Anti-Inflammatory

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This collection groups ingredients people often look for when they want to support recovery, joint comfort and general health, such as fish oil, turmeric and curcumin, glucosamine, NAC and quercetin. You will find capsules, softgels and powders from Condemned Labz, NOW Foods, Universal Nutrition, EVLution Nutrition and Renew Actives.

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Anti-Inflammatory: buying guide

Set realistic expectations

Supplements cannot treat inflammatory conditions, and the evidence for most of these ingredients in healthy, active people is still developing. If you have ongoing pain, swelling or stiffness, see a doctor or physio for a diagnosis first.

Common ingredients and what the evidence says

  • Turmeric and curcumin. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says there is not enough evidence to conclude that turmeric or curcumin helps for any health purpose, although early studies on joint pain are promising. Curcumin is poorly absorbed on its own, which is why many products add piperine from black pepper.
  • Fish oil. The US NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH ODS) says some trials suggest omega-3 supplements may help people with joint symptoms, but it is not clear whether they reduce joint pain, swelling or stiffness. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) lists fish oils and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in Group B: emerging evidence that deserves further research.
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin. NCCIH says it is still uncertain whether they help joint symptoms, as study results have been inconsistent.

How to compare products

  • For turmeric, check how much curcumin each serve provides, not just the turmeric root weight, and whether it includes an absorption enhancer.
  • For fish oil, compare EPA and DHA per serve.
  • For joint formulas, check the amount of each ingredient rather than a combined total.

Safety

NCCIH reports liver damage in some people who took highly absorbable curcumin formulations. Stop and see your doctor if you notice tiredness, nausea, dark urine or yellowing of the skin. NCCIH also says turmeric supplements may be unsafe in pregnancy. High-dose omega-3s may cause bleeding problems with warfarin, and glucosamine and chondroitin have been linked to a higher bleeding risk in people taking warfarin, so check with your doctor if you take a blood thinner.

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Related categories

See joint support, fish oil, recovery and antioxidant supplements.

Sources: NCCIH: Turmeric; NIH ODS: Omega-3 fatty acids; NCCIH: Glucosamine and chondroitin.

Order online with Australia-wide delivery, free on orders of $100 or more, or visit a Supps247 store in Melbourne, regional Victoria or Brisbane to compare products in person before you buy. Members can use our price match guarantee on full-priced items.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take regular medication, check with your doctor first.

Anti-Inflammatory: questions and answers

Is turmeric worth taking?
The evidence is still early. NCCIH says there is not enough evidence to conclude that turmeric or curcumin helps for any health purpose, although initial studies on joint pain are positive and better studies are needed. If you want to try it, choose a product that lists its curcumin content, follow the label, and stop if you notice any signs of liver problems.
Why do turmeric supplements contain black pepper?
Curcumin, the main active compound in turmeric, is poorly absorbed on its own. NCCIH notes that combining curcumin with piperine, a compound from black pepper, is one way to improve its bioavailability. That is why many products add black pepper extract, often sold as BioPerine. NCCIH also notes that highly absorbable formulations have been linked to liver damage in some people.
Is fish oil good for joints?
Possibly, but the evidence is not clear. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says some trials suggest omega-3 supplements may help people with joint symptoms, but it is not clear whether they reduce joint pain, swelling or morning stiffness. Side effects are usually mild, such as an unpleasant taste or heartburn. High doses may cause bleeding problems in people taking warfarin.
Is glucosamine safe to take every day?
NCCIH says no major safety problems have been found in large studies of glucosamine and chondroitin. However, they have been linked to a higher bleeding risk in people taking warfarin, and glucosamine may raise blood glucose in some people. Little is known about use in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Check with your doctor first if any of these apply to you.
What is bromelain?
Bromelain is a group of enzymes from the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant that break down proteins. NCCIH says research on most of its uses is limited, and there is not enough high-quality evidence to support it for sinus problems. Taken by mouth it seems well tolerated, with stomach upset and diarrhoea the most commonly reported side effects. We stock Best Naturals Bromelain 500 mg, Life Extension Specially-Coated Bromelain and Nutricost Quercetin with Bromelain. Skip it if you are allergic to pineapple, and check with your doctor if you take medicines or are pregnant.
What is the difference between turmeric and curcumin, and what are the benefits?
Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, and curcumin is one of the compounds in it. Some supplements are standardised to curcuminoids, such as Curcumin by Primabolics with 500 mg of Curcuma longa standardised to 95% curcuminoids per capsule, while others list whole turmeric. On benefits, NCCIH says there is not yet enough evidence to conclude that turmeric or curcumin helps any health purpose, and products deliver such different amounts of curcumin that studies are hard to compare. Early research on joint pain is promising, so some active people choose to try it.
What are the side effects of turmeric and curcumin?
NCCIH says typical oral amounts are likely safe for up to 2 or 3 months, but they can cause nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, stomach upset, diarrhoea or constipation. The bigger concern is rare liver injury. In 2023 the TGA said it had received 18 reports of liver injury linked to turmeric or curcumin products, including one death, and that the risk may be higher with enhanced-absorption products, higher doses or a history of liver problems. Stop and see a doctor if you notice yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, nausea or unusual tiredness. Herbs can interact with medicines, so check with your pharmacist first.
Do absorption-enhanced curcumin products work better?
They are designed to get more curcumin into your blood. Curcumin is poorly absorbed, and adding piperine from black pepper is one way to improve that, which is why EVLution Nutrition Turmeric Curcumin with Bioperine adds 10 mg of BioPerine per serving and Horbaach Turmeric Curcumin with Black Pepper includes black pepper extract. Better absorption is not automatically better, though. NCCIH and the TGA both note that liver injury reports may be linked to enhanced-absorption formulations. If you choose one, stay within the label dose, do not double up on turmeric products and talk to your doctor if you have had liver problems.
Is turmeric safe for women to take?
For most adult women the advice is the same as for anyone: follow the label and watch for signs of liver problems. Pregnancy is the exception. NCCIH says turmeric supplements may be unsafe during pregnancy, and little is known about amounts above normal food use while breastfeeding. Turmeric in everyday cooking is a different matter, but talk to your doctor or midwife before taking a supplement. If you take regular medicines, ask your pharmacist whether turmeric suits you, and if you have had liver problems, avoid turmeric supplements unless your doctor advises otherwise, in line with TGA advice.
How do I choose the best turmeric or curcumin supplement in Australia?
Start with the label. Look for the amount of curcumin or curcuminoids per serve, not just the turmeric weight, and check whether black pepper extract is added. In this range, Curcumin by Primabolics is manufactured in Australia with 95% curcuminoids per capsule, EVLution Nutrition gives 1,500 mg of turmeric curcumin per serving with BioPerine, and NOW Foods Turmeric Curcumin has 665 mg per capsule. Choose one product rather than stacking several, since many joint and recovery formulas already contain turmeric. Members can use our member price match on eligible items.
Can I buy turmeric and curcumin online?
Yes. Turmeric and curcumin capsules from Primabolics, EVLution Nutrition, Horbaach and NOW Foods can be ordered online and shipped anywhere in Australia, usually in 2 to 8 business days, with free shipping on orders of $99.99 or more. Afterpay is available at checkout. Prefer to shop in person? Many of our 18 stores offer click and collect, and the store finder shows your nearest one. Stock differs between stores, so check the product page or call ahead before you travel.

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