Turmericking Back the Clock

Rhizomes of Turmeric, a plant of the ginger family, produce the spice of the same name. Turmeric was used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Turmeric contains Curcumin, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It's now thought, by herbal enthusiasts, that Curcumin could help in the fight against osteoarthritis (painful swelling of the joints) and some other diseases (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/may/22/does-turmerics-reputation-translate-into-real-health-benefits). It's believed that the global Curcumin market, could reach more than $190m by 2028. The problem, however, has been Curcumin's bioavailability. To get this 'drug' into the blood, individuals would have to comsume at least 1000mg per day. Consequently, it's almost impossible to get enough Curcumin into the body's circulation by oral supplementation. A number of people are exploring ways of improving Curcumin's bioavailability. There is a suggestion that an ingredient from black pepper can be added to help. Others, are exploring nanoparticle systems of the type being developed to deliver anti-cancer agents. The problem has been funding reliable research, as Curcumin (a natural product) cannot be patented.