Curcumin
Studied for: Arthritis · Insulin Resistance · Infection - Antibiotic · Inflammation · Neurodegeneration · Depression · Irritable Bowel Syndrome · Diverticular Disease
Arthritis
What the research found
Reduced pain scores and inflammatory cytokines for knee osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Dose used in studies
120–1500 mg bioavailable extract
Side effects reported
Dyspepsia, nausea, mild gastrointestinal reflux
References
Zeng2022, Lindler2020, Kou2023, Zeng2021, Bannuru2018
Insulin Resistance
What the research found
Attenuates HOMA-IR and improves insulin sensitivity indices in individuals with prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes 7 20. Suppresses nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcription and oxidative stress markers 5 7 20.
Dose used in studies
120–1500 mg bioavailable extract
Side effects reported
Dyspepsia, nausea, mild gastrointestinal reflux
References
Kehinde2025 Heshmati2020
Infection - Antibiotic
What the research found
Adjunctive antibacterial activity Investigated as oral formulations and nano-delivery systems in combination with standard therapy
Dose used in studies
120–1500 mg bioavailable extract
Side effects reported
Dyspepsia, nausea, mild gastrointestinal reflux
References
Kusuma2024
Inflammation
What the research found
(Turmeric Extract)Inhibits NF-κB (a major inflammatory master switch) and limits pro-inflammatory cytokines: CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 Meta-analyses show broad cytokine suppression. Clinical trials show osteoarthritis pain reduction comparable to some NSAIDs. Poor baseline absorption. Must be taken with black pepper extract (piperine) or in phytosome/liposomal forms.
Dose used in studies
120–1500 mg bioavailable extract
Side effects reported
Dyspepsia, nausea, mild gastrointestinal reflux
References
Ferguson2020, Zeng2022
Neurodegeneration
What the research found
(Theracurmin) improved memory and attention in non-demented older adults and motor symptoms in PD; decreased PD motor complications and ALS decline.
Dose used in studies
120–1500 mg bioavailable extract
Side effects reported
Dyspepsia, nausea, mild gastrointestinal reflux
References
Gualtieri2025 (https://consensus.app/papers/exploring-the-efficacy-and-safety-of-nutritional-gualtieri-frank/0427caa6114b56b18688096037b921f4/), Mohseni2021 (https://consensus.app/papers/the-clinical-use-of-curcumin-on-neurological-disorders-an-mohseni-sahebkar/3024b2ace7c05ec493b418ecab984a3c/), Wang2025 (https://consensus.app/papers/pharmacological-effects-molecular-mechanisms-and-wang-zhou/832dd0f3d13e5028b00645c777a0199b/)
Depression
What the research found
Extracts, , yield moderate reductions in depressive symptoms (pooled SMD −0.344, 95% CI: −0.558 to −0.129), especially in atypical depression.
Dose used in studies
120–1500 mg bioavailable extract
Side effects reported
Dyspepsia, nausea, mild gastrointestinal reflux
References
Căuș2026 (https://consensus.app/papers/efficacy-and-safety-of-herbal-supplements-with-anxiolytic-c%C4%83u%C8%99-lupoae/71ca1e39085c5d45af4149365c0c2abc/), Ng2017 (https://consensus.app/papers/clinical-use-of-curcumin-in-depression-a-metaanalysis-ng-koh/10b29eb07f0156c4b9e50069445928b0/)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
What the research found
Formulations decrease IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) scores and improve patient quality of life. Efficacy:
Dose used in studies
120–1500 mg bioavailable extract
Side effects reported
Dyspepsia, nausea, mild gastrointestinal reflux
References
Wade2024, Ng2018
Diverticular Disease
What the research found
Boswellia phytosome extracts significantly reduced self-reported abdominal pain scores over 30 days in an open-label cohort of SUDD patients
Dose used in studies
120–1500 mg bioavailable extract
Side effects reported
Dyspepsia, nausea, mild gastrointestinal reflux
References
Giacosa2020.
Not medical advice
Trials are run on specific people, for specific reasons, over a set period. Your medications, conditions and bloodwork can change what is safe for you. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before starting.