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In an article published in Business Weekly, the reporters said that curcumin research was “exploding”. As a result, supplement sales increased greatly. What the reporters failed to say, as is often the case, supplements may well be a waste of money. Here’s why. When you take a drug or a vitamin pill, only some of it ends up in the bloodstream. Researchers refer to that as bioavailability and it is one of the things that they measure, before they initiate clinical trials. The issue of bioavailability allows them to determine what dosage and what mode of delivery to use. Curcumin is found in a spice plant called turmeric. Researchers found that very little is absorbed when it is eaten alone. It is unstable in the gut and is rapidly degraded by gastric acid. To get around that, manufacturers can include an enteric coating to protect it and add a compound called piperine, which is found in black pepper. Piperine was shown in one study to enhance absorption by 2000%. However, piperine should not be taken by people that are taking prescription drugs, without consulting a doctor or pharmacist. The curcumin research that is currently ongoing involves several different types of cancer, Alzheimer’s and psoriasis. That may seem like a broad range of diseases, but it is not that unusual for a plant extract to be beneficial for a variety of purposes. Green tea, for example, is beneficial for reducing cholesterol levels, acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and may reduce the risk of prostate and breast cancer. This is due to antioxidants called catechins. Resveratrol, a compound found in the skins of red grapes, is being evaluated for treating type II diabetes and as a potential preventative for a variety of different diseases. Of course, once the pharmaceutical companies get a hold of these natural compounds, they change them. They find a way to produce them synthetically and usually that means there are negative side effects. One branch of curcumin research has involved created a synthetic molecule that is similar to it. They have found one formulation that they thought would be more easily absorbed, but they have been unable to demonstrate its effectiveness in people. Many of us feel that we should let nature help us, rather than taking something that was created in the laboratory. Synthetic vitamins may be the reason that no long-term benefit has been seen in some studies. The cheap supplements that are on the market contain synthetic beta-carotene and vitamin E, as well as other “plastic” vitamins. If the curcumin research is correct, it may reduce our risk of certain types of cancer and Alzheimer’s. It is not a stand-alone supplement. That is to say, there are too many other nutrients that you need every day to help prevent age-related diseases. The better multi-nutritional formulas contain a small amount of curcumin, combined with piperine to enhance absorption, and over 70 other nutrients found in nature. The results of curcumin research have been impressive, but it is just one of many beneficial compounds found in plants. Visit my website today to learn about a multi-nutritional supplement I've discovered that I'd like to share with you. Gordon Hall is fervent about enabling you and everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, and is an ardent reviewer of herbal, vitamin and mineral extracts. To discover which supplements Gordon recommends after far ranging and extensive research. Visit his website now at : http://www.your-supplement-resource-site.info
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