Importance of Bioavailability

Why is "bioavailability" such a big issue when using Turmeric?

Turmeric bioavailability is a key factor that’s almost always ignored when consuming this popular spice for its health benefits. When people eat large amounts of Turmeric, very little of it (in the 1% range) ends up being absorbed into their bloodstream and thus has very little therapeutic effect. This is why simply adding Turmeric to your diet will probably result in marginal benefit at best.

Curcumin and other curcuminoids (key which are chemical compounds in turmeric) that are ingested get metabolized before they can get absorbed thus limiting their availability to produce biological affect. Hence we often he the term 'low bioavailabiity' used in conjunction with Turmeric and one of the main reasons an herb with such efficacy is not officially recognized as a 'therapeutic agent'. In short, the liver does a very good job at removing Curcumin from the bloodstream.

What strategies can be used to overcome low bioavailability of Turmeric ?

Using whole Turmeric powder, even of the highest quality, will encounter low bioavailability as a constraint to reaping its health benefits.

Much research has focused on this topic to fully understand some known methods to 'supercharge' the absorption of Turmeric. Highlighted and summarized below are several techniques supported by extensive research that can dramatically magnify the 'bio-availability' of Turmeric.

Black Pepper: Adding a quarter teaspoon of Black Pepper to a teaspoon of Turmeric has been shown to increase the absorption of Turmeric into the blood stream by 2000% ! Studies have demonstrated that even 1/20'th of a teaspoon can have a dramatic effect on the bioavailability of Turmeric. It is believed that the Piperine compound which makes up approximately 5% of Black Pepper inhibits certain intestinal digestive enzymes. 

Yes - Tom & Jerry's Chocolate Tumeries includes a 1/4 teaspoon of Balck pepper in every bite.

Healthy Fats: Turmeric needs to be combined with a fat in order for your body to fully absorb it and experience its amazing health benefits.

When eaten with healthy fats, such as coconut oil, curcumin can be directly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lymphatic system thereby in part bypassing the liver.

This is very important because less curcumin is exposed to metabolic enzymes and remains in a free form allowing it to stay in the body longer. 

Yes - Tom & Jerry's Chocolate Tumeries includes a healthy amount of coconut oil in every bite! 

Quercetin: Curcumin can be taken as a mixture of curcumin and quercetin. Quercetin is flavonoid and is found in many plants and foods such as apple, red grapes, onion, citrus fruit etc.

Quercetin inhibits the sulfotransferase enzyme that inactivates curcumin.

Yes - Tom & Jerry's Chocolate Tumeries includs a healthy amount of Quercetin in every bite! 

Takeaway: Tom & Jerry's Chocolate Tumeries incorporate optimal amounts of Black Pepper, Quercetin and Coconut oil to provide you with a formulated solution designed to supercharge the health benefits you get from Turmeric and maximize its ability to help you combat Alzheimer's, Arthritis and Cancer.