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Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical produced by plants of the Curcuma longa species. It is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric (Curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is sold as an herbal supplement, cosmetics ingredient, food flavoring, and food coloring.

Chemically, curcumin is a diarylheptanoid, belonging to the group of compounds called curcuminoids, which includes demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. It is obtained by solvent extraction of turmeric and then purified to various extents. Despite its use in cooking for several thousand years, curcumin's potential for medical applications has only been recognized in the latter part of the 20th century.

Health Effects

Research into the potential health benefits of curcumin is ongoing. It has been studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties. However, there is no conclusive clinical evidence to support these claims. The efficacy of curcumin is limited by its poor bioavailability, which can be somewhat improved by combining it with other agents such as piperine, found in black pepper.

Bioavailability

Curcumin's low bioavailability is attributed to its rapid metabolism in the liver and intestinal wall, as well as its poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Various formulations have been developed to increase its bioavailability, including nanoparticles, liposomes, and phospholipid complexes.

Uses

Food and Cosmetics

Curcumin is used widely as a food additive for its color and is approved for use in the European Union (E100), the United States (as a food coloring), and other countries. It has no known toxic effects in humans when consumed in typical amounts, though it can cause skin allergies when used in cosmetic products for some individuals.

Supplements

As a dietary supplement, curcumin is claimed to offer a variety of health benefits, including reducing inflammation and preventing cancer. However, these claims lack sufficient clinical evidence and, as such, should be approached with caution.

Research

There is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic uses of curcumin, including the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and arthritis. However, much of this research is preliminary, and there is no consensus on its effectiveness for these conditions.

Safety and Regulation

While generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used as a food additive, the safety of long-term or high-dose use of curcumin supplements is not well established. Potential adverse effects include gastrointestinal issues and interactions with other drugs.

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