Many studies in the literature are focusing their research on the effects that Nutraceutical can have on the performance of the professional and amateur sportsman, in particular, on accident prevention and recovery times from these.

There is already plenty of scientific evidence to show how many of these natural substances with interesting bioactive effects can over time be effective in reducing inflammatory and/or oxidative stress, circumstances that may adversely affect the performance and recovery of an athlete. In addition, the benefits of these natural substances with remarkable bioactive effects can find important applications in other therapeutic fields on the well-being in general or in prevention.

Among these elements, stands out the now-famous curcumin, the main bioactive component of the Indian spice "turmeric", on which we have at our disposal a considerable amount of clinical studies carried out in recent years, of which many also very recent, which confirm its remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (much higher than those of vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene for example)but to which are added several other interesting potential applications such as cardiovascular, intestinal, and recently we have arrived at the neurocognitive and neuroprotective aspect, without forgetting research in the field of anticancerogenic.

The use of curcumin as a nutraceutical high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant is useful both as an approach to "acute" inflammation in place and to modulation of the inflammatory process, where the particular scope of the effective application appears to be the osteoarticular field and inflammatory problems attached, due to advancing age, pathologies, traumatic events or related to the world of physical exercise. In this regard, the world of sports performance is an optimal example of the scope for the effective use of curcumin for anti-inflammatory purposes and antioxidants.

We also know that the muscle damage, and the relative inflammation that follows, if not well restored, can not only affect the performance of muscle performance and strength but encourage a higher risk of trauma or chronic other previous situations. Intense physical activity generates a strong increase in oxidative stress and an inflammatory state that can also be very acute depending on the type of intensity and duration of the effort and, in such circumstances, curcumin can perform its task with excellent results, modulating the inflammatory situation and allowing even the most "mature" athletes a greater possibility of a range of movement with less pain or discomfort.

Curcumin, one of nature’s most precious substances

This powerful anti-inflammatory action at the osteoarticular (and muscular) level, acting on some of the most important cellular signals regulating the inflammatory cascade, can block the transcription factor NF-kB and therefore the production of molecules that amplify inflammatory processes (proinflammatory cytokines) such as TNF and various interleukins. By strongly attacking the NF-K2 factor, TNF-<UNK> transcription of TNF-α and converting arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory prostaglandins is reduced, "translating" into catalytic activity of lip cycloxygenase.

All this complex and articulated mechanism of action make curcumin the most studied natural anti-inflammatory substance in the world. Note that its mechanisms are similar (but not identical) to those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are commonly prescribed for inflammatory osteoarticular states for example, but they often have common unwanted gastrointestinal effects. NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which plays an important role in the formation of prostaglandins involved in the inflammatory process, and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) is, inter alia, involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins necessary for the protection of the gastric wall.

Curcumin modulates inflammatory processes with multi-target action on various routes of the inflammatory cascade, without causing any particular side effects and we can consider it a nutraceutical for "excellence", supported by research that strengthens scientifically, compared to many other substances that do not have such deepening and less confirmed bases.

It’s fascinating how the molecular basis of these anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of curcumin are linked to the stimulation of transcriptional factors, growth factors and signal molecules that inhibit the scavenging of superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxidase and nitric oxide by activated macrophages, thus reducing the iron complex and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Yes, this bioactive component of spice famous for its colour and distinctive flavour, intervenes so.

The panacea of many evils? There are no miraculous molecules, but the fact is that curcumin today is one of the best and confirmed natural approaches to inflammatory states capable of modulating oxidative stress such as that related to physical exercise, to increase the antioxidant capacities and to influence powerfully and directly the activity of the mediators of the inflammation correlated to the muscular damage that is generated with the physical exercise, fight chronic inflammatory states allowing not only performance but also ability to move, favouring a greater "ROM" (range of motion) or to intervene in a faster recovery after the injury.

The spontaneous question that follows the statements just made is in asking if "enough" the only turmeric is taken as a spice orally (increasingly common also in our tables "Western") to benefit from the health benefits. Indeed, turmeric alone has little bioavailability, and the amount of bioactive elements that can potentially reach the bloodstream is too small.

For this reason, a very wide market of supplements has been developed, where it is equally necessary to know how to evaluate products of real effectiveness and safety on the origin, preferring those with attached quality control certifications, to take safe products, as well as effective.

But the limits of turmeric in terms of bioavailability also concerns the supplements based on turmeric and, in this regard, we find the addition of "piperine", a system used to improve its bioavailability with good effectiveness - has however an important limit because it can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa in sensitive individuals and, to take into account, interacts with the pharmacokinetics of numerous drugs -.

In recent times, however, the most modern technology has been able to develop several biotechnological solutions that greatly improve the absorption profile, and therefore the bioavailable yield, in favour of effectiveness, tolerability and safety.

Among these we find:

  • curcumin in nanoparticles;
    • cyclodextrin-conjugated curcumin;
    • curcumin extracted from essential oils;
    • liposomal curcumin;
    • Soluble or micellar turmeric, obtained by treating curcumin with a solubilizer (polysorbate).

Turmeric has been used as a spice in large quantities for hundreds of years without detecting any particular adverse reactions, where the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) classified it as a substance "GRAS" (General Recognition And Safety), or "Generally Recognized Safe".
Pregnant women, people with hemorrhagic disorders, gallstones, or when used with medications (see anticoagulants) as they may interfere with their metabolism (increasing or decreasing its effects), should consult their specialist doctor.

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