Turmeric Curcumin Gold

General Questions about Turmeric

What is turmeric?

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a low-growing rhizome in the same family as ginger (Zingiberaceae) that is often characterized by its bold, golden-yellow color. Turmeric is native to southeastern Asia where it has been highly prized as both a culinary spice and as medicine for thousands of years. Turmeric contains a polyphenol called curcumin that is one of the most studied phyto-nutrients available today.

What health benefits does turmeric provide?

Turmeric and its bioactive compounds, curcuminoids, have been shown in clinical studies to support joint, liver, colon, skin, brain, eye, and metabolic health*.

What is the difference between turmeric and curcumin?

The words turmeric and curcumin are often used interchangeably but they are not the same thing. Turmeric refers to the whole root, or rhizome, of the Curcuma longa plant. Curcumin, on the other hand, is a specific bioactive compound found in turmeric that is considered to be responsible for many of turmeric’s health benefits.

Do turmeric supplements provide any benefits beyond what turmeric in foods provide?

Turmeric powder is predominantly used in Indian cooking because it is a versatile spice that not only adds flavor and color, but also provides a whole host of health benefits. When consumed daily as part of a healthy diet, turmeric powder may provide many of the same benefits as the turmeric extracts found in supplements. However, given that the vast majority of foods in the American diet do not include turmeric, the only option to enjoy the diverse health benefits that turmeric root has to offer is to take turmeric supplements that provide a consistent dose of curcuminoids, which are the bioactive compounds in turmeric root that are responsible for its bright yellow color and health benefits. 

What are some factors to consider when choosing a turmeric supplement?

Depending on your reason(s) for supplementing with turmeric and your personal preferences, it may be helpful to consider one or more of the following factors when making a purchasing decision—

• Does the product contain just turmeric whole powder or an extract standardized to provide a consistent and guaranteed amount of curcuminoids in each serving?
• Is the turmeric extract clinically-proven to provide intended benefits? 
• Is the recommended dosage supported by science and sufficient to provide intended benefits? 
• What is the amount or percentage of curcuminoids per serving of the product? 
• Is the product independently verified to meet identity, potency & purity standards?
• What assurance, if any, is available that what’s on the product label is, in fact, in the bottle?
• Is the project Non-GMO Project Verified?
• Does the product contain any chemical additives or preservatives? 

Can turmeric supplements be taken with OTC or prescription medications?

If you are taking or planning to take an OTC or prescription medication or planning a medical procedure, please consult a licensed pharmacist or your healthcare provider before beginning supplementation to minimize risk of side effects associated with potential supplement-drug interactions.

Still have questions?

• For general information about turmeric, check out the resources below—
• HerbalGram - Turmeric Profile. 2009; 84:1-3.
• Turmeric — HerbMedPro™ Record
• Curcumin — Linus Pauling Institute
• Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health
• For specific guidance on the suitability of turmeric to support your particular health goals, please talk to your healthcare provider.

Questions about Turmeric Curcumin Gold

Why is Turmeric Curcumin Gold formulated using Curcumin C3 Complex® turmeric extract? 

Given below is a summary of the key reasons why Turmeric Curcumin Gold is formulated using the Curcumin C3 Complex turmeric root extract:

• Curcumin C3 Complex® is the most clinically researched Curcumin extract currently available and has been and continues to be used in the vast majority of clinical studies at various, prestigious research and medical universities here in the US and abroad; absolutely no other Turmeric extract has been studied as extensively by third-party institutions at a pre-clinical and clinical level.
• Curcumin C3 Complex® is standardized to 95% curcuminoids with the 3 curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bis-demethoxycurcumin) in a patented ratio shown in clinical studies to deliver therapeutic benefits.
• Curcumin C3 Complex® has been awarded GRAS ("Generally Recognized as Safe") status by the US FDA  after a comprehensive review of safety and toxicology data by an independent panel of scientists with international repute. In fact, Curcumin C3 Complex® is the ONLY curcumin in the market that has been reviewed and acknowledged by the USFDA for its GRAS status.
• Curcumin C3 Complex® is NSF certified to meet potency and specification compliance, which means you can always be sure that you are getting the exact extract that has been and continues to be used in clinical investigations.
• Sabinsa, the company that manufactures the Curcumin C3 ingredient, supported the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) Convention in preparing the monographs on Curcuminoids and turmeric and in developing their validated analytical methods. Sabinsa also supplied reference standards for the individual Curcuminoids to the USP.
• Curcumin C3 Complex® is an award-winning ingredient that has a documented history of safe and effective use.

More information on the Curcumin C3 ingredient is available for review at:  www.curcuminoids.com 

What is the best time of day to take Turmeric Curcumin Gold?

Turmeric is less soluble in water and more soluble in fat. In light of this, it is suggested to take the product with food (that includes some fat) to enhance absorption. However, as a matter of principle and in the interest of your health and safety, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what use, if any, is best for your individual needs.

Why does Turmeric Curcumin Gold include black pepper extract (BioPerine®)?

Curcumin has traditionally suffered from poor bioavailability in humans and finding ways to improve its bioavailability and, thereby, its efficacy, is a common point of distinction among different brands of turmeric. Turmeric Curcumin Gold features BioPerine®, a patented extract of black pepper fruit that has been clinically shown to boost the bioavailability of the curcuminoids from turmeric. 

More than twenty clinical studies offer support on the benefits of combining curcuminoids with BioPerine® black pepper extract for enhanced bioavailability. BioPerine® is self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) based on a comprehensive review of safety and toxicology data by an independent panel of scientists with international repute.

Does Turmeric Curcumin Gold contain oxalate?

Oxalate is a naturally occurring compound found in a wide variety of plant-based foods including beans, berries, and leafy greens. While we have not performed any independent assays of the oxalate content in our product, the Curcumin C3® turmeric extract used in our product has been evaluated for oxalate content by Sabinsa, the ingredient manufacturer and results show that the ingredient contains about 0.025% oxalate content. This converts to approximately 0.5 mg of oxalates per 3-capsule serving of our Turmeric Curcumin Gold product. This amount is substantially lower than the 50 mg per day of oxalate intake limit recommended by nutritionists for people susceptible or at high risk for kidney stone formation. As a matter of principle, we ask that you discuss any concerns you may have regarding turmeric and/or oxalate content with your healthcare provider prior to supplementation.

Can I take a higher dosage of Turmeric Curcumin Gold than what is suggested on the label?

Because we are not licensed medical professionals and individual needs can vary, we regret that we cannot recommend a dosage beyond what is suggested on the product label. It may be important to note that the dosing range provided in the suggested use on the label (500 mg to 1500 mg per day) is based on amounts used in clinical investigations featuring the Curcumin C3® ingredient. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what dosage, if any, is best for your individual needs.

Is Turmeric Curcumin Gold made with organic turmeric?

The turmeric extract featured in Turmeric Curcumin Gold, Curcumin C3 Complex®, is not certified organic. However, every lot of Turmeric Curcumin Gold is tested by independent laboratories for residual pesticides and residual chemical solvent residues for compliance limits established by the United States Pharmacopoeia. 

Is the solvent 1,2-Dichloroethane used to extract the turmeric?

The solvent EDC (1,2-Dichloroethane) is never used in extraction and is not present in the finished product.

How does NutriGold ensure the purity of the ingredients used in its Turmeric Curcumin Gold product?

At NutriGold, our first priority is consumer safety, which is why we verify that raw materials used in our products as well as the finished products themselves meet industry-defining quality and purity standards. Depending on the complexity of the testing involved, including determining what needs to be tested, what methods are fit-for-purpose, and which lab is most qualified to perform the testing, we sometimes have results from as many as 4 or 5 different independent, ISO-certified labs for each product. We take these results from third-party labs and summarize them in lot-specific Certificates of Analysis that are  freely available in the spirit of authentic transparency on the product pages on our website so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.

What assurance can you provide that the amount of  turmeric (Curcumin C3) listed on the label is actually in the product?

All of our products are verified by independent third-party labs to meet identity, purity, and potency label claims. We take these results from third-party labs and summarize them in lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (C of A) that are  freely available in the spirit of authentic transparency on the product pages on our website so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. The C of A provides assurance that the claims made on the label accurately reflect the contents of the product inside the bottle. If interested, more information on our our commitment to independent, third party quality testing can be found at this link - https://nutrigold.com/pages/accountability  

Why does Turmeric Curcumin Gold contain rice concentrate?

At NutriGold, we are philosophically opposed to the use of chemical additives and synthetic preservatives in our products, which is why we avoid magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and other commonly-used additives derived from GM ingredients like corn starch, corn maltodextrin, and soy lecithin. The rice concentrate is a plant-derived alternative to chemical additives and is and added to the product to ensure finished product quality and integrity. 

Can I break apart the capsule and add the contents to liquid/food to consume?

All of our products are formulated to be taken as capsules and our purity and potency claims are based on the product being taken as recommended. We generally do not recommend breaking apart the capsules because it can introduce contaminants or otherwise compromise product potency and effectiveness.

Is Turmeric Curcumin Gold suitable for children (under 18 years of age)?

Turmeric Curcumin Gold is formulated for individuals over 18 years. Because children are considered a vulnerable population, we regret we cannot make any recommendations regarding the use of our products by or for children under the age of 18. We ask that you talk to your pediatrician or family practitioner about whether or not Turmeric Curcumin Gold is suitable and safe for your child’s particular healthcare needs prior to supplementation.

Questions about capsule shell

What is in the capsules used by NutriGold to encapsulate its products?

Depending on the formulation, NutriGold products are encapsulated using cellulose, pullulan, organic pullulan, or soft gel capsules. Information regarding the composition of the capsule shell is provided in the “Informed Purchasing Decision Checklist” and is accurate to the best of our knowledge based on information available in the public domain as well as supply-chain documentation provided by the capsule and soft gel manufacturers/vendors.

Are any processing aids used in the production of the empty vegetarian capsule?

Yes. Minor amounts (~ 3%) of processing aids are used in the production of the empty vegetarian (cellulose) capsule shell. The processing aids used in the manufacturing of the capsule shell have been identified as proprietary by the capsule manufacturer and protected by intellectual property and confidentiality agreements between the capsule manufacturer/vendor and NutriGold. As such, we are legally bound to maintain this information strictly confidential and regret that we cannot provide this information to consumers. We can, however, assure you that the processing aids are non-toxic, generally recognized as safe (GRAS), compliant with both the United States Pharmacopoeia and European Pharmacopoeia, and do not pose an allergen risk.  

Are the processing aids used in the production of the empty capsule shells present in the finished product?

Processing aids that are used in the production of the capsule shell may be present in the finished empty capsule shell. We regret we cannot provide precise information on the type of processing aid(s) or the approximate residual amount of the processing aid(s) in the finished capsule shell because it would require us to divulge information proprietary to the capsule manufacturer. We can, however, assure you that the processing aids used in the production of the empty capsule shell are non-toxic, generally recognized as safe (GRAS), compliant with both the United States Pharmacopoeia and European Pharmacopoeia, and do not pose an allergen risk.

I am concerned about a possible allergy to the processing aid(s) used in the production of the capsule shells. How can I find out what processing aids are used so I can determine whether the product is safe for me to take?

Although we make every effort to provide as much information as we can about the ingredients in our products to help consumers make educated purchasing decisions, there may be times when we cannot provide the requested information or clarification because it is proprietary to the manufacturer, as in the case of the processing aids. Disclosing protected information to unauthorized individuals, within and outside our organization, is not just unethical, but also unlawful. If you are concerned about a potential allergy to the processing aid(s) that may have been used in the production of the capsule shell, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider prior to making a purchasing decision. 

Why does NutriGold® sometimes use soft gelatin capsules to encapsulate its products?

At NutriGold®, we are committed to offering sustainable products using non-GMO, organic, and/or vegan ingredients, and this includes the capsule shell we use to encapsulate those ingredients. In fact, many of our products are certified vegan by Vegan Action®, helping provide unbiased assurance that the product (and the ingredients it contains) comply with both dietary and ethical vegan standards. However, there are some ingredients (e.g. fish oil, ubiquinol, astaxanthin) that are more sensitive to oxygen and can, consequently, oxidize or degrade. For ingredients like these, bovine gelatin soft gelatin capsule shells offer better protection and help ensure finished product integrity until the end of the shelf-life of the product. That being said, we are hopeful that growing consumer awareness of and demand for vegan options will continue to drive innovation in dietary supplement delivery systems and we are committed to replacing the gelatin soft gels in our products with a clean-label, vegan capsule shell that offers the same protection from the elements as the gelatin capsule when such an option becomes available.

Questions about the ‘Best By’ date and ‘Consume by’ recommendation

What does the “Best by” date printed on the bottom of the bottle mean?

The “Best By” date printed on the bottle is the date until which a product will meet label claims as long as the product is sealed or, once opened, stored and handled as recommended on the product label.

Is the product safe to take after the “Best by” date printed on the bottle?

As long as the product is stored and handled under conditions that will not cause it to become contaminated, the product should be safe to take past the “Best By” date printed on the bottom of the bottle. However, we do not guarantee that the product will meet stated label claims past the “Best By” date printed on the bottle.

Why does the product I purchased have a recommendation on the label to consume the product within a certain number of days after opening the bottle?

The “consume by” recommendation is included on products that are formulated using ingredients that are sensitive to environmental factors (e.g. heat, light, humidity). Although exposure to these environmental factors does not adversely impact or compromise product safety, it can degrade the potency of these eco-sensitive ingredients and, consequently, make the product less effective. So, to ensure that you get the most out of products that are made using eco-sensitive ingredients, please consume the product within the timeframe recommended on the label.

What is the difference between the “Best by” date and the “Consume by” recommendation on your products?

The “Best By” date printed on the bottle is the date until which a product will meet label claims as long as the product is sealed or, once opened, stored and handled as recommended on the product label.

The “Consume by” recommendation is included only on products that are formulated using ingredients that are sensitive to environmental factors (e.g. heat, light, humidity). Although exposure to these environmental factors does not adversely impact or compromise product safety, it can degrade the potency of these eco-sensitive ingredients and, consequently, make the product less effective. So, to ensure that you get the most out of products that are made using eco-sensitive ingredients, it is important to consume the product within the timeframe recommended on the label.

If the product I purchased contains ingredients that can degrade once the bottle is opened, how can I be confident that I am still getting the declared amounts of the nutrients on the label?

To ensure that our products provide the nutrients in the amounts declared on the label, we intentionally include higher amounts of eco-sensitive ingredients than what is declared on the label to compensate for degradation that may occur once the bottle is opened. The amount of an ingredient that is added above what is declared on the label is referred to as an intentional “overage” and it is added for the precise purpose of compensating for possible potency degradation during routine product storage and handling. That being said, we would like to assure you that we take great care to ensure that the amount of the overage does not exceed established tolerable upper limits and there is no risk of toxicity when the product is taken as directed.

Because there are practical and regulatory considerations on how much of an overage we can include in our different formulations, the most effective option we have available to ensure that consumers get the most out of our products is to provide the “consume by” guidance on products that contain eco-sensitive ingredients. You can be confident that you are getting the declared amounts of the nutrients as long as you store and consume the product within the recommended time frame.

Why do you recommend consuming the product within a certain number of days after opening the bottle even though the “Best by” date is months (or years) away?

NutriGold products are made with natural ingredients and without chemical preservatives. While the vast majority of ingredients we use in our products are stable and remain potent even after the product is opened, there are some ingredients that are particularly sensitive to environmental factors and must be handled with care from source to shelf, and beyond.

If the product you purchased includes a recommendation to finish the product within a prescribed time, it is important that you follow this guidance (unless it conflicts with instructions from your healthcare provider), so you can enjoy the health benefits that can only be realized when the product is taken consistently as recommended.

Will the product still provide benefits past the “consume by” recommendation on the bottle?

If the product you purchased includes a recommendation to finish the product within a prescribed time, it is important that you follow this guidance so you can enjoy the health benefits that can only be realized when the product is taken consistently as recommended. Although not consuming the product within the recommended time frame once the bottle is opened will not cause the product to “spoil” or become “unsafe,” the potency of some of the more eco-sensitive ingredients may start to degrade and this can diminish the product’s potential to support your health goals.

What is the best way to store NutriGold products?

NutriGold products are made with natural ingredients and without the use of any chemical stabilizers or preservatives. So, the best way to store them is in their original container away from direct sunlight and humidity. It is not recommended to empty the capsules or soft gels from their original container and store them in pill boxes or plastic bags because it could not only cause some of the more eco-sensitive ingredients to lose potency, but may also increase the risk of cross-contamination with other products or environmental pathogens.

Follow these simple guidelines to get the most out of NutriGold supplements —