Oral Bioavailability of Curcumin From Micronized Powder and Liquid Micelles in Healthy Young Women and Men

Novel Strategies for the Enhancement of the Potency of Nutraceuticals With Low Oral Bioavailability and Their Application in Novel Functional Foods for Optimum Protection of the Aging Brain

Background: The oral bioavailability of curcumin is low due to its limited intestinal uptake, rapid metabolism and excretion from the body. Considering its potent reported health-beneficial properties, researchers have tried to increase its bioavailability as a means to enhance its biological activities.

Objective: The aim of the project was to develop novel curcumin formulations with enhanced oral bioavailability and to study the safety of the formulations and potential sex-differences in humans.

Design: In this single-blind crossover study with three arms separated by ≥1-week washout periods, healthy subjects (13 women, 10 men) were provided standardized meals and took, in random order, a single oral dose of 500 mg curcumin as native powder, micronized powder, or liquid micelles. Blood and urine samples were collected in intervals for 24 h and total curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bis-demethoxycurcumin were quantified.

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy volunteers with routine blood chemistry values within the normal ranges

Exclusion Criteria:

• overweight (BMI >30 kg/m2)
• metabolic and endocrine diseases
• pregnancy
• lactation
• drug abuse
• use of dietary supplements or any form of medication (with the exception of oral contraceptives)
• smoking
• frequent alcohol consumption (>20 g ethanol/d)
• adherence to a restrictive dietary regimen
• physical activity of more than 5 h/wk
• participation in a clinical trial within the past 3 months prior to recruitment
• known intolerance against curcuma