Curcumin (Liposomal)

The active compound in turmeric — but bioavailability is everything.

What it is

Curcumin is the primary bioactive polyphenol in turmeric. Standard curcumin powder has extremely poor bioavailability (<1% absorbed). Liposomal, phytosome (Meriva), or BCM-95 formulations achieve 7–29× higher blood levels. This distinction matters enormously in practice.

Why it matters

Curcumin inhibits NF-κB, COX-2, and multiple inflammatory cytokines simultaneously. In oncology, it has demonstrated ability to sensitise tumour cells to chemotherapy, reduce treatment side effects, inhibit angiogenesis, and induce apoptosis across multiple cancer types. It is one of the most studied natural compounds in cancer biology.

The evidence

Over 150 clinical trials. BCM-95 and liposomal formulations show 7–29× better bioavailability than standard curcumin. Multiple oncology studies use high-bioavailability formulations at 500–2000mg/day. The journal Cancer Letters has published extensively on curcumin's anti-tumour mechanisms.

This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always discuss supplement use with your care team, particularly if you are undergoing active cancer treatment.

Dosing

500–1500mg/day of high-bioavailability curcumin (liposomal, phytosome, or BCM-95). Standard curcumin powder is not equivalent. Black pepper (piperine, 20mg) increases standard curcumin absorption 20× but also enhances absorption of some medications — use with awareness.

Cautions

Formulation determines efficacy — standard turmeric powder is not a substitute. Avoid at high doses with blood thinners (anticoagulants). May affect iron absorption at high doses. Discuss timing with oncologist if undergoing chemotherapy.