The Fast Facts
- Turmeric contains a group of compounds called curcuminoids, the main one being curcumin.
- Research suggests curcumin may offer potential health benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved cholesterol levels.
- We selected Thorne as the best overall turmeric supplement for its potent formulation, rigorous third-party testing, and strong customer satisfaction.
You may love turmeric as a spice or spice blend to cook with, but if you want to accelerate its benefits in a supplement, we’ve narrowed your choices with medical vetting as a priority.
You might already know turmeric contains a class of compounds called curcuminoids, the most prevalent of which is curcumin, which may reduce pain from arthritis, help regulate blood sugar levels, and improve cholesterol levels, among other benefits. You’ll see both terms used throughout our roundup.
Note that the dosage recommendations range from 1 to 3 capsules or tablets, 1 to 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 per 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.
You can learn more by reading 5 emerging benefits of BioPerine and piperine supplements.
Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare. They are all third-party tested:
• 1,000 mg Meriva
• 1,000 mg Meriva
• 500 mg curcumin extract
• 200 mg curcumin extract
• 500 mg to 2,000 mg Meriva
• 1,000 mg curcumin extract
• 553 mg turmeric extract, 100 mg curcuminoids
• black pepper extract
• probiotic blend
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the brands on this page, we considered all the vitamin brands that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further.
Every brand and product on our list has been vetted to ensure they align 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
- is manufactured in facilities that adhere to
CGMPs established by the FDA - is produced by a medically credible company that follows ethical, legal, and industry best standards
- is made by a company that provides objective measures of trust, such as having its supplements validated by third-party labs
Additional factors we considered included:
- Effectiveness: We prioritized turmeric supplements that are formulated for better absorption.
- Ingredients: We looked for supplements free of unnecessary ingredients such as fillers, artificial sweeteners, and colors.
- Dietitian recommended: All the products listed below were handpicked by a registered dietitian.
- Price: We included products to suit a range of budgets.
When shopping for a turmeric supplement, it’s important to consider:
Brand reputation and quality testing
The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements the same way it regulates pharmaceuticals, so it’s important to choose a supplement from a reputable company.
Look for products manufactured in CGMP-compliant facilities and tested for purity and potency, ideally by a third-party organization such as NSF International, the U.S. Pharmacopeia, or Underwriters Laboratories.
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 turmeric dose depends on the condition you wish to treat, so it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional to determine an appropriate dose for you. In general, a turmeric supplement may contain 500 mg to 1,000 mg per serving.
Complementary ingredients
Many supplement companies use patented ingredients intended to
For example, piperine, an alkaloid component of black pepper, is often included as the active ingredient in BioPerine to help enhance the body’s ability to absorb turmeric.
Fat
Type of supplement
There are many different forms of turmeric supplements to choose from, including capsules, tablets, gummies, and liquids.
Some people may prefer the ease and convenience of capsules and tablets. Meanwhile, gummies or liquids might be a better option if you have difficulty swallowing medications.
Be sure to consider which form you prefer when looking for the best turmeric supplement to fit your needs.
Useful supplement shopping guides
Check out these two articles to help you make supplement shopping a breeze:
While turmeric is generally considered safe for healthy adults, some people should limit or avoid supplemental doses.
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 been reported with higher doses of turmeric, such as
It’s best to discuss any new supplements with a healthcare professional before taking them. This is especially true if you are taking any medications. Also, if you choose to take a turmeric supplement, keep the dosage under 2 g per day, which is the typical amount reported in studies.
Some effects of additional types of prescription drugs
- cardiovascular medications (like warfarin)
- antibiotics
- antidepressant agents (like sertraline)
- chemotherapeutic drugs
- antihistamines
- diabetic medications
- antacids
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 set time frame for when turmeric supplements are expected to “work,” as it depends on factors such as dosage, formulation, the condition being addressed, and the person’s overall health.
For example, a 2025 review suggests that at least 8 weeks of consistent curcumin use, ideally combined with exercise, can help improve blood fat levels. Alternatively, a 2023 review indicates that taking 250 to 1500 mg curcumin a day over 8 to 12 weeks may reduce clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Still, more research is needed, as current evidence is limited and inconclusive.
Thorne Curcumin Phytosome Capsules is our pick for the best overall because it contains a turmeric formulation shown 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.
Research shows that curcumin can significantly reduce inflammation. It’s also naturally derived and associated with fewer adverse effects than over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs.
However, the evidence is still emerging, and turmeric’s effects may be milder and less consistent than conventional medications.
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 curcumin absorption, which is why both ingredients are often included in 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.
Generally speaking, turmeric supplements that include curcumin, or just curcumin alone, have been studied more for their anti-inflammatory effects. There’s less research showing that turmeric by itself is effective for inflammation.
Curcumin is the inflammation-fighting compound within turmeric, the spice, but both work effectively against inflammation.
You can read more in our article Turmeric vs Curcumin: Which Should You Take?
While turmeric itself is generally safe, some combinations may cause issues. For example, some studies suggest that turmeric may reduce iron absorption, which might be a concern if you take iron supplements.
You should always talk with a doctor or pharmacist before combining vitamins or supplements, especially if you take medication or have health conditions.
Turmeric is an herb that contains beneficial compounds called curcuminoids, the most prevalent of which is curcumin.
These compounds may reduce inflammation, help regulate blood sugar levels, and improve cholesterol levels, among other health benefits.
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.