11,000 reviewers say turmeric supplements fight pain and inflammation — here's what experts think
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When it comes to claims around supplements, it can be hard to know what’s real and what’s total B.S. Turmeric supplements are no exception. People claim the supplements can prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, as well as help combat bodily inflammation and fight health conditions like diabetes and arthritis. That’s a lot for one little supplement, but there is validity to some of these claims.
“The active part of turmeric is curcumin, and there is actually a decent amount of research on this,” Jamie Alan, PhD, an assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “We have studies that show curcumin has anticancer effects in cell and animal models. It has also been shown to be protective against atherosclerosis and can prevent heart attacks in animal models.” Curcumin has also been shown to decrease blood glucose (aka blood sugar) in rats, and to help combat bodily inflammation, Alan says.
While experts don’t totally understand how curcumin works to fight inflammation, Alan says that scientists do know that it increases specific immune cells and affects inflammatory regulators in your body.
In general, turmeric supplements can be beneficial for a lot of people, but patients with leukemia or lymphoma should avoid them, Alan says. Turmeric also interacts with anti-coagulents like warfarin, clopidogrel, and aspirin, so you don’t want to take the supplements if you’re on any of these medications. And, if you’re pregnant or nursing, it’s also best to take a pass, Alan says.
Ultimately, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before taking any kind of new supplement, just in case. Once you get the go-ahead, these turmeric supplements are definitely worth trying, according to reviewers.
Bio Schwartz Premium Pure Turmeric Curcumin
These all-natural supplements are packed with turmeric—1,500 milligrams, to be exact—and they have nearly 11,000 reviews on Amazon. “I was taking a lot of pain medicine for my arthritis. Now since I take the turmeric, almost all my pain is gone,” one person wrote. “Pain GONE! Completely. That in and of itself is amazing,” another said, noting that their sleep quality has also “improved dramatically” since using the supplements.
Shop it: Bio Schwartz Premium Pure Turmeric Curcumin, $19, amazon.com
Spring Valley Turmeric Curcumin
Spring Valley’s supplements get rave reviews online, and you can’t beat the price. Each capsule contains 400 milligrams of turmeric powder, along with 50 milligrams each of turmeric extract and organic ginger powder to combat inflammation. People call it “very helpful” for fighting arthritis and back pain and “good stuff” in the reviews.
Shop it: Spring Valley Turmeric Curcumin, $9 for two-pack, walmart.com
Nature Made Turmeric Curcumin
These supplements contain at least 47.5 milligrams of curcuminoids (the active compounds in turmeric) per capsule and, at $10 for 60 capsules, the price is definitely right. “I tell a big difference when I run out. I get tired and lethargic,” one reviewer said. “Nature Made is the best blend,” another wrote.
Shop it: Nature Made Turmeric Curcumin, $10, walmart.com
Puritan’s Pride Turmeric Curcumin
Puritan’s Pride contains bioperine on top of 1,000 milligrams of turmeric to help your body absorb the supplement. The capsules can also be opened and used to make a tea, the company says. “If I could only take one supplement, it would be this! “ one person wrote in the reviews. “Highly recommend,” said another.
Shop it: Puritan’s Pride Turmeric Curcumin, $10 (was $13), walmart.com
Qunol Extra Strength Turmeric
People are obsessed with Qunol’s extra strength supplements (which contain 1,000 milligrams of turmeric per capsule). “I have no more pains or body aches since I started using it,” one person wrote in the reviews. “No side affects and it works,” another said.
Shop it: Qunol Extra Strength Turmeric, $20, walmart.com
Vimerson Health Turmeric Curcumin
This supplement promises to help get rid of your joint pain and inflammation or your money back. But, judging by the reviews, you won’t need it. “After the first day or two, I noticed my neck pain was gone. Also other pains in my body had significantly subsided,” one reviewer said. “What I didn’t expect is that my mood would be affected…I started feeling an uplift on a daily basis,” another wrote.
Shop it: Vimerson Health Turmeric Curcumin, $23, amazon.com
Gaia Herbs Turmeric Supreme
Gaia’s vegan, certified organic supplement includes black pepper to help aid in absorption of the turmeric. “I have chronic aches and pains (bad back, leg cramps, foot pain), and one capsule daily helps ease the pain,” one person said in the reviews. “it is a game changer,” another said.
Shop it: Gaia Herbs Turmeric Supreme, $20 (was $21), amazon.com
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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