Doctors Best Curcumin Phytosome, Bioavailable Curcumin, Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Vegan 180 Veggie Caps

I like that Meriva Curcumin Phytosomes ingredients are made by the original patented creator, Idena pharmaceuticals spa. of Italy. They're the raw material used in the Dr.Best branded product that's encapsulated by its sibling Vit- Best Nutrition, they have good credentials, they are a USP certified, cGMP compliant contract manufacturer who is also FDA registered and has an ultra modern ultra high capacity manufacturing plant located in Tustin,California. I'm concerned that they're now both owned by Xiamen Kingdomway, a Chinese conglomerate of raw material manufacturing who has now vertically expanded.I purchased this Doctors Best version, that uses the same patented Ideana Meriva ingredients as Healthy Origins Curcumin Phytosome, as a substitute when they were unavailable. I couldn't tell the difference, they're interchangeable.I have been using 1,000mg. of Meriva Curcumin Phytosome complex for 5 plus years for for joint pain and stiffness and have experienced no side effects. If I forget to take it, I experience increasing pain and stiffness as soon as my curcuminoid levels drop. The 'with and without' comparisons I have personally experienced, have highlighted the effectiveness that it provides for me addressing my osteoarthritis symptoms. I take no other pain medications, which has led me to conclude, the Meriva Curcumin Phytosome products from Doctor's Best or from Healthy Origins both benefit me equally !I have confidence in the Ideana formula because, there is growing documented research emerging demonstrating additional health support to eye and cardiovascular health from taking 2-500 mg. capsules =1,000 mg. gross Meriva Curcumin Phytosome complex daily. That dosage contains 18-22% net curcuminoids, delivering a net of 180mg. to 220 mg. of Curcuminoids.The balance of the content is PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE SF (SUNFLOWER FAT) which is the Phytosome adjuvant that effectively improves the curcuminoids absorption by 29X ( a 2,900% increase) through the intestine and into the bloodstream. That's an impressive gain in bioavailability !My research showed that "Phytosome™ is a functional solid dispersion, and allows natural compounds to efficiently interact with the gut ecosystem in terms of absorption and microbiota interactivity." I have also read that," Meriva optimizes bioabsorption without relying on pharmacological adjuvants or structural modification of the ingredients, maintaining tolerability and safety over time."CURCUMIN ADJUVANT variant comparison:I personally believe Meriva PHYTOSOMES are the superior ajuvent compared to the EQUALLY effective black pepper derived BIOPERINE type formula's. Why? Because black pepper can be an IRRITANT to the digestive tract. Curcumin has been shown to be SOOTHING to the digestive tract, that's what I've experienced, so using BioPerine is COUNTERINTUITIVE and may be problematic for some users. It's primarily used because it's MORE PROFITABLE to the manufacturer, and not because it's BETTER for me.

2021 update:I went in to see my eye doctor today. I have NO DIABETIC RETINOPATHY! NONE! My retinas are now clear and everything is healthy.I have diabetes, and I was having trouble with my eyes because of it. When I went in for an eye exam in mid 2016 they showed the damage that was starting and what the spots were in my vision (not horrible, but annoying and scary). Since then I had been worried about it and while following the right diet I still had them. Then one day when I was looking up something called berberine for blood sugar someone mentioned curcumin and that they took it together, so I looked that up too. Berberine did nothing for me... but curcumin... I've been taking it for about 8 months now and I've SEEN the changes in my vision. Literally, the spots have almost gone away.Fast forward to now, I went in for an eye exam today, a little over a year later from the first one and the eye doctor showed me last years scans compared to this year. He was expecting the damage to be worse or the same - most of it was GONE. He told me to keep doing what I was doing because it was working and it should clear up. That was music to my ears and a true testament to this product.I also chose Doctor's Best because they put the Meriva with it and I like their 5HTP blend which helped/helps when I get anxious.5 starsI would recommend this to anyone to try to help save your eyes from diabetic damage done to them. Yes, I eat the right way because no one wants to go blind from diabetes, but I will continue to take this until my eyes are good and my diabetes under control. (I'm not on any medication for it either).

We take this and open the capsules to sprinkle on our dog's food and it's a great supplement. I've purchased it no less than 25 times. The label looks a bit cheap, but it's an excellent, well priced product.