What is the difference between curcumin and turmeric?

Short Answer: Turmeric is the whole spice (Curcuma longa root) containing ~3% curcuminoids. Curcumin is the most active curcuminoid. Therapeutic effects require concentrated, bioavailability-enhanced curcumin extracts — dietary turmeric alone provides insufficient doses.

Evidence Level: strong

Detailed Answer

Turmeric powder contains three curcuminoids: curcumin (77%), demethoxycurcumin (17%), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (6%), totaling only ~3% of the root by weight. A teaspoon of turmeric provides ~200mg curcuminoids — far below therapeutic doses (500-2000mg enhanced curcumin). Standard curcumin has <1% oral bioavailability due to rapid glucuronidation, sulfation, and first-pass metabolism. Enhanced formulations dramatically improve absorption: Theracurmin (27x), Meriva phytosome (29x), BCM-95 (7x), and LongVida SLCP (65x for brain penetration). Piperine (from black pepper) increases curcumin bioavailability 2000% by inhibiting glucuronidation. For clinical conditions (cancer, Alzheimer's, inflammation), bioavailability-enhanced curcumin supplements at 500-2000mg/day are needed. Cooking with turmeric provides culinary benefits but not therapeutic doses.

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