Longvida®

Longvida® is an innovative, clinically studied ingredient that solves curcumin’s longstanding absorption problems.

Longvida is a patented form of curcumin – the herbal compound widely known for its health benefits. In this Longvida review, we discuss its advantages over plain curcumin supplements:

• High Absorption. Patented solid lipid particle technology improves curcumin’s bioavailability & absorption by at least 65x of generic curcumin extracts.
• Brain-friendly. Longvida was designed particularly for getting curcumin cross the blood-brain barrier, which may exert brain-protective effects.
• Clinically Researched. Longvida’s cardiovascular, cognitive, antioxidant, joint, and other health benefits are backed by human studies. However, we need more clinical trials to confirm the true extent of its benefits.
• Reputable. Longvida was designed through a decade-long partnership between researchers at UCLA and Verdure Sciences.

Overview

Longvida is a patented curcumin extract made by American company Verdure Sciences. Curcumin is the main active ingredient of the herb turmeric, which is widely used for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In fact, curcumin is one of the most researched herbal remedies in the world, and has been investigated as a therapeutic option for arthritis, digestive, cardiovascular, and skin disorders, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions, and more.

However, curcumin’s amazing potential has always been limited by its notoriously low bioavailability, which means that it is difficult for the body to absorb and use. Longvida remedies this problem by utilizing patented SLCP (Solid Lipid Curcumin Particle) technology which coats curcumin with a lipid matrix to greatly enhance its absorption.

Developed through a collaborative effort between plant ingredient manufacturer Verdure Sciences and neuroscientists at the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Longvida was designed particularly for enhancing curcumin’s ability to reach and protect the brain. It is backed by multiple clinical studies showing benefits such as:

• Anti-inflammatory activity
• Neuroprotection and enhanced cognitive function
• Improved cardiovascular health
• Antioxidant activity
• Improved workout recovery

Longvida Patents

Longvida formulation and its use for Alzheimer’s and other age-related disorders

This patent describes Longvida’s unique SLCP (Solid Lipid Curcumin Particle) technology which utilizes lipid (fat) particles to protect curcumin in the stomach and ensure its effective absorption. In addition, it also covers Longvida’s use for potentially warding off Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative and age-related disorders such as Parkinson’s and atherosclerosis. (U.S. Patent 9192644).

Longvida Nutritional Supplement Uses

Curcumin’s versatile biological effects allow Longvida to be used in a wide range of health products. Its most prominent uses include:

Nootropic Supplements

Longvida is most commonly used as a standalone brain health (nootropic) supplement. Indeed, the main reason for the development of Longvida was to improve curcumin’s ability to reach the brain, because it has shown promise of fighting Alzheimer’s and other forms of neurodegeneration. So far, clinical research has shown that Longvida may reduce levels of beta-amyloid, a marker of Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, studies in mice suggest improvement of Alzheimer’s and related neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and memory issues.

Read more: Turmeric as a nootropic

Joint Health Supplements

One of curcumin’s most popular uses is to provide relief for arthritis and other joint and muscle-related pain. Curcumin’s arthritis benefits stem from its potent anti-inflammatory activity, and are backed by multiple clinical studies. Although Longvida hasn’t been investigated in the context of arthritis yet, it has been shown to reduce inflammation in human research.

Read more: Turmeric for joint health

Cardiovascular Supplements

Longvida has the potential to be used as a cardiovascular health & anti-diabetic ingredient thanks to several research-supported benefits:

• Increase in nitric oxide (NO) activity, which can help alleviate high blood pressure
• Improved endothelial function, which protects against age-related issues such as atherosclerosis
• Improved blood lipid (fat) levels, particularly cholesterol and triglycerides

Immunity Supplements

Curcumin – and by extension Longvida – has also shown promise as a immunity system supplement. Animal & human research evidence suggests that curcumin helps with a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including allergies, asthma, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and more. In addition, it has also been demonstrated to normalize immune function, meaning that it helps keep it the immune system from under or overperforming.

Read more: Curcumin for immunity

Post-Workout Supplements

Last but not least, Longvida holds some potential as a post-workout supplement ingredient. Both inflammation and oxidative stress play a central role in the soreness, pain, and reduction of muscle strength that follows strenuous exercise. Moreover, a resistance exercise study showed that Longvida can enhance workout recovery by reducing markers of muscle damage.

Read more: Post-workout supplementation

Longvida Research

Human Research

Clinical studies of Longvida report multiple health benefits, including reduction of inflammation, and improved exercise recovery, antioxidant activity, cardiovascular health, and brain function.

Longvida (2000 mg) may support cardiovascular health by protecting against endothelial dysfunction

This placebo-controlled study explored the effects of Longvida on vascular endothelial function, a measure of cardiovascular health that is particularly linked to atherosclerosis and diabetes. Twenty-nine adults aged 45-74 were given placebo or Longvida curcumin (2000 mg) daily for 12 weeks. Endothelial function was measured by endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD). Curcumin supplementation improved several markers of EDD, alongside increased effectiveness of nitric oxide (NO) – a key vasodilator (compound that widens blood vessels).

• The researchers concluded that “…curcumin supplementation improves EDD in MA/O adults…” ¹

Solid lipid Longvida (400 mg) appears to improve cognitive function & mood in older adults

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of Longvida’s solid lipid formulation (SLCP) on brain function. A total of 60 older adults (aged 60-85) took placebo or SLCP (400 mg) in three different regimens – acute (single dose), chronic (4 weeks), or acute-on-chronic (single dose after chronic supplementation). The acute dose resulted in improved attention & working memory; chronic supplementation improved working memory and mood; and the acute-on-chronic treatment improved alertness and contentedness. In addition to these cognitive effects, curcumin was also associated with reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels.

• The researchers concluded that “…even at the low dose implemented here (approximately 80 mg) curcumin has the potential to improve important cognitive functions.” ²

Longvida (400 mg) appears to have a wide range of health benefits

This placebo-controlled study looked at the benefits of Longvida’s lipid formulation in 38 healthy adults. They were given Longvida curcumin (400 mg) or placebo daily for 4 weeks and had their blood and saliva examined. The curcumin group experienced lower blood triglyceride levels, improved salivary antioxidant capacity, lower blood beta amyloid levels (marker of Alzheimer’s), and improved markers of inflammation, immunity, and cardiovascular health.

• The researchers concluded that “…a low dose of a curcumin-lipid preparation can produce a variety of potentially health promoting effects in healthy middle aged people.” ³

Longvida (400 mg) may enhance exercise recovery by reducing muscle damage and inflammation

This randomized, placebo-controlled study examined the benefits of Longvida for exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). A total of 28 people were given placebo or Longvida curcumin (400 mg) daily for 2 days before and 4 days after working out. The curcumin group experienced reduction in creatine kinase (CK, – 48%), a marker of muscle damage, and  two cytokine markers of inflammation – TNF-α (- 25%), and IL-8 (- 21%). Although these effects were not accompanied by a reduction in reported muscle soreness, they may result in improved recovery from exercise.

• The researchers concluded that “These findings support the use of oral curcumin supplementation to reduce the symptoms of EIMD.” ⁴

Longvida (2000 mg) may protect against endothelial dysfunction

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study looked at Longvida’s benefits for endothelial function, a measure of cardiovascular health. Thirty-nine participants (aged 45-74) were given placebo or Longvida curcumin (2000 mg) daily for 12 weeks. Curcumin supplementation improved markers of endothelial function by improving bioavailability of nitric oxide and reducing oxidative stress.

• The researchers concluded that “…curcumin supplementation is well tolerated, and improves resistance and conduit artery endothelial function.” ⁵

Longvida Dosage

• Most research studies use 400 mg Longvida dosages, but 2000 mg has been used for cardiovascular concerns
• Longvida as a standalone supplement is usually presented in 400-500 mg doses taken 1-2 times daily