*The following is an excerpt taken from a white paper written by Dr. Guilliams: Unlocking the Efficacy of Turmeric Root: Could the Absorption of Curcumin be the Wrong Key? Download the full white paper here. 

 

For historical reasons, the therapeutic potential of turmeric has been disproportionally focused on curcuminoids, which make up only around 5% of the total weight of turmeric root. 

However, clinical trials have shown that preparations of whole turmeric or turmeric preparations not designed to concentrate curcuminoids have shown some clinical benefit. These include trials demonstrating biological activities of turmeric when used alone or as an adjuvant therapy in the management and treatment of inflammatory diseases1, rheumatoid arthritis2, osteoarthritis3,4, autoimmune disorders like lupus nephritis5, cancer6-8, diabetes9,10, irritable bowel syndrome11,12, mutagens13 and fibrosis.14

In an in vitro antiproliferation study, whole turmeric preparation had stronger growth-inhibitory effects compared to concentrated curcumin alone (both delivered the same level of curcumin) in various cancer cell lines.15 Another study reported that a turmeric oil-rich extract was more effective than curcumin in inhibiting prostaglandin E2; whereas it had no effect in inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), like curcumin did.16 These studies highlight the importance of the multi-component therapeutic potency of turmeric; showing that its therapeutic efficacy may be attributed to non-curcuminoid compounds, as well as the synergy between these compounds and curcuminoids. 

In fact, while most researchers have been focusing on the promise of increased curcumin bioavailability, many others have been finding therapeutic activities attributed to many of the non-curcuminoid compounds in turmeric, especially related to anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer outcomes.17,18 These include compounds such as turmerin19-22, turmerones23-25, elemene26,27, furanodiene28, curdione29-31, bisacurone32, cyclocurcumin33-35, calebin A36-38, and germacrone.39-41

Preliminary clinical studies even suggest that curcumin-free extracts can reduce markers of pain and inflammation, actions which are usually assumed to require curcumin.42

 

Webinar presented by Thomas G. Guilliams, PhD

 

 

 

Thomas G. Guilliams, PhD (Tom) earned his doctorate in molecular immunology from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. For the past two decades, he has spent his time investigating the mechanisms and actions of lifestyle and nutrient-based therapies, and is an expert in the therapeutic uses of dietary supplements. Tom serves as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy and was the VP of Science for Ortho Molecular Products for 24 years (he now serves them as a consultant). Since 2014 he has been writing a series of teaching manuals (Road Maps) that outline and evaluate the evidence for the principles and protocols that are fundamental to the functional and integrative medical community.  He is the founder and director of the Point Institute, an independent research and publishing organization that facilitates the distribution of his many publications. A frequent guest-speaker, Dr. Guilliams provides training to a variety of health care disciplines in the use of lifestyle and natural medicines. He lives in the woods outside of Stevens Point, Wisconsin with his wife and children.

 

 

 

References
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