09/09/2016
Dear Fortifood customer,
We are pleased to announce our new product “Bio Turmeric BCM-95”.
The vast array of health benefits conferred by the curry spice turmeric is widely known. Curcumin is the bioactive ingredient of turmeric. Scientific researchers around the world are investigating applications of turmeric that include fighting cancer, arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and reversing the pathological processes underlying Alzheimer’s disease, among other conditions.
However, curcumin is known to have poor bioavailability, requiring high doses to achieve desired blood levels. Fortunately a curcumin absorption system was developed a few years ago that delivers almost seven times more bioactive curcumin to the blood than normal curcumin extracts. Known as BCM-95, this formulation dramatically increases the efficacy of curcumin. After the Life Extension Foundation (LEF) in the US became aware of remarkable results in rats, they ran an objective comparison trial on human volunteers in order to verify the earlier findings in rats. The results basically mirrored the results in the first study, and BCM-95 provided better and longer bioavailability than was ever thought possible (www.lifeextension.com/Magazine/2007/10/report_curcumin).
Although turmeric and curcumin are thought to be synonymous, there is more to turmeric than curcumin. In fact, the curcumin-free fractions of turmeric have many medicinal benefits on their own. BCM-95 is still a “whole” product, i.e. the curcumin-free fractions are retained.
Curcumin’s benefits are so diverse that they affect virtually every organ system in the body. It has demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities in addition to cardiovascular protection and protection against neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. It shows promise as a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis, and may protect against cataracts as well as reverse some of the damage associated with high blood sugar levels that characterize diabetes. Turmeric has been shown to relieve dyspeptic symptoms (indigestion).
Curcumin has also been shown to possess specific anti tumour activity. Cancer prevention and treatment has emerged as one of the most avidly researched aspects of curcumin’s potential benefits. It is interesting to note that epidemiological studies show the incidence of prostate cancer among men in India to be among the lowest in the world. One recent study estimated the prostate cancer incidence rate between 5 and 10 per 100 000 / year in India, while the corresponding rate for westerners in the US is 110 per 100 000 / year - more than ten times higher. Is there perhaps a link to the fact that Indian men’s consistent intake of turmeric , in the form of curry, is among the highest in the world?
While research is continuing, we feel that the benefits already shown makes turmeric a worthy candidate to consider for regular supplementation, especially if you have a higher than average risk for diseases where turmeric may be beneficial.
The Fortifood team
Curcumin has long been known to have poor bioavailability, requiring high doses to achieve desired blood levels. A novel curcumin absorption system has been developed that delivers up to seven times more pharmacologically bioactive curcumin to the blood compared with commercial curcumin products.
