsible for the observed benefits.
• Total number of capsules per bottle - just because a product has more capsules per bottle does not make it a better value. You need to consider potency, amount of active ingredient, serving size and recommended dosage when determining whether something is a good value for your money or not.

Advantages of Nutrigold^® Curcumin Gold™ include:

• Formulated using the proprietary, patented, clinically validated Curcumin C3^®, BCM-95^®, and THC extracts
• Added BioPerine^® for enhanced bioavailability
• Manufactured to stringent GMP standards right here in the US
• Finished product certified allergen-free by an international, third-party lab
• Premium quality without the premium price tag

*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical opinion. It is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional before starting any kind of supplementation. The statements and product information have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.