It is the active compound in the spice called turmeric. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of ailments, including arthritis, infections and digestive problems. Only in the 20th century did scientists learn that the active component of turmeric, from a pharmacological standpoint, was curcumin.

Turmeric is also a spice. It is often misspelled as “tumeric”. One of the main ingredients in curry, it is available in powdered form and used fresh, much like ginger. Turmeric is often used in place of saffron, a more expensive spice.

So, what is curcumin good for? It is known to have some antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. In Southern Asia and Indian, where it is readily available, it is commonly used on cuts and burns to prevent infection. It promotes healing and stimulates recovery. A variety of skin creams containing it are made in India and exported to nearby countries.

As a dietary supplement, it may be beneficial for inflammatory bowel and similar stomach ailments, but at high doses, it causes indigestion. In traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, it is used to improve liver function, relieve arthritis pain and regulate menstruation. It is currently being studied for the benefits that it may provide to Alzheimer's patients and cancer sufferers.

There is research suggesting that turmeric may by beneficial for the heart and circulatory system. It has anti-clotting activity, may help prevent heart failure and even repair damage that has already occurred. Some studies indicate that “turns off” specific genes that would cause enlargement of the heart and scarring.

Now, that covers what is curcumin good for. The next question is; how much do you need?

There is a problem with turmeric that has made it difficult for supplement manufacturers to include it in their products. Of course, some manufactures simply add it to the mix, without worrying about whether it is actually effective.

The problem has to do with “bioavailability”. When a nutrient is readily available for use by the human body, it is said to be bio-available. This means that taking the nutrient orally increases blood levels of that nutrient. When a nutrient is changed by digestive acids, it becomes unavailable.

As turmeric passes through the digestive track, it degrades. Very little is absorbed into the bloodstream. This would mean that a person would need to take very large amounts to raise bloodstream levels, which would cause indigestion.

Knowing what is curcumin and the problem with bioavailability, the better companies combine it with piperine, from black pepper, which increases its absorption and then they add a protective enteric coating. This allows the nutrient to pass through the stomach without being changed and enter the upper intestine, where it can pass through the walls and into the bloodstream.

The answers to what is curcumin and what is it good for are still being researched. But, as a health supplement, it's a good choice, as long as the supplement is properly formulated.