Why You Should Consider Taking Vidafy Curcumin Supplements

Curcumin is a principal curcuminoid of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and is regarded in the scientific community as one of the most powerful plants.

In addition to it’s common use as a spice in cooking and a yellow pigment in the food processing industry, this natural phenolic compound has been widely studied for it’s therapeutic actions and benefit to human health. According to PubMed, curcumin is the most widely studied medicinal plant and a search in scientific literature reveals over 20,000 results. The reason the scientific community has spent so much time on this therapeutic plant is that it’s biological activities and pharmacological performances are so broad. Modern scientific studies have begun to corroborate the multifarious health benefits long attributed to curcumin.

Herein, we explore the various health benefits that curcumin offers and also it’s mode of action.

1. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

   Chronic inflammation is a root cause of many modern ailments. Curcumin is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory effects, rivaling some anti-inflammatory drugs without side effects. Its ability to block NF-kB, a molecule that turns on genes related to inflammation, is particularly significant (Aggarwal & Harikumar, 2009).

2. Antioxidant Properties

Oxidative stress, characterised by an overproduction of reactive oxygen species, is implicated in ageing and several diseases. Curcumin is not only a potent antioxidant itself but also bolsters the body's own antioxidant enzymes (Menon & Sudheer, 2007).

3. Neuroprotective Effects

Curcumin increases brain levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a type of growth hormone that functions in the brain. Declining BDNF levels are linked with several brain diseases, including Alzheimer's, suggesting curcumin's potential role in brain health (Zhang et al., 2016).

4. Benefits Against Depression

Studies indicate curcumin's potential in managing depressive disorders, possibly by boosting serotonin and dopamine levels. Its ability to increase BDNF levels also plays a role in its antidepressant effects (Kulkarni et al., 2008).

5. Anti-Cancer Properties

   Curcumin affects cancer growth, development, and spread at the molecular level. Studies have shown it can reduce angiogenesis, metastasis, and even cause death of cancerous cells (Goel et al., 2008).

6. Cardiovascular Health

Curcumin improves endothelial function, a significant driver of heart disease. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties further support cardiovascular health (Santos-Parker et al., 2017).

7. Benefits Against Alzheimer’s Disease

Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier, making it promising in Alzheimer's disease management. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions are believed to be beneficial in Alzheimer's (Mishra & Palanivelu, 2008).

8. Joint Health and Arthritis

Curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties have shown promise in alleviating arthritis symptoms, with some studies suggesting its efficacy is comparable to certain anti-inflammatory drugs (Daily et al., 2016).

9. Digestive Health

Curcumin promotes digestive health and can alleviate symptoms of various digestive disorders, primarily due to its anti-inflammatory properties (Holt et al., 2005)

This molecule's mechanisms of action are multifaceted, involving multiple molecular targets and cellular pathways.

Here are some of the various mechanisms through which curcumin exerts its effects:

1. Antioxidant

ActionsCurcumin exerts its antioxidant effects in two ways: directly by scavenging reactive oxygen species and indirectly by enhancing the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase (Menon & Sudheer, 2007). 

2. Anti-Inflammatory Activity

A prominent feature of curcumin is its anti-inflammatory property. It down-regulates the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), a key transcription factor involved in inflammatory response (Singh & Aggarwal, 1995). By inhibiting the activation of NF-κB, curcumin reduces the expression of various pro-inflammatory genes.

3. Modulation of Molecular Targets

Curcumin has been found to interact with numerous molecular targets, including transcription factors, enzymes, growth factors, cytokines, and receptors (Aggarwal et al., 2007). This multi-targeted approach allows curcumin to modulate cellular pathways involved in inflammation, growth, and apoptosis, among others.

4. Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Regulation

Curcumin influences cell survival and death by modulating apoptotic pathways. It induces apoptosis in cancer cells by up-regulating pro-apoptotic proteins like Bax and down-regulating anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 (Ravindran et al., 2009). Curcumin also inhibits the growth of cells by affecting the cell cycle, often arresting cells in the G2/M phase.

5. Modulation of Enzymatic Activity

Curcumin can modulate the activity of various enzymes, including cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), all of which play roles in inflammation and tumor progression (Surh et al., 2001).

6. Inhibition of Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. Curcumin has been found to inhibit angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro by targeting factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (Arbiser et al., 1998).

7. Interaction with Growth Factor Receptors

Curcumin affects the activity of growth factor receptors, notably the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the HER2 receptor. By inhibiting these receptors, curcumin can hamper the proliferation of cancer cells (Mimeault et al., 2013).

Issues With Bioavailability

The metabolism of curcumin is critical for its potent biological activities. Standard preparations of curcumin have extremely low bioavailability due to it’s fast metabolic turnover in the liver and the intestinal wall.

Many methods have been used to address this issue and attempt to increase the bioavailability of curcumin, These include combining it with piperine (pepper) and encapsulation into nanoparticles, liposomes, phytosomes and polymeric micelles.

“But a company in Germany, Aquanova, recently developed a liquid micellized form of curcumin called NovaSOL that performs even better. It’s a proprietary process of converting curcumin into a fully water-soluble and pH-stable form. NovaSOL has a biomimetic or nature-like micelle structure, which leads to optimal oral bioavailability. As I mentioned with [the] triglyceride form of fish oil, humans are accustomed to getting nutrients in a nature-like structure, through food, typically. So the closer you can make a supplement to the food-based form of a particular nutrient, the more bioavailable it will tend to be. It’s not always the case, but it is very often the case. Studies have shown that NovaSOL increases bioavailability by 185 fold, as measured by AUC, compared to piperine and Theracurmin, which is 20 to 30 fold. NovaSOL is much more bioavailable. It’s also absorbed seven times faster, as measured by Tmax. That can be helpful if you’re using it and want faster relief from inflammation and pain. There are a few other water-soluble forms of curcumin and other lipid curcumin particles that have increased bioavailability, like CurcuWIN and Longvida. Those are solid options, but none are approaching the 185-fold increase that NovaSOL has. As with GC Rieber with fish oil, NovaSOL is not a product. It’s an ingredient that manufacturers can put in their products. And there are some products out there that have it. I’m just, again, showing you the importance of bioavailability and the raw material that goes into these products in determining their clinical efficacy.” (Chris Kresser, 2023)

Vidafy – sold here at Sage Wellbeing uses this exact micellized form of curcumin called NovaSOL from Aquanova.

Before incorporating curcumin or any supplement into one's regimen, it is essential to seek the guidance of healthcare professionals.

"humans are accustomed to getting nutrients in a nature-like structure, through food, typically. So the closer you can make a supplement to the food-based form of a particular nutrient, the more bioavailable it will tend to be."

References

Aggarwal, B. B., & Harikumar, K. B. (2009). Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin, the anti-inflammatory agent, against neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases. The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 41(1), 40-59.

Aggarwal, B. B., Sundaram, C., Malani, N., & Ichikawa, H. (2007). Curcumin: The Indian solid gold. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 595, 1-75.

Arbiser, J. L., Klauber, N., Rohan, R., van Leeuwen, R., Huang, M. T., Fisher, C., ... & Flynn, E. (1998). Curcumin is an in vivo inhibitor of angiogenesis. Molecular Medicine, 4(6), 376-383.

Daily, J. W., Yang, M., & Park, S. (2016). Efficacy of turmeric extracts and curcumin for alleviating the symptoms of joint arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Journal of Medicinal Food, 19(8), 717-729

Goel, A., Kunnumakkara, A. B., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2008). Curcumin as “Curcumin”: from kitchen to clinic. Biochemical Pharmacology, 75(4), 787-809.

Holt, P. R., Katz, S., & Kirshoff, R. (2005). Curcumin therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot study. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 50(11), 2191-2193.

Kresser, Chris, M.S. (June 2023) RHR: My Top 3 Nutrients for Fighting Inflammation and Autoimmunity

Kulkarni, S., Dhir, A., & Akula, K. K. (2008). Potentials of curcumin as an antidepressant. The Scientific World Journal, 8, 25-35.

Menon, V. P., & Sudheer, A. R. (2007). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 595, 105-125.

Mimeault, M., Batra, S. K. (2013). Potential applications of curcumin and its novel synthetic analogs and nanotechnology-based formulations in cancer prevention and therapy. Chinese Medicine, 8(1), 13.

Mishra, S., & Palanivelu, K. (2008). The effect of curcumin (turmeric) on Alzheimer's disease: An overview. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 11(1), 13.

Ravindran, J., Prasad, S., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2009). Curcumin and cancer cells: How many ways can curry kill tumor cells selectively? The AAPS Journal, 11(3), 495-510.

Santos-Parker, J. R., Strahler, T. R., Bassett, C. J., Bispham, N. Z., Chonchol, M. B., & Seals, D. R. (2017). Curcumin supplementation improves vascular endothelial function in healthy middle-aged and older adults by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability and reducing oxidative stress. Aging Cell, 16(1), 180-190.

Singh, S., & Aggarwal, B. B. (1995). Activation of transcription factor NF-κB is suppressed by curcumin (diferuloylmethane). Journal of Biological Chemistry, 270(42), 24995-25000.

Surh, Y. J., Chun, K. S., Cha, H. H., Han, S. S., Keum, Y. S., Park, K. K., & Lee, S. S. (2001). Molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive activities of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals: down-regulation of COX-2 and iNOS through suppression of NF-κB activation. Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 480, 243-268.

Zhang, L., Fang, Y., Xu, Y., Lian, Y., Xie, N., Wu, T., ... & Jin, H. (2016). Curcumin improves amyloid β-peptide (1–42) induced spatial memory deficits through BDNF-ERK signaling pathway. PLoS One, 11(7), e0156547.