True Synergy - Pure and Potent Turmeric, Curcumin Extract Review

Disclaimer:  I received a free sample of True Synergy Turmeric Dietary Supplement in  exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

This is a bit different than my usual review. Instead of sharing events, creative tools or printing products, I am getting a little closer to home today. Like anybody, I have some health issues. Some days they slow me down or distract me more than I like. One thing I've come to understand is that many of my troubles (osteoarthritis, headaches, allergies, etc) have one thing in common: inflammation. 

I've tried a variety of OTC and prescription meds, corticosteroid shots, all sorts of things. Some did nothing, some had lousy side effects, and others helped for a while. I've also learned to avoid foods, environments or activities that seem to make things worse. The last couple of years I've also been checking out different herbs, teas, minerals, and other supplements to find which ones help with pain and swelling. 

There has been  a lot of talk online about turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties. Curious, I started adding this spice to my cooking. Some people don't care for the taste, but I really like it. (It is great in scrambled eggs!) I've also read that curcumin is turmeric's key to reducing inflammation, so when True Synergy offered me a chance to try their turmeric capsules with 95% curcuminoids it sounded interesting.

Turmeric/ Curcumin are supposed to help with more than just inflammation. Here is some info from True Synergy:

Curcumin has powerful antioxidant effects. It neutralizes free radicals on its own, then stimulates the body's own antioxidant enzymes
• Powerful Antioxidant
• Potent Anti-Inflammation Response
• Promotes Cellular Homeostasis & Health
• Blocks the formation of beta-amyloid the substance responsible for the plaques that obstruct cerebral function found in diseases like Alzheimer's
• 6 different COX-2 inhibitors the compounds the create inflammation in arthritis sufferers
• Supports Joint, Heart & Brain Health
• Benefits Radiant Skin & Hair
Support Your Body with this all natural Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant Miracle spice. Helps relieve pain and inflammation in the body safely & naturally. 

I've been taking these easy to swallow caps every day for about a month. While I started this to help with arthritis, I have found that my skin is much softer and clearer than usual. I've also received a few random compliments on both my skin and hair lately. Hmmm...

I'm not really sure if the capsules are helping with swelling, as my troubles come and go. Thinking about it now, I have been using less Claratin D and have had less wrist/finger joint pain. However that could be due to other things as well. 

I have been reading about how black pepper helps the body make better use of the curcumin, so I think I'll continue with these supplements another month and maybe add some pepper into the mix. (Have read a bit more about it first).  

Interesting in checking this turmeric supplement out for yourself? I found it at Amazon here. (By the way, this is not an affiliate link.)

Have you experimented with "alternative" medicines? I'd love to hear about what has worked (or not) for you.

Thanks for letting me bend your ear. Please, let me know what you think of this type of post. Do you mainly pop by here for the photos, art-stuff, and occasional DIYs? What else would you like to read about on this blog? Thanks in advance for any feedback. I'll be back tomorrow with some fun pics from the past month. And be sure to pop back soon for the new random drawing prize announcement!

**Update 6/30/2015**

I'm still taking these capsules, as they seem to help with some of my joint pain & inflammation. I have also added turmeric spice to my diet. There have been a couple of days/weeks when I stopped taking it (1st as a test & then when I had a stomach bug). Both times there was an increase in joint pain/swelling. When I resumed the turmeric, after a few days there was less swelling and inflammation. I have also noticed a huge decrease in menstrual cramps and think this may be due to the turmeric/Curcumin. I am not a medical professional, but adding this supplement and the turmeric spice daily has definitely improved my arthritis symptoms.