Curcumin: Ancient Compound, Modern Health Powerhouse

By Dr. Brandon Johnson DC, CCSP® | Co-Founder of Voli

As a sports chiropractor and Co-Founder of Voli, I’m always looking for ingredients that are safe, effective, and backed by real science. Curcumin checks all those boxes. Whether you’re dealing with joint stiffness, chronic inflammation, or just trying to recover faster from your workouts, this ancient compound has earned its place in modern wellness.

Let’s take a closer look at what curcumin is, how it works, and why we chose to include it in Voli Recovery.

What Is Curcumin?

Curcumin is the active compound found in turmeric, the bright yellow spice common in Indian cuisine. But it’s important to note that turmeric contains only about 2 to 5 percent curcumin by weight. Most of the benefits you hear about come from concentrated, standardized curcumin extracts.

Curcumin has a unique ability to modulate inflammation at the cellular level, which is why it’s being studied for everything from joint pain and athletic recovery to brain health and metabolic function.

What Are the Benefits of Curcumin?

Anti-inflammatory: Curcumin blocks NF-kB, a molecule that activates inflammatory genes in the body. This makes it especially helpful for joint pain, muscle soreness, and systemic inflammation.

Antioxidant protection: It not only neutralizes free radicals but also boosts your body’s own antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione.

Brain and mood support: Research suggests curcumin may increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein linked to cognitive performance and mood regulation.

Cardiovascular health: Curcumin may support heart health by improving endothelial function, lowering oxidative stress, and reducing inflammatory markers.

Why Absorption Matters

Curcumin is powerful, but only if your body can absorb it. On its own, curcumin has poor bioavailability, meaning very little actually reaches the bloodstream when taken orally. That’s why many supplements use additives like black pepper (piperine) to improve uptake.

At Voli, we take it a step further by using tetrahydrocurcumin, a highly absorbable, water-dispersible form of curcumin. Tetrahydrocurcumin is made from curcumin tetrahydrocurcuminoids. This is an advanced, more stable form of curcumin that the body can readily absorb without needing added fats or piperine. Studies show it reaches systemic circulation more efficiently and is metabolized more effectively, allowing your body to actually use it where it matters most.

Is It Safe?

Yes. Curcumin has an excellent safety profile and is well tolerated in most people. While very high doses may cause mild digestive upset in some individuals, research shows that daily doses between 100 to 250 mg are both effective and safe for ongoing use.

Why We Use It in Voli

We include tetrahydrocurcumin in Voli Recovery to help reduce post-exercise inflammation, support antioxidant defenses, and promote faster recovery, without the need for synthetic painkillers or stimulants.

Whether you’re training, traveling, or just living an active life, curcumin helps you bounce back with fewer aches and more energy to keep going.

Final Thoughts

Curcumin connects ancient tradition with modern science. Tetrahydrocurcumin makes that science more accessible by giving your body a form it can actually use.

We include it in Voli because we believe in ingredients that work, are backed by research and built for real life.

Dr. Brandon Johnson DC, CCSP®

Chiropractor | Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician

Co-Founder of Voli