Qunol Turmeric Review: Pros, Cons, and Effectiveness

What Is Qunol Extra Strength Turmeric?

Qunol Extra Strength Turmeric Curcumin Complex is a supplement for healthier joints and reduced inflammatory response.

The active ingredient listed on the label is “Bioenhanced Turmeric Complex” (Curcuma Longa) Rhizome, 18%–22% Curcuminoids.

The Qunol brand has partnered with Dr. Travis Stork from the popular show, The Doctors, who appears in several videos within their website stating his approval of Qunol products.

Qunol describes a “water dispersion technology” in their turmeric supplements, designed to increase the bioavailability of the curcuminoids.

Bioavailability is the molecules’ ability to enter the bloodstream and remain intact until they can achieve their desired effect.

The website explains that because curcuminoids themselves are not easily absorbed into the body, the special ingredient added to the product creates a helpful barrier around each molecule of turmeric to get it where it needs to go.

The actual added ingredient is not listed on the product nutrition label and only reads “Bioenhanced Turmeric Complex.”

With some digging on the Qunol website, I was able to find that the ingredient added to their product is likely gamma-cyclodextrin, a common food additive that is generally regarded as safe. (1)

The website doesn’t cite scientific studies, which left me to research the product claims of gamma-cyclodextrin’s effectiveness on my own.

I found that the ingredient’s effectiveness with curcumin is well supported by studies. (2)

It works by both increasing the solubility of the curcuminoids and by protecting them until they can be effectively used in the body.

Evaluation of Ingredients

The active ingredient in this product is curcumin within turmeric. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years by humans as a dye, spice, and medicine.

The words turmeric and curcumin (curcuminoids) are often confused and used interchangeably.

To clarify, turmeric is the spice made from grinding the rhizome (often called root) of the plant.

Curcumin is the active anti-inflammatory component within turmeric, generally making up 5–6% of the rhizome’s content. (3)

Although turmeric supplements don’t have standardized guidelines, they generally contain a higher curcuminoid percentage than the whole turmeric spice found in the grocery store. In fact, some products contain up to 95% curcumin.

Curcumin has been the subject of many randomized control trials in recent decades. There are studies and systematic reviews to support the validity of its use in treating inflammatory conditions. (4)

The mechanism by which curcuminoids act on inflammation is not fully understood but is at least in part due to regulating pro-inflammatory protein and fat molecules.

Positive support for this product’s claim to aid in joint health, including arthritis symptoms, can be found in a review of a study written in 2017. This review also validates Qunol’s claim to support a healthy inflammatory response. (5)

In the past, a major problem found with using curcuminoids for inflammation or joint pain is their low bioavailability.

This can be largely overcome by pairing the curcumin with ingredients that increase bioavailability, like piperine (a component in black pepper) or gamma-cyclodextrin.

Consuming curcuminoids with high-fat foods (like avocado) also increases bioavailability.

Side Effects, Safety, and Dosage

Although the safety of curcumin is fairly well documented, it’s best to discuss your symptoms with a primary care physician before initiating any supplement to make sure it’s safe for you.

Joint pain can be related to serious causes other than osteoarthritis, for which patients should be screened.

Study dosing variability and potency are vast.

In one small study conducted in 2006 which tested large (500–12,000 mg) escalating doses of curcumin, some participants experienced side effects including diarrhea, headache, rash, and yellow stool. (6)

Because research is ongoing, dosing recommendations at this time are mere guidelines.

According to the Joint United Nations and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), curcumin’s acceptable daily intake (ADI) is 0–3 mg/kg or 0–6.6 mg/pound of body weight. (7)

For a 150 lb person, this would be up to 990 mg a day. Several studies have documented much higher doses with no side effects.

Qunol recommends taking two softgels per day, equaling 1,000 mg (500 mg each).

The curcuminoids content listed on the label of this product is 17–22%, or 170–220 mg in a 1000 mg dose, which is under JECFA’s ADI recommendation.

It is unclear if recommendations take into consideration the higher bioavailability of this Qunol product.

Cost and Where to Buy

The cost for a 120-count bottle of 1000 mg softgels (2 softgels/serving at 500 mg each) is $29.99 for a 60-day supply.

The 180-count bottle is $39.99 for a 90-day supply.

This price is comparable to some other turmeric supplements. Other products with similar claims cost less, but they may not have the enhanced absorption feature.

You can purchase the product from the Qunol website or Qunol Amazon storefront, where the product is further discounted.

However, always use caution when buying supplements on Amazon. If the product comes from a third-party seller, there is a higher risk of poor handling or even adulterating the product.

How It Compares

The active ingredient in turmeric supplements is curcumin. In many of the studies linked above, curcumins were extracted from turmeric to create a 95% curcuminoid product for testing.

Qunol Extra Strength Turmeric lists 18–22% curcuminoids; the lower concentration of curcumin discourages me from choosing this product over other brands.

Qunol does offer another product, Liquid Turmeric, with 95% curcuminoid on its label. This product contains piperine, a black pepper extract that has also been shown to increase bioavailability. (8)

Neither of the Qunol products has a third-party testing seal.

When choosing a turmeric product, I would choose one with 95% curcuminoid content, an ingredient that increases its bioavailability, and has a third-party tested seal.

The Bottom Line

The value of curcuminoids to treat inflammation and joint health is backed by several robust studies and centuries of use as alternative medicine. (9)

Turmeric supplements are a safe and effective way for people to manage the inflammatory conditions this product claims to treat.

Despite Dr. Travis Stork’s celebrity endorsement and the exciting research supporting curcuminoids, ethically, I feel against recommending a product that has not invested in third-party testing.

This does not mean that Qunol is an inferior product; it simply means that I have less reason to believe it’s great.

Qunol Turmeric has enhanced bioavailability, making this product an appealing choice if you are looking for a quality turmeric supplement.

As with any drug or supplement, patients should talk to a primary care physician before starting. It’s important to be screened for serious conditions and to make sure it’s safe for you.