Gencor has completed the third arm of ongoing study, which was published in Nutrients1, into whether the ingredient HydroCurc could help reduce the systemic inflammation and gastrointestinal side effects associated with iron supplementation.

In a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study funded by Gencor, researchers investigated HydroCurc, a branded curcumin ingredient which uses Pharmako Biotechnologies’ LipiSperse dispersion technology. This delivery technology helps improve the solubility of curcumin, which is otherwise not water soluble and therefore not well dispersed in liquid.

The study included 155 healthy adult subjects who were given, either 1) ferrous sulfate and a curcumin placebo, 2) ferrous sulfate (with a low 18-mg elemental dose of iron) plus a curcumin placebo, 3) ferrous sulfate (with a low 18-mg elemental dose of iron) plus HydroCurc, 4) ferrous sulfate (with a higher 65-mg elemental dose of iron) and a curcumin placebo, and 5) ferrous sulfate (with a higher 65-mg elemental dose of iron) and HydroCurc. Blood samples were taken from subjects at baseline, the midpoint, and study conclusion. Subjects also completed questionnaires.

This third arm of the study showed a significant reduction in inflammatory biomarkers IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the subjects taking high-dose of iron plus HydroCurc, suggesting a reduction in systemic inflammation. These subjects also experienced a reduction in darkened stools. 

The first arm of the study demonstrated the co-administration of a bioavailable formulated curcumin supplement with ferrous sulphate containing 18 mg elemental iron for 42 days results in increased serum BDNF levels.2 The addition of curcumin may therefore provide a novel approach to iron supplementation and possibly enhance the iron-associated cognitive benefits linked to increased serum BDNF levels.

The second arm of the research study3 demonstrated formulated curcumin does not appear to negatively influence acute iron absorption in healthy humans. 

These three studies not only dispel a widely held myth that previously supposed that curcumin impeded iron absorption, but they also provide a solution to a very real problem for the many people suffering from iron deficiencies across the globe.

“We are thrilled to add another successful clinically study to our ingredient dossier,” said Chase Shryoc, VP of Sales and Business Development. “HydroCurc is a well-researched ingredient with an excellent safety profile which meets global regulations, is tested with NSF and LGC for absence of WADA prohibited substances, and HydroCurc can be used in a variety of formats to meet the on-to-go consumer demands.” 

“Our continued commitment to clinical research and science is evident and paying off, in fact, three of our branded ingredients were recently chosen as finalists in several areas, in industry awards, and HydroCurc was one of them,” added Shryoc.

To learn more about HydroCurc, clinical studies and applications, visit gencorpacific.com/ or call 949-502-5760. Visitors to Vitafoods can meet Gencor at stand D125.