Source Naturals Meriva Turmeric Complex 500 mg Review
Turmeric with Meriva® from Source Naturals is listed under Bone & Joint Health and presented as a 500 mg Meriva® Turmeric Complex. The page explains that curcumin from turmeric supports the healthy inflammatory response through an array of complex biochemical mechanisms. Because curcumin is difficult to absorb, this product uses a specialized extract combined with phosphatidylcholine to help generate greater curcumin bioavailability than common turmeric extracts. The page describes turmeric as the golden spice of India, renowned for its health benefits for centuries, and says many scientists and health enthusiasts now view turmeric as one of the most important herbs for human health. It states that the beneficial curcuminoids in turmeric extracts are not easily absorbed by the body. Source Naturals says it addresses this challenge with Meriva®, described as an exceptional blend of turmeric and phosphatidylcholine shown in human clinical research to deliver superior absorption compared to curcuminoids without phospholipids. The listed benefits are that the product is shown in clinical research to be more bioavailable than common turmeric extracts, that it delivers turmeric's active compound curcumin, which research shows delivers a myriad of health benefits, and that it supports the body's healthy inflammatory response, described as one of the keys to lifelong health. The page also clarifies that not all inflammation is associated with disease states. Inflammation is also the body's healthy immune response to life's normal stressors, such as strenuous exercise or an occasional high-fat or high-calorie meal, and the page says this response is important for optimal health. Suggested use is 1 tablet 1 to 2 times daily with food. The key ingredient is Meriva® Turmeric Complex, a proprietary blend of turmeric rhizome extract and phosphatidylcholine. The label notes that the product contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn or wheat, and contains no sugar, starch, preservatives, or artificial color, flavor or fragrance. Warnings state that if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should consult your health care professional before using this product. Do not use if either tamper-evident seal is broken or missing, and keep out of the reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place. Meriva® is a registered trademark of Indena S.p.A., Milan. Source Naturals states that it sources botanical powders, extracts and other raw materials from around the world, screens suppliers, and tests raw materials under strict GMP guidelines. The testing methods listed on the page include HPTLC, HPLC, LC-MS, ICP-MS for heavy metals, spectrophotometric methods, and testing for microbial contamination. The company says it does much of its own manufacturing at its facility in Scotts Valley, California, and also uses a third-party certifying body and third-party manufacturers under GMP guidelines.
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Study, Trial or Testing Result Summary
Members Only25 human studies · 22 improved
Each tablet has 500 milligrams of a turmeric complex, so the two daily servings give 1000 milligrams, above the 250 milligrams that worked in one trial. In that trial, 106 adults with chronic knee pain who took a turmeric extract for 90 days had less pain than with placebo and walked and climbed stairs faster [1]. A pooled analysis of 39 trials with 4599 people with knee arthritis found curcumin improved some pain, stiffness or function results compared with placebo, with no added side effects [2]. Another pooled analysis of 23 studies found less pain and less need for rescue meds [3], and a third suggested taking it for more than 12 weeks [4]. In rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin lowered swollen and tender joint counts and disease activity [5]. Reviewers warn that many trials were of low quality [6]. The product also has 142 milligrams of calcium a day. The calcium evidence is thin and comes from specific forms: calcium fructoborate eased knee pain in a short trial [7], while ordinary calcium in the diet was not linked to knee symptoms [8]. Animal and cell studies are never counted.
See all 25 studies →Hide the studies
- In a pooled analysis of 39 trials with 4599 people with knee osteoarthritis, curcumin improved some pain, stiffness or function outcomes compared with placebo, though Boswellia ranked best, and no added side effects were seen.Comparative Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Network Meta-Analysis.
- In a pooled analysis of 47 trials with 3852 people with rheumatoid arthritis, dietary polyphenols including curcumin improved disease activity, inflammation and oxidative stress without more side effects.Efficacy and safety of dietary polyphenols in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 47 randomiz…
- In a pooled analysis of 29 trials with 2396 people with arthritis, curcumin or turmeric extract at 120 to 1500 mg for 4 to 36 weeks eased pain and inflammation and was safe, though trial quality was low.Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin and Curcuma longa Extract in the Treatment of Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-An…
- In a pooled analysis of 23 studies with 2175 people with knee osteoarthritis, curcumin lowered pain and total WOMAC scores and the need for rescue medication compared with placebo, with fewer adverse reactions than meds.Efficacy and safety of curcumin therapy for knee osteoarthritis: A Bayesian network meta-analysis.
- In a pooled analysis of 21 trials with 1705 people with knee osteoarthritis, curcumin lowered blood CRP and TNF-alpha compared with placebo but did not change ESR, IL-1beta, IL-6 or PGE-2.Effects of curcumin on serum inflammatory biomarkers in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-…
- In a pooled analysis of 15 trials with 1621 people with osteoarthritis, turmeric extract and curcumin reduced pain, stiffness and function scores compared with placebo with similar side effects, and use beyond 12 weeks was recommended.The efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin supplements on osteoarthritis: a systematic review and met…
- In a pooled analysis of 5 studies with 599 people with osteoarthritis, curcumin improved WOMAC and pain scores, with side effects not higher than with a med.Efficacy and side effect of curcumin for the treatment of osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial…
- In a pooled analysis of six publications with 539 people with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin lowered ESR, disease activity score, and swollen and tender joint counts compared with controls.Effect of curcumin on rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Across 8 trials, turmeric extract providing about 1000 mg of curcumin per day reduced arthritis pain and stiffness compared with placebo, though the authors judged the evidence not yet definitive.Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta…
- In a review of 69 placebo-controlled trials of supplements for hand, hip or knee osteoarthritis, curcumin and turmeric extract had large short-term pain-relief effects, but no supplement had clinically important effects at long term and evidence quality was often very low.Dietary supplements for treating osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Across 21 trials, turmeric and curcumin supplements were effective adjuvants for musculoskeletal and joint health with few side effects, and a 250 mg daily dose of a water-dispersible turmeric extract appeared more effective than other curcumin products.Safety and Efficacy of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Extract and Curcumin Supplements in Musculoskeletal Health: A Systematic…
- A pooled analysis of 11 meta-analyses of randomized trials found curcumin supplements significantly reduced knee osteoarthritis pain, stiffness and function scores.The efficacy of curcumin in relieving osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis of meta-analyses.
- Across 17 studies, all turmeric preparations used alone reduced knee osteoarthritis pain compared with placebo, though the certainty of the evidence was low.Effect of turmeric products on knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
- Across seven randomized trials in adults with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin lowered joint disease activity score, rheumatoid factor, blood sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein compared with placebo or standard care.Effect of curcumin on inflammatory markers and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis.
- A review of 18 studies of non-biological knee osteoarthritis treatments found only limited evidence that calcium gluconate (combined with sodium bicarbonate) improved pain and function.Alternatives to Biologics in Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review.
- A review of 161 meta-analyses of randomized trials found curcumin and related ginger-family plants clearly relieved osteoarthritis pain and related conditions, though the authors say higher-quality research is still needed.Zingiberaceae plants/curcumin consumption and multiple health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and met…
- In a 3-month placebo-controlled trial of 162 people with hand osteoarthritis, a combined turmeric and Boswellia extract reduced pain more than placebo, with no significant difference in side effects.Effect of a combination of C. longa and B. serrata extracts on hand osteoarthritis. Results of a double-blind, randomize…
- In 106 adults with chronic knee pain, 250 mg of a water-dispersible turmeric extract daily for 90 days reduced pain scores more than placebo and improved walking and stair-climbing times.A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Assessing Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Low-Dose Turm…
- In 84 adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, a daily combination containing 500 mg curcumin for 12 weeks reduced knee pain no more than placebo did.Effect of an oral complementary medicine combination for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomized, pl…
- In 80 adults with knee osteoarthritis, 400 mg of curcumagalactomannosides plus 500 mg glucosamine twice daily for 12 weeks improved pain, stiffness and walking compared with chondroitin plus glucosamine, and lowered inflammatory blood markers more than the comparison group.Curcumagalactomannoside/Glucosamine Combination Improved Joint Health Among Osteoarthritic Subjects as Compared to Chond…
- In 60 adults with knee discomfort, 110 mg of calcium fructoborate twice daily for 2 weeks reduced knee pain and stiffness scores more than placebo, while the placebo group did not change.Short-term efficacy of calcium fructoborate on subjects with knee discomfort: a comparative, double-blind, placebo-contr…
- In 48 women with rheumatoid arthritis, 500 mg of curcumin daily for 8 weeks raised antioxidant capacity, lowered an oxidative stress marker within the curcumin group, and reduced joint tenderness, swelling, pain and disease activity more than placebo.The efficacy of curcumin supplementation on serum total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and disease activity in w…
- In 40 adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, 1,500 mg of curcuminoids a day for 6 weeks was followed by clinical symptom improvement and lower blood inflammation markers, though these changes did not differ significantly from placebo.Impact of Supplementation with Curcuminoids on Systemic Inflammation in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Findings from…
- In a two-year study of 392 adults with knee osteoarthritis, higher dietary calcium intake was not linked to knee symptoms, quality of life, or joint structure.Associations of Dietary Macroelements with Knee Joint Structures, Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Comorbid Conditions in …
- In an animal study of goats, a tendon graft coated with calcium phosphate reduced enlargement of the bone tunnel on the thigh-bone side 6 months after knee ligament reconstruction, though graft strength did not differ from untreated grafts.Calcium phosphate-hybridised tendon graft to reduce bone-tunnel enlargement after ACL reconstruction in goats.
Review Totals and Summary
Members Only506 reviews · 94% positive
Customers worldwide, especially on iHerb, mostly buy this product for its Meriva form of curcumin. Many say they chose it over other turmeric brands because Meriva is known for better absorption. Several note that it has Meriva as an ingredient to improve absorption, which not every brand includes. Long-term users from places like Ireland describe taking it for years for that reason. Others say they researched turmeric extensively and settled on this brand. Joint comfort is the most common reported benefit. Reviewers describe less knee and joint pain, and some say the product helps with general inflammation. A few add that they feel better overall, and one mentions better cognitive performance. iHerb's own review summary says customers report significant improvement in joint pain and inflammation. Some call turmeric the one supplement they would keep if they could take only one. Several reviewers like that this product avoids black pepper extract. One says piperine upsets their stomach, so they are glad to find an absorbable turmeric without it. The tablet format gets praise from some buyers. They say it avoids turmeric's bitter taste and does not break open in the stomach. They also like the high 500 mg strength and find the tablets easy to take. People also trust Source Naturals as a quality brand and like its packaging. A few buyers say they bought it on a friend's or doctor's recommendation, and some reorder repeatedly. The complaints are fairly mild. The most common is price. Reviewers say turmeric supplements in general are not cheap, though several accept the cost because of the Meriva absorption. One tablet buyer notes the product was out of stock for a while. A few reviewers are lukewarm. One user said the product helped their feet but not their knees. Another is thinking about switching to a different Meriva brand because they had read a study on Meriva and fatty liver. A number of the glowing reviews are marked as rewarded, meaning iHerb gave the reviewer an incentive, so their enthusiasm should be read with that in mind. Some of the shorter reviews repeat the marketing language about absorption. Overall, buyers are satisfied and say it is worth the money if you want a curcumin with good absorption and no black pepper. I found few complaints about side effects, and no widespread complaints about pill size or taste.
Biohacker Summary
Members Only8 of 10 recommend it
Turmeric, the main ingredient, gets a mostly favorable but mixed response from the panel: six of ten recommend or use it, while three lean toward caution. People take it mainly for inflammation, joint and knee pain, liver health, and antioxidant support, and one uses it to support detox. Several say to pair it with black pepper, or choose a form with piperine or a liposomal form, because turmeric is poorly absorbed on its own, and one panelist takes one gram a day. Cautions came from three panelists: one says to stop it before surgery, one warns it is very high in oxalate in large amounts, and one advises against high doses or bioavailable forms for people with low DHT or insensitive androgen receptors, and urges careful sourcing because of lead. Calcium is a smaller ingredient in this product, and the panel mostly backs it for bone health, with a few noting it works best alongside vitamin D and magnesium.
See all 10 biohackers →Hide the biohackers
Dr. Eric Berg · Turmeric · recommends
- Dr. Eric Berg recommends pairing turmeric with black pepper to improve curcumin absorption.
- States that one cup of turmeric water could have surprising benefits for health.
- Warns that bone loss cannot be fixed with just calcium, as bone is primarily collagen with other essential minerals.
- Dr. Eric Berg recommends adding turmeric to eggs to support satiety, antioxidant potential, cardiovascular, and liver health.
- Dr. Berg includes calcium carbonate among the synthetic supplements to avoid.
- Recommends turmeric for its chelation abilities and its ability to turn up the body's detoxification genes.
- Warns against calcium carbonate, also known as limestone, stating that while it lowered hip fractures in a study, it also increased kidney stones and is not good for arteries, requiring the body to work hard to use it.
- Mentions turmeric as a food that black cumin seed oil outperforms in reducing inflammation.
- Notes that tannins in tea bind calcium, blocking its absorption.
- Dr. Eric Berg states that turmeric can contribute to supporting liver health.
- Says turmeric is a natural a med because it helps retain neurotransmitters like serotonin, GABA, and dopamine.
- Indicates that horizontal thin white lines near the base of the nails are indicative of low calcium.
- Recommends turmeric, noting it is an exceptionally rich source of curcumin, which delivers powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects linked to cardiovascular health and mental well-being.
- States that Turmeric may be the most underrated medicinal plant on earth, supporting the brain, liver, and heart, and helping protect healthy cells during chemo or radiation therapy.
Ben Greenfield · Turmeric · warns
- Advises patients to stop turmeric before surgery because it can act as a med or antiplatelet agent.
- Recommends root spices like turmeric for use on the AIP diet.
- Is considering whether he needs a calcium supplement because lead can displace calcium in bones, affecting bone strength.
- Mentions calcium as a common deficiency.
- Recommends adequate intake of calcium for bone strength.
- Suggests using choice herbs like turmeric when preparing meat to weave in small stressors.
- Is using calcium chloride mixed with PRP before injecting for the P-shot.
- Advises people to stop taking calcium supplements as part of the Root Cause Protocol.
- Lists turmeric as one of the ingredients in Organifi Green Juice.
- Mentions turmeric as an herb that has more data than fruit tree leaves.
- Stuffs the trout with herbs like turmeric.
- Warns that in high doses, calcium without the right cofactors can raise cardiovascular risk by contributing to arterial calcification instead of bone strength, and may increase the risk of osteoporosis.
- Explains that 10X separates calcium and zinc into different micro beads, releasing them at different rates and locations in the digestive tract to prevent competition and optimize absorption.
- Recommends anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric, ginger, and garlic, often seen in a Mediterranean approach, to help with inflammation and fat loss.
Thomas DeLauer · Turmeric · uses
- Recently started taking turmeric for their joints, specifically for knee issues, as it helps support recovery, especially after a workout.
- Mentions that Dose Daily contains turmeric, which contributes to its positive impact on liver enzyme levels.
- Notes that milk contains 120mg of calcium, while sardines contain 351mg, highlighting a 3x difference.
- Recommends getting calcium, along with vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium, from foods like sardines, as they are important for inflammatory pathways in the gut.
- Mentions Turmeric as an ingredient in DOSE that has proven literature behind it for liver health.
- Explains that eating sardines with their soft bones provides a serious hit of calcium, which is a perfect combination for bones and may contribute to satiety.
- Mentions that magnesium and calcium should not be taken together as they cancel each other out.
- Mentions that Dose Daily, which he recommends for liver support, contains turmeric.
- Tries to get multivitamins without calcium or with a low amount, as he believes supplemental calcium impacts the absorption of other vitamins and minerals and is not as beneficial as hyped. He cautions against it for most people due to the risk of coronary artery calcification.
- Recommends getting calcium from dairy sources like milk, yogurt, kefir, and cheese in the morning to support neurotransmitter synchronization crucial for deep and REM sleep, noting that low dietary calcium is linked to insomnia.
- Warns that calcium competes with magnesium for the same absorption channels, advising to separate magnesium intake from calcium supplements or dairy by at least an hour or two.
- Recommends providing the body with adequate dietary calcium, not a calcium supplement, to ensure a clean, strong spark for efficient insulin release.
- Warns that calcium and magnesium should not be taken together as they cancel each other out, though some products use delayed absorption to mitigate this.
- Warns that most people consume too much calcium relative to magnesium, which can disrupt the balance needed for proper bodily function, comparing it to an electrical circuit.
Dr. Mark Hyman · Turmeric · recommends
- Recommends turmeric as an anti-inflammatory powerhouse.
- Notes that if people have used something like turmeric for several thousand years as a remedy and an anti-inflammatory compound, it can't be wrong.
- Notes that calcium is in bones but is also essential for nerves, muscles, and the heart, and low levels can affect muscle function and heart rhythm.
- States he was using circ turmeric to stimulate the NRF2 pathway and open up detox.
- Mentions using turmeric (curcumin) in certain people, especially those with elevated amyloid levels in the blood.
- Recommends Paleovalley's Turmeric Complex, which uses whole food turmeric with over 200 beneficial compounds, plus organic ginger, rosemary, and cloves, to support overall wellness.
- States that green leafy vegetables are great sources of calcium.
- Recommends turmeric as a simple way to support health against stress and inflammation, noting its key compound curcumin supports the body against conditions like cancer, cardiovascular stress, neurogenic diseases, and helps with inflammation, metabolic balance, joint comfort, mood, immune function, and brain health.
- Recommends turmeric as a simple way to support health, noting its key compound curcumin supports the body against various conditions and helps with inflammation, metabolic balance, joint comfort, and mood. He specifically recommends Paleovalley's Turmeric Complex for its whole food approach and improved absorption.
- Included turmeric in their chicken dish as part of an anti-inflammatory power couple with ginger.
- Recommends turmeric as a great herb and spice for upregulating the body's own detoxification pathways.
- Uses turmeric in her cooking, takes turmeric supplements with high levels of curcumin, and makes turmeric shots, believing it has been key to her remission.
- Notes that calcium needs are lower than advertised and that stress, soda, and excess sugar can drive calcium loss.
- Does not prescribe calcium supplements at all, teaching people to get it from whole foods instead, because calcium supplements don't work for building bones or preventing fractures, and it's bone quality, not density, that matters.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick · Turmeric · uses
- Likes adding turmeric to bone broth for flavor, warmth, and its anti-inflammatory compounds.
- Mentions that kale delivers calcium, a micronutrient many diets fall short on.
- Notes additional gaps in calcium.
- Reports that alcohol use disorder is associated with a 20-50% greater prevalence of Calcium deficiency.
- Suggests that if someone is an 'immuno-ager,' they might want to take turmeric to help with their immune system.
- Explains that turmeric, specifically curcuminoids, are slightly toxic to the body, which activates phase II detoxifying enzymes and turns on anti-inflammatory genes. She also notes that aromatic turmerone in turmeric can increase neural stem cell proliferation and affect memory and performance.
- Around 38% doesn't meet the requirement for calcium.
- Feels comfortable using turmeric with ginger and black pepper to counteract unnecessary inflammation, noting its long history in Ayurvedic medicine.
- Takes a calcium-magnesium pill because he believes people tend to be short of both and that the body cares about the ratio of these similar molecules.
- Dr. Patrick mentions that catechins and polyphenols are found in things like green tea, dark chocolate, turmeric, blueberries, and other purple pigmented fruits and vegetables, as well as red wine.
- Mentions turmeric as a beneficial hormetic stressor that activates the body's stress response mechanisms.
- Kevin makes teas with turmeric, indicating he uses it.
- States that 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day is the recommended intake for bone density, and supplementation is an option if this requirement is not met.
- Takes a calcium, vitamin K2, and vitamin D combination supplement in the morning, providing about 600 mg of calcium and another 1,000 IUs of vitamin D.
Siim Land · Turmeric · recommends
- Mentions that turmeric helps with arthritis and joint pain, with clinical trials showing its effectiveness.
- Lists dairy and sardines as sources of Calcium.
- Notes that Boron reduces calcium/magnesium loss.
- Recommends a high calcium intake for bone health.
- Places Turmeric or Curcumin in the 'god tier' due to numerous human clinical trials for inflammation, noting that its poor bioavailability means supplements should ideally be liposomal formulations or include piperine (black pepper) to enhance absorption.
- Places calcium supplementation in the 'bad tier' due to its association with increased cardiovascular events, recommending dairy or bones as easier ways to get calcium, though it can be useful for postmenopausal women with low bone density.
- States that turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory effects, lowering inflammation markers like CRP in clinical trials.
- Mentions that eating enough calcium matters for bone density, but states that it alone won't transform bone density.
- Warns that calcium is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, though people with low calcium status and intake can take it safely.
- Warns that calcium supplements increase the risk of heart disease by raising blood calcium levels too high, leading to hypercalcemia and more calcium being stored in the arteries, and also increase the risk of arrhythmias.
- Places Turmeric (Curcumin) in the 'god tier' due to numerous human clinical trials supporting its anti-inflammatory effects. He advises using liposomal formulations or adding piperine to improve its poor bioavailability.
- Discusses Turmeric as a supplement.
- Warns against calcium supplementation for most people due to its association with increased cardiovascular events, but notes it can be useful for postmenopausal women with low bone density who don't consume dairy.
- Discusses Calcium as a supplement.
Dave Asprey · Turmeric · warns
- Warns that turmeric is exceptionally high in oxalate, which can cause issues if consumed in large amounts.
- Notes that when energy intake is too low for training demand, nutrient intake often falls short, especially for calcium, which is associated with reduced bone health.
- Explains that calcium provides the raw material for bones, but it isn't a standalone input and needs a whole system to be effective.
- Notes that people take calcium for their bones.
- Warns that taking calcium without vitamin D, A, and K2 can lead to calcium going into tissues, causing bone spurs and other issues, and recommends a two-to-one ratio of calcium to magnesium.
- Uses turmeric as an example of an unprotected ingredient that, once proven beneficial through studies, allows everyone to take advantage of the knowledge.
- Recommends taking calcium citrate during a high oxalate meal to bind the oxalate in the gut.
- Notes that people often take calcium for bone health.
- Dave Asprey mentions that turmeric can stimulate orexin, which keeps you awake, alert, and motivated.
- Believes calcium supplements are overrated, as most people need more vitamin K2 and vitamin D instead.
- Takes an extract of turmeric, a high oxalate food, that provides the good stuff without the bad.
- States that turmeric has anti-parasite qualities and he takes it nearly constantly.
- States that turmeric has anti-parasite qualities and he takes it nearly constantly.
- Advises taking iron and calcium separately because they will bind together.
Andrew Huberman · Turmeric · warns
- Recommends avoiding bioavailable curcuminoids like bioavailable turmeric if someone's DHT is already low or if they have somewhat insensitive androgen receptors.
- Mentions that turmeric is on a list of colorants and could technically move a food into the ultra-processed category, despite being full of curcumin and having possible health benefits.
- Recommends turmeric to patients for hot flashes, noting some 'okay data' but emphasizes it's not a replacement for estrogen.
- Warns against taking too much turmeric, especially in high doses, due to potential negative effects like limiting dihydrotestosterone production and the risk of lead contamination, advising careful sourcing.
- Discusses "hard water" and the role of magnesium and calcium in cardiovascular health.
- Warns that high doses of turmeric can strongly inhibit DHT, leading to drops in libido for people who are very DHT sensitive.
- Explains the evidence and mechanisms supporting the use of curcumin (turmeric) for migraine headaches.
- Andrew Huberman avoids turmeric because his previous anecdotal experience showed it crushed his DHT levels and negatively impacted his feelings of vitality.
- Mentions that turmeric inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT.
- Is very skeptical of turmeric, citing concerns about lead contamination in many products and its antagonistic effect on dihydrotestosterone, which can blunt affect and libido in men. He personally avoids it.
- Andrew Huberman warns that high doses of turmeric can strongly inhibit DHT, leading to drops in libido for many people.
- Adequate intake of calcium is vital for bone health.
Bryan Johnson · Turmeric · uses
- Uses turmeric for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic benefits, noting that black pepper boosts its power.
- Recommends calcium as a mineral that, along with phosphorus, magnesium, and boron, is deposited to fortify the bone structure after the collagen scaffold is in place.
- Agrees that a little extra calcium is probably okay, especially for women, to really hit home for bone mineral density.
- Takes one gram of turmeric a day for inflammation, joints, and liver.
- Recommends prioritizing calcium intake for postmenopausal women to help maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
- Bryan Johnson takes Calcium daily as part of his Longevity Mix, which supports healthy bones and teeth.
- Recommends continuing with calcium to support bone health during the follicular phase.
Peter Attia · Turmeric · uses
- Peter Attia's brand, AVIA Skincare, incorporates Ayurvedic wisdom, including turmeric and other Eastern botanicals, for anti-inflammatory care.
- Recommends calcium as one of the 'big three' micronutrients for bone health, suggesting a daily intake of 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams, which can be supplemented with calcium carbonate or calcium citrate.
- Explains that bone is 50 to 70% mineral, predominantly calcium, and that virtually all of the body's calcium is contained within bone, making bone important for calcium homeostasis.
- Recommends calcium for bone health, stating that teenagers probably need about 1000 milligrams a day.
- Discusses bone acting as a reservoir for calcium and how resorption and formation release calcium into the blood when needed.
- Notes that bone is 50 to 70 percent mineral, with calcium being the predominant mineral, and virtually all of the body's calcium is contained within bone.
- Recommends getting about a gram of calcium a day from organic bone meal, which provides calcium hydroxyapatite, the form humans are meant to consume.
- Suggests that calcium is one of the other signals involved in regulating mitochondrial number, beyond AMPK activation.
- States that in postmenopausal women not on estrogen, calcium and vitamin D have no protective effect against hip fracture because the problem is not the shell of the bone, which is fed by calcium and vitamin D, but the internal girder network.
- Notes that compelling evidence links calcium to reduced risk of osteoporosis, which can impact mortality from specific causes.
RAL Summary
Members OnlyTier 2 for Joints and Mobility
Many pooled analyses, the largest of 4599 people, show turmeric and curcumin ease joint pain and stiffness compared with placebo [2], and 93% of 516 reviews are positive, which meets tier 2.
Where the evidence disagrees: 2 of the 25 human studies found no effect.
More Details
Members OnlyBody systems · Combine with · Possible side effects
Body systems: Musculoskeletal system, Immune system
Combine with: For joint health, pair Meriva with glucosamine and chondroitin, undenatured type II collagen, or hyaluronic acid for cartilage support, plus omega-3 fish oil (EPA/DHA) for complementary anti-inflammatory action. Boswellia serrata extract works well with curcumin for joint comfort, and vitamin D3/K2 with magnesium supports bone and connective tissue. If the user still wants metabolic support for weight management, curcumin can be an adjunct alongside berberine, green tea extract (EGCG), and protein and fiber such as glucomannan, along with diet and exercise. Take with a meal containing fat, and use caution with meds or gallbladder problems; consult a clinician.
Possible side effects: Studies found curcumin caused no more side effects than placebo and fewer than meds. Reviewers report few side effects, and some like that it has no black pepper extract, which upsets some stomachs.
Supplement Facts
Calcium 71 mg · Meriva Turmeric Complex 500 mg
| Calcium | 71 mg | |
| Meriva Turmeric Complex | 500 mg | † |
Other ingredients: Dibasic Calcium Phosphate, Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate, Stearic Acid, modified Cellulose Gum.
Directions: Suggested Use: 1 tablet 1 to 2 times daily with food.
Barcode (UPC) 021078024200 · Label source: NIH label database · Report a label change
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Graded November 7, 2026 by the Reverse Age Lab evidence engine, from human studies, real reviews and our biohacker panel. How we grade. Is this medical advice? No. Rala organizes the published evidence; go over any change with your doctor, especially if you take meds.
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