The Best Turmeric Supplements? Opt for Liposomal Turmeric
The golden-yellow spice turmeric is not only a powerhouse for many Asian dishes but also for your health! Want to maximise the benefits of turmeric? Read in this blog why we believe liposomal turmeric is the best choice compared to other types of turmeric supplements.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric, Indian saffron, or Curcuma longa (its Latin name), is the same spice known by different names. Derived from the colourful root of the Curcuma longa plant, it is a distant relative of ginger. Turmeric is a popular culinary spice and is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Indian Ayurveda for various health purposes.
What is Liposomal?
You might have briefly read about liposomal turmeric in the introduction. But what is liposomal? The term ‘liposomal’ comes from Latin, where ‘lipos’ means fat. Liposomes are microscopically small spheres with a lipid (fat-like) coating. These liposomes encapsulate nutrients, protecting them from stomach acid and ensuring that none of these substances are lost in the digestive tract. Liposomes facilitate a slow, gradual release of active substances and are 6 to 10 times more absorbable than capsules, tablets, tea, and powder. Sounds promising, right?
What are the Benefits of Turmeric?
Incorporating the spicy and bittersweet note of the golden-yellow spice turmeric into your dishes is a great idea for your taste buds and your health! Because:
- Curcuma supports the liver’s cleansing function*
- Curcuma has antioxidative properties*
- Curcuma contributes to the normal function of the immune system*
- Curcuma helps maintain flexible joints and contributes to the maintenance of strong bones*
- Curcuma supports heart function and circulation*
- Curcuma plays a role in digestion*
*Health claims pending European Commission approval
The active compound in turmeric is curcuminoid. Curcuminoids consist of 80% curcumin and also include demethoxy curcumin and bisdemethoxy curcumin. The yellow powder used as a flavour, aroma, and colour enhancer in dishes like curry contains 2.5% curcuminoids. In turmeric supplements, this percentage is much higher. Want to learn more? Read all about turmeric here.
Is Liposomal Turmeric the Best Choice?
Liposomal supplements are increasingly popular, and for good reason. The secret of this targeted technique lies in the use of liposomes as carriers. As mentioned before, liposomes are small particles with a fatty layer (lipids). These lipids are found at the cellular level in our bodies, specifically in cell membranes. Simply put, a cell membrane is the outer layer of a living cell. All substances entering the cell pass through the membrane, which selectively allows certain substances in while blocking others.
How does this work when you take liposomal turmeric? The curcuminoids (curcumin particles) are contained within the liposome spheres in the supplement. When these liposomes, containing curcumin particles, come into contact with a cell membrane in your body, the liposome membrane merges with the cell membrane, releasing the contents directly into the cell. The active substances thus pass directly through the cell membrane into the body’s cells, ensuring maximum absorption and utilisation without unnecessary loss of curcuminoids.
This means that liposomal turmeric supplements can be more effective than other forms of turmeric, allowing you to fully benefit from its advantages.
Advantages of Liposomal Turmeric versus Other Forms
Curcumin, a component of turmeric, is known to offer numerous health benefits upon consumption. However, your body must effectively absorb the nutrient, which can be challenging with curcumin. This is a significant advantage of liposomal turmeric supplements compared to other methods of intake.
Research findings on the efficacy of liposomal turmeric are promising. For instance, the bioavailability (the degree to which the body can absorb a substance) of certain liposomal turmeric supplements is 6 to 10 times higher than that of ‘regular’ turmeric supplements.
Due to the high absorbability of liposomal supplements, a low dosage is often sufficient. In most cases, one capsule per day is enough, which is very convenient. Although liposomal products are often slightly more expensive than regular supplements, they are worth the investment due to their much better absorption and efficacy.
Do you find it difficult to take tablets or capsules? Then liposomal turmeric in liquid form is a perfect solution!
Turmeric Tea, Powder, Tablets, or Capsules?
Does the advent of liposomal turmeric mean you should avoid turmeric tea, powder, tablets, and capsules? Fortunately, no. Besides curcumin, turmeric also contains vitamins, minerals, and fibres, albeit in smaller quantities. Turmeric longa is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A and carotene, vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), biotin, choline, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), folic acid, inositol, vitamin E (tocopherol), vitamin K, and more. Additionally, turmeric contains minerals such as iron, potassium, manganese, magnesium, sulphur, iodine, selenium, silicon, chromium, and zinc.
It depends on your (health) goal. If you enjoy the taste of turmeric, the root, powder, or tea will suffice. However, adding turmeric powder to your curry, smoothie, or tea does not provide sufficient curcumin intake.
Buying Turmeric? Here's What to Look Out For!
Are you curious about what a liposomal turmeric supplement can do to support your health? Consider these factors when choosing a turmeric supplement:
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Amount of Active Curcumin
If you want to use a turmeric supplement to improve your health goal, it’s important that the supplement contains the three types of curcuminoids (curcumin, bisdemethoxy curcumin, and demethoxy curcumin). The percentage of curcuminoids in turmeric root or powder is relatively low. Can’t find the curcuminoid percentage on the label? It’s likely ground turmeric root.
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Bioavailability
Taking a turmeric supplement doesn’t automatically mean the active substances reach your cells to perform their function. Bioavailability refers to the extent to which body cells effectively absorb substances or nutrients. A liposomal turmeric supplement significantly enhances this absorption and is therefore recommended!
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With or Without Black Pepper
Adding piperine (black pepper extract) increases the bioavailability of curcumins. Research shows that when a nutrient is combined with this black pepper extract, the body absorbs more of that nutrient.
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Price-Quality Ratio
Found a cheap turmeric supplement? It’s wise to check the recommended daily dosage. Due to the high absorbability of liposomal turmeric supplements, the recommended daily dosage is often low. For example, one capsule per day is usually sufficient to achieve your health goal. Liposomal products are often slightly more expensive to purchase than regular supplements, but they pay for themselves through much better absorption and efficacy.
Good to Know
The use of a liposomal turmeric supplement greatly improves the bioavailability of curcumin in the body and is much higher than other forms. The liposomal technique ensures that curcumin goes directly into the bloodstream and to the cells.
Liposomal turmeric supplements are thus an excellent solution for those seeking a high-quality, well-absorbed supplement with high bioavailability. They are often slightly more expensive to purchase, but because they are better absorbed and require a lower dosage, liposomal supplements are usually more economical.
Sources
- Nelson, K. et al. (2017). The Essential [...] Chemistry of Curcumin. Journal of [...] Chemistry,10.
- Allam, A. N., El Gamal, S., & Naggar, V. (2011). Bioavailability: A pharmaceutical review. Int J Novel Drug Deliv Tech, 1(1), 77-93.
- Dutta, S. Bhattacharjee, P. (2014). Enzyme-assisted supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of black pepper oleoresin for enhanced yield of piperine-rich extract. The Society for Biotechnology.
- Akbarzadeh A et al. (2013). Liposome: classification, preparation, and applications; Nanoscale Research Letters 8(1):102.
- Sinha R et al. (2018). Oral supplementation with liposomal glutathione elevates body stores of glutathione and markers of immune function. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 72(1):105-111.
