Colorado Botanicals will always be your one-stop shop for clean, potent, effective, and well-priced CBD extracts, but our team is always happy to expand its horizons. That’s why we’re proud to announce our partnership with an industry leader in formulation and biotech.
Introducing Curcugen – a patented curcumin extract that outclasses its competitors by leaps and bounds.
With all the supplements out there, odds are you may not have heard of Curcugen or curcumin. Consider this your introduction to the product – and why you should be as excited as we are.
Curcumin vs. Curcugen
Curcugen is an enhanced curcumin extract optimized for therapeutic benefits, bioavailability, and more. If you’re familiar with curcumin, you’ll feel at home with Curcugen.
But if you’ve never heard of curcumin, then odds are you’ll need us to bring you up to speed. Let’s take a bit of a curcumin crash course (try to say that five times fast).
What is Curcumin?
According to a 2015 publication in the academic journal Karger, Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is one of several compounds known as “curcuminoids.” These substances are in turmeric, which we extract from the Curcuma longa plant.
Evidence suggests that curcumin has several potential medical applications and is sometimes used as a food additive.
But like many natural remedies, curcumin’s history dates back to 3,000 B.C.E. as part of traditional Chinese therapy. It’s also integral in ayurvedic medicine, an ancient Indian wellness approach based on a specific diet and lifestyle.
Considering turmeric’s role as a spice and food additive, odds are you’ve consumed it – and curcumin – at some point in your life.
However, a growing body of research and anecdotal evidence suggests that Chinese and Indian healers discovered a hidden homeopathic gem. Today, a lot of people take curcumin for nutritional and therapeutic purposes.
Fortunately, a good dose of curcumin doesn’t require you to put turmeric on everything. The product is available as a supplement in health food stores.
What is Curcugen?
In short, Curcugen is “Curcumin 2.0.” The types of benefits are reportedly similar to regular curcumin supplements. However, this brand-name product is designed and formulated to be more effective than any generic curcumin supplement on the market.
But what is Curcugen and is it worth a try? Let’s get into those questions – and more – next.
What Did Studies Find on Curcugen?
Since Curcugen is newer than standard curcumin by about 5,000 years, research into the product is promising.
For example, a January 2021 research published in BMC examined Curcugen’s effects on gut health. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study recruited 79 subjects with “self-reported digestive complaints.”
The control group received 500 mg of Curcugen, while the other took a placebo. Participants self-reported any improvements after the eight-week trial.
Overall, the Curcugen group said they saw an improvement in the Gastrointestinal System Rating Scale (GSRS) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21).
An earlier double-blind, placebo-controlled trial from 2020 was published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition. The researchers tested a theory that Curcugen could help with recovery, range-of-motion (ROM), pain, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
Although the outcome was primarily positive, the Curcugen group saw no performance changes compared to the placebo.
However, Curcugen users reported better knee ROM, along with pain relief and reduced inflammation. Researchers also believe Curcugen could have anti-oxidant effects – just like its generic relative, curcumin.
Another study is under development to test Curcugen’s alleged analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Scientists are currently gathering information and participants for the trial, whose publication date is yet to be determined.
What are the Benefits of Curcugen?
Again, Curcugen is a brand-name product with the same potential therapeutic benefits as standard curcumin. The main difference – and best selling point – is its proprietary formula.
But how do Curcugen’s ingredients measure up to regular curcumin or other supplements? To better understand the similarities and differences, let’s look at two key areas:
- Possible benefits of Curcugen
- Curcugen compared to other similar products
Benefits of Curcugen
Research is still ongoing, but eary studies (like the ones above) point to a few possible benefits.
Pain Relief
The Journal of Sports Nutrition trial mentioned above examined several exercise-related musculoskeletal effects of Curcugen. Researchers hoped the supplement could help relieve or prevent soreness during exercise and recovery.
One benchmark was the pressure-to-pain threshold (PPT), which uses gradually increasing pressure to test pain sensitivity in areas like muscles and joints.
The subjects reported a notable increase in PPT among Curcumen users vs. the placebo group.
Anti-Inflammatory
Thanks again to the 2020 exercise study above, researchers have reason to believe in Curcugen’s reported anti-inflammatory effects.
Along with PPT, the researchers also looked at high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in the blood. Based on their findings, researachers noticed a difference in hsCRP levels for the Curcugen and placebo groups.
Specifically, small, short-term fluctuations in hsCRP indicated a possible anti-inflammatory effect.
The upcoming study on Curcugen and osteoarthritis may also shed some light on inflammation.
Immune Strength
Immune system support is a something anyone appreciates – especially during a pandemic. As luck would have it, the BMC study we examined briefly addresses this.
According to the authors, existing literature shows curcumin (from which Curcugen is based) reduces the strength of induced immune responses in rodents.
Overall Health
Although there’s nothing conclusive, data so far suggests Curcugen could add tremendous value to a full wellness routine.
Curcugen, however, is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. It’s there as potential boost, but it’s not a magic bullet. Feel free to add the product to your supplement diet, but make sure you commit to a balanced, positive lifestyle.
How is Curcugen Different than Turmeric Oleoresin?
Curcugen and turmeric oleoresin are similar in many respects. However, Curcugen is designed to enhance the benefits of oleoresin.
The manufacturer’s Self-D technology helps retain curcuminoids and essential oils. Turmeric oleoresin, on the other hand, has less of those compounds.
Natural resins in turmeric oleoresin also pose problems for water solubility, making them less bioavailable compared to Curcugen’s dissolvable formula.
How is Curcugen Different than Standard Turmeric People Purchase?
In short, Curcugen is a specially-formulated supplement made from a turmeric extract called curcumin. Standard turmeric can be a supplement, but it’s also a classic ingredient in many exotic recipes.
How Much More Bioavailable is Curcugen vs. Unformulated Curcumin?
Thanks to Curcugen’s advanced formula, their product is an astound 39 times more bioavailable than unformulated curcumin. This difference means you can do more, with less.
Is Curcugen Safe?
So far, there’s no evidence to indicate that Curcugen isn’t safe. A 2016 experiment published in Toxicology Reports found that large doses of curcumin extract didn’t lead to toxic reactions in rats.
Curcugen also undergoes chemical testing and meets OECD safety standards.
Sources
Ayurveda. (2019, December 20). HealthLink BC. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/aa116840spec
Gopi, S., Jacob, J., & Mathur, K. Y. (2016a). Acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies of hydrogenated curcuminoid formulation ‘CuroWhite’ in rats. Toxicology Reports, 3, 817–825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2016.10.007
Gopi, S., Jacob, J., & Mathur, K. Y. (2016b). Acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies of hydrogenated curcuminoid formulation ‘CuroWhite’ in rats. Toxicology Reports, 3, 817–825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2016.10.007
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) Test | Michigan Medicine. (2020, August 21). University of Michigan Health. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/abq4481
Lopresti, A. L., Smith, S. J., Rea, A., & Michel, S. (2021). Efficacy of a curcumin extract (CurcugenTM) on gastrointestinal symptoms and intestinal microbiota in adults with self-reported digestive complaints: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03220-6
Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT). (2020, September 8). APTA. Retrieved October 22, 2021, https://www.apta.org/patient-care/evidence-based-practice-resources/test-measures/pain-pressure-threshold-ppt
Proceedings of the Seventeenth International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Conference and Expo. (2020). Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 17(S2). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00382-5
Yang, W., Fu, J., Yu, M., Wang, D., Rong, Y., Yao, P., Nüssler, A. K., Yan, H., & Liu, L. (2015). Effects of Three Kinds of Curcuminoids on Anti-Oxidative System and Membrane Deformation of Human Peripheral Blood Erythrocytes in High Glucose Levels. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, 35(2), 789–802. https://doi.org/10.1159/000369738
