Turmeric Extract

Turmeric Extract - Liver Support

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a long history as a health-promoting botanical worldwide. Modern research has identified a group of compounds known as curcuminoids as being predominantly responsible for its beneficial effects. Turmeric is an antioxidant that stimulates the production of bile and supports cholesterol wellness.†

• Support for antioxidant and healthy inflammation response
• Certified organic turmeric roots
• Includes Bioperine® to enhance bioavailability

Turmeric is a traditional Ayurvedic botanical known for centuries for its multiple health-promoting benefits. Curcumin is the active constituent demonstrated to be responsible for the biological activities of turmeric. The curcuminoids in turmeric have strong antioxidant properties and have been shown through scientific research to support a healthy inflammation response.†

Modern science has recently recognized the many positive benefits delivered by one of the most time-tested of the traditional Ayurvedic herbals. Contains Bioperine®, a specialized extract of black pepper for enhanced bioavailability.

Turmeric Benefits May:

• Improve cellular health†
• Boost immune system†
• Assist with the detoxification process†
• Support kidney, gall bladder and other organ health†
• Promote and maintain cardiovascular health†

Planetary Herbals Full Spectrum™ Turmeric Extract consists of a concentrated turmeric extract, standardized to 95% curcuminoids, and whole turmeric rhizome. This captures the broadest range of turmeric constituents available.

The History of Turmeric

Turmeric is related to ginger and grown throughout India, Asia, and Africa. Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric, responsible for turmeric’s characteristic deep yellow pigment. Turmeric is often used as a flavoring or coloring agent in prepared foods such as mustard, butter, and cheese, and is a primary ingredient in curry powder.

In India, turmeric powder is often applied to the skin for ornamental purposes during holidays and religious ceremonies. Turmeric has been used in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese herbalism for centuries. Ayurvedic health practitioners have used turmeric for support of liver health, circulation, healthy skin, and bile flow.

Turmeric Profile

Antioxidant Support

Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, exhibits both direct and indirect antioxidant activity, however, its antioxidant activities may be primarily indirect. Curcumins elicit indirect antioxidant activity by acting as catalysts for enzymes that directly scavenge free radicals. Curcumin stimulates the synthesis of proteins necessary for the production of intracellular antioxidants such as glutathione, an antioxidant existing throughout all the body’s cells. Also, curcumin is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, and therefore may exert antioxidant activity in neurons and the brain.†

Inflammation Response

Cytokines are important cellular messengers at the very center of the immune process. They are generally secreted by white blood cells to activate nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) response. NF-kB is a transcription factor protein complex involved in cellular response to oxidative stress. Curcumin has been demonstrated in studies to inhibit the expression of NF-kB and the COX-II enzyme.

The COX-II enzyme is needed to produce pro-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 synthesis in cell membranes. Thus, turmeric’s lowering of COX-II lowers metabolic inflammation. Curcumin’s potential to support a healthy inflammation response in liver health has also been investigated in preliminary studies. Curcumin may exert some protective influence on the liver through the inhibitory effects on the expression of NF-kB, COX-II enzymes and inflammatory cytokines that cause fibrosis in the liver cells.

Bioavailability

The bioavailability of typical turmeric supplements is often very low. The reason is because curcumin is rapidly metabolized in the liver and intestinal wall and converted into other compounds through glucuronidation.

Piperine, the active ingredient of long pepper and black pepper, has been added to inhibit intestinal glucuronidation. This increases the bioavailability of curcumin and the expression of its many benefits. The product includes Bioperine®, which is standardized to contain a minimum of 95% piperine, for enhanced absorption.

Planetary Herbals embraces the principles of Phyto-Dynamics, which integrates the health promoting properties of the natural world with modern clinical and pharmacological research. Combining time-tested natural herbals with scientific research provides reliable, expertly crafted, superior quality herbal supplements.

BioPerine® is a Registered Trademark of Sabinsa Corporation with US and International Patents.

References

1. Bachmeier BE, Mohrenz IV, Morisola V, et al. “Curcumin Down-Regulates the Inflammatory Cytokines CXCL1 AND -2 in Breast Cancer Cells via NFkappaB.” Carcinogenesis. 29(2008):779-789.
2. Badmaev, V., Majeed, M., Prakash, L. “Piperine Derived from Black Pepper Increases the Plasma Levels of coenzyme Q10 Following Oral Supplementation.” Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 11 (2000): 109-113.
3. Baum, L. Cheung, S.K., Mok, V.C., et al. “Curcumin Effects on Blood Lipid Profile in a 6-Month Human Study. Pharmacological Research. 56 (2007): 509-514.
4. Sharma, R.A., Steward, W.P., Gescher, A.J. “Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Curcumin.” Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 595(2007): 453-470.