Botanical Nutrition

Eating yellow Curry every day, say researchers, may make you smarter.  This is in part because of a root called Turmeric which contains a group of compounds referred to as Curcumin.

In the natural business we often hear it said; while Curcumin (technically not one compound but a series of curcuminoid polyphenols) is the most active component of noted herbal healer Turmeric root (scientific name Curcuma longa) it is very poorly absorbed.

Researchers can measure blood levels of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and total curcuminoids following oral supplementation in order to test the bioavailability of various forms of Curcumin supplementation.

In fact, there are many forms of “absorption enhanced” Curcumin on the market – some of which show little benefit when actually tested in humans.  Because whole Turmeric root has a diverse range of natural compounds, not just Curcumin, whole root may not give much absorption of curcuminoid polyphenols.  Researchers attribute this to poor solubility in water, leading to poor absorption.

A solid lipid Curcumin formulation called Longvida is generating lots of interest after several successful clinical trials.  Longvida, a patented form of Curcumin, was developed in concert with UCLA neuroscientists. Not only is this form of Curcumin better absorbed than other extracts, it has shown some specific neurological benefits.  Lead researcher Katherine Cox has written a very interesting article about the study in The Conversation in which she writes

“Our placebo-controlled, double-blind study examined the effects of 80mg of the lipid-conjugated curcumin in a cohort of healthy older people. For full transparency, note the study was funded by a grant from the company that makes the extract – though it had no input into the design, interpretation or publication of the study.

“We randomly allocated 60 participants (with mean age 69 years) to receive curcumin capsules (the intervention) or a matching placebo (a dummy). Neither group knew whether they were receiving curcumin or a placebo.

“The volunteers underwent a training day to familiarise themselves with the computerised cognitive and mood tests. Then they undertook the tests before taking the capsule, then one and three hours after a single dose. They underwent testing at the same three time points following 28 days on curcumin or placebo.”

The study was published in the journal Psychopharmacology in 2015.  In that paper, the researchers also concluded “A significant acute-on-chronic treatment effect on alertness and contentedness was also observed. Curcumin was associated with significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol and had no effect on hematological safety measures.” That’s right – not only can it improve alertness and happiness; it may just improve your serum cholesterol levels.

Nordic Naturals, long a natural products industry leader in well-researched and effective nutrients, has recently released their Omega Memory product which combines the special Longvida Curcumin used in the above clinical study along with other ingredients shown to support memory – Phosphatidylcholine and Huperzine A, an extract from Chinese Club moss (Huperza serrata) which has been shown to to inhibit acetyl-choline esterase, a process which can improve memory and recall.  Last but not least the formula also contains 1000 mg of Omega-3 EPA & DHA rich fish oil which has been shown to be of great in benefits in literally thousands of published studies.

Want to find out if Longvida clinically-researched Curcumin will have the same effect on your brain as it did in the scientific study?  Trying Omega Memory with Curcumin from Nordic Naturals; not only are you receiving the same bioavailable Curcumin used in the actual clinical trial – you’re also getting efficacious doses of Huperzine A, Phosphatidyl Choline and the #1 selling (and most bioavailable) fish oil in the world – Nordic Naturals Omega 3.