The first study, published in the Journal of Frailty & Aging, investigated the effects of 1,000 mg per day of C3 Complex on physical function and joint health, and found that the ingredient was associated with improvements in knee extension and flexion peak torque compared to placebo group.
The study included 17 men and women aged between 66 and 94 randomly assigned to receive either the C3 Complex supplement or placebo for 12 weeks.
“Preliminary findings warrant a Phase IIb clinical trial to test the effect of Curcumin C3 Complex on physical function and muscle strength in older adults at risk for mobility disability,” wrote researchers from the University of Florida.
The second study, led by scientists from Massey University in Australia, examined the impact of the ingredient plus chlorogenic acid formulated into a yoghurt.
Nineteen healthy postmenopausal women were recruited to participate in the randomized crossover study. The women were randomly assigned to consume 125 grams of the C3 yogurt or a placebo yogurt and then blood samples were assessed to elucidate if there was an impact of this acute dose on inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers.
The results showed that the C3 yogurt led to significant and immediate reductions in TNF-alpha levels (an inflammatory biomarker), compared to placebo. However, no effects were observed on the metabolic biomarkers.
“The functional yoghurt was shown to reduce TNF-alpha, an inflammatory cytokine targeted for inhibition by many pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals in various chronic inflammatory diseases,” wrote the researchers. “While the study highlighted potentially acute beneficial effects, the long-term effects of consuming the yoghurt are unknown.”
Commenting on both studies, Dr. Muhammed Majeed, the Founder and Chairman of Sabinsa Corporation, said: “The aging population needs supplements to help them stay healthy and socially active. It is gratifying to see benefits of C3 Complex identified by these studies showing it may specifically support the health of older people.”
Hot category
The studies add to the ever-growing body of evidence supporting the potential health benefits of turmeric and the curcuminoids it contains.
The category has enjoyed meteoric growth over the last decade. According to the 2021 Herb Market Report published by the American Botanical Council (HerbalGram 136), turmeric is the number two selling herb in the natural channel, with $38 million in sales. It is number five in the mass channel (MULO) with $111.7 million in sales.
Consumer awareness and understanding of the botanical’s potential benefits are now very high, with data from the ITC Insights 2020 Consumer Survey showing that 86% of supplement consumers are familiar with curcumin/turmeric.
Sources
Journal of Frailty & Aging
2023, Vol. 12, 143–149. Doi: 10.14283/jfa.2022.47
“Effects of Curcumin C3 Complex on Physical Function in Moderately Functioning Older Adults with Low-Grade Inflammation — A Pilot Trial”
Authors: R.T. Mankowski, et al.
Nutrients
2022, 14(21), 4619; Doi: 10.3390/nu14214619
“Bioactive Yoghurt Containing Curcumin and Chlorogenic Acid Reduces Inflammation in Postmenopausal Women”
Authors: N.A. Nasef et al.
