Skip to content

"The Turmeric Truth" — What Actually Makes Curcumin Work with Dr. Shivani Gupta

July 28, 2026 · 43 min

Show notes

If you've ever taken turmeric and felt nothing, this episode explains exactly why. Dr. Shivani Gupta, whose PhD dissertation was on turmeric bioavailability, walks through the science of curcumin absorption, the safety issue almost nobody talks about (lead contamination, even in organic turmeric), and what a properly formulated curcumin supplement actually needs to include.


She also shares the story that started it all: her grandmother's nightly turmeric milk ritual, and the years of unexplained health struggles that sent her looking for answers modern medicine couldn't give her.


What This Conversation Reveals:

  • The difference between turmeric as food and curcumin as a therapeutic compound
  • Why fat (like eggs, avocado, or olive oil) meaningfully improves curcumin absorption
  • Why some turmeric has been recalled for lead contamination, and what to look for instead
  • Where turmeric fits into the GLP-1 and blood sugar conversation, without overpromising
  • How declining estrogen in perimenopause raises inflammatory sensitivity, and why that matters for joint pain, brain fog, and mood
  • Why the benefits of curcumin build over months, not days, and why that's actually the point

RESOURCES MENTIONED

The Inflammation Code

https://www.amazon.com/dp/140199699X?tag=usalinktagdefault-20&th=1&psc=1&geniuslink=true

Fusionary Formulas Supplements

Use code CODE15 for 15% off your first order

https://fusionaryformulas.com/?utm_source=Show+Notes&utm_medium=Show+notes+&utm_campaign=Podcast+promo&utm_id=The+Inflammation+Code+Podcast

7-Day Inflammation Detox Challenge

https://www.7dayinflammationdetox.com/

Work with Dr. Shivani / Free Discovery Call

https://shivanigupta.com/

CONNECT WITH DR. SHIVANI

Instagram: @dr.shivanigupta

Website: https://shivanigupta.com/



See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

All episodes of The Inflammation Code

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.