Increasing the bioavailability of curcumin

[Guest guest]

I am interested in the use of curcumin for Alzheimer's prevention. For those also interested in curcumin and possible liposomal encapsulation of curcumin using the ultrasonic cleaner technique, I would like to pass on a study some might find interesting.

Curcumin has shown to be effective against cancer and Alzheimer's. The problem limiting the effective use of curcumin for those afflictions has been the low bioavailability of curcumin. The issue of the bioavailability of curcumin is more than just how much will pass into the bloodstream. Curcumin is metabolized by the body so quickly that even larger amounts may not last long enough in the bloodstream to be distributed in effective amounts throughout the tissues. The good news is that there are some methods that do significantly improve the bioavailability of orally ingested curcumin and liposomal encapsulation of curcumin is one of them.

See:

Bioavailability of Curcumin: Problems and Promises

http://mccormickscienceinstitute.org/assets/Mol%20Pharm.%202007%20Nov_Dec;4(6)807-18.pdf

 

Section C3 of the report discusses liposomal encapsulated cucumin and the results look very promising. The report also discusses use of bioperine and unfortunately while bioperine does significantly improve the transport of curcumin into the blood, it only marginally improves the distribution of curcumin throughout bodily tissues. There are some other promising alternatives though. A product called Biocurcumax uses a mixture of curcumin and tumeric oil and provides a significant improvement over bioperine. You can purchase tumeric oil as an essential oil. Another option is complexing the curcumin with boron. A method for making such a complex using a microwave oven is described in :

Microwave-assisted synthesis of curcumin analogs

http://www.arkat-usa.org/get-file/22829/

 

Although one would need to do some experimenting to actually master the technique.

 

 

 

One other possibility of increasing bioavailability might be by fermenting turmeric but I have not really looked into this option:

http://antioxbrew.vmicrobial.info/science-backgnd-test-results-1.html

 

If anyone has experience with making or using fermented extracts I would be interested in learning more about it. (Other than your college experiences with beer. Although that also might be interesting)

Right now I am primarily looking at methods of curcumin extraction and the use of turmeric oil as a bioavailability enhancer.

 

- Steve