Which alkaloid, found in black pepper, is frequently used in supplements to boost curcumin absorption?
Answer
Piperine
To overcome the inherent problem of curcumin’s low bioavailability following oral ingestion, many commercial supplements are formulated to include piperine. Piperine is an alkaloid naturally occurring in black pepper, and its inclusion significantly enhances the body's ability to absorb curcumin into the bloodstream. This manipulation of the delivery method is considered almost as vital as the dose itself when the goal is to achieve a measurable, systemic biological effect from the compound.

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