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We chose Thorne as the best overall turmeric supplement, thanks to its unique formulation and third-party testing. See which other brands made our list.
Turmeric is an herb with a long history in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine.
The herb contains a class of compounds called curcuminoids, the most prevalent of which is curcumin. Curcumin may reduce pain from arthritis, help regulate blood sugar levels, and improve cholesterol levels, among other benefits.
While you can buy turmeric as a spice or spice blend to cook with, turmeric supplements provide a more concentrated dose of curcumin and other curcuminoids.
We have been evaluating turmeric supplements on the market since 2020 — researching the products for ingredient safety and effectiveness — and selected these reliable picks.
General price ranges with dollar signs ($–$$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is considered rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher price range.
Generally, prices range from $0.27–$3.92 per recommended daily serving, or $8–$55.98 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop. All but one supplement on our list cap at $1 per serving.
Note that the dosage recommendations range from 1–3 capsules or tablets 1–5 times daily.
So a product that you need to take fewer times per day may end up being comparatively cheaper, despite having a higher price per count than a product that you need to take several times a day.
You’ll see the terms “piperine” and “BioPerine” seemingly used interchangeably.
Piperine is a plant compound found in black pepper, which some supplements include for better absorption. BioPerine is a patented extract of piperine.
You can learn more by reading 5 emerging benefits of BioPerine and piperine supplements.
The body doesn’t absorb curcumin very well.
To boost your absorption of curcumin, Thorne uses a patented formulation of a compound called Meriva, which is standardized to contain 18%–22% total curcuminoids.
Meriva also contains lecithin, a type of fat found in foods like soybeans and eggs. As compared with other extracts, Meriva has been shown to produce 29 times better absorption of curcumin in humans.
Thorne Curcumin Phytosome Capsules contains 1000 milligrams (mg) of Meriva per 2-capsule serving.
These supplements are manufactured in CGMP-compliant facilities and undergo third-party testing. The company has also received an A1 rating from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration.
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Optum Store and Healthline are owned by RVO Health. Here’s our process.
Featuring 350 mg of turmeric per serving sourced from two types of turmeric extract, this supplement from Care/of is vegetarian, gluten-free, and GMO-free.
Care/of focuses on providing personalized vitamin packs using the results of an online quiz.
If Thorne Curcumin Phytosome is more than your budget allows, then Source Naturals Turmeric with Meriva is worth considering.
While it doesn’t go through as rigorous of a third-party testing process, this supplement contains 500 mg of turmeric extract per capsule in the form of Meriva for enhanced absorption — similar to the Thorne product.
Source Naturals adheres to current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) and claims to routinely test their raw materials to verify the purity and potency of each ingredient included in the supplements.
If you’re looking for a vegan, third-party tested supplement, then NOW Foods Curcumin Phytosome is worth considering.
This family-owned company undergoes rigorous third-party testing and has in-house testing facilities for all its products. This supplement contains 500 mg of turmeric extract per capsule in the form of Curcumin Phytosome (previously known as Meriva) for enhanced absorption — similar to the Thorne and Source Naturals products.
Except, it comes at a much lower price tag than Thorne, and unlike Source Naturals, is third-party tested.
Plus, it a great option for vegans.
Doctor’s Best High Absorption Curcumin Tablets is formulated for optimal absorption and provides a larger amount of curcumin than many other products on this list.
Specifically, the product contains 1,000 mg of curcumin extract and 6 mg of BioPerine per 2-capsule serving.
Doctor’s Best products are also tested by independent labs to help ensure safety and quality.
This Gaia Herbs product offers a concentrated liquid extract of turmeric.
According to the brand, curcumin is more easily digested and better absorbed by your body than powdered turmeric extracts. Some older research supports this.
Turmeric Supreme Extra Strength delivers 482 mg of turmeric extract that’s standardized to contain 36 mg of curcuminoids per capsule. It also contains 7 mg of black pepper to enhance absorption.
Gaia Herbs offers a traceability tool on their website that allows you to discover the origin of the herb and view validation of the product’s quality.
This company received the Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC)™ at the silver level, a certification that considers soil health, farmworker fairness, and animal welfare.
Liquid softgels are generally easier to swallow than standard capsules, and some people may prefer them.
These Sports Research turmeric softgels feature a patented extract of turmeric called Curcumin C3 Complex, which is standardized to contain 95% curcuminoids.
The product contains 500 mg of the extract and 5 mg of BioPerine per softgel.
The product also contains organic virgin coconut oil, which may further enhance the absorption of the curcuminoids.
What’s more, you can view the third-party testing results for each product using a search feature on the Sports Research website.
These Mango-flavored turmeric gummies from Nordic Naturals are made with Longvida Optimized Curcumin extract, a patented form of curcumin that is well absorbed by the body.
Each serving contains 200 mg of curcumin extract and is:
These turmeric gummies are also made without any added sugar or gelatin, making them a great option for vegans and vegetarians.
Moreover, all Nordic Naturals products are third-party tested, and a certificate of analysis (COA) is available for any supplement upon request.
Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:
Every brand and product on our list has been vetted to ensure that it aligns with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. Each product in this article:
Additional factors we considered included:
When shopping for a turmeric supplement, it’s important to consider:
The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements in the same way as pharmaceuticals, so it’s important to choose a supplement made by a reputable company.
Look for products that are manufactured in CGMP-compliant facilities and tested for purity and potency, ideally by a third-party organization such as:
Third-party testing goes beyond the basic requirements set forth by the FDA and helps increase product transparency to consumers, ensuring that the supplement contains what it claims to on the label.
The optimal dose of turmeric varies depending on the condition you wish to treat, so it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional to discuss an appropriate dose for you. In general, turmeric supplements contain 500 mg to 1,000 mg per serving.
Many supplement companies use patented ingredients intended to improve turmeric absorption.
For example, piperine, an alkaloid component of black pepper, is often included as an active ingredient in the form of BioPerine to help enhance the body’s ability to absorb turmeric.
Fat can also help with absorption, which is why you may see products that contain extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil.
Check out these two articles to help you make supplement shopping a breeze:
While turmeric is considered generally safe for healthy adults, some people should limit or avoid supplemental doses of turmeric.
It’s especially important to consult a healthcare professional before adding a turmeric supplement to avoid potential drug-herb interactions if you have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs).
This is because turmeric has an antiplatelet effect and can slow blood clot formation. This can potentially increase the risk of bleeding by increasing the effects of blood-thinning drugs.
Additionally, some side effects have reported with higher doses of turmeric, such as over 8 g. Some people may experience nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache and skin rashes. Turmeric supplements are not recommended during pregnancy.
It’s best to clear any new supplements with a healthcare professional before taking them, this is especially true if you are taking any medications. As well, if you choose to take turmeric supplements, keep it at a dose of under 2g per day, which is the typical amount found in studies.
Some effects of additional types of prescription drugs can be altered if you take curcumin, including:
While it’s likely safe for most people to take turmeric pills every day, there isn’t enough research to confirm the safety of long-term supplementation.
There’s no conclusive evidence on daily supplement use. But the the joint FAO/World Health Organization Committee has stated that curcuminoid doses of 0–3 mg per kilogram (0–1.3 mg per pound) of body weight per day are acceptable.
While it’s likely safe for most people to take turmeric pills every day, there isn’t enough research to confirm the safety of long-term supplementation.
There’s no conclusive evidence on daily supplement use. But the the joint FAO/World Health Organization Committee has stated that curcuminoid doses of 0–3 mg per kilogram (0–1.3 mg per pound) of body weight per day are acceptable.
Every body is different and may respond differently to supplementation. However, studies from 2020 and 2021 have shown beneficial effects after at least several weeks of regular use.
Still, more research is needed, as current evidence is limited and inconclusive.
Every body is different and may respond differently to supplementation. However, studies from 2020 and 2021 have shown beneficial effects after at least several weeks of regular use.
Still, more research is needed, as current evidence is limited and inconclusive.
Thorne Curcumin Phytosome Capsules is our pick as the best overall because it contains a formulation of turmeric that has been suggested to be significantly more effective than other forms.
It’s also third-party tested and manufactured by a company known for producing high quality supplements.
However, BioSchwartz Turmeric Curcumin Capsules is one of the best rated because it’s relatively affordable, is formulated with piperine for enhanced bioavailability, and can be divided into two or three doses throughout the day for optimal absorption.
Furthermore, the product is third-party tested and manufactured in a CGMP-compliant facility.
Thorne Curcumin Phytosome Capsules is our pick as the best overall because it contains a formulation of turmeric that has been suggested to be significantly more effective than other forms.
It’s also third-party tested and manufactured by a company known for producing high quality supplements.
However, BioSchwartz Turmeric Curcumin Capsules is one of the best rated because it’s relatively affordable, is formulated with piperine for enhanced bioavailability, and can be divided into two or three doses throughout the day for optimal absorption.
Furthermore, the product is third-party tested and manufactured in a CGMP-compliant facility.
Several studies show that curcumin can significantly reduce inflammation and may be beneficial for many inflammatory conditions, including:
It’s also naturally derived and associated with few adverse effects, compared with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs.
However, turmeric supplements shouldn’t be used in place of prescription medications or other treatments for medical conditions. It’s also important to talk with a doctor before adding turmeric supplements to your routine, especially if you’re taking other medications or have any underlying health conditions.
Several studies show that curcumin can significantly reduce inflammation and may be beneficial for many inflammatory conditions, including:
It’s also naturally derived and associated with few adverse effects, compared with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs.
However, turmeric supplements shouldn’t be used in place of prescription medications or other treatments for medical conditions. It’s also important to talk with a doctor before adding turmeric supplements to your routine, especially if you’re taking other medications or have any underlying health conditions.
Pairing turmeric with black pepper can significantly boost the absorption of curcumin, which is why both ingredients are often included in many turmeric supplements.
However, turmeric can also be beneficial on its own, and black pepper isn’t the only ingredient that can increase its absorption. In fact, because it’s fat-soluble, combining curcumin with high fat ingredients like olive oil or coconut oil can also be a good option to optimize absorption.
Pairing turmeric with black pepper can significantly boost the absorption of curcumin, which is why both ingredients are often included in many turmeric supplements.
However, turmeric can also be beneficial on its own, and black pepper isn’t the only ingredient that can increase its absorption. In fact, because it’s fat-soluble, combining curcumin with high fat ingredients like olive oil or coconut oil can also be a good option to optimize absorption.
Turmeric is an herb that contains beneficial compounds called curcuminoids, the most prevalent of which is curcumin.
The best turmeric supplements contain patented turmeric extract formulations and ingredients that increase the absorption of curcuminoids.
Just remember to talk with a healthcare professional before adding any new supplements to your wellness routine.
Last medically reviewed on March 26, 2024
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Trista Chan, MHSc RD, Gabbie Ricky, MS, RDN, CSO, LD
Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES
Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Gabbie Ricky, MS, RDN, CSO, LD
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