Home Ingredients CurcuZen® (95% Curcuminoid Turmeric Extract — Bioactives American)
Anti-InflammatoryJoint HealthAntioxidant

CurcuZen® (95% Curcuminoid Turmeric Extract — Bioactives American)

Curcuma longa
Evidence Level
Limited
2 Clinical Trials
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

CurcuZen® is a turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract from Bioactives American containing 95% curcuminoids, the yellow compounds that include curcumin. The maker describes no absorption-enhancing technology, and no published trial of CurcuZen itself was found, so the evidence here comes from studies of curcumin and turmeric in general. A pooled review of 66 randomized trials found curcumin or turmeric lowered blood markers of inflammation such as CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6 and improved markers of antioxidant status. A separate review of knee osteoarthritis trials found curcuminoids eased pain and improved function compared with placebo, though most trials were small and of low quality. Plain curcumin is poorly absorbed, and the pooled trials used many different products, so results may not carry over to a standard 95% extract.

Studied Dose No CurcuZen dose has been tested in a published trial. Curcumin and turmeric trials in the pooled reviews varied widely in dose and product.
Active Compound Turmeric (Curcuma longa) root extract standardized to 95% curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin).

Benefits

Lower CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6 inflammation markers in curcumin trials

A pooled review of 66 randomized trials in adults found curcumin or turmeric lowered CRP by about 0.58 mg/L, TNF-alpha by about 3.5 pg/mL and IL-6 by about 1.3 pg/mL compared with control; IL-1 beta did not change. The trials used many different products and doses, and none tested CurcuZen.

Supported by Trial 1

Knee joint comfort in curcuminoid trials

A pooled review of randomized knee osteoarthritis trials found curcuminoid products relieved pain and improved function more than placebo, with no difference in side effects. The reviewers rated study quality as low and most trials had fewer than 100 people. None used CurcuZen.

Supported by Trial 2

Antioxidant status in curcumin trials

In the same 66-trial review, curcumin or turmeric raised total antioxidant capacity and the antioxidant enzyme SOD and lowered MDA, a marker of fat oxidation, compared with control. These are blood markers, and none of the trials used CurcuZen.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Inflammation signaling

Curcumin shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in lab studies. In people, pooled trials show lower CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6 and better antioxidant markers, which fits this lab picture.

2

Poor absorption of plain curcumin

Curcumin is poorly absorbed, quickly broken down and quickly cleared, so blood levels stay low after plain extracts. Approaches such as piperine, phospholipid complexes and nanoparticles were developed to raise absorption. The maker does not describe any of these in CurcuZen.

Clinical trials

1
Curcumin and Turmeric: Inflammation and Antioxidant Markers
PubMed

GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of curcumin or turmeric in adults. (Dehzad et al. 2023, Cytokine)

66 randomized controlled trials in adults.

Curcumin or turmeric lowered CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and MDA and raised total antioxidant capacity and SOD; IL-1 beta did not change significantly. Products and doses varied, and none was CurcuZen.

2
Curcuminoids and Boswellia for Knee Osteoarthritis: Pooled Review
PubMed

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing curcuminoid or boswellia products with placebo or NSAIDs in knee osteoarthritis. (Bannuru et al. 2018, Semin Arthritis Rheum)

11 randomized trials with 1,009 participants.

Curcuminoids improved pain and function more than placebo, with no difference in safety outcomes. Study quality was low overall, most trials had fewer than 100 people, and the authors made no firm clinical recommendation.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Standard (not absorption-enhanced) oral turmeric or curcumin is likely safe in recommended amounts for up to 2 or 3 months, according to NIH NCCIH.
Possible side effects include nausea, acid reflux, stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation.
Liver injury has been reported in some people taking turmeric products, especially highly absorbable forms; stop and see a doctor if you notice dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes, or unusual tiredness.
Turmeric supplements may be unsafe in pregnancy, and safety while breastfeeding is not well known.

Important Drug interactions

If you take any prescription medicine, talk with your doctor before using turmeric products, since some herbs and medicines interact.
Blood thinners and diabetes medicines: ask your doctor or pharmacist before combining, as interactions have not been tested with CurcuZen.

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Frequently asked questions about CurcuZen® (95% Curcuminoid Turmeric Extract — Bioactives American)

What is CurcuZen?

CurcuZen® is a turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract from Bioactives American containing 95% curcuminoids, the yellow compounds that include curcumin. The maker describes no absorption-enhancing technology, and no published trial of CurcuZen itself was found, so the evidence here comes from studies of curcumin and turmeric…

What is CurcuZen used for?

CurcuZen is researched primarily for Anti-Inflammatory, Joint Health, and Antioxidant. A pooled review of 66 randomized trials in adults found curcumin or turmeric lowered CRP by about 0.58 mg/L, TNF-alpha by about 3.5 pg/mL and IL-6 by about 1.3 pg/mL compared with control; IL-1 beta did not change.

What is the recommended dosage of CurcuZen?

No CurcuZen dose has been tested in a published trial. Curcumin and turmeric trials in the pooled reviews varied widely in dose and product. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is CurcuZen safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for CurcuZen include: Standard (not absorption-enhanced) oral turmeric or curcumin is likely safe in recommended amounts for up to 2 or 3 months, according to NIH nccih. Possible side effects include nausea, acid reflux, stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation. It may also interact with some medications. CurcuZen is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does CurcuZen interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: If you take any prescription medicine, talk with your doctor before using turmeric products, since some herbs and medicines interact. Blood thinners and diabetes medicines: ask your doctor or pharmacist before combining, as interactions have not been tested with CurcuZen. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for CurcuZen?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for CurcuZen as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 study summaries and 5 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(5 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Dehzad MJ, Ghalandari H, Nouri M, Askarpour M Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation in adults: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Cytokine. 2023;164:156144. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156144.PubMedUsed to support: Across 66 randomized trials, curcumin or turmeric lowered CRP (about 0.58 mg/L), TNF-alpha (about 3.48 pg/mL) and IL-6 (about 1.31 pg/mL) and improved total antioxidant capacity, MDA and SOD; IL-1 beta did not change. Class evidence, not CurcuZen.
  2. Bannuru RR, Osani MC, Al-Eid F, Wang C Efficacy of curcumin and Boswellia for knee osteoarthritis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2018;48(3):416-429. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2018.03.001.PubMedUsed to support: Across 11 randomized trials (1,009 people), curcuminoids improved knee pain and function more than placebo with similar safety, and overall study quality was low. Class evidence, not CurcuZen.
  3. Anand P, Kunnumakkara AB, Newman RA, Aggarwal BB Bioavailability of curcumin: problems and promises. Mol Pharm. 2007;4(6):807-18. doi: 10.1021/mp700113r.PubMedUsed to support: Review: curcumin is poorly bioavailable because of poor absorption, rapid metabolism and rapid elimination; piperine, liposomes, nanoparticles and phospholipid complexes have been used to raise absorption.
  4. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Turmeric NCCIH, National Institutes of Health. 2025;Fact sheet, last updated April 2025; accessed October 2026..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed. NIH fact sheet: standard oral turmeric or curcumin is likely safe for up to 2 or 3 months; side effects include nausea, reflux, stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation; liver injury has been reported, especially with highly bioavailable forms; turmeric supplements may be unsafe in pregnancy.
  5. SupplySide Journal Bioactives American Introduces Proprietary Natural Curcumin at SupplySide West SupplySide Journal. 2016;News item, October 5, 2016; accessed October 2026..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed. Launch announcement stating that CurcuZen, from Bioactives American, contains 95% curcuminoids from turmeric. Used only for the product specification and maker.