My turmeric doesn’t work (anymore)?!

Turmeric – arguably the best-known root from Southeast Asia. Due to its diverse applications, it is increasingly used in cooking or taken as a capsule for its therapeutic effects. Numerous studies demonstrate the special health properties of turmeric, but the desired effect may not occur or may no longer be present.

The following reasons could be responsible for the lack of effectiveness of turmeric:

The habituation effect has set in

Have you been taking your turmeric capsules for some time? It's possible that after a longer period of use, your body no longer responds as strongly to the active ingredient as it did, for example, when you first started. In this situation, it would be advisable to take a one- to two-week break from taking the capsules. This will increase your body's response to the active ingredient again when you restart taking the capsules.

Your turmeric has low bioavailability

Depending on the treatment goal, the insufficient bioavailability of the turmeric capsules may be to blame for the lack of turmeric's effectiveness. In this case, it makes sense to look for supplements with increased bioavailability. Supplements containing pepper are very popular, as pepper can increase absorption. However, there are a few points to consider:

• Pepper only increases bioavailability by up to 20-fold. Much more effective methods now exist, such as micellar formulations (>184-fold) or a holistic formulation that rearranges turmeric's own plant compounds to increase absorption by up to 40-fold.
  
  
• Pepper, especially black pepper, which is used in very high doses in many capsules, can irritate the stomach lining and is not suitable for people with gastrointestinal problems. Such preparations are particularly discouraged if you already have to take a lot of tablets.
  
  
• Black pepper interacts with medications. Because black pepper is an enhancing drug, it can also alter the effects of certain medications. For example, asthmatics taking medication for breathing problems should not consume too much black pepper, as this could cause excessive accumulation of the active ingredient in the body.

How can you tell the quality of turmeric when buying it?

When purchasing your turmeric capsules, pay attention to the expiration date. An expired expiration date doesn't necessarily mean the product is no longer effective, but it could be an indication. Therefore, you should always only buy as many as you will take. The product can change over time; for example, the curcuminoids can lose bioactivity, reducing the effectiveness of the turmeric. Also pay attention to the storage instructions. Sunlight and heat can also negatively impact the product's effectiveness.

When is the best time to take turmeric?

The timing of intake can also influence the effectiveness of the capsules. Generally, you should follow the manufacturer's instructions. This also includes preferably taking them with water rather than other liquids. In particular, you should not consume alcohol or cow's milk with turmeric supplements, as these are highly inflammatory and can therefore produce an adverse effect.

Conclusion:

To fully utilize the beneficial properties of turmeric, there are a few things to keep in mind. This is especially true if you feel like the effects have waned or haven't fully kicked in. Try taking a break and checking whether your product has a sufficiently high bioavailability. Micellar turmeric supplements, for example, achieve very high levels. It's also important to adhere to the best-before date and the instructions in the package insert or on the packaging. With these simple methods, nothing should stand in the way of successfully incorporating turmeric into your treatment.