Ingredients derived from turmeric have long been plagued by poor absorption profiles. Adding piperine, a proven bioavailability enhancer, to the mix is one approach. Other ingredient developers have brought ingredients to market that feature nanoparticle and liposomal encapsulation approaches to deal with the issue.
OmniActive uses an approach it brands as Ultrasol, which in a 2014 research paper validating its effectiveness characterized it as “a formulation of curcumin with a combination of hydrophilic carrier, cellulosic derivatives and natural antioxidants.”
Bioavailability comparisons
The original Curcuwin formulation was found to be absorbed 46 times better than a standard curcumin extract which is often used as a research benchmark for these kinds of claims.
With improvements to the process the company is now claiming a 144-fold increase for its Curcuwin Ultra +.
“This product aims at disrupting how brands formulate with curcumin in an era where consumers are constantly looking at convenient solutions that can deliver more for less,” said Isabel Lucas, OmniActive’s product launch director.
The company, which is based in Mumbai, India, says commercial quantities of the new ingredient will be available in the first half of 2022.