Originating from South Asia, Curcuma, or turmeric, is a perennial herbaceous plant and a member of the ginger family. It is particularly valued for its rhizomes (the underground parts) from which the yellow-orange spice is obtained. Though the spice is primarily known as a culinary ingredient, Curcuma also has a number of health benefits.

Piperine potentiates the bioavailability of many supplements, but it is curcumin supplements known for their powerful anti-inflammatory effects, that most benefit from being combined with Bioperine®. Supersmart has curcumin supplements available to buy such as Curcumin Solution, Natural Curcuma and Super Curcuma.

Curcumin’s bioavailability is actually very low because it is quickly metabolised in the liver. Thus taking 2g of curcumin will only produce a very slight increase in plasma concentrations. However, taking piperine at the same time produces a clear increase in curcumin levels, in the region of 2000%, within around 30 minutes of ingestion (6).

The mechanism responsible is inhibition of glucurono-conjugation: this slows down the breakdown of curcumin by the liver, considerably expanding its window of absorption.