Turmeric? The right dose is vital for results

CURCUMIN is a minor compound of turmeric, the Indian spice widely used In curries, Thousands of published studies have already shown curcumin's exciting capacity to benefit those with a range of health conditions, But until now, It has been difficult to enable the human body to absorb the large volumes required. A 45g supermarket tar of ground turmeric contains less than 1g of the active ingredient, So it would not contain one daily curcumin dose. Not only that. but studies have shown that most people cannot absorb enough curcumin In its natural form to benefit. which means that simple curcumin tablets might not work. But there has now been a major step forward in harnessing the unique power of curcumin. The discovery of an effective way to standardise the dose and boost the body's absorption of the com-pound has brought new hope that curcumin's therapeutic properties can at last be delivered In a reliable way with every tablet. Scientists have succeeded in combining It with plant-based phos-pholipids from soy beans. These are a class of fat that Is a major component of all cell membranes. Studies show that combiNng them with curcumin produces a 29-fold inaease In Its uptake. The supplement Is manufactured to pharmaceutical grade. and there are now further studies under way to demonstrate Its benefits. 'We are very excited by the level of Interest from scientists,' says Alf Lindberg, a former secretary to the committee of the Nobel prize In medicine, and a chief scientific officer to the manufacturers. 'At last, we think we have a way to deliver a reliable, regular dose of this compound. Were hoping the latest Marls will give definitive proof of the benefits of the supplement.'