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Question:
What is curcumin? I see it being marketed as a "super antioxidant," but I am not sure what it is.
Answer:
Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa), the main ingredient in curries. Curcumin is truly a "super antioxidant." In some experimental studies it was up to 300 times more potent than vitamin E. Curcumin is also an effective, yet safe, anti-inflammatory agent. Curcumin is useful in any inflammatory condition and is also recommended in cancer prevention and treatment adjunct (it can prevent some of the side effects associated with certain chemotherapy drugs), atherosclerosis, liver disorders, gallstones, and the irritable bowel syndrome.
For medicinal effects, curcumin is recommended at a dose of 200 to 400 mg three times a day. Curcumin is available primarily in capsules and tablets. Because the absorption of orally administered curcumin may be limited, curcumin is often formulated in conjunction with an equal amount of bromelain, which may possibly enhance absorption as well as exert anti-inflammatory effects of its own. Combining curcumin in an oil base such as lecithin, fish oils, or essential fatty acids may also increase absorption.
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