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Thorne scored our top pick as the best overall turmeric supplement on the market, thanks to its unique formulation and third-party testing. Read on for the 11 turmeric supplements that made our list.
Turmeric is an herb with a long history of use in the traditional Indian system of medicine called Ayurveda.
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.
However, not all of these supplements are created equal when it comes to safety and effectiveness.
Keep reading for our picks of the 11 best turmeric supplements.
General price ranges with dollar signs ($–$$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is considered rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher price range.
Generally, prices range from $0.27–$1 per recommended daily serving, or $8–$57 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop.
$ = under $0.35 per serving
$$ = $0.35–$0.75 per serving
$$$ = over $0.75 per serving
Note that the dosage recommendations range from 1 to 3 capsules or tablets one to five 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.
A note on piperine and BioPerine
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.
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:
adheres to allowable health claims and labeling requirements, per Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations
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.
Dose
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.
Complementary ingredients
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.
Useful supplement shopping guides
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 best to clear any new supplements with a healthcare professional before taking them.
Turmeric also has an antiplatelet effect and can slow blood clot formation.
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).
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 World Health Organization has stated that curcuminoid doses of 0–3 mg per kilogram (0–1.3 mg per pound) of body weight per day are acceptable.
How long does it take for turmeric pills to work?
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.
What turmeric supplement is best?
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.
Is it worth taking turmeric supplements instead of anti-inflammatories?
Several studies show that curcumin can significantly reduce inflammation and may be beneficial for many inflammatory conditions, including:
psoriasis
inflammatory bowel disease
arthritis
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.
Should turmeric supplements have black pepper?
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.
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 August 31, 2023
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Paultre K, et al. (2021). Therapeutic effects of turmeric or curcumin extract on pain and function for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review.
Schiborr C, et al. (2014). The oral bioavailability of curcumin from micronized powder and liquid micelles is significantly increased in healthy humans and differs between sexes.
Sharifi-Rad J, et al. (2020). Turmeric and its major compound curcumin on health: Bioactive effects and safety profiles for food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological and medicinal applications.
Tripathi AK, et al. (2022). Molecular and pharmacological aspects of piperine as a potential molecule for disease prevention and management: Evidence from clinical trials.
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
