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Nutrition & supplements

Curcumin

Curcumin is the main polyphenol in turmeric (Curcuma longa). It tunes several inflammatory and oxidative pathways, including NF-kB and Nrf2. But there is a big practical problem. Plain curcumin is barely absorbed when you swallow it. So supplements add piperine, or use phospholipid or nanoparticle formulations. Those boost how much gets in. Meta-analyses suggest modest drops in inflammation markers, joint pain, and some blood lipids. But the effects vary a lot. They depend on the formulation and the study quality. Evidence for a direct longevity benefit in humans is limited.

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Sources

  1. Hewlings SJ, Kalman DS. (2017). Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. Foodsdoi:10.3390/foods6100092
  2. Aggarwal BB, Sundaram C, Malani N, Ichikawa H. (2007). Curcumin: the Indian solid gold. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biologydoi:10.1007/978-0-387-46401-5_1

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