What's happening
Curcumin is fat-soluble. Taking with omega-3 or other fats significantly improves absorption.
Recommendation
Take curcumin with fats like omega-3 or with meals.
Timing
Take together with food
Sources
- — Nutrition Journal
curcumin and omega-3
Fat improves curcumin absorption
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take curcumin and omega-3 together?
Fat improves curcumin absorption. Take curcumin with fats like omega-3 or with meals.
How should I time curcumin and omega-3?
Take together with food
Is this interaction dangerous?
This interaction is rated “Synergy” by Formulate. Curcumin is fat-soluble. Taking with omega-3 or other fats significantly improves absorption.
Learn more about each substance
Cited research
Studies from our registry that mention curcumin or omega-3. Each links to the primary source and the other Formulate pages citing it.
Mentions omega-3 · 2020
Effect of High-Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acids vs Corn Oil on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (STRENGTH)
Nicholls et al. · JAMA
STRENGTH trial (n=13,078). High-dose EPA/DHA did not reduce cardiovascular events — contradicts REDUCE-IT finding.
Mentions omega-3 · 2019
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association
Skulas-Ray et al. · Circulation
AHA science advisory on triglyceride-lowering effects of 2–4g/day EPA+DHA — typically a 20–30% reduction.
Mentions omega-3 · 2019
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction with Icosapent Ethyl for Hypertriglyceridemia (REDUCE-IT)
Bhatt DL, Steg PG, Miller M, et al. · New England Journal of Medicine
Double-blind RCT (n=8,179) found high-dose EPA (4g/day) reduced ischemic events by 25% vs placebo in patients with elevated triglycerides on statins — the most convincing cardiovascular benefit data for omega-3s.
Mentions omega-3 · 2019
Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: a meta-analysis
Liao et al. · Translational Psychiatry
EPA-dominant formulas (≥60% EPA) were significantly more effective for depression than DHA-dominant ones.
Mentions omega-3 · 2018
Associations of omega-3 fatty acid supplement use with cardiovascular disease risks: meta-analysis of 10 trials involving 77,917 individuals
Aung et al. · JAMA Cardiology
Large meta-analysis examining cardiovascular outcomes of omega-3 supplementation across 77,917 participants.
Mentions omega-3 · 2015
Fish oil supplements in New Zealand are highly oxidised and do not meet label content of n-3 PUFA
Albert et al. · Scientific Reports
Significant percentage of commercially available fish oil exceeded recommended oxidation limits (TOTOX values).
Related reading
Other interactions to know
More interactions involving curcumin or omega-3
- Warningomega-3+warfarin
Fish oil may increase bleeding risk with warfarin
- Cautionomega-3+aspirin
Fish oil adds to aspirin's antiplatelet effect
- Synergycurcumin+black pepper
Piperine increases curcumin absorption by 2000%
- Synergyvitamin d+omega-3
Fat improves vitamin D absorption
- Synergyomega-3+vitamin e
Vitamin E protects omega-3 fats from oxidation
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Medical disclaimer. This page is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider.
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