Description

Plant derived compounds and extracts have been used in traditional medicine since a very time. These plant derived compounds have pharmacological or biological activity (2).

Curcumin and its mono and di demethoxy derivatives are collectively called as curcuminoids. These biologically active compounds are derived from  Curcuma longa L. or turmeric. Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Chinese medicines has mentioned the beneficial effects of turmeric in various disorders and diseases. Its beneficial effects are proven by modern science as well. Curcumin has potent antioxidant & anti inflammatory properties (3).

Absorption and bioavailability

The bioavailability of curcumin is poor. Poor absorption from the gut and metabolism can be a reasons for poor bioavailability. The major portion of ingested curcumin remains unmetabolized and gets excreted via feces. Due to this reason, the curcumin at its full dosages fails to reach at the target site to exert beneficial effects. Some enhancers are administered with curcumin to increase its bioavailability but they also have certain limitations (3).

BCM-95® curcumin extract has enhanced bioavailability due to the synergism between the sesquiterpenoids present in turmeric and the curcuminoids. Results of the present pilot study carried out with this extract indicate that curcumin is absorbed early and retained longer from the BCM-95® composition compared to normal curcumin as well as from curcumin-lecithin-piperine (enhancers) combination. The results also suggest the role of non-curcuminoid components of turmeric (especially Ar-turmerone) in the increase in curcumin absorbability (3).

BCM95® standardized to a synergistic combination of curcuminoids & essential oils of turmeric which provides higher bioavailability of orally administered curcumin compared to other available turmeric extracts. 

Anti-inflammatory action

• Studies have demonstrated that curcumin switches off inflammation at a molecular level by acting on molecules like prostaglandins that trigger an inflammatory response. Curcumin achieves this by blocking cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme that is crucial for the synthesis of prostaglandins (4).
• This biochemical intervention also suppresses other molecules which mediate inflammation in the body like cytokines, interleukin-6, and histamine (4).
• Oxidative stress leads to chronic inflammation. The nuclear factor-κβ (NF-κβ) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) pathways play a crucial role in the inflammatory response. Curcumin can decrease TNFα production and the cell signalling mediated by TNFα due to which it can cownregulate the oxidative stress and inflammation (4)
• Curcumin also promotes the synthesis of Cortisol, a hormone that naturally reduces inflammation, and flushes out inflammation-causing toxins out of joints (4)
• The use of curcumin has been demonstrated to be particularly effective against inflammation arising from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, tendinitis, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (4).
• In a study, BCM 95 curcumin extract administered in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients has reported the beneficial effect of curcumin in alleviating RA symptoms (5).

Antioxidant activity 

• Curcumin has been shown to improve systemic markers of oxidative stress. It acts as a free radicals on its own, but also stimulates the body’s own antioxidant enzymes (4).

Brain health

• Curcumin can increase the levels of Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF), a type of growth hormone that functions in the brain (6)
• Decreased levels of BDNF have been associated with common brain disorders. The mechanism of curcumin may be effective in delaying or even reversing certain brain anomalies and improve memory and cognition (6). 
• Curcumin slows down signs of mental ageing, and lowers the risk of brain degeneration, cognitive decline, and neurodegenerative disorders (8).

Cholesterol management

• The oxidation of cholesterol increases the risk of heart diseases by damaging blood vessels in the heart and causing plaque formation.
• Studies have indicated that curcumin can prevent the accumulation of oxidized cholesterol in the body, thereby lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes (7).
• Curcumin's cardiac protection also extends to heart disease associated with atherosclerosis and diabetes (7).
• Studies have demonstrated the cholesterol-lowering function of curcumin. High LDL levels cause deposition and blockage in the walls of arteries. Curcumin signals proteins in the liver to actively flush out LDL out of the body- thus, lowering harmful LDL levels in the body (7).

The Unived difference

Unived uses BCM95® Turmeric Extract which contains 100% turmeric and contains only turmeric extracts with no other synthetic or natural bio-enhancers. s standardized to 95% curcuminoid complex containing curcuminoids and turmeric essential oil enriched to 45% ar-turmerone which is a natural active component of the turmeric rhizome with known health benefits. Its composition makes it the world’s most bioavailable turmeric extract, with free curcumin scientifically proven to be retained in the bloodstream even after 8 hours.

Evidence-Based or Bust

We use ingredients backed by significant body of research that is growing each day.

1. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin
   Menon, V. P., & Sudheer, A. R. (2007). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 595, 105–125.
2. Chapter 13Turmeric, the Golden Spice
   Prasad S, Aggarwal BB. Turmeric, the Golden Spice: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Medicine. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 13.
3. A Pilot Cross-Over Study to Evaluate Human Oral Bioavailability of BCM-95®CG (Biocurcumax™), A Novel Bioenhanced Preparation of Curcumin
   Antony, B., Merina, B., Iyer, V. S., Judy, N., Lennertz, K., & Joyal, S. (2008). A Pilot Cross-Over Study to Evaluate Human Oral Bioavailability of BCM-95CG (Biocurcumax), A Novel Bioenhanced Preparation of Curcumin. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 70(4), 445–449.
4. Curcumin and Health
   Pulido-Moran, M., Moreno-Fernandez, J., Ramirez-Tortosa, C., & Ramirez-Tortosa, M. (2016). Curcumin and health. Molecules, 21(3), 264.
5. A Randomized, Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis
   Chandran, B., & Goel, A. (2012). A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Phytotherapy research, 26(11), 1719-1725.
6. Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial
   Sanmukhani, J., Satodia, V., Trivedi, J., Patel, T., Tiwari, D., Panchal, B., Goel, A., & Tripathi, C. B. (2014). Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 28(4), 579–585.
7. The effect of curcumin on lipid level in patients with acute coronary syndrome
   Alwi, I., Santoso, T., Suyono, S., Sutrisna, B., Suyatna, F. D., Kresno, S. B., & Ernie, S. (2008). The effect of curcumin on lipid level in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Acta medica Indonesiana, 40(4), 201–210.
8. Investigation of the effects of solid lipid curcumin on cognition and mood in a healthy older population
   Cox, K. H., Pipingas, A., & Scholey, A. B. (2015). Investigation of the effects of solid lipid curcumin on cognition and mood in a healthy older population. Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England), 29(5), 642–651.