Nature’s Nutrition Healthy Brain Turmeric Supplement, 60-Count

We know, we know. Alternative or “natural” treatments for chronic health conditions are a dime a dozen, and many of them don’t have the science to back up their claims. It’s disappointing to see no improvement after you’ve devoted time and money to trying a new dietary supplement, especially when your health problems are affecting your quality of life. Thankfully, there’s solid research backing up turmeric, a tasty spice with anti-inflammatory properties. 

Turmeric is a mainstay in spice racks and Indian dishes; it’s the main ingredient in curry powder. It has anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits that might ease pain from arthritis, intestinal disorders or just post-exercise muscle soreness. 

You’d have to practically eat your weight in delicious curry to ingest enough turmeric to make a difference. Luckily, there are plenty of supplements on the market that will help you reach an effective dose of turmeric. (Always consult your doctor before adding a dietary supplement to your daily routine.)

Curcumin is turmeric’s active ingredient, and to reap its benefits, you’ll want a supplement with a high percentage of curcuminoids.  The highest-quality turmeric supplements contain 95% curcuminoids per capsule. 

Curcuminoids can be hard for your body to absorb, so turmeric supplements often contain other ingredients to increase curcumin’s bioavailability. Piperine, the active ingredient in black pepper, helps your body ingest curcumin. You’ll see plenty of turmeric supplements that include piperine.

Determining your ideal turmeric dose might take some tinkering. Some conditions, like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, have recommended doses. However, your mileage may vary depending on your body’s metabolism, your diet and other conditions you may have or medications you take. You’ll need to start at a low dose of turmeric and work your way up. 

The maximum recommended dose for turmeric is eight grams (or 8000 mg) per day, but you probably won’t need that much to notice a difference in your inflammation or pain levels. It’s unlikely that you’ll find a turmeric supplement with that much oomph in one capsule. Out of our top four picks, the Bio Schwartz Turmeric Curcumin with Bioperine supplements have the most curcuminoids per capsule, and they weigh in at 1500 mg. 

It’s best to break up your turmeric doses throughout the day. Most supplements recommended dosing two or three times per day. This will help you find your target dose without going overboard, but it’s also essential for reducing your risk of side effects. 

Some people experience nausea or an upset stomach if they take too much turmeric at once. Downing your supplement with a meal or taking it with nausea-reducing ginger can keep side effects at bay. NatureWise Curcumin Turmeric also contains ginger for easier digestion.

Once you’ve figured out what you need from your turmeric supplements, it’s time to get shopping. Check out our Tips & Advice to make the most of this popular supplement. 

• Turmeric supplements have a wide variety of benefits. The spice’s properties may help reduce inflammation, so it’s worth a try for anyone struggling with pain from arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) and other inflammation-heavy conditions. You should always consult your doctor before adding a supplement to your diet, but you might enjoy a number of benefits once you’ve gotten the go-ahead to add turmeric supplements. 
• The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin — that’s what leads the way when it comes to turmeric’s anti-inflammatory abilities. You’ll want to pick a supplement with a high percentage of curcuminoids to get the most out of every capsule. Sports Research Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex contains 95% curcuminoids per soft gel, so you’re getting the maximum amount of turmeric’s anti-inflammatory components. 
• Ingesting turmeric on its own won’t help you enjoy its beneficial properties. There are other ingredients that assist in turmeric’s absorption. Piperine (the active ingredient in black pepper) increases turmeric’s bioavailability, making it easier for your body to absorb the curcuminoids. NatureWise Curcumin Turmeric is formulated with BioPerine black pepper extract to make the most of your turmeric supplements. 
• Supplements with more turmeric per capsule might look like a better value, but they won’t do you much good if they’re too large for you to swallow. Double-check the size of the capsules before you buy, especially if you struggle with conditions like acid reflux.   
• Determining which dosage of turmeric is right for you depends on why you’re taking it. The American Arthritis Foundation recommends 1200-1800 mg per day (broken into three doses of 400-600 mg each) for people with osteoarthritis. People with rheumatoid arthritis should aim for 500 mg twice a day (1000 mg total). Each Sports Research Turmeric Curcumin C3® Complex capsule contains 500 mg of curcuminoids, so it’s perfect for twice-daily dosing if you’re shooting for 1000 mg per day. Each Bio Schwartz Turmeric Curcumin with Bioperine capsule contains 1500 mg of curcuminoids, so you might only need to take one capsule per day for certain conditions. 
• As you’re figuring out how much turmeric you want to take each day, you’ll want to take a look at how many capsules each bottle contains. Bio Schwartz Turmeric Curcumin with Bioperine has 90 capsules per container, but their capsules contain the most turmeric (1500 mg) of our top four picks. Depending on your daily dosage, that bottle could last you anywhere from one to three months. Sports Research Turmeric Curcumin C3® Complex has 130 liquid soft gels in each bottle, and each capsule has 500 mg of curcuminoids. The bottle will last you roughly two months if you take two capsules per day.
• Capsule supplements can be tricky for vegetarians and vegans. Standard gelatin capsules are made from animal products, so take a careful look at each supplement’s ingredient list before you buy. NatureWise Curcumin Turmeric has capsules made from vegetable cellulose and rice bran, so they’re safe for vegetarians and vegans alike. 
• Anyone with food allergies knows that avoiding all forms of their allergen, including allergens in supplements, is a must for preventing reactions. Divine Bounty Turmeric Curcumin capsules are free of the nine major allergens, including peanuts, wheat and soy. They also don’t contain any fillers, binders or artificial ingredients.
• When you’re starting any new supplement, there’s a chance of encountering side effects. The most common adverse effects (for turmeric supplements or any supplement), is an upset stomach. This could mean nausea, pain or acid reflux for some people. The best way to avoid or reduce side effects is to start off with a low dose of turmeric once a day, then work your way up to your desired amount over the course of a few days or weeks. You should also take your turmeric with a meal and plenty of water.
• Some turmeric supplements are built to combat potential gastrointestinal side effects before they start. NatureWise Curcumin Turmeric also contains organic ginger, which is a popular natural treatment for nausea and upset stomachs.