Supplement Godfather

Q: I’ve noticed that curcumin and turmeric are getting a lot of good press lately, even in the mainstream media. What’s the difference between these two ingredients and what kinds of benefits can they provide? Are they any good for athletes?

A: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a perennial plant of the ginger family and is native to southeast India. The primary active compound
in turmeric is called curcumin, and it’s becoming very well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, some studies show that
curcumin is just as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) in treating inflammation pain. This is especially 
useful for athletes because many sports-related injuries result in
painful inflammation issues. On top of its incredible anti-inflammatory
properties, curcumin has also been studied for its beneficial
effects on testosterone secretion. Research shows that curcumin 
can boost testosterone through the activation of enzymes found
in the testes that are involved in the biosynthesis of testosterone.
 Some research even shows that curcumin can help reduce estrogen 
production. When looking for a tumeric supplement, try to find one
 that’s standardized for 95 percent curcuminoids and at least 70 to 80
 percent curcumin. It’s important to note that curcumin on its own has 
poor bioavailability, but it can be dramatically improved when combined
 with an ingredient such as Bioperine (piperine).

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Photo of Antoine Vaillant courtesy of Simon Lau