We chose Thorne as the best overall turmeric supplement thanks to its unique formulation and third-party testing. See which other brands made our list.

You may love turmeric as a spice or spice blend to cook with, but if you’re looking for medicinal purposes, a turmeric supplement provides a more concentrated dose of the compound curcumin and other curcuminoids.

Turmeric and other herbs have a long history in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine.

We have been evaluating turmeric supplements on the market since 2020 — researching the products for ingredient safety and effectiveness — and selected these reliable picks.

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.

You might already know turmeric contains a class of compounds called curcuminoids, the most prevalent of which is curcumin. Curcumin may reduceTrusted Source pain from arthritis, help regulate blood sugar levels, and improve cholesterol levels, among other benefits. You’ll see both terms used throughout our roundup.

Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:

Product
Price
Dosage and potency
Additional active ingredients
Third-party tested
$32
• 2 capsules daily
• 1,000 mg Meriva
yes
$10.49
• 1 capsule 1 to 2 times daily
• 500 mg Meriva
no
$33.99
• 1 capsules 1 to 4 times daily
• 500 mg to 2,000 mg Meriva
yes
$78.99
• 2 capsules daily
• 1,000 mg curcumin extract
black pepper extract
yes
$51.99
• 1 capsule 1 to 2 times daily
• 482 mg turmeric extract, 36 mg curcuminoids
black pepper extract
no
$20.97
• 1 softgel 1 to 3 times daily
• 500 mg curcumin extract, 5 mg BioPerine 
black pepper extract
yes
$25.46
• 2 gummies daily
• 200 mg curcumin extract
yes
$32.99
• 1 tablet per day
• 553 mg turmeric extract, 100 mg curcuminoids
• fermented ginger root
• black pepper extract
• probiotic blend
yes
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How we evaluate vitamins, minerals, and supplements

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 that it aligns 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 CGMPsTrusted Source 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 that are free of unnecessary ingredients like fillers and 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 in the same way as pharmaceuticals, so it’s important to choose a supplement made by a reputable company.

Look for products that are manufactured in CGMP-compliant facilities and tested for purity and potency, ideally by a third-party organization such as NSF International, U.S. Pharmacopeia, and 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 dose of turmeric varies depending on the condition you wish to treat, so it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional to discuss 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 improveTrusted Source turmeric absorption.

For example, piperine, an alkaloid component of black pepper, is often included as an active ingredient in the form of BioPerine to help enhanceTrusted Source the body’s ability to absorb turmeric.

Fat can also helpTrusted Source with absorption, which is why you may see products that contain extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil.

Type of supplement

There are many different turmeric supplement forms 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 considered generally safe for healthy adults, some people should limit or avoid supplemental doses of turmeric.

It’s especially important to consult a healthcare professional before adding a turmeric supplement to avoidTrusted Source 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 reported with higher doses of turmeric, such as over 8 grams (g)Trusted Source. Some people may experience nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and skin rashesTrusted Source. Turmeric supplements are not recommended during pregnancy.

It’s best to clear any new supplements with a healthcare professional before taking them, this is especially true if you are taking any medications. As well, if you choose to take a turmeric supplement, keep it at a dosage of under 2 g per day, which is the typical amount found in studies.

Some effects of additional types of prescription drugs can be alteredTrusted Source if you take curcumin, including:

  • 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 conclusive evidence on daily supplement use. But the the joint FAO/World Health Organization Committee has stated that curcuminoid doses of 0 mg to 3 mg per kilogram (0 mg to 1.3 mg per pound) of body weight per day are acceptable.

Every body is different and may respond differently to supplementation. However, studies from 2020 and 2021 have shown beneficial effects after at least several weeks of regular use.

Still, more research is needed, as current evidence is limited and inconclusive.

Thorne Curcumin Phytosome Capsules is our pick as the best overall because it contains a formulation of turmeric that has been suggested 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.

However, BioSchwartz Turmeric Curcumin Capsules is one of the best rated because it’s relatively affordable, is formulated with piperine for enhanced bioavailability, and can be divided into two or three doses throughout the day for optimal absorption.

Furthermore, the product is third-party tested and manufactured in a CGMP-compliant facility.

Several studies show that curcumin can significantly reduce inflammation and may be beneficial for many inflammatory conditions, including:

  • psoriasis
  • inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • arthritis

It’s also naturally derived and associated with few adverse effects, compared with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs.

However, 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 the absorption of curcumin, which is why both ingredients are often included in many 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.

The short answer is that generally speaking, a turmeric supplement with curcumin, or curcumin on its own are the most studied to fight inflammation. (i.e., Not as much research on turmeric by itself being most 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?

Turmeric is an herb that contains beneficial compounds called curcuminoids, the most prevalent of which is curcumin.

These compounds mayTrusted Source:

  • reduce inflammation
  • help regulate blood sugar levels
  • improve cholesterol levels

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.

Tabanelli R, et al. (2021). Improving curcumin bioavailability: current strategies and future perspectives. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8540263/Trusted Source