CurcuVET-SA50 (cats and small dogs)

Curcumin complexed with phosphatidylcholine for superior bioavailability

• for maintenance of the animals normal inflammatory response
• provides potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity
• significantly increased bioavailability from the phytosome preparation

CurcuVET® is a unique, patented curcumin product available exclusively from ThorneVET. For centuries people throughout Asia have benefited from the healthful effects of curcumin. Curcumin is the orange pigment in turmeric (the primary ingredient in curry) and is an antioxidant that offers numerous health benefits including for joint health, hepatic support, gastrointestinal health, and cardiovascular function – by helping to maintain the animals normal cytokine balance.

CurcuVET is a unique curcumin extract that is significantly better absorbed than other curcumin extracts. Whether taken as a supplement or from food, curcumin is generally poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. Scientists at Indena S.p.A., the worldwide experts in botanical extract technology, have uncovered the key to curcumin absorption – phytosome technology. Phytosomes are plant extracts bound to a phospholipid, in this case phosphatidylcholine (PC), an essential component of cell membranes. When taken orally, PC is very well absorbed. By attaching a curcumin molecule to a PC molecule, the PC ushers the curcumin across the cell membrane for superior absorption.

Studies demonstrate CurcuVET supports a healthy inflammatory response in small animals and horses.

A similar equine study on the effect of CurcuVET on cytokine gene expression found significant down-regulation of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-1RN in mares and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2, TNF-α, and IL-1RN and increase in IL-6 in foals.

Similar results were achieved in an eight-month human trial of Meriva. Enhanced joint health was reflected in improvements in both clinical and biochemical end points.

A 2007 study published in the journal, Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, demonstrated the superior bioavailability of curcumin phytosome (as Meriva®, the CurcuVET equivalent for humans) compared to ordinary curcumin. Liver levels of curcumin were also higher with this supplementation. In a more recent, randomized, single-blind, crossover study in nine humans, total curcuminoid bioavailability as evaluated by the plasma area under the curve (AUC) was about 29-fold higher for Meriva than for the conventional turmeric extract.

Curcumin has demonstrated its potential to help maintain the animals normal inflammatory response. In numerous animal studies, curcumin has shown the ability to help maintain healthy intestinal mucosa under various adverse conditions. Among the effects noted in the various trials have been decreased nuclear factor-kappaB, nitric oxide, and free radicals in the colonic mucosa. For example, a small human pilot study on patients who had poor gastrointestinal health demonstrated that the administration of curcumin improved overall well-being, maintained the levels of biomarkers generally associated with the bodys normal inflammatory response, and served as a non-drug adjunct that did not disrupt the use of conventional medications.

Several studies have illustrated curcumins hepatoprotective effects, leading researchers to suggest its use supports the liver against exogenous insults from environmental toxins. Curcumin also has the capacity to increase both the flow and solubility of bile. Curcumins hepatoprotective effects are due in part to direct free radical scavenging; but curcumin also enhances the animals natural antioxidant system, which increases glutathione levels, thereby aiding in hepatic detoxification and inhibiting nitrosamine formation.

A recent European canine study found CurcuVET was effective in helping to maintain the balance of markers associated with a normal cytokine balance.

In a similar equine study, the effect of CurcuVET on mares and foals was found to have a positive impact on maintaining normal cytokine balance.

A recent human clinical study demonstrated that in more than 80 percent of patients with a long-term condition known to adversely affect ocular health, Meriva (the human equivalent of CurcuVET) was well tolerated, reduced symptoms of eye discomfort, improved overall quality of life, and helped maintain the eyes normal inflammatory response.