Free shipping over $79  ·  Subscribe & Save 10%

Wellaroo
The science

Turmeric

Curcuma longa · TER-mer-ik

The orange root that colours curry. Its curcumin is studied for joint comfort. Turmeric is paired with black pepper: in people, piperine from black pepper raised curcumin absorption 2,000%.

Dog trials: mixed

Vets scored less pain in 2 dog trials. The force plate showed no difference.

In Joint & Mobility
What the research adds up to

In 2 placebo-controlled dog trials, vets scored less pain on turmeric extracts, but the force plate showed no difference. In people, 16 trials with 1,810 adults found less knee pain. Turmeric is paired with black pepper: in people, piperine from black pepper raised curcumin absorption 2,000%.

Turmeric
Dog trials: mixed. Vets scored less pain in 2 dog trials. The force plate showed no difference.
Black pepper
People only
In
Joint & Mobility
What the research found in people

Piperine from black pepper raised curcumin absorption 2,000% in people.

Absorption study, rats and healthy adults, single dose · Planta Med, 1998

Read the study
Increase in curcumin bioavailability when taken with piperine, against curcumin alone. People took 2 g of curcumin with 20 mg of piperine, a single dose. No study has measured this in dogs.
How the study worked
WhoRats, and healthy adult volunteers.
DosePeople: 2 g curcumin, with and without 20 mg piperine. Rats: 2 g/kg curcumin, with and without 20 mg/kg piperine.
MeasuredCurcumin in the blood over the hours after 1 dose.
ResultPeople: curcumin alone was undetectable or very low; with piperine, levels rose from 15 minutes to 1 hour. Absorption rose 2,000% in people and 154% in rats.

Every other study

Dog studies first. Each card says where the study was done, how it was set up and what it found.

  • In dogsPlacebo-controlled trial, dogs and cats

    A mussel, curcumin and blackcurrant leaf supplement in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis

    Describes how mussel omega-3s and curcumin act on inflammation signals. In dogs, the supplement did no better than placebo on the main joint score.

    Corbee · Vet Med Sci · 2022Read the paper (free)
  • In dogsPlacebo-controlled trial, 42 dogs, 3 months

    A diet with curcuminoids, collagen and green tea in dogs with osteoarthritis

    Force plate and blood markers showed no difference. Pain on manipulation fell in the supplemented group.

    Note: Some authors work for Royal Canin.

    Comblain et al. · BMC Vet Res · 2017Read the paper (free)
  • In dogsPlacebo-controlled trial, 54 dogs, 8 weeks

    A turmeric extract against placebo in dogs with osteoarthritis

    The force plate showed no difference. The vets scored a benefit for the turmeric extract (p=0.012). The owners’ scores fell just short (p=0.063).

    Innes et al. · Vet Rec · 2003Read the abstract
  • In peopleCase series, 10 people

    Liver injury linked to turmeric supplements in the US

    10 people had liver injury linked to turmeric products. 3 of the 7 products tested also contained black pepper.

    Halegoua-DeMarzio et al. · Am J Med · 2023Read the paper (free)
  • In peopleMeta-analysis, 16 trials, 1,810 adults

    Review of turmeric extracts for knee osteoarthritis in adults

    Turmeric extracts reduced knee pain and improved function against placebo, with similar results to anti-inflammatory drugs. The trials varied a lot.

    Wang et al. · Curr Rheumatol Rep · 2021Read the abstract
  • In the labLab study, human cells and liver tissue

    Piperine and the enzymes that clear drugs from the body

    Piperine blocked 2 proteins that clear many drugs (P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4). Piperine in food could raise blood levels of some medicines.

    Bhardwaj et al. · J Pharmacol Exp Ther · 2002Read the abstract

Safety notes

  • In a lab study, piperine blocked 2 proteins that clear many drugs. Ask your vet if your dog takes medicine. (Bhardwaj 2002)
  • 10 people had liver injury linked to turmeric products. 3 of the 7 products tested also held black pepper. (Halegoua-DeMarzio 2023)
Joint & MobilityAll 22 ingredients

This page describes ingredient research. It is not veterinary advice. Wellaroo products have not been tested in a trial of their own. Talk to your vet about your dog’s health.