Hello, all! About two years ago, I purchased this Smarter Nutrition Curcumin for the first time, and I believe it is 100% responsible for saving my ability to move normally and for saving my quality of life. The ONLY downside is the cost. I can't really afford it (sometimes making ends meet to feed my family is a challenge), but I also cannot afford to be 51 with a blended family of 7 kids and 3 grandz and not be able to function, either! I did not and currently also do not have health insurance or access to affordable medical care, so I was researching alternative means to treat my sudden, unexplained, persistent immobility symptoms (primarily hip issues that left me with no strength to stand after sitting or squatting, unable to do anything other than crawl up stairs on my hands and knees, inability to drive unless I used my hand to lift my right leg by my pants, and even great difficulty walking; even sleeping on either side was uncomfortable at best, painful at worst).

My symptoms had started suddenly in the winter of 2017, and were immediately severe basically overnight. It was as if I had sustained an injury, but I hadn't. For months I tried many different combinations of OTC pain relievers, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory meds. I tried rubs, Epsom salt soaks, hot and cold compress therapy. Everything. NOTHING helped. I was only 49 when this blindsided me, and left me virtually unable to function. After coming across information about the virtues of curcumin, I thought it sounded like the perfect thing for me to try. After further investigation, I decided on this brand specifically. Now, admittedly, my symptoms were pretty severe and because of that, I did decide to ignore the dosage instructions and increase the suggested dose significantly starting out, with a plan to taper back down once I experienced any improvement (if any). I'm sure the company would advocate checking with a physician before taking the higher dose that I did, but I didn't have that option and I was pretty desperate. For the record, though, I had ZERO negative side effects from this curcumin at any dosage level. But, this was my own personal experience. If you have access to a medical professional, please do go ahead and consult them first!

I began seeing a little improvement within 4 weeks, and marked improvement within 8-10 weeks. By 3 or 4 months in, I slowly backed my dose down to that on the label, and continue that as my daily "maintenance" dose. Now, +/-2 years later I am back to my old normal self. If/when I ever feel any hint of an issue coming on (ANY sign of stiffness or weakness in my hips), I up my dose again for a week or two, at most, and that nips it right in the bud. I have told SO many friends and family about Smarter Nutrition Curcumin. It really worked miracles for me!

It is bioavailable without pepper

I am going to be very honest. I really like this product. I take "one" after breakfast. As soon as I take it, my mind is awake and clear, my mood is leveled too. I feel this product acts as a mood enhancer. I have read too that curcumin does help with mood. I have read one review that the pills gave this person heart palpitations. I have been taking the pills long enough to know, sometimes it really does make you feel a bit frantic, it depends on the day and your stress levels. And for that reason I do not take 2 pills a day as suggested. I do not take it everyday. (I gave this to my husband one day, and he was a bit more stressed than before taking it because he had a webinar that needed to go well. After that, I decided not to give it to him again). When I don't take it, it does feel harder to get through the morning. Like a detox, but I try to work through my days without it, trying not to rely on it. For my body, sometimes I take it and still feel the pain is there (mostly hips or my lower back). The longer I take the curcumin day by day, the less I feel the annoying inflammation. It does help me move better and stay focused when I am at the gym, as curcumin does ease the inflammation in my body as it should do yours. It just depends on the person. In addition, if I am really tired and in the middle of I still am tired, be careful to take the curcumin, it might leave you feeling tired and cranky (it did for me one day). It's just depends. It is just the way this product works.

The product seems to do what is claimed.

Still too early to say whether it's effective but I can say it's easy to swallow.